For keen skiers, the French Alps offer a plethora of choices – whatever your abilities. Nowhere is this more true than the ski paradise of Avoriaz – the highest resort in the Portes du Soleil. This magical place sits on top of the world (the Alps, at least!), making up part of the 650 kms of pistes and 14 towns and villages on both sides of the border (with Switzerland) that comprise the Portes du Soleil. But the gratifying thing is that, even if skiing isn’t the be-all and end-all of your winter holidays, Avoriaz has plenty to offer.
Avoriaz: Head to the Top of the World
We’re not by any means suggesting the following activities to take the place of getting out there on the slopes on your skis or snowboard – the conditions in Avoriaz are simply too good to miss. However, if you hit the slopes in the morning, then throw a few of these other activities into the mix in the afternoon or evening, you’ll stretch your holiday break so much further.
Paragliding
Admittedly, this is not for the faint-hearted – but bear in mind you’ll be on a tandem paraglider with a highly experienced pilot. There are various companies in the resort that offer paragliding over the valleys and mountains of Avoriaz and, once tried, this is an experience you’ll never forget. Taking off from the top of the pistes, you’ll soar like a bird over the pristine Alpine landscape, getting a brilliant aerial view of the ant-sized skiers below. The most incredible thing about paragliding is the sublime silence as you glide and swoop with the thermal winds. Your pilot will then bring you down gently with a soft landing. No particular level of fitness is needed for paragliding, so this once-in-a-lifetime adventure is for anyone who wants to try!
Walking and Hiking
One of the most brilliant things offered in Avoriaz is the Pedestrian Pass, which gives you access to all the lifts without the need to ski. It’s a great way to visit the restaurants and bars on the slopes (or meet up with skier friends), but in addition to that, there’s a fantastic network of groomed walking and hiking trails at altitude. Pull on your hiking boots, dress warmly, grab a map/guide from the tourist office (and some sunscreen), and head out for a snowy adventure of a different kind. **It’s important to stick to the designated trails and not go “off-piste” and also keep a close eye on the weather.
Go to the Dogs
Husky-sledding is the fun you never knew you wanted! These wonderful animals live to run, and when you book on to a sledding tour you can be in charge of your own team of three dogs as you skim across the frozen landscape. After meeting the dogs and getting instructions to familiarise yourself with the ins and outs of driving a sled, you’ll head out under the watchful eye of an experienced “musher” and explore the area around the resort. This activity makes for a hugely invigorating 2-3 hours, and it’s guaranteed to be an afternoon packed with fun. Mush!
Stay the Night in an Igloo
Looking for something completely different for the finale of your short break in Avoriaz? Here it is! The Igloo Village sits above the resort near the Prodains cable car. For the ultimate experience, book onto the guided evening snowshoe tour, which culminates in a delicious shared fondue inside an igloo. While it’s not compulsory, if you want the ultimate end to your holiday, you can stay the night in one of the igloos in the village (bookings essential). Enjoy a drink at the Ice Bar, dine in the restaurant, then retire for a cosy night’s sleep in a beautiful igloo, waking up to a magical sunrise over the slopes. Unforgettable…
These are just a few ideas to get you started, but the beauty of Avoriaz is that not only does it have access to some of the best skiing in Europe, there’s plenty of other things to see, do and experience as well. The perfect ski resort? It could well be.
Where to Stay
Hotel MiL8: This stylish, contemporary hotel offers ski-to-door access, an onsite spa and wellness centre, sauna, restaurant, and outdoor swimming pool. The spacious rooms are beautifully appointed, with high-end amenities and some featuring a balcony. Exemplary location, top quality accommodation, and friendly, amenable staff make this a wonderful place for a ski getaway – where all you have to do is relax!
Residence Pierre & Vacances Premium L’Amara: Style, luxurious comfort, ski-in, ski-out access, and gorgeous views – what more could you want? This high-end accommodation offers spacious, well-appointed apartments with a kitchen, right in the heart of the action in Avoriaz. A host of onsite amenities include the Deep Nature wellness spa, sauna, indoor pool, and an outdoor Jacuzzi. The perfect home-from-home with nothing left to want.
Hotel des Dromonts: Providing direct ski-to-door access and stunning mountain vistas, guests of this outstanding hotel enjoy the benefits of its spectacular location. With funky decor and extensive amenities, the superbly-appointed rooms wrap you in cosy luxury and surround you with beautiful views. Onsite facilities include two restaurants, a cocktail bar with fireplace, and a lovely guest terrace overlooking the slopes.
How to Get There
If you’ve decided on a short break in Avoriaz, the most convenient way to arrive is to fly into Geneva Airport. You’ll have plenty of options, with numerous carriers offering an extensive range of flights, including British Airways, Jet2, and easyJet, among others. The flight from UK airports takes less than two hours, which means more valuable holiday time and less time spent travelling.
Once you’re on the ground in Geneva, the best way to ensure a safe, comfortable and stress-free journey to Avoriaz is on a pre-booked service from Shuttle Direct. You can choose from either shared or private transfers from Geneva to Avoriaz, and then a friendly, professional driver will get you there in the quickest possible time.
Overview
UK to GVA Flight Time: 1 hours, 52 mins approx.
GVA to Avoriaz Distance: 82 kilometres
Shuttle Direct Transfer: 1 hour and 57 minutes approx.
Types of Transfer
Everyone who travels has a different way of doing it – different needs, different wants and different personalities. That’s why at Shuttle Direct, we offer a range of services that will get you from Geneva to Avoriaz in the way that suits you.
Instead of queuing in a taxi line when you land, if you pre-book a local taxi through us, your driver will be waiting for you and you’ll be taken from Geneva Airport to Avoriaz without delay. The service is fast, comfortable and door-to-door, taking away all the hassles.
If you’re looking for something a little more economical, however, then a shared shuttle transfer is perfect. You’ll meet at a designated point when you land at the airport, then board the vehicle with other passengers going to your destination. Once there, you’ll be dropped at a central point. A shuttle is a quick and affordable Avoriaz transfer, because sharing the costs with other passengers means it is priced lower than a private, door-to-door service. Who knows? You might even make some new friends!
If budget is not an issue, and you prefer to travel alone rather than with other passengers, choose one of our private Geneva transfers to get you the rest of the way. A friendly, professional driver will be waiting in the terminal to meet you, then you’ll be whisked straight to the door of your accommodation in Avoriaz in a comfortable luxury vehicle.
If you’re travelling with a larger group of family or friends, but you want to simplify logistics and get that door-to-door service, one of our minibus transfers will get you from the airport at Geneva to Avoriaz, quickly and easily. There’s plenty of room for passengers and luggage in these large capacity vehicles, so you can all just sit back and relax.
Choosing the Right Transfer
Only you can choose the most appropriate transfer service for your needs, but it will come down to two main factors: cost and convenience.
Convenience: If door-to-door is a non-negotiable for you, and you’re happy to pay a little extra for it, then one of our private transfers will suit you best. From the moment you land, your driver will take care of everything and get you from the airport at Geneva to Avoriaz in a safe, relaxed and luxurious way.
Cost: If you’re more interested in sticking to a budget on your holiday, and door-to-door is not a deal-breaker, one of our shared services will make you and your wallet very happy. Our shared shuttle services are highly economical, but you’ll never have to compromise on comfort and safety.
About Shuttle Direct
Here at Shuttle Direct we understand travellers have different needs. That’s why, as one of the most trusted and well-known providers of onward ground transport, we offer a range of shared and private services, with something to suit everyone. Offering airport transfers to and from destinations all over the world, when you book with Shuttle Direct, we’ll get you wherever you need to go in comfort, safety and reliability.
