Avoriaz 1800 French Ski Resort

By Author: Boštjan Hozjan
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The Haute-Savoie Province of France governs Avoriaz, and the others. During the winter, the Avoriaz region is known for its variety of slopes and skiing pursuits. In the summer, visitors come to take to the mountains in sport: mountain biking, hiking, running, golfing, downhill MTB riding and climbing.
Avoriaz 1800 is the highest commune in the ski area. Unlike a lot of the closer resorts, this purpose-built ski resort was formed using natural products found in the area. Commodities such as wood were harvested from the trees. Materials, such as rocks for the building's foundations and outer walls, were gathered from the mountainsides and ravines. Often, too, the reddish wooden cedar roofing blends in well with the overall architecture. In fact, it was a one Jacques Labro and the Dromont Hotel that set the standard for the buildings here in 1966. He used the cliff backdrops to inspire the building's look and feel. From a distance, the town almost disappears into the background.

Avoriaz does not allow vehicles inside the resort. This makes for a peaceful atmosphere where people can roam the streets and walk in the ...
... alleys without a thought to passing lories and gas-guzzlers. The ambience is truly tranquil and it's easy to get around on foot without motor vehicles running amok. If you want to dance in the middle of the road after visiting one too many bars, you won't have to bother about passing cars. The easiest way to get here is by bus from the Geneva Airport. Or, renting a car is just as easy but you will have to park it outside of the resort and walk the rest of the way.

The best way to ski Avoriaz and the rest of the ski area—part of the Portes du Soleil Ski Area with 650 pistes and over 200 lifts—is to buy the best ski pass for you. If you buy the best six-day pass, for example, you'll have daily access to Saint Jean d'Alps, Abondance, Chatel, La Chapelle d'Abondance, La Grande Terche, Montriond, Les Gets, Morgins, Champery, Les Crosets, Torgon and Champoussin. It could take months to ski all the pistes in all these ski areas. Your best bet is to come for as long as possible, buying a pass that gives you entry to several ski areas at once.

Snowboarders really love to come to Avoriaz 1800. You wouldn't have to guess twice if you said it's because of the super snow park. The snow park is one of the best in this region and boarders often stay for weeks or more to conquer all the obstacles before rushing home. Avoriaz 1800 is the area's snowboarding Mecca. It is said that it was the initial ski resort in Europe to incorporate the sport. The snowboard park includes a half-pipe, slalom course, a specialist park and some nice off-piste opportunities.

Avoriaz 1800, furthermore, lies at the highest altitude. Therefore, it has the best chances for snow if there's going to be any. If not, there are nearly 70 snow canons in Avoriaz alone that keep the slopes up to skiing par. In Avoriaz alone, there are 35 ski lifts. These can transport more or less 50,000 snowboarders and skiers per hour. Even during the high season, this steady pace keeps you skiing and not in queue. The lowest piste you'll find in Avoriaz is 1100 meters. The highest lift will drop you off at 2280 meters, giving you a nice long ride to the bottom. The most vertical you'll get here, however, is 1180 meters.

There is a nice variation of runs and you'll get the most for your money if you are a moderately skilled skier. There are five black runs and fifteen red runs. The lowest runs in Avoriaz are three green but blue skiers will have almost twice as many as anyone with 24 total blue runs. It's a nice idea to go ahead and book your trip here in advance, though people do stay lower in the valley and come to Avoriaz to ski and try out one of the 45 km of cross-country trails. If you've got the skills, Avoriaz has the trails to challenge any level of skier.