Avoriaz is one of the most distinctive Alpine ski resorts you will probably ever visit; perched high on a rocky promontory it looks down over the mountains of the Portes du Soleil and beyond. Situated at the centre of the Portes du Soleil it falls within the Chablais region of the Haute-Savoie, bordered by Lac Leman (Lake Geneva), the River Arve and Mont Blanc - there is no shortage of stunning natural beauty!

The Portes du Soleil is renowned for being the largest international ski area in Europe, spanning both France and Switzerland and encompassing the eight French resorts of Abondance, Avoriaz, La Chapelle d’Abondance, Châtel, Les Gets, Montriond, Morzine, St Jean d’Aulps and the six Swiss resorts of Champéry, Champoussin, Les Crosets, Morgins, Torgon and Val d’Illiez.

The region encompasses the best of the Alps from quiet little hamlets to bustling resorts, picturesque rusticana to lively nightlife and extreme sports. Avoriaz is probably the most distinctive of the Portes du Soleil ski stations, due to its futuristic design and dramatic cliff top location.

Possibly the most modern resort in the Portes du Soleil, Avoriaz is instantly recognizable for its dynamic architecture, based on the concept that in nature there are no right-angles. Jaques Labro built the Dromonts Hotel in March 1966, and his futuristic design set the tone for the rest of the resort. The architects of Avoriaz have embraced the bold lines and sharp angles of its cliff top location rather than the ‘chocolate box’ chalet design that we tend to associate with ski resorts. However, despite being built in the 1960’s (the same era when many ‘concrete jungle’ ski resorts were hastily constructed) the overall visual impact of the resort is surprisingly in keeping with its natural surroundings. The buildings are mainly fabricated from wood and slate and blend well into the colours of the cliffs. Many of the designers that have contributed to the development of Avoriaz have won prestigious awards ie Académie des Beaux Arts, the Equerre d’Argent and a silver medal from the Architectural Académie. In 2003 Avoriaz was awarded a prize by the Minister of Culture for being one of the great heritage achievements of the 20th century.

The resort of Avoriaz 1800 has no traffic apart from sleighs, thus preserving the environment and ensuring your well-being. This means that you are not able to drive to your accommodation or around town, but parking is convenient and plentiful. All amenities are close to many of the apartments and residences and most of the accommodation is, quite literally, ski in ski out. Its car-free policy is enhanced by the addition of horse drawn sleighs and it is a common sight to see people sledging home after a night out!