Chalet Ipaka, Avoriaz 1800

Avoriaz sits right in the centre of the vast 650km Portes du Soleil ski area, making it an outstanding base for exploring one of Europe’s biggest cross-border ski regions. Intermediates are especially well catered for, with an extensive network of high-altitude blue and red runs, all easily accessed ski-in ski-out from your accommodation. Confident skiers can venture further afield into Switzerland, while beginners can learn close to the resort in the dedicated nursery area before progressing onto gentle linked slopes down towards Morzine.

The resort itself is completely car-free and designed for skis and sledges rather than traffic, creating a unique, snow-filled atmosphere where you can literally ski through the streets. Its distinctive architecture, with tall wooden-clad buildings and slanted roofs, is designed to blend into the surrounding mountain landscape. Avoriaz is also known for its large number of self-catering apartments, making it particularly popular with families and groups looking for flexibility and convenience.

Away from skiing, Avoriaz offers some of the best off-slope activities in the French Alps. The Aquariaz water park brings a tropical twist to the mountains with lush vegetation, waterfalls and slides, while snowshoeing excursions offer a quieter way to explore the winter landscape. Many guided walks even finish with dinner in a traditional mountain hut, adding a memorable end to a day in the snow.