February in Avoriaz: What's on and weather

February is usually still a very wintery month. Even if the days are getting longer and the sun shines a little bit stronger, which makes staying on the slopes until lift closure much more pleasant, the weather can change rapidly. So expect a mixture of sunshine, overcast skies and snow.

There is still regular snowfall, on average six days, and very much like January the daily temperatures generally fall between a high of 3ºC and a low of -4ºC. Still very much a time for wearing a thermal under-layer.

The skiing and snowboarding on offer is vast and sublime. The Portes du Soleil has around 600km of pistes, that figure never gets old. February is typically the most snow sure month with the best coverage across the vast Portes du Soleil ski area. 

Looking back at previous years, it has often delivered powder snow on top of well stocked pistes with the local landscapes putting on their best postcard impressions. Alpine summits above snow covered forests and a network of slippery diagonal surfaces for people of all ages and nationalities to come and enjoy. 

February is a popular month for families so the slopes are noticeably busier as soon as the four week French holidays begin. Fortunately, the Portes du Soleil ski area is so vast, that even in high season you can find quiet slopes and minimal lift queues. Here are our insider's top tips for the school holidays:

1. Group lessons are the best option in the busy period, as private lessons are almost impossible to book - unless you got in early. Make sure to get your ski and snowboard lessons booked well in advance to avoid disappointment.
2. If you're not in ski school, be an early bird. Arrive at the lifts before they open so that you get up and away before the ski school classes set out around 09:15.
3. Ski over lunchtime when the slopes are calmer (between 12:00 and 14:00) whilst the French take a leisurely lunch break.
4. Avoid the queues and make the most of your time in the mountains by pre-booking your lunch reservation - some restaurants offer a Click & Collect service.  
5. Seek out the peripheral areas. Whilst there is plenty of space and almost unlimited fun potential, try to avoid the bottleneck pistes and lifts (Proclou, Le Tour, Lac Intrets and TK Arare).
6. Get off-piste. Competent off-piste skiers can book a local mountain guide and explore the vast off-piste areas in the valley or even go touring to find complete solitude in the backcountry.

February is the month of the family holidays here in Avoriaz, yet that doesn’t mean the party stops. Bars up the mountain and throughout the resort will be serving up their lively and legendary après-ski parties from 15:00 to 18:00 with DJs and live music almost daily.

Family fun

February is synonymous with school holidays on the slopes. As hundreds of children and their families descend on the pistes, Avoriaz puts on a show for them. There are lots of activities to keep the little ones entertained on and off the mountain. Maybe the children want some fun time out at the tropical paradise that is Aquariaz, watery fun for all the family to enjoy. And on snowy days the cinema and bowling alley are a good shout. 

Valentine’s Day is a big deal in France, so what better way to celebrate than to treat your better half to a romantic dinner in one of the resort’s many excellent restaurants? If you are after some entertainment while you eat, many places will put on live music, or you could head out to a bar after your dinner. Aside from this, there's plenty of events happening both up and down the mountain, so be sure to keep up to date with our events calendar and you won't miss out. 

Whether on the mountain or down in town, Avoriaz and Les Portes du Soleil is a great place to be in February, and the snow just keeps coming.