Center Parcs, in the Alps – The many things to do in Avoriaz

Pierre Vacances, the owners of Center Parcs in England also have a major stake in the Avoriaz

resort and are currently building an all season water parc in the resort. This development, built on

the existing outdoor swimming pool will transform the resort as a real alternative to an English

Center Parcs holiday at a fraction of the price due to the lower accommodation costs in the summer.

Avoriaz is principally known as an Alpine Ski resort at the heart of the massive 650 km Portes Du

Soleil ski area. From December till April each year Avoriaz operates as a ski in and ski out resort

with only resort vehicles allowed into the resort. In July and August it also operates as a car free

resort as well. In May/June/September – November, the resort is largely inhabited by a few locals,

walkers and tradespersons.

Aquariaz – opening July 2012 – an aquatic paradise in the mountains

featuring lush vegetation and rocks, with a river with variable current, a

slidewinder, a water playhouse, a paddling pool a large pool with climbing

walls, massage benches and the must: an open-air Jacuzzi heated to 34

degrees C

Aquariaz will no doubt transform the resort into a center parcs village in the Alps. The following

pages show some of the vast array of activities, from the hundreds of walks to the more

adventurous thrill seeking activities. It is indeed a resort for all the family and for all tastes.

Email me for a copy of the many walks that can be done in both the summer and the winter

Budget holidays break with lots of activities (many of which are free)

Via Ferrata (Rock face climbing with ropes)

This is one of the views of the Via Ferrata from apartment Snow 401

Just plain walking with a picnic at the end of it

There are hundreds of beautiful walks from Avoriaz, many along the winter ski runs. Picture on the

right is one of the views from Snow 401. Back pacs are available in the apartments. If you want a

‘walks brochure I can e mail you a copy of Balades Morzine-Avoriaz Vallée d’Aulps. Just ask

This is a summer view from the balcony

of the Tabac Bar in Avoriaz. There is still

snow on the top of the Hautes Fautes

mountain

Making your own fun on the

mountain. The group below have got

some wooden animals and are

practising their archery skills. Can

you spot the deer ??

Careful if your walk takes you

across the Avoriaz Golf Course

This is the view from

apartment Snow 401.

There are many walks

along the valley. At the

green ridge is the famous

‘Swiss wall’ – a black ski

run . This point is the

border with Switzerland

but you don’t need to take

your passport !!The

mountains in the

background are the ‘Dents

Du midi’

Throughout July and

August there are regular

‘farmers markets’ where

local producers show and

sell their wares. Most of

the high street is taken

over by their stalls

Right next to the

Carousel in the

centyre of the Resort

(Place Centrale) is the

5 a side/ handball/

basketball court. In

the winter this is the

Village Des Enfants !!

There are a number of table tennis tables throughout the resort. Dont

forget to pack your bats and balls.

Several Tennis Courts in the resort

The bars in

Avoriaz are child

friendly and no

more than the

Tabac bar

(opposite the

bowling alley

where you can

play darts at

‘Marco’s

Next to the all

weather pitch at the

far side is the ‘boules

area ‘where the locals

spend many an hour

just throwing balls

into the gravel to see

who can get nearest

the marker ball !!

For the less energetic amongst

you , you can get the resort

train around the resort.

Check the tourist Office for

the timetable

Plenty of wide open spaces to just sit, relax and people watch

Right in front

of the Snow

building is the

‘Place Centrale

where many of

the resorts

activities are

located as well

as a number of

grassed areas

for just ‘people

watching’

Another ‘Boules’ area !!

and bouncy castles and

trampoling

Below there is supervised

archery as well

Plenty of things for

kids to do and keep

themselves occupied

The backdrop views to

many of these activities

is simply awesome.

There are plenty of free

and supervised

activities. You can get a

full brochure by going

on the Avoriaz website

www.avoriaz.com

There are also published

weekly schedules of

activities which can be

obtained from the

Tourist office in Avoriaz

With so much going on, no

wonder Avoriaz is a

regular host to the world

famous Tour De France.

The Tour was in Avoriaz

in 2010 and will be back

no doubt in a few more

years time. It is a spectacle

not to be missed and early

booking is advised

Plenty of free sections for small kids as well. This little train activity is

just outside the bowling alley and the Hotel Dromont and this one

near the Plateau

Climbing

walls for

kids at the

Village

Des

Enfants

Nine Hole golf course and driving range

The Golf club

house is the

chopper HQ in

the winter !!

Proclou run is

on the left

Golf

Driving

range

For those that have

only ever been to

Avoriaz in the winter,

the golf course is

adjacent to the

Proclou ski run!!

Crazy Golf

Good for an hour or two !!

There are

trampolines dotted

around in a few

places across the

Resort

The kids have a

pony lesson in the

Village Des

enfants before

trekking around

the resort and onto

trails

There are stables in

the resort as well as

plenty of tennis

courts

Mountain Biking for all levels

Starter obstacle course at the plateau for beginners

There is no bigger

event arguably than the

Tour De France and in

2010 it finished in

Avoriaz. Every few

years the Tour is

invited to Avoriaz and

it is a great place to be

when it arrives

One lift ride

away from

Avoriaz and you

are on the

French / Swiss

border

There are a number of

mountain bike rental

shops in Avoriaz as well

as lessons and guided

tours for all abilities.

If you just enjoy down

hill cycling you put the

bike on the chair lifts

and just cycle across

country or downhill

The cable car from Les Prodaines on the outskirts of Morzine. This

takes you to Avoriaz. Alternatively there is a 20 minute car journey up

the mountain

A five minute ride down the cable car takes you to Les Prodaines

The view down to Les

Prodaines from Avoriaz.

The return trip is normally

about 12 euros return. I

have over a dozen passes

that I loan out free of

charge. From Prodaines

there is a free bus to

Morzine town centre

There are more things to do at Les Prodaines and Morzine

Quad Biking at Les Prodaines

The Luge in Morzine

and white water rafting in the Morzine Valley