Advanced Ski Areas in Avoriaz

For experienced skiers seeking steep descents and long vertical drops, the Hauts Forts area above Avoriaz offers some of the most challenging terrain in the region.

Hauts Forts black runs

• Combe du Machon – A steep and challenging black mogul run directly under the Les Grandes chairlift, demanding strong technique.  You could be tempted to enter by off piste access to the right of the Jean Vuarnet red run, some of which is perhaps more challenging than the Swiss Wall.
• Arête des Intrets and Combette – Both offer steep, technical descents with teh openness of La Combette offering so many possibilities to descent.
• Coupe du Monde – A spectacular ridge-line drop, often windblown, making it icy and steep, but worth your time.
• These runs lead into either Gouilles Rouges or Le Crôt, a blue run that reaches the lifts at Prodains valley. Avoid the Prodains téléphérique unless heading back to Avoriaz. The TS Verare and TS Combe du Machon provide quicker access to the top.

Long top-to-bottom descents

• Bleue d’Arare – A wide, steep blue into Avoriaz, often used for high-speed ski races.
• Le Crôt – The home run to the Prodains valley, featuring steep and bumpy sections for a fast descent. This route has a vertical drop of over 1,000m.

Moguls near Avoriaz

• A challenging mogul field sits under the Express du Stade, just right of Stade du Slalom, which rarely gets pisted and builds up serious bumps.

This area is perfect for advanced skiers looking for steep, technical challenges and long, high-speed descents.

Secteur Linga

This area offers up some great advanced skiing, a couple of very steep reds, the best of which is Le Linga the run into Villapeyron from the top of the TS des Combes. This is super steep at the top for a couple of kilometres before slackening into very fast turns near to the village.

Mogul black runs in Chatel

For bumps try the black run Les Renards closer to Plaine Dranse accessed via the TS de la Chaux-Rosées. This is a mostly wide very long run of varying gradient and very steep in places. Best of all is that the moguls are such that you can get a nice rhythm going.

While Morzine and Les Gets might not be known for extreme steeps, they do offer some very good advanced runs to test your skills.

Le Pléney

The south-facing red runs Rénard, Fouine, and Abeille are steep, wide, and great for carving. You can repeat these runs using the Atray chairlift, with the challenging Olympique black nearby for an extra thrill. The Hermine red is a scenic, thigh-burning descent down to Morzine. For moguls head for the Aigle Noir under the TS de la Pointe lift.

Les Gets - Chavannes

For blacks, hit Yeti and Myrtilles, accessed via the La Rosta and Grains d'Or lifts. These runs get bumpy by afternoon, so morning’s the best time to enjoy them before the moguls take over. Off-piste options weave through the trees and link back to main runs, so there’s minimal risk of getting lost.

If you like long red runs with a few rollers, head to the Mélèzes run, just don't go whizzing past the 'danger' signs towards that inviting pocket of powder - you'll end up in the river!

Nyon

Reached via the Pléney gondola, Nyon boasts steep north-facing slopes with advanced reds like Aigle Rouge, and the mogul-filled Aigle Noir. For a gentler ride, the Combe red is a fast, wide run great for carving.

Chamossière

At 2,002m, Chamossière has some of the best views around. Les Creux, a black run, and Arbis, a steep red, both offer thrilling descents. Be cautious, though – Chamossière is avalanche-prone, so always check conditions.

Chavannes

Les Gets, or more precisely the Chavannes Bowl, has two black runs: Yeti and Myrtilles. Both nearly always sport some pretty severe moguls on steep gradients. For something a little steadier to work on technique, try under the lift line of the Nauchets Express to the skiers’ right of Ambresalles.

Mont Chéry

A quieter area with fewer runs but some great reds and blacks on the shaded (north) back side. There’s also lovely off-piste here, off the side of the pistes and through the trees – ideal after a fresh snowfall, just mind the icy spots.

Super Morzine

Intermediate skiers on the Super Morzine/Avoriaz side of resort can take their pick from multiple blues of a more demanding variety and a similar number of reds, the latter concentrated in the Secteur Chavanette. Try the Bleue du Lac for a warm up before using the Express Choucas and Fornet Express to session the reds; Blanchot, Alpages, Cubore, Patenaille, Lanches and maybe the Canyon du Schott too.

Nyon

Starting from Nyon, keep on the Aigle rouge into the Combe and maybe onward down the Chamois, which are all perfect red pistes. Head over to Chamossière avoid the black Creux run, and exercise caution down the top section of the Arbis red.

The Portes du Soleil Circuit is a full day ski route covering the entire area, starting and finishing in Morzine. While most of the runs are intermediate level, the length and endurance required make it best suited for experienced skiers and fit intermediates. Snowboarders should note that some flat blue traverses may not be ideal, and drag lifts are unavoidable in the Swiss sector.

Portes du Soleil route guide

Morzine to Chatel:

• Start with the Super Morzine télécabine and Zore Express.
• Warm-up on the blue Seraussaix before taking Express Proclou towards Linderets.
• Ski down to TS Chaux Fleurie, which leads to Col du Bassachaux.
• Descend on the red run, Les Voraches to Plaine Dranse, then take TS de la Chaux-de-Rosées.
• Choose between blue runs (Les Blanchots or Les Blattins) to reach TS des Combes above Linga.
• Ski the steep red run Le Linga or blue La Leiche down to Gabelou lift.
• Take Gabelou and Portes du Soleil lifts into the Chatel bowl.

Chatel to Morgins:

• Take TK Chalet-Neuf to the Portes de Culet saddle, entering Switzerland.
• Enjoy views of the Dents du Midi before skiing red Culet I and blue Sepaz into Morgins.
• Cross the road to the télésiège up La Foilleuse – a great lunch stop with stunning scenery.

Morgins to Les Crosets:

• Follow blue runs to Champoussin, then take TK Les Bochasses.
• Continue via TS Aiguille des Champeys, with an optional black descent for advanced skiers.
• Ski blues towards Les Crosets, taking TS Pointe de l’Au for a panoramic descent.

Les Crosets to Avoriaz:

• If you're running late (after 15:30), take TS des Mossettes to return to France via Lindarets and Ardent.
• Otherwise, continue to TS Crosets, skiing the blue/red route towards Champéry.
• Descend via Grand Paradis to TS Planachaux, then follow blue runs to TK Ripaille and TS Chavanette.
• Option for expert skiers: tackle the infamous Swiss Wall (Chavanette) – an extremely steep, mogul-heavy black run.

Return to Morzine:

• From the top of the Swiss Wall, descend into the Chavanette sector above Avoriaz.
• Follow red run, Lanches and blue run Chavanette towards Avoriaz, passing the frozen lac.
• Take Express du Stade and ski Bleue de Arare down to the top of Prodains téléphérique.
• If lifts are closed, walk 10 minutes to Prodains and take the téléphérique or ski Le Crôt home run.
• End the day with a well-earned drink in Morzine!

Top tips

Starting early is essential to complete the circuit within lift operating hours. Check the weather and lift openings before setting. Be prepared to use drag lifts in the Swiss sector, and only attempt the Swiss Wall if you're an expert skier comfortable with steep, mogul-heavy terrain. This is an unforgettable ski day out in the Portes du Soleil.

If running late, consider alternative return routes such as taking the TS des Mossettes back into France to avoid getting stranded in Switzerland.

Having cracked the advanced ski areas, now check out the off-piste areas in Avoriaz.

Take a look at this year's ski pass prices and check out the piste maps of Avoriaz and The Portes du Soleil.