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Avoriaz

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Haute-Savoie

Avoriaz - Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Haute-Savoie
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Established in 1966, this modern winter sports resort in Upper Chablais, situated at an altitude of 1,800 metres, forms a harmonious group of wood-clad apartment buildings. In the winter, the resort becomes pedestrian only. Cars are then not allowed in the resort centre and replaced by sleds. Avoriaz is in the heart of the Portes du Soleil (Gateway to the Sun), a vast ski area with 650 kilometres of pistes.

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Avoriaz

On a south-facing plateau overlooking the Morzine valley, Avoriaz is located in the heart of the immense Portes du Soleil alpine domain. A stone's throw from the Swiss border, between Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva, the resort with its mimetic architecture is the perfect example of modernism integrated into nature. Nestled in its alpine setting, Avoriaz is a resort with an enchanting environment: fir trees, lakes, greenery, chalets, varied fauna... Car-free station, village symbol of environmental protection, Avoriaz is also renowned for its architecture unusual where the wooden chalets seem to merge with the rocky background.

Entirely pedestrianized in both summer and winter, this is a feature that offers a quality of life in the very heart of the resort. Invigorating, it allows you to relax with your family while admiring the magnificent landscapes to discover.

Avoriaz is presented as a large leisure club with a multitude of activities in the center of the village in summer: Children's village, trampolines, archery, beach volleyball, mini-golf, skatepark, multisports area. In this large space of freedom, children have fun in complete freedom. In July 2012, Avoriaz opened the Aquariaz, a real aquatic paradise to discover!

Avoriaz 1800 is at the heart of the largest international ski area in Europe: Les Portes du Soleil. A common pass for the 12 Portes du Soleil resorts, giving access to 650 km of slopes, allows skiers to cross the border freely and treat themselves to a gourmet stopover in Switzerland.

From the first glance, Avoriaz bewitches with its magic. Clinging to the mountain, it sparkles with the thousand lights of the sun which plays with the red cedar tavaillons covering the facades. Wood elegantly adorns each residence, each chalet.

Entirely pedestrianized and covered with snow, the sleds slide through the heart of the resort and meet skiers, children on sledges and walkers in a joyful ringing of bells. Nestled in its snow-covered setting, Avoriaz has forged its reputation on its daring contemporary architecture and has just obtained the "20th Century Heritage" label awarded by the French Ministry of Culture.

Avoriaz is a delight for young and old alike thanks to activities adapted to each one: the little ones learn to ski at the Children's Village by ESF while the older ones discover the Stash, the 1st ecological snowpark in Europe.

White in winter, it turns into a green resort in summer and offers a multitude of sports and leisure activities.

A page of history... Initiated in the early 1960s by Jean Vuarnet, embodied by Gérard Brémond (current CEO of the Pierre & Vacances group) then produced by a handful of architects with futuristic talents and informed that were Jacques Labro, Jean-Marc Roques, Jean-Jacques Orzoni, Avoriaz knew, during his youth of more than thirty years to adapt to the aspirations of all.

The years of prosperity... The resort development agreement (signed on December 28, 1962) authorizes the developer to develop the "Avorea" plateau, its ski fields and also to operate the ski lifts. The current access road was only a winding dirt road and the cable car under construction. After much effort and perseverance, the Hôtel des Dromonts opened its doors on December 22, 1966. It constitutes the heart of the resort and this innovative architecture sets the tone for future constructions. The volumes are created according to the surrounding nature, the materials integrated into the landscape. The architecture lets the red cedar dress the structures without any other form of varnish. Then time shapes, patina, makes the site unique.

21 years of the International Fantastic Film Festival 1973 - 1993... Second famous film festival, just after Cannes. From 1973 to 1993, the biggest names in fantasy cinema or not, but also personalities from all walks of life, from the arts, literature, sport, TV or the media had the privilege of being part of the festival-goers, guests brand or jury members. The Fantastic Film Festival of Avoriaz will also be remembered for having made it possible to discover and make known authors of films today consecrated: from Steven Spielberg, who won the first Grand Prix in 1973 with "Duel" to David Cronenberg in passing by David Lynch ("The Elephant Man", Grand Prix 1980), Brian de Palma ("Carrie"), Georges Miller ("Mad Max") or Luc Besson who in 1983 presented his first feature film in black and white "The last Stand".

Finally 2011 and 2012, Avoriaz takes on an unprecedented dimension with many infrastructures such as new residences, a new ice rink, a new spa area, a new cable car and a unique concept of water fun in the mountains, the 'Aquariaz.

The future... The original urban planning choices - car-free resort, integrated site, non-polluting electric heating, ski-in / ski-out - are cited as examples and arouse the admiration of other resorts. On the strength of this early youth, the resort is preparing to enter the height of its era and is committed to basing its identity on what it possesses most precious: its environment. Avoriaz has remained true and original. The ideas that gave birth to it evolve along the same common thread. Built of wood and stone, the resort blends in perfectly with the surrounding elements of cliffs, mountain pastures and forests.

Things to see and do

Events and festivities

Photos

Avoriaz station
Avoriaz station
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Sleighs
Sleighs
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Canyon track
Canyon track
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Avoriaz, large mountain leisure club
Avoriaz, large mountain leisure club
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Aquariaz, aquatic paradise of Avoriaz
Aquariaz, aquatic paradise of Avoriaz
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Golf d'Avoriaz
Golf d'Avoriaz
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Avoriaz, large mountain leisure club
Avoriaz, large mountain leisure club
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Visits, leisure and activities nearby

Restaurants

Bed & breakfasts

Vacation rentals

Campsites

Hotels

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