Avoriaz, good reasons to go this winter

Have you ever seen photos ofAvoriaz in winter? Postcards with incredible amounts of snow? Then you already know why Avoriaz is the destination for all those who love the white mountains in winter...

It's true that when you like to stroll through typical villages, admire the church steeple against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks, and hear the sound of a stream meandering along snow-covered banks, you can be baffled.

However, Avoriaz is not an ultra-concrete resort that resembles a dormitory town, as can sometimes happen in the Alps: here, an effort has been made to achieve harmony! Buildings covered in wood panelling, known here as "tavaillons", wide spaces for strolling around on skis or on foot, and above all... the absence of cars, which ensures a feeling of calm and silence.

Avoriaz is a concept resort born of a vision.

The story ofAvoriaz is a fascinating one: at a time when the notables of Alpine town halls were wondering how to develop tourism and secure jobs and resources for their communities, someone had the idea of building a ski resort on an Alpine plateau with lots of snow, but also lots of sunshine and excellent exposure. One man's vision was the beginning of the adventure.

So why is Avoriaz such a unique winter resort?

Guaranteed snow!

To ski, you need snow! And of course, snow cover must be guaranteed throughout the season. Avoriaz is one of France's snowiest resorts. Perched at an altitude of 1,800 m, it is by far the highest resort in the Haute-Savoie region, guaranteeing sufficiently low temperatures to keep the snow from being swept away by the thaw in the valley bottoms.

What's more, Avoriaz is located in a pre-Alpine massif, the Chablais, at the foot of one of the region's highest peaks. As a result, the disturbances bringing the snowfall arrive at the resort without having encountered other large massifs that could have emptied the clouds of the snow they were carrying.

That's why it's not unusual to have more than two meters of snow on the ground at the height of the winter season, as shown in the photos below. Incidentally, it's amusing to see that, to access the snow front, the snow is dug up here to clear the terraces of bars and restaurants! When you're enjoying a drink in the sunshine, looking out over the mountains, you're actually sheltered by deep walls of snow...ideal for keeping out the cold!

A silent, car-free station

In Avoriaz in winter, all is quiet. The only noises to be heard are the sounds of the groomers, the little caterpillars that carry people or equipment, and the bells of the horse-drawn carriages that transport visitors, mostly children amazed by this old-fashioned mode of transport.

When you arrive, you'll need to leave your car in the parking lot at the entrance to the station. There's an underground car park, which you'd better reserve in advance, and an outdoor car park just before the station entrance. For the outdoor one, it's best to have a shovel in the boot to get the car out of the snowdrifts if it snows during your stay, and a broom to clear the windshield and roof!

Once at the station reception desk, the little caterpillars will drop you off at the foot of your building, giving you the impression of leaving on a mission to a polar base.

Then forget about traffic, fuel smells, access problems, bumper-to-bumper traffic and enjoy the silence! Especially in the evening, when the slopes close and the resort falls asleep.

Landscapes

Avoriaz lies on a plateau, overlooking the cliffs above the Ardoisières valley.

Yes, yes, slate was extracted to cover the roofs, and probably the blackboards in nearby schools!

Facing west and south, you can enjoy light for long periods of the day, right up to sunset, which is not possible when you're at the bottom of a valley and the sun is over the ridges. Many skiers wait for the sun to finish its course over the horizon before returning to their lodgings. The best spot is the ridge between the Lindarets valley and theAvoriaz plateau, just above the resort.

The view over the small Ardoisières valley, which opens out into the hollow where Morzine nestles, is sublime whatever the weather. Whether it's when the fog breaks and lets you glimpse a few chalets, a stretch of road..., or at night when the valley lights up like a satellite image, or when it's full sun and the continuous whiteness seems dappled with the dark masses of small fir forests. OppositeAvoriaz, you can admire the Roc d'Enfer, whose silhouette casts a bluish shadow at sunset.

Looking towards Switzerland, on the left as you turn away from the panorama of the Ardoisières valley, you can see the Dents du Midi, which do indeed resemble a row of teeth. They look like they're just behind the ridge line, but in fact they're not: there's still enough space to ski several kilometers and enjoy yourself in Swiss territory before you reach their feet.

In winter, Avoriaz is a sure bet!

Whether you're a skier or just a winter enthusiast, Avoriaz in winter is the perfect destination: plenty of snow to enjoy in peace and quiet, without having to pass between cars, cross roads and risk slipping on icy patches, and a breathtaking panorama to marvel at.

For some, the buildings inAvoriaz are too high, for others there are too many people, but I assure you, the buildings are behind you when you look at the landscape, and everything is covered in so much snow that all you can see is the mountain scenery you've always dreamed of!

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