Avoriaz ski resort is an avant-garde resort with its extraordinary architecture and whose streets are only ski slopes.
A futurist city
Like a futuristic city, Avoriaz ski resort stands on the vast plateau of Avoreaz mountain pastures (1,800 meters), carried by a cliff overlooking the valley of Morzine in the upper Chablais. In the middle of winter, when the heavy snow covers the wooden scales of the facade roofs sloping down to the ground, the resort takes on the appearance of a ghost town. It disappears naturally into the immaculate landscape, revealing the wall of the Hauts Forts (2,466 meters) and its large valleys. Fantastic !
Photographs : Elisabeth Perotin
A timeless atmosphere
A unique architecture and a “timeless” atmosphere, within the formidable Franco-Swiss Portes du Soleil ski area, make it one of the favorite destinations for skiers and families from all over the world.
Avant-garde, Avoriaz ski resort opened its doors in 1966: a resort with mimetic architecture, built ex nihilo, car-free and whose streets are ski slopes. Born from the visionary idea of Olympic champion Jean Vuarnet (Squaw Valley, 1960) and supported by promoter Gérard Brémont, the resort designed by architect Jacques Labro is labeled Heritage of the 20th century.
Car-free streets
The Quartier des Dromonts is home to the first extraordinary buildings (buildings and chalets), including the Hôtel des Dromonts (the only one in the resort) in the shape of an upside-down pinecone. The stars of the International Fantastic Film Festival, hosted for 20 years, have made it famous. Today, Avoriaz is still the center of festive events: Women in Gold, Féérie des Lumières, Rock The Pistes, Jazz Up Festival. A magical setting that suits them well!
210 km of Nordic trails and 385 km of marked trails
The spectacular is the norm in Avoriaz. We have lunch in Champéry (Switzerland) and dinner in Avoriaz, in the heart of the gigantic Portes du Soleil ski area: 650 km of slopes linking 12 resorts (including 4 in Switzerland), with the Dents du Midi and the Dents Blanches du Chablais massif. Wide valleys, routes between the fir trees, but also breathtaking black runs for nature skiing. In the forest, the strange modules of The Stash snowpark are hidden for the pleasure of freeriders and freestylers.
This grandiose area is also a fabulous playground for hikers and mountain bikers with 210 km of Nordic trails and 385 km of marked trails.
A tropical jungle in the snow
Avoriaz has innovation in its genes. It is here that the concept of the first tourist residences (Pierre et Vacances) was born, which can be found in large numbers in the resort. Modern comfort in a warm setting. The two Olympic champions (Grenoble, 1968), Annie Famose and Isabelle Mir, designed the Children’s Village there, with a unique pedagogy in France. A delight for families. A true technological and ecological challenge, the tropical jungle of the Aquariaz area has invaded the 2,400 m² of lagoons, waterfalls and rocks. Unreal!
