A Cliffside Ski Village Straight Out of a Fairy Tale
Have you ever imagined a place where even grocery shopping requires a snowboard? Welcome to Avoriaz, a dramatic cliffside ski village in the French Alps that feels like it belongs in another century.
There are no cars here. No engines, no horns, no exhaust fumes. Instead, you’ll hear the gentle sound of horse-drawn sleigh bells echoing between wooden chalets, with snow-covered peaks rising all around. It’s peaceful, romantic, and wonderfully surreal.
When Winter Turns Roads into Ski Slopes
Once winter arrives, Avoriaz completely transforms. Streets disappear under thick layers of snow and instantly become ski runs. The only ways to get around are on foot, by sleigh, by snowcat—or more often, by skis or snowboards. 
Here, skis aren’t just sports gear. They’re your daily mode of transport. This back-to-basics lifestyle reconnects visitors with nature in the most playful way possible.
A Car-Free Alpine Town Built from Wood
Every building in Avoriaz is constructed from wood, giving the village a warm, retro alpine charm. Most accommodations are self-catering apartments or ski-in ski-out hotels, originally developed by British investors. Even today, nearly half of the visitors come from the UK, making English widely spoken and communication effortless.
After arriving, guests check in at the Accueil (Welcome Center) before hopping onto a horse-drawn sleigh that delivers them straight to their hotel door—an unforgettable first impression.
True Ski-In Ski-Out Living
Avoriaz is built directly into the mountainside, allowing skiers to glide straight from the slopes into the village—and sometimes right to their front door. Elevators, chairlifts, and gondolas connect every corner of the town, making movement easy despite the steep terrain.
Need groceries? Walk, take a sleigh, or simply snowboard to the supermarket. As you slide between medieval-style wooden buildings, it feels like stepping back into old Europe—long gowns, stone castles, and timeless winter magic. For a moment, all modern worries seem to disappear.
Sunrises, Sunsets, and Slopes Outside Your Window
Each morning, the view from a wooden balcony reveals skiers carving turns down what would normally be city streets. In the evening, the sun slowly fades behind the peaks as warm lights illuminate the village, transforming Avoriaz into a glowing winter fairy tale.
Exploring the Vast Portes du Soleil Ski Area
Avoriaz is part of the enormous Portes du Soleil ski domain, one of the largest interconnected ski areas in the world. Endless terrain awaits—both on-piste and off-piste.
Avoriaz: Creative Terrain and Snowboard Culture
Avoriaz’s mountain faces are playful and varied, but the real highlight is The Stash—a legendary natural terrain park built entirely from wood. Created by Jake Burton Carpenter, founder of Burton Snowboards, it’s Europe’s largest eco-style park.
Tree runs, wooden features, and flowing terrain make it equally exciting for snowboarders and skiers alike.
Champéry and the Legendary Swiss Wall
From Avoriaz, you can ski directly into Champéry in Switzerland. One side of the slope is France, the other Switzerland.
Here lies the infamous Swiss Wall (Le Mur Suisse)—Europe’s steepest marked ski run. With gradients reaching 38 degrees, massive moguls up to one meter high, and a length of nearly one kilometer, it’s a serious challenge. Skiing down is hard enough—snowboarding it successfully is a true badge of honor.
Morzine: Scenic Runs and Endless Variety
Skiing from Avoriaz down to Morzine offers breathtaking scenery. This French resort boasts wide terrain, diverse slopes, and excellent off-piste options.
However, due to its lower altitude, snow conditions can decline after March—something to keep in mind when planning a spring trip.
Montriond and a View Across Borders
Above Montriond lies one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the region: Panorama at Pointe des Mossettes. Standing on the French–Swiss border, you can admire both Mont Blanc and the iconic Matterhorn on a clear day.
A Playground Too Big to Fully Conquer
The Portes du Soleil is so vast that getting lost is part of the adventure. With countless slopes, hidden valleys, and panoramic peaks, it’s best explored slowly—leaving surprises for every new day.
From each summit, sweeping views stretch across rolling alpine ridges at the French–Swiss border. Majestic, humbling, and unforgettable—Avoriaz is not just a ski resort, but a winter world of its own.
