Avoriaz: Architecture and Activities

Avoriaz is part of the Portes du Soleil ski area, which spans two countries and twelve resorts. The town offers several clear starting points for planning your trip: the early architecture of Les Hauts Forts 2, Aquariaz, tobogganing, golf and bike parks. This lets you choose Avoriaz based on the things that matter for your stay, rather than reducing the town to just one winter sport.

Architecture and history in Avoriaz

Les Hauts Forts 2 is one of the first buildings in Avoriaz. Jacques Labro designed and built it in 1967–1968. Its stepped, rugged architecture is inspired by the geological folds of the mountain. A decree dated 18 February 2025 listed Les Hauts Forts 2 as a historic monument. The protection covers the building’s façades and roofs, as well as its communal and publicly accessible interior spaces. The years in which it was built and its later listing mark different milestones in its history.

Water activities and tobogganing

Aquariaz is open in both summer and winter. Features of this water park include a gently flowing stream lined with tropical trees and a heated outdoor whirlpool bath at 33 degrees with views of the valley. The two offer different experiences: a stream lined with tropical trees and a warm outdoor bath overlooking the valley.

Another activity is the Piste des Dromonts. The shared toboggan area is next to the Dromonts ski lift and is suitable for families and friends. At an altitude of more than 1,800 metres, Village Igloo Avoriaz offers a polar experience with a frozen aperitif and fondue. Avokart, by contrast, offers a descent in a three-wheeled vehicle: it covers 3.2 kilometres and descends 600 metres in altitude. Aquariaz and Village Igloo offer different experiences, with a tropical-tree-lined stream and a polar adventure, respectively.

Golf and bike parks

Golf d’Avoriaz offers lessons for beginners and advanced players, one-to-one tuition and a practice area. Alongside tobogganing, water activities and descents, there is also an option that offers instruction and opportunities to practise. The bike parks in Avoriaz, Châtel, Morzine and Champéry-Morgins are easily accessible from Avoriaz. You can return by mountain lifts; their operating schedules vary by season. If you plan to return this way, it is worth checking the seasonal operating hours.

Getting around in winter

Since its creation, Avoriaz 1800 has been designed as a car-free resort oriented entirely towards pedestrians. In winter, people get around the snowy streets on skis; pedestrians, skiers and sledges share the space. These are two different aspects of a stay: the design reflects the resort’s approach from its inception, while the shared use of the streets describes how people get around locally in winter.

For the broader travel overview: Morzine.