What to do in Avoriaz, Portes du Soleil

Discover what to do in Avoriaz, one of the resorts of the Portes du Soleil! Just a few kilometres from the Swiss border, Avoriaz stands out for its unusual village and its many activities.

Born in 1966, from the idea of Jean Vuarnet, star of the village thanks to his title of World Champion and Olympic Downhill Champion in 1960, the resort of Avoriaz is the fruit of a project piloted by 3 men under 30 years old. The basis of the project was to replace cars with skiing in order to respect the mountain fauna as much as possible while creating a tourist ski resort. A revolutionary vision that went against the grain of other resorts and that would forge the spirit of Avoriaz. Always with a desire to be modern and different, the resort was built solely on the basis of the environment that surrounds it. Based on an "Organic" architecture, the resort wants to create harmony between the infrastructures and the nature that welcomes them. A real pride that is still developed today by the village of Avoriaz.

Located in Haute-Savoie, Avoriaz is surrounded by several Alpine peaks, the Pointe de Vorlaz, the Pointe de Chésery, the Pointe Oueste de la Chavache and the Hauts Forts. Based on a plateau at an altitude of 1800m, the resort of Avoriaz enjoys a magnificent setting in the middle of the mountains.

On the cultural side, Avoriaz is a village very committed to defending the planet and democratising eco-tourism. By creating various infrastructures with ecological aims, such as the creation of a bi-energy network, Avoriaz ensures that its activities are all in line with sustainable development criteria.
Local gastronomy and bistronomy are also part of the village's history, and the list of specialities is long, but there is plenty to tempt your taste buds! Haute-Savoie cheese and its PDO-certified Valet, charcuterie, porcini mushrooms, chanterelles, blueberries and Savoyard génépis will make you discover Avoriaz directly on your plate. As an accompaniment, taste the Savoyard wine and its unique taste.
Now that you have learned a little more about Avoriaz and its surroundings, it is time to answer the main question: What are the activities to do in Avoriaz?

From summer to winter, the ski resort offers a wide range of interesting and memorable activities.

When Avoriaz puts on its coat of snow, the village offers many activities that will delight the most daring and the wisest.

To discover the resort and its mountains, take a trip on a dog sled or a horse-drawn carriage. If you prefer to use your feet, put on snowshoes on a magical expedition through the alpine forests. You can also take to the skies to discover Avoriaz from the air and enjoy the most beautiful scenery in Haute-Savoie. Climb aboard a helicopter to take a tour of the mountains, or jump into a parachute for a unique experience that will leave a lasting impression.

Once back on dry land, continue to enjoy the beauty of Avoriaz by visiting the Igloo village and its ice statues which will delight young and old alike.

Once on the slopes, take advantage of the Portes du Soleil ski area and its 600km of runs suitable for all levels, so there's never a dull moment on your ski or snowboard. If you prefer, you can even ride down the slopes on a snowmobile, for a more thrilling experience on your journey. The more adventurous can even try speed riding, a fusion of paragliding and skiing which consists of descending the ski slopes with a small paraglider to gain even more speed!

Back in the village of Avoriaz, discover winter sports in the resort's sports complex, such as biathlon during an initiation, skating or curling. Looking for more unusual activities? Dive into the frozen lake of Avoriaz and find yourself under the ice to experience extraordinary sensations. For motorsports fans you can even discover ice driving and enjoy the low grip drifting on the ice. At the end of all your activities, you can enjoy a spa to relax at the end of your day. So you'll never be bored this winter!

For the warmer seasons, there are other activities available to you. Avoriaz is a real sports village and offers many such activities. A skatepark awaits you for an initiation or to improve your skills, take advantage of the climbing block to climb, whether you are a beginner or an experienced climber, or try your hand at a 9-hole golf course in Avoriaz. For those who enjoy water activities, rafting, canyoning or hydrospeed down the Dranse River in the region's white water rafting area will give you a great thrill.

But if you prefer aerial activities, take to the skies in a paraglider to discover the fauna that surrounds the resort of Avoriaz from the air. Finally, head for the mountains on a mountain bike in the village's Bikepark. If you want to get even closer to the mountains, you can do a Via Ferrata on the rock faces around Avoriaz.

Once you have experienced all the activities in Avoriaz, you can relax during a night hanging on a cliff above the void. A unique experience that will leave you with unforgettable memories.

So get your diaries ready and start planning your trip to Avoriaz and enjoy all the activities available!