Resort Description
Fully pedestrianised and facing directly south, Avoriaz stands out for its original architecture. The ultimate family resort, it offers a very wide range of activities for the whole family. Its location in the very heart of the Franco-Swiss "Portes du Soleil" ski area offers you the chance to discover some outstanding scenery and to cross the border on foot, by mountain bike or by chair-lift.
The surrounding area
An encounter with nature :
Situated close to Lake Geneva in the very heart of the huge "Portes du Soleil" alpine ski area, Avoriaz 1800 and the surrounding area invite you to discover a wide range of attractions from the shores of the lake to Mont-Blanc, from the goat village of Les Lindarets to the medieval town of Yvoire or the Pont du Diable gorges, Lake Montriond, or the slate quarries of Morzine, Evian and Thonon. To take full advantage of the many delightful charms offered by this attractive region of the Chablais area, and to make the most of your stay, be sure to take the time to visit a large number of local sites and attractions including the forest trails, the high pasture mountain farms, the waterfalls and the area’s breathtaking cliffs.
Heritage and Tradition
The Lappiaz slate mine, the Cistercian abbey of Saint-Jean-d’Aulps, the shores of Lake Geneva, the chateau museums, the Gentianes Alpine Garden (Edelweiss and other buttercup varieties can all be found in this garden, brimming with Alpine flora, in a magical setting located in the heart of the resort, by following a marked out trail), farm visit (just a few hundred metres down from the resort in the direction of Morzine, the Séraussaix farm provides an excellent opportunity to see at first hand how our mountain cheeses are made ).
Sports and leisure
Hiking and mountaineering
Many activities offered by the “Maison de la Montagne” (Mountain Centre)
- Hiking : Avoriaz 1800 is ideally located at a high altitude and offers direct access to a number of trails. Hikes for people of all ability levels are offered on a half-day basis (marmot, chamois or ibex spotting, discovery of the local flora, visits to a cheese producer, etc.) or on a one-day basis (mountain lakes, impressive peaks, a chance to approach major glaciers, etc.).
- Via Ferrata.
- Mountain biking: mountain bike rides along the many signposted trails around “Les Portes du Soleil” (380 kilometres of marked paths and 10 downhill trails), accessible via ski lifts equipped to carry bikes. And for trial biking enthusiasts, there is a specially-constructed area in the heart of the resort.
- 120 m² artificial climbing tower.
Water sports
- Swimming pool.
- Balneotherapy (saunas, Jacuzzi, weight training).
- White-water sports (rafting, kayaking, canyoning, white water swimming) in the Dranse, approximately 20 km away.
- An introduction to lake diving
Aerial activities
- Paragliding.
- Hot-air ballooning.
Children’s club
- "Le Village des Enfants d'Annie Famose".
"Sports" courses
- Tennis (6 to 14 year-olds). From beginners through to ranked players. 1½ hours / day + 1 hour of lessons during the week (maximum 3 children) + end-of-course tournament.
- Shetland pony trekking (6 to 9 year olds) and double pony trekking (10/14 year olds). Training in the ring, equestrian games, obstacle jumping, pony games, mounted gymnastics, etc. 1½ hours of riding and 1½ hours / day of pony-related activities
- The Circus School (7 to 12 year olds). Acrobatics, juggling, flying trapeze, tightrope, balancing ball and mounted gymnastics, with end-of-course show.
- Beach Volley (6 to 9 years old and 10 to 14 years old). Beach pleasures at the mountain, 1½ hours / day with a tournament at the end of the course.
"UltraSport" courses
For sports enthusiasts keen to improve in their favourite sport (horse riding, tennis, circus school) while discovering new sports activities (judo, climbing, archery, mountain biking, climbing, trampolining, team sports).
"Plus" courses
- For children with other family activities during the day, the "Village des Enfants" children’s club offers courses in archery (8 to 14 year-olds) and climbing (10 to 14 year-olds) from 5.15 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
- “Les P’tits Loups” child care centre (3 months to 5 years old inclusive).
Book directly on : +33 (0)4 50 74 00 38. Health certificate compulsory.
The club runs Sunday to Friday, non-stop from 8.45 a.m. to 6 p.m. Meals available.
Other activities
"Pass Forme" (Fitness Pass) – On sale at the tourist office – Valid one week (ID photo required). Gives access to the following activities :
- Adults : sauna, hammam, jacuzzi, weight training, jogging, tennis (3 court reservations / week), squash and mini-golf.
- Children (under 16) : tennis (3 court reservations / week), mini-golf, trampolining or bouncy castle, tennis tournaments, ball games, etc.
Golf - Morzine-Avoriaz 9-hole golf course (par 36 — 2,930 m), designed by Hugues Lambert, located at the entrance to the resort on the site of Le Proclou. Golf school with a driving range with 20 places (both covered and outdoor), and 3 putting-greens.
Demonstration and welcome drinks on Sundays.
3 lesson formulas* for children aged 10-18 and for adults
- “Introduction” = 3 hrs / day for 2 days (9 a.m. to noon / 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday and Tuesday). Course suitable for beginners.
- “Objectif Parcours” * = 3 hrs / day for 5 days (9 a.m. to noon / 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday). Course suitable for beginners. “Carte Verte” (French Golf Federation permit) awarded at end of course.
- “Improvers Course” * = 1½ hrs / day for 5 days (Monday to Friday), 1 different coaching theme each day. Unlimited entry to week's green fee, scorecard analysis, video analysis.
Maximum 5 persons per group per course level. “Carte Verte” or handicap compulsory.
* Free entry to the driving range and putting green outside course hours + loan of equipment + drinks at end of course
Individual and group lessons possible (on sale on site), “introduction to golf” half-days (subject to availability).
Information on site or at the Tourism Office on + 33 (0)4 50 74 02 11
Mini golf : a 12-hole course for the whole family.
Tennis : 10 outdoor courts dotted around the resort. Open tournaments throughout the week.
Keep fit classes daily : stretching, bums and tums, step etc.
Get back into shape in the Altiform fitness centre : muscle development, balneotherapy (sauna, jacuzzi and hammam).
Horse-riding : The riding centre offers lessons for both beginners and experienced riders alike, riding exercises, and horse rides along the "Portes du Soleil" trails.
Beach-volleyball : 5-day courses (organised activities, for beginners and advanced players).
2 squash courts.
Trampolining area.
Archery (from 6 years).
Quad circuits.
Resort Fêtes and events
Early July: Mountain Bike Weeks.
Mid-July to mid-August: Music concerts.
Shops and Services
A full range of shops and services can be found in the Falaise district or in the centre of the resort, 300 m from the residence.