Avoriaz for Skiing & Snowboarding

Hauts Forts, Avoriaz

Avoriaz is a vast ski area perched 600 meters above Morzine on the cliffs above the valley Ardoisieres. Access from Morzine is easy enough, either directly from town via Super Morzine and the Express du Zore or from the Prodains Valley. The latter offers two mechanisms of uphill transport; Prodains telepherique and TS du Verare and TS Combe du Machon. The former can get busy in the peak season and the latter is exposed to the elements but does take you higher up the Hauts Forts avoiding the busy Avoriaz town area.

Intermediates and above will appreciate the vast range of Avoriaz which has nearly 250kms of reds and blues to choose from. The resort is more snow-sure than Morzine due to its elevation of 1800m and snow lasts at village level for much of the season. You may, however, experience some bottlenecks during peak season; although the uplift is good and fast and there will be less traffic once you leave the lower runs to resort. Avoriaz offers some tougher terrain with runs on the Hauts Forts and down to Les Prodains including the World Cup downhill course. ... see "Avoriaz & Portes du Soleil Ski Area" for more

With such a big ski area to explore, it's sometimes good to have a little bit of inside information… For your pleasure, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite runs throughout the Portes du Soleil and suggested some itineries for you to try. There are also sections on where to find the best off piste, where you're most likely to find the quietest pistes, and where to find the nicest mountain restaurants for lunch. Happy exploring! ... see "Where to go in the Portes du Soleil for..." for more

Avoriaz and the wider Portes du Soleil has such a wide variety of terrain it is ideal for both skiers and boarders spanning the ability range from absolute beginner to advanced off-piste hero.

Avoriaz was one of the first resorts to welcome snowboarders with open arms and a legacy of this is that the scene is still strong to this day. There are two freestyle parks in Avoriaz; Snowpark de la Chappelle and Snowpark Arare plus, as the name suggests, a rather large half pipe opposite the Prodains telepherique known as the Superpipe. ... see "Avoriaz - Snowparks" for more

'Classic' Style

Get back to nature and explore tranquil cross-country trails at your own pace. There are two different techniques – classic and skating. Classic is the easiest for beginners; you simply place your skis in two parallel groves, push off and glide around the trails. Skating is more energetic and a slightly harder skill to grasp; you push your feet out to either side as though you are ice skating and use your poles simultaneously to gain momentum.

You can hire the comfortable boots and lightweight skis and poles fairly inexpensively from most sports shops and book a group or private lesson to learn the basics from most ski schools or private instructors. For those used to downhill skis, at first you feel precariously balanced and downhill sections are definitely more exciting on narrow skis with no edges! The skis are lighter and slimmer than downhill skis and the boots are much softer and more comfortable.

The tranquility of cross country (also known as Nordic) skiing is perfect for anyone who enjoys peace and quiet, or finds the downhill pistes too crowded or too steep. It is a great form of aerobic exercise and one can be as energetic or slow as one likes, while the relaxed pace makes it a more tranquil way to enjoy the surroundings!.

'Skating' Style

Once you have grasped the essentials, head off for the 216km of tranquil cross country trails that criss cross the Portes du Soleil - 45km of them in Avoriaz alone! There are 4 cross country areas generally accessible from Avoriaz and Morzine: the Manche Valley with 25km of challenging circuits, the Morzine-Avoriaz at Parc Naturel des Crêtes de Zorre with up to 47km for all levels, Lake Montriond with 10km of Canadian-style runs and the Pléney - Chavannes sector with 8.5km of forest runs.  Just outside the valley you can also go to Les Contamines, Les Saisies and Val Ferret (in Italy, via the Mont Blanc Tunnel).

ESF Avoriaz has specialised instructors trained to teach those with mobility problems. Adaptive ski equipment is available and included with the price of lessons. ESF request that lessons be booked in advance to ensure availability and that they be informed of the nature of the disability so that you can benefit from their most appropriate instructors and equipment.

Accommodation with disabled access and facilties can be booked through Pierre & Vacances or Erna Low.

You can read about a visitor's experience of an adaptive skiing holiday in Avoriaz in this article from The Independent.

For information on adaptive skiing and the British Disabled Ski Team please visit Disability Snowsport UK.

Have you literally got 'all the gear' but have no idea what to do with it?? Unless you want to look like Posh Spice on the slopes, knowing a bit about your skis/snowboards/bikes/transceivers etc will help you avoid being any old Wannabe... Having the right equipment for your chosen activity will help ensure that you get the best possible introduction to your sport (if you are a beginner), or speed along your learning curve if you are looking to improve. The easier and quicker you learn, the more pleasurable your experience will be! In this section, you will find guides to help you select the most appropriate gear for your sport and ability, as well as some insider knowledge on the "must have" kit for this coming season. ... see "All the Gear But No Idea...?" for more

We have teamed up with one of our top ski school instuctors to produce guides on ski technique. The articles featured here include learning how to carve and how to conquer moguls. To ensure you get the most out of your time on the piste, check out our Ski & Snowboard School Listings and perfect your skills! ... see "Tips and Techniques - Skiing" for more

Improve your snowboarding style with our helpful techniques tips section, brought to you courtesy of Keith McIntosh at Alpinelines. It's often the smallest thing that makes all the difference to your riding! ... see "Tips & Technique - Snowboarding" for more