Resort Review
Known as the gateways to the famous Portes du Soleil ski circuit, Avoiaz and Morzine link into another 10 resorts in this vast skiing area which divides France and Switzerland. Yet skiing knows no boundaries and you can use the extensive system of lifts to wander between the resorts on the 650 kilometers of piste served by 208 lifts. The area is classed as three-star for beginners, five-star for intermediates and four-star for the better skiers.
Morzine is the lower of the two resorts we feature. It is 1000m whilst traffic-free Avoriaz is located at an altitude of 1800m - but both have access to the top slopes at 2400m.
Avoriaz is a purpose-built village, characterised by its bold, modern architecture and is entirely traffic-free. It boasts a friendly atmosphere and ideal for families and offers a specialist creche and snowboard school for children. Lower down the valley is Morzine which is amongst the easiest of journeys by car from the French coast at just over 500 miles. For the apres ski enthusiast you will find an ice rink, sleigh rides and horse riding, with a once-a-week floodlit ski slope.
For beginners there are plenty of gentle nursery slopes (153) whilst intermediate and slightly more competent skiers have 107 red runs to select from linking all parts of the Portes du Soleil complex. Black run skiers can enjoy 28 runs described as "difficult" including some of the biggest moguls in Europe! There are plenty of off-piste opportunities but do remember to take a guide and nver ski off-piste alone.
On the Swiss side of the Portes du Soleil there are excellent lift connections up from Morgins and Champery so an excursion for lunch or some Swiss cheese shopping are but a short ski journey away!
The resorts of Avoriaz and Morzine offer squash courts and a bowling alley, ice skating, helicopter rides, snow shoe walking together with plenty of restaurants, a cinema with two screens and regular ice hockey matches.
The Portes du Soleil has a good snow record stretching from mid-December through to early April and whethjer you are a beginner, intermediate or expert skier, you will find numerous pistes to suit your abilities.
A car journey takes about 10/11 hours and flight are usually into Geneva with a two-hour transfer. |
