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Avoriaz Resort Reviews


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Visitor reviews for Avoriaz Ski Resort

Avoriaz Ratings

Overall: 4.2. Based on 43 votes and 40 reviews. Vote

Snowsure: 4.7

(1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Avoriaz is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.

Variety of pistes: 4.7

(1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Avoriaz has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.

Off-piste: 4.2

(1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.

Scenery: 4.4

(1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.

Access: 4.4

(1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Avoriaz.

Public Transport: 4.4

(1) There are no buses or taxis to Avoriaz, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.

Accommodation: 4.4

(1) No places to stay in/near Avoriaz, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.

Cheap Rooms: 3.5

(1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.

Luxury Hotels: 3.8

(1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Avoriaz.

Ski in/Ski out: 4.8

(1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.

Childcare: 4.5

(1) There are no child care facilities at Avoriaz, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.

Snowmaking: 4.3

(1) Avoriaz relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.

Snow Grooming: 4.6

(1) There are no snow groomers at Avoriaz, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Avoriaz are groomed daily.

Shelter: 4.1

(1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Avoriaz is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.

Nearby options: 3.8

(1) If snow conditions are poor at Avoriaz, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.

Regional rating: 4.7

(1) Avoriaz usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.

Lift Staff: 4.3

(1) The staff at Avoriaz are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Avoriaz are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.

Crowds/Queues: 3.5

(1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.

Ski Schools: 4.6

(1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.

Hire and Repairs: 4.6

(1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.

Beginners: 4.3

(1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.

Intermediates: 4.7

(1) No intermediate terrain at Avoriaz, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.

Advanced: 4.6

(1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.

Snow Park: 4.6

(1) Not even a kicker at Avoriaz, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.

Cross-country: 3.8

(1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Avoriaz, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.

Luge/Toboggan: 3.0

(1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Avoriaz has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.

Mountain Dining: 4.3

(1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.

Eating: 4.4

(1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.

Apres-Ski: 4.1

(1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.

Other Sports: 4.1

(1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.

Entertainment: 3.6

(1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.

Winter Walks: 4.1

(1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.

Ski Pass Value: 4.4

(1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.

Value (National): 4.1

(1) Overall, Avoriaz is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.

Value (Global): 4.3

(1) Overall, Avoriaz is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

Show all 35 ratings

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December 02, 2017
Bill Clarke from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
I am booked for my 6th consecutive visit at the end of January. I know Verbier, the 3 Valleys and Val D'isere from visits there yet Avoriaz always attracts me. One reason is the fact I can fly at 6am and be on the piste by midday. I have never found it crowded with a 3 or 4 minute ski queue being the maximum. For me it is unrivalled in Europe.
February 14, 2015
alastair from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Spent 2 weeks at Avoriaz over Christmas/New Year (2014/2015) and Serma (who own/run the lift system) would not sell us a 2 week pass, but forced us to buy lift passes for 2d, 2d, 3d and then 7d. This cost our family 509 Euro more than their published 14d tariff and they refuse to refund the difference. Does not leave a good impression.
December 23, 2013
Don from Ski Spain Spain
I just want to commend Skiddygonzales for a very pleasant transfer from Geneva airport to Avoriaz. We were a large party of 24 and we had a large comfortable bus; on time and delivered safely in difficult blizzard type conditions. We accidentally left a mobile on the bus and this was sourced and returned promptly. I would highly recommend Avoriaz as a destination and SkiddyGonzales to get you there.
March 13, 2013
Ian McKelar from Ski France France
Best snow for 15 years. More heavy snowfalls this week, 12th March. New super fast Prodain telecabine will open soon plus new luxury apartments and water fun park make Avoriaz a great pace to visit. Ian, director Avoriaz Alpine Ski School.
February 14, 2013
Dee from Ski Ireland Ireland
We are just back from a fantastic family holiday in Avoriaz Feb 2nd-9th 2013. This was the first ski holiday for my children, 4 of them aged between 6 and 11 and they had a wonderful experience. I can highly recommend the Village des Enfants Ski School and most especially Sylvan (he was fab!).The children had a fun week with him and got great instruction. I skied with the instructor, Jan, in a parents class and I found him great also. We experienced the most amazing snow for the week. Being in Avoriaz for the week was like being transported to Narnia. Our accomodation was basic in Fontaines Blanches but very acceptable and reasonably priced.The location cannot be beaten, all of us having fallen in love with the magical Boulangerie next door! The only negative aspect to the holiday was our transfer from Geneva airport to Avoriaz. Unfortunately, I booked a private transfer with Alpybus. Please read this carefully do not book Alpybus-even if you are given the seats for free, don't do it!.They are the most incompetent, ridiculous and downright rude company I have ever dealt with.The journey from Geneva to Avoriaz should take approx 11/2 hrs, it took Alpybus over 4. We didnt get into Avoriaz til 1-30 a.m, our plane having touched down in Geneva at 7-15pm. They were over 1hr late leaving Geneva and then the journey itself was farsical. The driver pulled over the bus about a half an hr into our journey to attach the wheel chains, we were on the side of the road for over an hr and he met with little success to attach the chains. He then drove the bus for about 50metres and pulled over again to take off the chains. This bizarre behavior continued a few times during the journey. Our return journey was not without mishap either as they cancelled our scheduled private transfer the morning we were due to depart but confirmed they had places on another bus for us at a reduced rate of 200 euro as it was not the private transfer we had ordered. When we eventually got the bus the driver would not agree to the 200euro price we were quoted by the Alpybus office and insisted rather roughly that we pay the 270 euro price.Trust me when I tell you- Life's too short to have to experience Alpybus and on your holiday, if you love and care for your family, don't do it. You'd be better off walking! But back to Avoriaz, a magical place that we all can't wait to return to in 2014 if Angela Merkell allows us.
January 21, 2013
Jonathan from Ski Switzerland Switzerland
Just one word enough to describe PDS: unbeatable.
January 19, 2013
Guy Pocock from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
We went to Avoriaz 5th January 2013 for a week. We decided to go to a high altitude resort for guaranteed snow and we were not disappointed. We had 5 days of "Blue-bird" skiing with a half metre dump of snow just before we left - giving us powder skiing for the last day - bliss. I would whole-heartedly recommend Avoriaz for all types of skiers for the following reasons: 1) Beginners - there are several learner slopes right in the centre of the village, connected to easy blue runs to build up confidence. Further a-field, all mountains have wide blue runs allowing beginners to access most areas of the resort. 2) Intermediates - All accommodation is ski-in / ski-out, with plenty of red runs to keep you busy with the Portes Soleil ski-pass offering access to 12 ski resorts and 650km of skiing. 6 resorts in France and Switzerland are in direct reach, skiing at the other 6 resorts involves taking a bus and a bit more hassle. We skied at Morzine and Les Gets for a day - both offer superb skiing and a wide variety of runs, but you need to take the cable car down to the valley and a short bus trip to the slopes - worth it all the same. 3) Expert skiers - the black runs are limited in Avoriaz, but there are loads of off-piste (avalanche danger permitting). We tried the "Swiss wall" black run (a 1km long mogal black run that is too steep to piste bash!) - We came to grief a few times, but certainly a slope to remember! As ever in France, the cost for food and drink on the slopes is exhorbitant, but I suggest you just swallow hard and remember the locals need to make their money in the 4 / 5 month ski season for the whole year! We stayed in a Direct-ski apartment (Les Portes du Soleil) right in the centre of the pedestrianised village with a superb view of the learner slopes. The apartments are basic and a bit noisy (revellers leaving bars during the early hours) but it is a perfect base for access to fabulous skiing. All in all, Avoriaz is a great ski resort - give it a try!
March 18, 2012
fred from Ski France France
The resort is very pleasant with well maintained pistes. Station pedestrian has a certain charm. Cooking is good overall, ski rental is the cheapest in ski-republic in central station. Being a little skier I have not taken advantage of the 650 kms of slopes.
February 24, 2012
Chris from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Avoriaz has everything, amazing on piste, fantastic off piste and a very friendly local atmosphere. From the kids ski school to the Swiss wall, from the snowpark to the stash, from the tavaillon to the place, you have it all. Oh, and it is all ski to the door. And only an hour from Geneva?? No brainer.
February 02, 2012
Fred D'Ally from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Spent the first week of January in Morzine and Avoriaz. Stay in Morzine, it's a quainter village with a great selection of chalet accommodation. Eat at L'Etale restaurant, food is fresh and varied. Although be prepared to wait, so don't eat here if you are in a rush. Avoriaz skiing is brilliantly linked the other to Portes du Soleil slopes. Spent a fair amount of time around the Lindaret area, great selection of skiing here, not crazy about the restaurants in the Lindaret bowl itself. If you can get to the Ardent lifts, it's better starting your day from here, as it is not as crowded as the Pleney lifts (if snowing heavily avoid, as you may get stuck up at the Ardent car park). Will definitely return to this resort 'cos it is well linked (plenty skiing) and close to Geneva for short breaks. Enjoy!

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