Avoriaz is the highest resort in the huge Portes du Soleil ski area and the most likely to have enough snow to ski on during the season. The resort is a massive and an expansively varied playground, having 650km of pistes, 197 ski lifts, 10 terrain parks, and slews of off-piste in between. If Avoriaz’s resort were a little higher, it would be one of the world’s greatest ski areas. Skiing is great in the area, and it is family-friendly. You will find smart ski pass deals, great restaurants, and hotels here, but they are not all cheap. Nightlife is also decent. Overall, Avoriaz is moderately affordable and relatively cheaper than other resorts in the area regardless of your skiing expertise level.

A little drawback for the resort is that the highest lift in the Portes du Soleil towers a 2466m, and several of the slopes are below 2000m. Many of the resort villages and towns are down at 1000m. That puts it at a disadvantage compared with the likes of A-list ski resorts such as the Three Valleys and the Espace Killy. This makes most of the skiing here vulnerable to the irregular thaws that the Alps get even in January.

That hardly means that the lower slopes are usually without snow. The snow-cannons’ make sure of this. However, it does mean that snow quality is different from what you will find in Val Thornes. Courchevel, or Val d’Isere, with more icy mornings and more unfrozen-snowy afternoons on the pistes.

With that said, the terrain remains good, and the snowfall average for the highest slopes is one of France’s best. Avoriaz is popular for its considerably lower prices compared with its rivals. In a good, chilly winter, you can have a ball here.

Here Is What You Need To Know About Expenses in Avoriaz

Ski Pass Prices in Avoriaz

Visiting Avoriaz, note that participants’ age heavily determines ski pass prices, some days you want to ski for, and whether passes are bought at the pass offices in the resort or online in advance, the time of the year, and the area to ski in. There are two major types of ski pass to select from the affordable Avoriaz ski pass, giving access to 75 km of pistes, and the Ports du Soleil ski pass offers access to an impressive 650 km of pistes. The resort also provides some attractive discounts that are available for groups and families.

Many holidaymakers visit for a week, which means that 6-day ski passes are the most preferred among snowboarders and skiers who want to have a great time on the mountain playground. A day Avoriaz passes are also widely popular among snowboarders who prefer to take on its popular snowparks. The cheapest Avoriaz lift pass for adults (20-64 years) is 45 euros. Also, a 6-day lift pass- the biggest lift pass (Portes du Soleil ski pass) for adults is from 278 euros.

To Secure Your Avoriaz Ski Pass

Visitors can buy their Avoriaz lift pass online and have it delivered to their home or then collect it in the resort. When buying your Avoriaz lift pass online, there are great discounts available when compared to the ski pass prices in the resort. Additionally, there are discounted ski passes for families, beginners, groups of two and three people, skiers coming late in the season, etc. in Avoriaz.

Purchasing Avoriaz and Portes du Soleil passes online is cheaper than buying them at the in-resort ski pass offices. Compared to lift-pass office prices, Avoriaz offers discounts of about 6% when purchasing ski passes online.

To thoroughly enjoy what the area offers, it is better to restrict your visit to Avoriaz. The Portes du Soleil is primed for all expert levels at low and peak seasons, and it offers discounts for groups of two (Duo Pass) and three (Trio Pass) people. These passes are only available online for 6-day passes and more, for the same duration and dates, bought in just a purchase. You will save about 15 euros for a Duo Pass and 24 euros for a Trio Pass.

It is possible to get 10% discounts on Portes du Soleil ski passes for groups of 4 people and more. Note that ski passes must have the same duration and same dates, a minimum of 4 days, and must be purchased in just a transaction. More discounts will be available to large groups.

Family Ski Passes Cost in Portes du Soleil

The area offers a 10% discount for families comprising of a minimum of 4 people (2 adults or seniors + 2 children or juniors). Family ski passes are available only online. For passes of 6 days and more, for the same duration and dates, bought in one purchase. For more deals, check the official website.

Where to Ski With an Avoriaz Lift Pass

The official pass gives visitors access to the Avoriaz 1800 ski area, a splendid mountain playground with more than 75 km of rums, and the most popular snowparks in the French Alps, inviting freestyle snowboarders and skiers from different parts of the world.

For How Long Can You Ski With an Avoriaz Ski Pass?

There are only 5-hour, a day and 3-day ski passes from the Avoriaz area. For longer periods, either purchase many 1 or 2-day passes or ski passes good for up to two weeks.

Who Should Purchase an Avoriaz Ski Pass?

Lift passes are ideal for beginner to intermediate skiers who will love the mild and wide green (4), and blue (25) runs, as well as freestyle skiers and snowboarders who look to capitalize on the excellent snowparks. This pass suits expert skiers too- the ski area has 9 challenging black pistes, 14 red, and access to some world-class off-piste. The pass is also a nice option for people looking to stay in the area briefly.

Avoriaz is a Unique Ski Resort

Situated atop the massive cliff, in a high mountain bowl, Avoriaz has always been among the Alps’ most prominent ski resorts. Made to be car-free, it is focused around a group of high-rise buildings that are connected by boulevard-esque pistes on the stairs, outside, lifts, and covered walkways within. Almost all of the accommodation is in self-catering apartments, while some are new. Most are ski-in, ski-out.

The look is not the only thing that makes Avoriaz look futuristic- the resort is also inclined to the latest trends. In 1993, it built its first half-pipe and terrain park, and since then, it has been a huge fan of freestylers, whether on a plank or two, and today it has super-pipe and three parks, as well as an imposing Stash forest park.

Where to Eat

The village is not close to Morzine, its neighbor, as regards to dining out, but one can still find some decent places if you know where the good spots are. Several of the lunch-time spots also double as evening ones.

The major self-service mountain restaurants end to be overcrowded in the high season or when snow-cover is bad in another place. It is good to avoid those near the French-Swiss border, as they appear to be some of the most expensive. Check out traditional mountain huts instead. At Planachaux is Coquoz that has good food and a round open fireplace. Les Lindarets is a goat-farming hamlet that has several attractive eateries like La Cremaillere. In a nice setting is L’Abricotine at Les Brochaux and Les Cretes de Zorre are also nice places. A typical dinner in Avoriaz will cost you around 50 euros per person. 

Where to Stay in Avoriaz

Several of the Avoriaz visitors lodge in apartments. Most are small, cheap, and basic, even though some have been brilliantly decorated. As most of the skiing is from visitors’ door, location is not really a factor. With a focus on skiing convenience, the apartments were built so visitors will not need to walk in ski boots for miles. Avoriaz is also car-free, so children are safe to play outside. Do not be surprised; there is a handful of chalets in the village managed by British tour operators. You should expect to pay between 100 and 2.000 euros per night depending on the type of accommodation you are looking for and the number of people you are traveling with.

Is Avoriaz Expensive? – Summary

Anyone who likes a cute adorable ski village with a little history and a bumpy-hewn Alpine ambiance should explore Avoriaz. As a bit of strong advice, do not ski there in a warm or snow-drought spring. In Avoriaz, the accommodation options are quite affordable, and the restaurants are fantastic. Avoriaz, although somewhat expensive is one of the most affordable skiing resorts in the French Alps. For comfort, skiing variety, and terrain parks, put Avoriaz at the top of your list.