© Pascal Gombert - Avoriaz Tourisme
A day in Avoriaz's tropical water paradise
Aquariaz is the best place to relax after a day on the mountains
Imagine a place where you can immerse yourself in warm, flowing water and bathe at a comfortable 30ºC whilst the air temperature is below freezing. Imagine being able to climb whilst in your swimming trunks, knowing that the fall will land you in clear blue water. Imagine all of this, whilst also being able to look outside over snow-smothered mountains. It sounds impossible, and you almost have to see it to believe it. Here in Avoriaz such a place really exists.
Aquariaz is a huge swimming complex nestled in the heart of Avoriaz. It’s the first of its kind in the Alps and its features include a kid’s water playhouse, a climbing wall that extends the length of the pool, a lazy river and multiple ‘chill-out’ Jacuzzi areas. Not only are the water features impressive, they have also decorated the indoor pool area with tropical vegetation and prehistoric creatures, the ultimate juxtaposition against the cold snowy scenes outdoors.
Getting to Aquariaz couldn’t be easier and for most of you staying in resort it will only be a short walk away. The tourist office in the centre of town is a good landmark to start with. From there, you will see the beginner's piste that runs through the centre of town, alongside the Dromonts button lift, and just across from this piste is the pool. If you can’t see it from here, pop into the tourist office and ask a member of staff to point you in the right direction.
When you get there, you will walk straight into the open reception area where you can purchase your pass. The passes are for unlimited use during that day, so allow yourselves at least a couple of hours as there is a lot to see and do. Passes are 11€ for anyone over the age of 12 years old, which I consider incredibly reasonable as most lunches in resort will cost more than that. Kids aged 5-11 years swim for 8€ and, if you have especially young little humans in your party, a pass can cost you 3€ if anything at all. Children under the age of 3 can enter for free.
If you have come straight from the slopes, you can leave your ski equipment at reception where they can keep an eye on it for you. They do not have ski lockers, which is perhaps the only downside to the facilities there. The changing rooms are unisex but the cubicles are big and the lockers are right opposite them. They are spacious with enough room for ski boots, rucksack and ski wear, a definite bonus as, although some people will just have walked there, many will come all kitted out from a day of skiing. You will need a 1€ or 2€ coin for the lockers which you’ll get back at the end of your swim. The lockers key is on a band that you can wear in the pool.
There are signs directing you to the pool area, which are really useful as the changing room section is slightly maze-like. There are showers on entry and it is compulsory to have a quick rinse before going in. The toilet and shower facilities are reliable and clean and, if you want to dry yourselves off quickly après swim, you can use the full body blow dryer for a small fee of 2€.
Once you've showered, you have free reign of the facilities. On your left, you will see the open pool area, climbing wall, rope swing and lazy river. To your right, the water playhouse designed for younger children featuring water pistols, slides, fountains and tipping buckets. It's colourful, fun and leads to a large paddling pool for those learning to swim.
It can be confusing if you’re looking for a particular feature, I had to ask a member of staff how to get to the spa pool. Fortunately, most of the staff members understand a little English, enough to be able to direct me. Various life guards watch over the entire complex so help is never far away.
The lazy river takes you on a tour of the tropical vegetation that surrounds the area, there are even little plaques naming the plant and its origin. Fun and educational! There are also models of dinosaurs peering out of the shrubbery and the current is strong enough to carry you around to the various ‘chill-out’ zones dotted along the river.
Leading you to the open pool, you will pop out just below the climbing wall. For those of you sceptical about heights, it isn’t incredibly tall and when you fall the landing is warm water. For the adventurers, there’s a rope swing to have a go on and, if that’s not enough, there is also a death-slide style half pipe to try out. The half-pipe is a big water slide, shaped like a ‘U’ meaning that you can slide uncontrollably from one side to the other. Hilarious for partakers and spectators. This feature is manned by a member of staff for safety reasons, and various lifeguards watch over the entire complex.
Those who simply want some time out to relax after a big day on the mountain should go to the outdoor heated spa pool, complete with massaging water jets. The pool is heated to over 30ºC and looks down the beautiful valley towards Morzine. Totally toasty and taking in these views, you won’t want to leave.I spent at least an hour sitting here and reading my book, it was a gorgeous sunny day and the scenery was looking incredible. If you do have time to have a read, this is the place to do it.
All in all,Aquariaz is a must visit for all ages! It’s a reasonably cheap way of entertaining children and a great place to hang out for some well-deserved ‘you’ time.
Open from Sunday to Friday, from 14:00-20:00 (bear in mind that opening times may vary; refer to the Aquariaz website for the latest information).
