Avoriaz 1800 | the perfect ski resort for young and old

Avoriaz 1800 | the perfect ski resort for young and old

Avoriaz, cette station de ski située à 1 800 mètres d’altitude sur le territoire de la commune de Morzine, en Haute Savoie est mon coup de cœur de ce début d’année 2018. Retour en images sur cette escapade de 4 jours organisée par Pierre et Vacances.

 

Aventurière sans aucun doute mais je dois vous avouer que c’est une première pour moi de skier dans les Alpes du Nord. Comment ne pas tomber sous le charme d’Avoriaz! Elle a tout pour nous séduire car c’est bien plus qu’une simple station de sports d’hiver française. C’est une jolie station familiale, conviviale, le paradis pour petits et grands avec ses 100 km de pistes, ses résidences et chalets, ses commerces, ses bars et ses nombreux restaurants. Avoriaz, c’est également des rues enneigées piétonnes, des illuminations toute la saison, une architecture originale et un mode de déplacement unique. Ici les voitures sont bannies, on se déplace qu’à pied et en ski mais pas que. Les calèches (10€/ trajet et jusqu’à 4 maximum dedans) et chenillettes (une sorte de véhicule ressemblant à un char qui fait office de taxi, plutôt ludique) ont remplacées les taxis. Ici le temps s’est arrêté croyez moi!

Nous avons été invités par Pierre & Vacances pour découvrir leur résidence l’Amara 5* et leur nouveau concept ” Make My Day ” qui propose des activités insolites à tester dans la station: E-fat bike,  Archery tag, Laser game mais aussi fondue givrée dans un igloo.

 

 

AVORIAZ EN QUELQUES CHIFFRES 

🏠 12 stations

🇫🇷🇨🇭 2 pays: La France et la Suisse

🏔 32 sommets

🐎 100 chevaux et 20 attelages

🍴28 restaurants et 33 de plus sur les pistes

👟100% piéton

600 km de glisse, 🏂10 Snowzones et ❄️ 47% d’enneigement artificiel

 1 piste aménagée 100% ski de randonnée

🛌 18 000 lits

✔️ 100% original avec une architecture unique en son genre

 

 

TESTER DES EXPÉRIENCES DIVERSES ET VARIÉES A AVORIAZ

 

⇒ DES EXPÉRIENCES NATURE ET SPORTIVES

 

Avoriaz offre une multitude d’activités où chacun trouve son bonheur!

  • Le ski

Avoriaz vous donne accès à un domaine d’altitude, à l’enneigement garanti car elle est idéalement située au centre du domaine skiable représenté par 12 stations Françaises et Suisses qui forment les Portes du Soleil: (Avoriaz, Morzine, Montriond, Les Gets, St-Jean d’Aulps, Abondance, La Chapelle d’Abondance, Châtel, Morgins 🇨🇭 , Torgon 🇨🇭 , Champoussin 🇨🇭  , Champéry 🇨🇭 , Les Crosets 🇨🇭 )

Mon plus grand regret est que je ne skie jamais assez! Mes dernières descentes et gamelles remontent à quelques années en arrière, autant vous dire que dans les bronzés font du ski, je ressemble plus à Josianne Balasko que Thierry Lhermite! Les pistes noires m’effraient, je suis capable de faire un blocage en haut d’une piste car la pente est trop raide! Cependant, j’ai eu l’opportunité d’avoir sur ces deux jours, un moniteur de ski particulier et que c’est appréciable! Pour une personne débutante comme moi, Georges notre moniteur de l’ESF a été formidable, à l’écoute et patient. Il s’occupe de tout, vous n’avez plus qu’à profiter et apprécier le cadre. N’hésitez pas à le contacter de ma part, il sera ravi!

Contact: 06.80.88.87.62

Did you also know that there is a 5-hour package for late risers? This allows the skier to decide on the departure time (30€/5h).

 

 

  • The E-fatbike or electrically-assisted mountain bike on snow, with oversized wheels for good grip on snow. Evolution 2 sets up daytime and evening eFatBike outings to discover this new kind of biking. This outing was a first for me. It was great fun, accessible to all and ideal for enjoying the mountains and their panoramas from a new angle. Contact Peet / 04.50.74.02.18 – avoriaz@evolution2.com

 

 

OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THE RESORT

  • Archery tag: a strategy game in which two teams compete using foam bows and arrows, hiding in a screen with inflatable structures. Meet on the Dromonts piste (resort center). Cost €8/person.
  • The Laser Game: you’re equipped with helmets and wireless guns, all with a total of 16 sensors. The game can be played both day and night, in the forest thanks to an illuminated site. It’s exhausting running in the snow, but quite unique!

For these two harmless activities with no impact on the environment, visit the Sansaspark site at the bottom of the Prodains cable car.

  • Electric snowmobiling for ages 5 to 12: 15-minute introductory session on a circuit in the Amara district. Cost 20€/p
  • But also sled dogs, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice diving…

 

 

 

⇒ GOURMET EXPERIENCES AND TASTING OF LOCAL PRODUCTS

 

During our stay, we were able to try out a number of restaurants that showcase local produce. When you think of mountains, you think of cheese – and all kinds of cheese! Here are a few suggestions to awaken your taste buds in a friendly, rustic atmosphere.

  • Dinner at the Restaurant ” La Cabane ” (try the crispy chicken with mashed potatoes)
  • Tartiflette lunch at Chalet d’Avoriaz ” Chez l’Envers ” in the Crozats district
  • Pierrade and raclette dinner in a Savoyard restaurant ” Le Bistro ” located on the Place Centrale
  • Lunch at the restaurant ” The grocery store ” located in the Amara district (try the raclette, the hearty burgers, the abundant porcini gnocchi, a delight). Drink a Viennese coffee on the terrace, just to admire the view of the sea of clouds and snow-covered fir trees.

 

 

⇒ RELAXING AND COCOONING EXPERIENCES

With 18,000 beds, Avoriaz offers a wide choice of accommodation to suit all budgets. We stayed in the beautiful residence AMARA 5*by Pierre et Vacances, nestled at the foot of a cliff in the Amara district. The apartments are modern, fully-equipped and very spacious, with lovely views. The residence is located at the foot of the slopes, which is an added bonus: you put on your ski boots and off you go!

Wood is omnipresent in the decor, recalling the Savoyard chalet spirit with its warm colors and cozy spaces. The largest apartments measure up to 120 m² and boast breathtaking views of the snow-covered peaks.

At the end of the day, you can take a dip in the indoor pool, use the fitness room or enjoy the benefits of the sauna and hammam, which are freely accessible.

But don’t miss a wellness and massage break in the magnificent Spa Deep Nature . I fell in love with the outdoor Jacuzzi, which offers an exceptional view of the snow-capped mountains. Tou is the perfect place to relax and forget everyday worries!

If you’ve got a bit of time on your hands, head right to the center of the resort to the Aquariaz (open Sunday to Friday), a tropical water park with water heated to 30 degrees and located at an altitude of 1800 meters. This aquatic center, the only one of its kind in Haute Savoie, is perfect for relaxing after skiing or winter activities, and is ideal for children and chilled-out parents alike. It has a price scale differentiated according to age, and also offers weekly passes:

– Adults (aged 12 and over): €11 and €42 for an unlimited weekly pass
– Children (3 to 11 years): €8 and €32 for an unlimited weekly pass

 

 

⇒ NOCTURNAL EXPERIENCES

You can’t leave Avoriaz without checking out some of the bars and nightclubs we’ve suggested below:

  • the “shooter” a little offbeat
  • the restaurant/bar “The floor” for an 80s party
  • the “Jaja Bar” for more wine, champagne and fine food
  • le nightclub “YAK” to get your groove on (young clientele)

 

 

⇒ INSOLITE EXPERIENCES

Are you frosty enough to enjoy a Savoyard fondue in an igloo? The concept is nice, the igloo is well made and the fondue is good. Don’t forget to dress warmly, as you’ll be dining in a real igloo…

Practical information Avoriaz

 

WHERE TO RENT SKI EQUIPMENT IN AVORIAZ ?

If you’re staying at the Amara residence, you’ll be able to choose your equipment from the store located just outside the hotel lobby. If not, don’t panic, several stores offer rentals throughout the resort. Expect to pay around €20 a day for normal skis.

 

AVORIAZ SKI PASS PRICES

Avoriaz only: 43€ for 1 day or 37€ for 5h – 33€ for 1 day /28€ for 5h for children

Les Portes du Soleil: 52€ for 1 day / 39€ for children (rates are degressive if you book several consecutive days)

More information on the website

HOW TO GET TO AVORIAZ

There are many possibilities to choose from:

  • THE PLANE

From Paris, reach Geneva airport in 1h40, then take a bus (approx. 2h to reach the station)

  • THE TRAIN

Avoriaz is served by 3 train stations: Cluses, Geneva and Thonon-les-Bains

  • Paris -> Gare de Lyon then Gare de Bellegarde with a connection at Cluse then cab or bus (travel time from Paris, about 4h30)
  • 1h from Evian, Thonon-les-banas, Cluses
  • 3h from Lyon

 

 

 

 

This article is my personal experience and was made possible thanks to a collaboration with Pierre et Vacances, whom I would like to thank for their invitation. Thanks also to Lucie for the perfect organization and to the Bloggers/Instagrammers/Youtubers for the funny and entertaining moments spent with you, you’re great people: Upper West Guys, Valéry, Diary of a mother, Julienne WonderMum, Carol ananas, Louise Verneuil and Thom from Modernists

 

 

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