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Whether it’s your first week on skis or you’re looking to build confidence, here are the five best pistes for beginners in Avoriaz to get started on.
How to use this guide
These pistes are all wide and forgiving with easy access from the main village. The pistes in Avoriaz are some of the best for beginners in the Alps.
There is a great range of green runs, and the blue runs are very mellow by blue run standards. The Avoriaz piste map will help you to find these areas and the resort’s main beginner zones.
In Avoriaz, the different difficulties of piste are: green for very gentle slopes, blue for easy runs with a mild gradient, then red and black for steeper, more advanced terrain.
Lifts are anything that’ll take you uphill. This includes magic carpets (conveyor belts used in beginner areas), chairlifts and gondolas.
A ‘download’ means you can ride the lift back down instead of skiing, which is perfectly normal if you’re tired or the weather changes.
The Five Best Beginner Pistes in Avoriaz
1. Dromonts
Why it’s great – The most central starting point for beginners in Avoriaz is Dromonts. It’s a gentle green run which sits right in the heart of Avoriaz. It’s wide, almost flat and well sheltered from the elements. It has several magic carpets, which are excellent for short laps while you get used to the basics.
How to get there – You can find dromonts in the centre of Avoriaz, just next to the tourist office.
First lap tip – Do your introductory activities on the right side near the bottom before you try to take the lift for the first time.
Bail-out – Dromonts is located right in the village centre and has a relatively flat slope. You can take your skis off and walk back to wherever you would like to get to.
Good times to ski it – Typically, Dromonts is great all day.
2. Ecoles
Why it’s great – Next, move across to Ecoles. This is another beginner green run, near the centre of Avoriaz.
How to get there – You can reach it from the village by walking toward the Village des Enfants and taking the Ecoles drag lift.
First lap tip – Stick to the right-hand side for the gentlest line. It’s not too far from cafes or Apres spots like the Follie Douce. It’s ideal for practising once you can turn and are comfortable stopping.
Bail-out – Like Dromont’s Ecoles is close to the Village centre. If you’ve had enough, it may be a good idea to try to ski towards La Folie Douce, as this section is flat and will take you closer to much of the accommodation in Avoriaz. If you’re going to ski back to your accommodation, just be careful of merging skiers from over your left shoulder. Skiing down to Prodains can also be quite tricky. Late in the day, it will bump up this section is usually quite busy too.
Good times to ski it – Ecoles is good for skiing throughout the day. It may be slightly busier in the mornings with people having lessons, but for most weeks of the year, this won’t be too noticeable.
3. Proclou
Why it’s great – When you’re ready to leave the nursery slopes, Prolou is the best place to go. Proclou is a brilliant confidence-booster.
How to get there – Proclou technically starts at the top of the Proclou chairlift. You can also get to it easily from near the top of the Plateau chair lift or by the TK Ecole drag lifts by the jump park.
First lap tip – Once you’ve skied through the tunnel and have reached the first right-hand turn, keep to the right side. This will let you go down the proclou green section. There is a sign that points this out as you approach. On the map, the green piste is called Proclou 1ère glisse. Once you’ve skied this a couple of times, try the blue section. It is wide and not difficult for a blue run.
Bail-out – Once you’re on Proclou, there isn’t really a way back to Avoriaz once you’re past Thrashers T bar. If you decide to stop here, you can take this lift and start walking to Avoriaz. If you’ve gone past this point, don’t worry, the green side of Proclou isn’t steep, and the chair at the end will take you back to Avoriaz.
Good times to ski it – Proclou is best at its best mid-morning or early afternoon. People will ski down Proclou to get back to Morzine via Super Morzine at the end of the day. This means it tends to get busy after 3 PM.
4. Séraussaix
Close by, the Séraussaix piste is another really long, mellow piste.
Why it’s great – The slope is ideal for linking smooth turns without the distraction of crowds. Séraussaix has excellent views of the Prodains Valley. It’s a fantastic place to get long practice laps in without facing anything too steep. Stay in the middle of the piste. The edges near the trees can feel a touch steeper, and enjoy the calm atmosphere. You can return easily via the Super Morzine gondola or ski gently back to the base of the lift. It’s especially lovely in the afternoon sun.
How to get there – Séraussaix links the top of the proclou to the bottom of the Zore lift. From the bottom of the Zore lift, you can take the Séraussaix lift and complete a lap of the area, too.
First lap tip – Warm up on Ecoles and Proclou before skiing Séraussaix first thing in the Morning. This will mean that most of the ski traffic from Morzine to Avoriaz has moved on by the time you reach Séraussaix.
Bail-out – Like Proclou, there isn’t necessarily a bail-out option aside from walking. If you can ski down both Dromonts, Ecoles and Proclou, you’ll have no problems skiing Séraussaix. Séraussaix is possibly the most gentle full-length piste in Avoriaz.
Good times to ski it – The piste can, like proclou, get much busier at the end of the day or first thing in the morning. This is because it acts as an important link between Super Morzine and Avoriaz.
5. Blue Velvet
Finally, when you feel ready to try something different, head to Blue Velvet. This piste should be no problem if you’ve already practised on the Proclou blue runs.
Why it’s great – It will make it an excellent transition to intermediate terrain and give you a chance to explore new terrain.
How to get there – Ski Covagnes from Avoriaz and continue straight onwards until you reach Blue Velvet. At the bottom of Blue Velvet is Brochaux. You can then lap Blue Velvet and Brochaux for a great blue run progression.
First lap tip – Try to do your first lap earlier in the day. The better snow conditions will help your confidence on the new slopes.
Bail-out – Halfway down, you can keep to the left and head down Mossettes instead. This will give you a second option if you don’t like the conditions on blue velvet.
Good times to ski it – Blue Velvet is great to ski through the day, but having freshly groomed slopes may help your confidence on your first runs.
Suggested Progression Loop
For a smooth learning curve, start with Dromonts and Ecoles during your first couple of days. By day three, move over to Proclou and Séraussaix for longer, confidence-building runs.
Toward the end of the week, test your new skills on the Lindarets route and explore the mountain at your own pace.
Common Beginner Pitfalls in Avoriaz (and Fixes)
If you’re staying in Morzine and don’t want to ski down to the Prodains bottom station, take the lift down.
If you’re skiing down towards Super Morzine, don’t do it at the very end of the day. The route down will get very busy. The bottom section, particularly Tétras and Zore, will be very rough and uneven.
Before heading out, always check the weather and snow report.
Don’t rush your progress. You’ll make more progress and enjoy your trip more if you go at a slower pace.
The Boulevard des Skieurs can get really busy at the end of the day. This can make it challenging, as there may be many other skiers, and the terrain may be bumpy. To get around this, you can take the Plateau lift down. Just be wary that this lift is quite slow.
