 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Skied over to Avoriaz from Chatel 2 weeks ago . It's the ugliest monstrosity I've ever seen! 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Oh really, I looked on you tube and it doesn't seem that bad.
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@harriri2000, welcome to Snowheads  Avoriaz is very good for families with great nursery slopes, traffic free, compact ..... It's not your typical alpine ski village but I understand the design is meant to reflect the cragginess of the terrain and - from a distance - it does but up close, it's not pretty. Alpe d'Huez would be a good choice too though - when are you thinking of?
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Thu 3-03-16 21:00; edited 1 time in total
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Avoriaz is very good for family, very good for the associated adults and, I think, rather attractive.
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@harriri2000,
Not sure about kids ski school or kids activities but I'll give my view on the skiing and resort.
The place is not super pretty but far from terrible and is convenient for skiing. It would not be so good in bad weather due to its' height. There are a mixture are easier and harder runs nearby. If you're intending to put kids in ski school and pick up after lunch for example you may struggle to get to the far reaches of the Portes du Soleil and back in time. The connections are reasonable (if not all fast) so getting around is ok otherwise. Travelling to Les Gets ski area or across Morgins (or to the smaller separate areas) would be the only more difficult sections since the new chair lift in Chatel. There is a snow park above Avoriaz on one side and also the tree runs (with natural park features) on the other side which the kids may like depending on age/ability. It's a nice area and a day ski pass can be got for a sale price online (weekly deals).
Alpe d'Huez is also a nice area. It has a number of satellites which I think may be nice for children plus the main village. I enjoyed some excellent activities at the sports centre over this Christmas and there were many focussed at kids. Ask if you're interested in details. For a weeks' skiing many people would not require more slopes than those offered here so although Portes du Soleil is larger it probably makes no difference in your case. For transfer try to go to/from Grenoble.
The transfer may be a little easier for Avoriaz but the difference is probably not great.
For the resort plus ski area I'd recommend both and disagree with anyone who said different. As I say I can't comment on some of the other kids specific things so maybe someone else will post something on their experience.
Update:
If the kids are beginners then Alpe d'Huez has a (cheaper) beginner pass and arguably some of the best green run terrain in the Alps.
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| RWDLYN wrote: |
| Skied over to Avoriaz from Chatel 2 weeks ago . It's the ugliest monstrosity I've ever seen! |
Avoriaz is quite a polarizing ski resort. I don't think that it's ugly at all. Quite nice actually :-/
One thing can be said for sure. It's architecture is quite different to the norm.
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@Millom,
A. Struggling with non fast connections out of Avoriaz. Pretty sure all chairs are now TSD.
B. Marginal transfer time difference vs AdH? Really?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Millom wrote: |
@harriri2000,
Not sure about kids ski school or kids activities but I'll give my view on the skiing and resort.
The place is not super pretty but far from terrible and is convenient for skiing. It would not be so good in bad weather due to its' height. There are a mixture are easier and harder runs nearby. If you're intending to put kids in ski school and pick up after lunch for example you may struggle to get to the far reaches of the Portes du Soleil and back in time. The connections are reasonable (if not all fast) so getting around is ok otherwise. Travelling to Les Gets ski area or across Morgins (or to the smaller separate areas) would be the only more difficult sections since the new chair lift in Chatel. There is a snow park above Avoriaz on one side and also the tree runs (with natural park features) on the other side which the kids may like depending on age/ability. It's a nice area and a day ski pass can be got for a sale price online (weekly deals).
Alpe d'Huez is also a nice area. It has a number of satellites which I think may be nice for children plus the main village. I enjoyed some excellent activities at the sports centre over this Christmas and there were many focussed at kids. Ask if you're interested in details. For a weeks' skiing many people would not require more slopes than those offered here so although Portes du Soleil is larger it probably makes no difference in your case. For transfer try to go to/from Grenoble.
The transfer may be a little easier for Avoriaz but the difference is probably not great.
For the resort plus ski area I'd recommend both and disagree with anyone who said different. As I say I can't comment on some of the other kids specific things so maybe someone else will post something on their experience.
Update:
If the kids are beginners then Alpe d'Huez has a (cheaper) beginner pass and arguably some of the best green run terrain in the Alps. |
Thank you so much for that insight 
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[quote="Montana"]@harriri2000, welcome to Snowheads Avoriaz is very good for families with great nursery slopes, traffic free, compact ..... It's not your typical alpine ski village but I understand the design is meant to reflect the cragginess of the terrain and - from a distance - it does but up close, it's not pretty. Alpe d'Huez would be a good choice too though - when are you thinking of?[/QUOTE
Hi thanks, We are looking at going beginning of February probably sCM Security protects your privacyomewhere nears the 4th
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Our kids love Avoriaz, most Saturdays and Sundays they hit the Chapelle park, The Stash, The Canyon Schott, the smaller half pipe, then over to the happy park in Les Crossets or across to Happy Valley via Lindarets.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@under a new name,
A. I was referring to the area in general not just the Avoriaz bowl so I believe my statement accurate.
B. Out of curiosity just checked and actually although motorway distances are similar Alpe d'Huez from Grenoble comes up as a little quicker than Geneva to Avoriaz.
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@harriri2000, you have a PM (top right, Send/Read messages)
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You know it makes sense.
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Hi harriri2000
Of the two resorts, I preferred Alpe D H when mine were little, but then its a long time ago (early noughties). Having been to Avoriaz again (skiing in Morzine was cancelled due to lack of snow lol) in 2014 its still a resort, which after a number of visits, I don`t like. It terrified me with small children in tow because a lot of the 'easy' runs above the resort are narrow often with big drops at one or both sides (and I won`t go into the issues here that I had with the ski school as its all too long ago). ADH did not seem anything like as bad for narrow runs with scary drops, and I remember feeling more secure about the slopes for our then small boys. But I have not skied there much and not at all for a decade or so. I guess it depends upon weather you will be skiing with your children yourself at least some of the time and the ages of your children. I think the basic nursery areas would be fine at either resort.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Millom, nope, pretty much all links fast these days. When were you last there?
B. Sorry, hadn't thought of anywhere else but GVA but why would I?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Avoriaz is convenient, cheapish, fairly snowsure and with reasonable ski terrain.
But it is one of the ugliest resorts on planet Earth.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Whitegold, Benidorm.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Loved Avoriaz when we were there. Lots of accommodation is ski in, ski out. Very good ski area. Nice swimming pool in town and snow sure resort.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@under a new name, was there maybe year before last. Only change I believe is the new Chatel link lift.
There were some slow lifts still around, better than some places worse than others. Probably comparable to Alpe d'huez so not critical for OP.
@harriri2000, 4th Feb is French hols for Paris next year so also note both resorts could be pricey and busy.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@Millom, I'm still trying to reconcile this whole "slow" links thing against anywahere else I've been (in Western Europe).
Out of Avoriaz you have fast chairs in every direction. I can't think of a slow chair out that isn't avoidable if it even still exists.
In addition to the new Chatel links, there are several chair replacements...
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I enjoyed the skiing in ADH especially La Sarene and the Tunnel, but the resort is sprawling ( compared with Avoriaz ), full of cars and trucks, and was not ski-in ski-out. Unfortunately the ski area is lots smaller than PdS so had done a lot of it in 3 days. But there was good snow on the glacier - which was nice. Personally I would choose Avoriaz every time, but I understand why a glacier is more important to some people than ski-in ski out, or car free.
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@windofchange, in Alpe d'Huez you can walk one end to the other in 5-10mins. There is also a good free bus service. Parking if required would be free rather than cost and possible next to lifts. Not full of trucks the times I've been there. Size is similar than connected PdS area from Avoriaz to Morgins/Linga and more than enough for most people for 6+ days skiing. These should not be critical factors for OP. Do they want SC or hotel, ski in/out, car free, certain non ski facilities, beginner pistes, cheaper passes/free lifts, recommended ski school, restaurants etc. are perhaps more important?? The OP hasn't specified though. From what we know both resorts would potentially fit very well. I find your post misleading and bias for whatever reason. The glacier and black runs are far from the only good things about the resort.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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ADH has good skiing for the kids and the fact that once you are on the lift you can get all around the ski areas and be back for lunch means it has a lot to commend it. Of the resorts I've been to I think La Plagne would suit your needs well also.
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Both resorts are good for young families.
If you're going early Feb hopefully snow conditions shouldn't be a problem at either. Sounds like you'll be avoiding UK half term but if you're flexible on dates its also worth checking when the French school holidays are and avoiding those if possible. (there's normally a thread on here which gives the dates)
Avoriaz is traffic free and has a short transfer from Geneva. It has an "interesting" architecture which seems to divide opinion. Sort of wooden high-rises with an almost gothic look. Not to everyones taste but personally I prefer it to the concrete blocks you sometimes get. PDS is a large ski area but quite spread out.
What sort of accommodation are you thinking of? I think Avoriaz is mainly self catering apartments so if you prefer a hotel or chalet there might be more choice in Alpe d'huez.
If in doubt go to one this time and the other the next!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@caravanskier, in Avoriaz the Super Morzine section is quite good for beginners, away from passing traffic/skiers and enjoyable easy slopes. The blues above Avoriaz and towards Prodains perhaps fit your description a little but are fine for progressing onto later.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Millom wrote: |
| @caravanskier, in Avoriaz the Super Morzine section is quite good for beginners, away from passing traffic/skiers and enjoyable easy slopes. The blues above Avoriaz and towards Prodains perhaps fit your description a little but are fine for progressing onto later. |
Yes agreed, these are great runs for beginners. The Zors runs in this section are particularly good. This section is below the resort and tree-lined so also good in bad weather.
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@Millom, I have no bias against either resort, I speak from my experience of the place, based on a week chalet holiday, and also as a transfer driver having done 6 transfers there.
On my transfers I got stuck variously behind a snow plow on 2 occasions, a local bus, tourist busses. And then on the smaller roads of the one way system, a bin lorry, a dray delivering to a bar, and a van picking up skis from a ski shop.
On the holiday we were accompanied by 4 people who had spent a year in Grenoble from where they skiied in either ADH or L2A most weekends, so knew a lot of the good bits . We had a fair walk uphill from our chalet to the pistes, and we had the impression that we had done most of it by the evening of day 3, but as said enjoyed the glacier skiing, and also the underground bar.
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You know it makes sense.
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| Quote: |
To be fair I have said 'connections not all fast' and 'some slow lifts' which is probably still correct for some areas of the main Portes du Soleil network.
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To be fair you are quite right and in your context of getting around the entire (!) PdS area there are definitely some distant parts you wouldn't easily (if at all) get to and back from in the time space of a lesson.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@harriri2000
We have been to Avoriaz half a dozen times in the last twelve years and stayed in self-catered apartments or Club Med. Our (now) teenage children have always loved Avoriaz for a range of reasons but mostly the ski-in, ski-out and huge ski area with its wide range of terrain including the stash and varies snow parks. The have always skied in ESF and found the instructors great fun and willing to take them to interesting places. As a parent, one of the best parts is the lack of cars, from a young age they could go off to the centre of the resort with a toboggan and enjoy themselves after the lifts had stopped. It also has some good bakeries and shops so they would go off to get fresh croissants for breakfast or go to the shops to choose food for dinner.
I did all my childhood skiing in Switzerland and agree that Avoriaz is no Alpine chocolate box but I do feel that the cladding softens it and gives it a far more pleasant and warm feel than many, many other resorts. I never had ski-in, ski-out as a child and I must admit that I absolutely love it along with the lack of cars.
Good luck choosing!
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Poster: A snowHead
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I've skied the PdS a few times now, always staying in Morzine as I generally prefer a proper village over a purpose-built resort but back in Jan. we did more than the usual lunch time restaurant visit and headed up one evening to (try and) watch the Ice Cross and I have to say I was pleasently suprised. I knew the building look OK (but no more) in passing but it did seem to have more life to it than most constructed resorts.
Would I call it beautiful or picturesque? No.
Would I call it ugly? No.
Do I think RWDLYN who thinks it's "the ugliest monstrosity I've ever seen!" should take a visit to some of the Les Arcs and La Plagne resorts to calebrate his ugly index? Yes! 
In general I'd say it makes a very good family resort. Some really good non-skiing facilities like the swimming complex ('pool' doesn't quite do it justice), traffic-free streets and fairly compact.
Skiing wise there's plenty for absolute beginners, both the bunny slopes and the huge first blue towards Morzine. After than plenty for intermediates and more advanced skiers too.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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First time in Avoriaz this week. Took a transfer to the top of the resort and got a horse drawn cart to the apartment which was a lovely way to kick off the holiday. Super convenient ski in ski out. I think the resort looks quite nice actually, at least quite spectacular perched on the mountain.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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but would you consider it a masterpiece 
Seriously though I agree the location is quite nice. How much was the transfer and horse trip?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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What age are the kids? Skiing experience - both yours and kids? If kids are beginners then ADH as they ski in the bowl and when developing can go further afield. It is easy to get back to ski schools at the Ronde De Pistes at ADH from most of the area if you are in Auris, Oz, Vaujany etc. Also seem to recall that there was a limited area pass for ADH for beginners. Also swimming pool and ice rink in centre.
If older/not beginners/not in lessons then Avoriaz as you can ski round the PDS and not be tied to the resort.
I love both ADH & PDS so why not choose one this year and the other the next. My sons - teenagers - want to go back to both.
As for the architecture, look at the mountains and snow not buildings
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@Millom, wouldn't go that far
Transfer from Geneva was with Skiddy Gonzales. Shared transfer (in no rush) for EUR 230 return. Dropped some people in morzine first after 1.5 hours ish, then another 20 mins up to Avoriaz.
Just waited at the drop off area and horse and carts come along. To the opposite end of the resort was EUR 15, which i thought was pretty reasonable.
I've seen all levels of kids in ski schools around and about everywhere in Avoriaz.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Millom, only really scratched the surface of PDS, but not experienced any slow lifts apart from a couple at the top from morzine, which strangely come flying through and take your legs out but then take an age to get there
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Avoriaz seems tailor made to suit families - especially absolute beginners. It's on the snow, and it's all ski-in/out (buses not necessary). There's a central nursery area, and as your expertise and age increases, so you venture throughout the village, eventually orbiting it in ever larger circles until as an expert you circle the entire portes du soleil in a day.
Also, it's relatively secure in that everyone there is 'in Avoriaz' - no through traffic. It's not a town like Chamonix or Zermatt. So, being fairly tightly contained it's a little less easy for anyone to get lost.
It may be car free, but you do still have to watch out for the horse drawn sleighs and caterpillar tracked delivery vehicles.
I'll be introducing my sister and nephew to snowboarding there in April.
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| Themasterpiece wrote: |
@Millom, wouldn't go that far
Just waited at the drop off area and horse and carts come along. To the opposite end of the resort was EUR 15, which i thought was pretty reasonable.
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Having read this thread and seen a vid on youtube I was wondering where you got dumped off and how you then got to where you needed to be in the resort with party and luggage in tow. How much will/can the carts take? Do you book them or hail one like a cab for the return trip when leaving?
Otherwise sounds good for families.
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FAQ
