Avoriaz, the car-free resort
Nested at a height of 1800 m on the ridge of an impressive cliff that dominates Morzine, sometimes emerging from a see of clouds, Avoriaz resort has become famous worldwide from the early seventies thanks to the Festival du Film Fantastique that revealed the most gifted directors such as Spielberg, Lynch, de Palma, Besson…
The Avoriaz architecture is exceptional as well : every building fits the shape of the mountain exactly and is covered with wooden red cedar tiles, named tavaillons, that change colour regarding the local humidity and sunlight : thus, the resort can turn from grey into golden brown from one day to another.
But the most attractive trump for holidaymakers is certainly that Avoriaz is totally pedestrian : newcommers are welcomed and taken in charge by the resort’s staff, cars are unloaded on a special wharf and then parked in the indoor or outdoor car-parks located in the entry.
It is highly recommended to reserve the indoor car-park place beforehand.
So, guests can go to their holiday homes by walking or taking the public transportation services (sleighs or tracked buses).
Afterwards, the stay goes on without any car : children love do that and parents do appreciate the induced security !
Situated in the heart of the huge French-Swiss Portes du Soleil ski domain, Avoriaz is surrounded and crossed by the ski-tracks. All the residences give direct access to the slopes. Easy ski-lifts, set in the resort’s center, create a reassuring atmosphere for beginners.
Most shops can be reached by public lifts or indoor escalators.
For emergency cases or for those who prefer having themselves transported, a public service of sleighs and tracked-buses is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.