Ski resorts
Avoriaz: car-free skiing in the Portes du Soleil and where to stay
A car-free village high in the mountains, horses and sleighs in the streets and a ski area that stretches all the way into Switzerland. This is Avoriaz, and the hotels with ski-in/ski-out access.
The first thing you notice in Avoriaz is the silence. No cars, no engines, just the crunch of snow underfoot and the bells of the horse-drawn sleighs carrying luggage through the streets. The village sits high on a mountain ledge in the French Alps, and here skis are the natural way to get around from morning to night.
Avoriaz is one of the most distinctive ski resorts in Europe. Its architecture, with timber-clad buildings that almost melt into the cliffs, looks like nothing else you have seen. And right on the doorstep lies the Portes du Soleil, one of the world’s largest linked ski areas.
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A village built for skiing
Avoriaz was built from scratch for skiers, and everything is designed to get you from bed to slope as quickly as possible. Most places to stay are ski-in/ski-out, and you can ski from the village straight onto the pistes without taking your skis off.
Because the village is car-free, it is also safe and peaceful for families. Children can walk freely between the hotel, the ski school and the cafés, and the evenings are quiet beneath the stars.
The slopes of the Portes du Soleil
The Portes du Soleil links a long chain of resorts in France and Switzerland, and from Avoriaz you can ski across the border into Switzerland in a single morning. There are runs for every level, from wide family pistes to demanding descents and large terrain parks.
Avoriaz sits high, which often brings good snow through much of the season. On a clear day, the views across the mountains towards Switzerland are hard to forget.
A day in Avoriaz
The morning often begins with a coffee and a look out over the mountains, before you click into your skis outside the door. The morning can be spent exploring new valleys of the Portes du Soleil, with lunch on a sunny terrace overlooking two countries.
When the afternoon comes, you ski back towards the village as the sun turns the cliffs orange. The evening brings fondue, raclette and hot chocolate, and a stroll through the car-free streets where the only sound is snow beneath your feet.
When is the best time to visit Avoriaz?
The season usually runs from December to April. January often brings good snow and fewer crowds, while March and April offer longer days and spring snow. Christmas week, half term and Easter are the busiest periods, so book early if you plan to travel then.
Skiing with children in Avoriaz
Avoriaz is one of the most family-friendly resorts in the Alps. The car-free village, ski-in/ski-out access and dedicated children’s areas make daily life easy. Choose a hotel close to the ski school and let the little ones make their first turns while the rest of the family explores the Portes du Soleil.
Getting to Avoriaz
The nearest major airport is Geneva. From there you can drive or take a transfer to Morzine and on up to Avoriaz, either by cable car from Les Prodains or by car to the car park at the edge of the village. Inside the village you walk, ski or take a horse-drawn sleigh.
Where to stay in Avoriaz
In Avoriaz almost everyone stays ski-in/ski-out. Here are three hotels we would happily choose, from the classic in the heart of the village to a more affordable option in the valley.
Hôtel des Dromonts: the Avoriaz classic
A hotel with ski-in/ski-out access, a spa and ski storage, in the heart of the village.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hôtel des Dromonts
Hôtel Mil8: modern and central
A hotel in Avoriaz a short walk from the pistes and the village restaurants.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hôtel Mil8
Hameau des Prodains: a base in the valley
A hotel with a free ski bus, close to the cable car up to Avoriaz.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hameau des Prodains
Want to compare? See all our ski resorts or read about skiing in Val Thorens.
Frequently asked questions about skiing in Avoriaz
Where should I stay in Avoriaz?
Hôtel des Dromonts offers ski-in/ski-out access and a spa in the heart of the village, Hôtel Mil8 is centrally located, and Hameau des Prodains is a more affordable base in the valley with a free ski bus.
Is Avoriaz car-free?
Yes, Avoriaz is a car-free village. You park outside or take the cable car up, and inside the village you walk, ski or take a horse-drawn sleigh.
What is the Portes du Soleil?
The Portes du Soleil is one of the world’s largest linked ski areas, with resorts in both France and Switzerland. From Avoriaz you can ski across the border.
Is Avoriaz good for families?
Yes, Avoriaz is very family-friendly, with car-free streets, ski-in/ski-out access and dedicated areas for children and beginners.