Avoriaz

About the area

Avoriaz maps out about 81 km of piste, and 77% of it is green or blue — roughly 11 km of green and 51 km of blue. That mix suits progressing beginners and intermediates who want long easy mileage, though beginners should note the terrain is broad rather than gentle throughout. Experts get little: only about 3 km, or 3%, is graded black. Families are well served in general, but with just 3 gondolas among 40 lifts, most loading is from the 19 chairlifts, which is awkward with small children.

The lift system is dense: 40 lifts in total, including 11 platters and 7 other drag lifts that serve the gentler slopes. Skiing runs between 1,163 m and 2,249 m, so the upper sectors hold snow better than the lower returns. Avoriaz is part of Les Portes du Soleil, so a wider area pass extends the day considerably.