Is Avoriaz Good for Beginners?

Is Avoriaz Good for Beginners? Yes, if you start in the right spots. Avoriaz is one of the best ski resorts in the Alps for first-time skiers and snowboarders.

It has purpose-built nursery slopes right in the resort. There are also long, forgiving green runs like Proclou, Séraussaix and Zore. You can access beginner areas with a low-cost Beginner Pass starting at €34 per day. This makes your first days on the snow both simple and affordable.

The car-free village and ski-in/ski-out accommodation make it a stress-free, beginner-friendly resort.

Where first-timers should stay

Most accommodation in Avoriaz is ski-in/ski-out thanks to the resort’s car-free layout.

You’ll step onto the snow from your doorstep. Much of the accommodation is close to ski school meeting points.

For beginners, we recommend staying near the nursery slopes around the Écoles drag lift.

As Avoriaz has a fairly compact centre, the location that you stay in isn’t the biggest deal. However, staying near the bottom stations of the Stade or Lac-Interets will mean walking uphill to the meeting point.

Likewise, if you’re staying towards the car park end of the village, you’ll have a downhill walk. Don’t be tempted to ski this on your first day. We wouldn’t want you to have a bad experience before starting.

These areas offer direct access to calm terrain and are just minutes from the centre of the village.

Start here — nursery zones & the Beginner Pass

Your first ski day should start in one of Avoriaz’s dedicated nursery areas — either Écoles or Dromonts.

These are wide, gently zones which are located right in the heart of the village. They are served by slow drag lifts perfect for first-timers.

You’ll often find ski schools starting here before progressing to longer greens. For the first few days, the Beginner Pass is the best choice.

The beginner pass costs €34 for a full day or €29 for a 5-hour block (2025/26 prices). This pass gives you access to the lifts, purpose-built for beginners. These are the drag lifts Écoles and Dromonts.

Chairlifts such as Proclou, Séraussaix, Zore and Plateau are also included. This means you don’t immediately need a new pass to progress your skiing. You’ll also get access to key gondolas like Super-Morzine and Ardent. These let you reach Avoriaz from Morzine via gondola.

It’s a smart way to save money while you build confidence on gentle terrain.

Easy runs to try after day 1–2 (progression plan)

After your first couple of days, you’ll likely be ready to move from nursery slopes onto longer green runs.

The Proclou green run is a favourite among instructors. It’s wide, consistent and perfect for lapping. It also runs alongside a mellow blue for later in the week when you’re ready to step it up.

The Séraussaix and Zore greens, accessible from the Super-Morzine side. These runs are also excellent for progression. They offer long, flowing laps without any areas that are too steep.

Note that the first few metres off the Proclou chair can appear steep for nervous skiers. It’s okay to ask your instructor to guide you through it or take the lift back down if your legs are fading.

Lessons that work

Lessons make a huge difference in your first few days. Our adult beginner ski lessons are structured to take you from your first steps to linking turns. We will always progress at your own pace.

For a more personalised approach, we also offer one-to-one coaching in Avoriaz. It’s ideal for nervous returners or fast learners who want to maximise their time

Sample 3-day beginner itinerary

Here’s a simple 3-day itinerary to help you structure your first ski trip.

Day 1: Spend your morning on the nursery slopes of Écoles or Dromonts. Stop for a hot chocolate to recharge, and take a two-hour afternoon lesson to start learning the basics.

Day 2: Use your Beginner Pass to lap Proclou and Séraussaix, and try Zore if you’re feeling confident. Finish with a late lunch on the plateau to soak up the mountain atmosphere. On

Day 3: Mix in a gentle blue run next to Proclou if you’re ready.

If you want to celebrate, ride the lift up to La Folie Douce and enjoy the terrace views.

Which lift pass is right for a beginner?

When choosing a lift pass, always start with the Beginner Pass, which is ideal for your first few days.

Once you’re comfortably skiing green and blue runs, you can upgrade to the Avoriaz local pass. This pass covers 120 km of pistes and costs less than the Portes du Soleil pass.

Only consider the full Portes du Soleil pass (650 km) once you’re confident skiing a range of blue runs. This pass lets you explore other areas such as Morzine or Les Crosets in Switzerland.

Children under five can have free lift passes. Just make sure you bring proof of age collect their lift pass from the ticket office.

Practical tips that speed up progress

There are a few practical tips that’ll help you get more out of your time on the snow. Stay close to your ski school meeting point if possible – it saves valuable time and effort in the morning.

Avoriaz is car-free, so sleigh taxis are a fun and practical way to move around the village. There are also snowcat taxis that are especially helpful if you’re carrying children or ski gear.

Finally, post-ski, we recommend grabbing a drink at Le Yeti or Folie Douce’s outdoor terrace. It’s a great way to swap stories with other beginners and celebrate your progress.

If you’ve managed to ski down towards the Super Morzine gondola, you’ll find La Passage. La Passage does great food and drinks with amazing views over Morzine. It’s a personal favourite of mine. It’s a chilled apres alternative and gets the afternoon sun on clear days. Just be careful not to miss the Zore and Séraussaix chair lifts to get back to the town centre.

No, but children under five ski for free. You’ll need to collect a pass with proof of age.