Avoriaz, The Perfect Complement To Chalets In Morzine

While hiring chalets in Morzine, France continues to be a popular winter time occupation for snow sport aficionados, the town can at times suffer from that slightest of problems shared by all ski resorts: during the non-skiing downtime, boredom can easily set in. There is only so much curling up by the fireplace you can do, after all.

Fortunately for occupants of chalets in Morzine, this particular resort has a perfect location for a day trip only a stone’s throw away. The neighbouring town and resort of Avoriaz offers everything Morzine may lack, and is sure to please those looking for a respite from the slopes and pistes.

Built on a nook above the town of Morzine, Avoriaz is quickly becoming known among the winter sport community for its wealth of places to visit, exquisite architecture and unique atmosphere – all of which make it well worth a visit for holidaymakers staying in chalets in Morzine. The town sets itself apart from surrounding resorts by actively striving to offer more than just challenging ski and snowboard runs, rather banking its chips on precisely what those other towns lack – off-piste sights and activities.

Perhaps the most instantly appealing among these is the Aquariaz, a combination waterpark and greenhouse which allows visitors to paddle at their leisure in heated pools whilst swimming surrounded by roughly 1500 types of tropical plant and over 180 tropical trees. Since its opening in 2012, this park has understandably become one of the main tourist hotspots in Avoriaz, and it is sure to delight those seeking something to soothe the chill of being out in the piste all day.

The Aquariaz is not, however, Avoriaz’s sole claim to fame when it comes to non-winter-sport-related activities. Long before the waterpark opened, the town was already well-known in its surrounding region for its yearly Fantastic Film Festival. Held in a format not dissimilar to that of events such as Fantasporto (in Portugal), this historic festival launched the careers of such well-known directors as Peter Jackson, Steven Spielberg and David Cronenberg, before its eventual demise in 1993 and replacement with the current Festival du Film Fantastique de Gérardmer, in the Vosges. All that remains of the festival nowadays are a number of posters, displayed throughout the premises of the local ‘Le Bistro’ restaurant.

Finally, cycling enthusiasts will be excited to know that both Avoriaz and Morzine often host stages of the Tour de France, one of the biggest competitions in the cycling calendar. The possibility of witnessing a stretch of this historic race should provide more than enough motivation for cycling buffs to rent out chalets in Morzine or Avoriaz during the time of the competition!

It is clear, then, that Avoriaz is a perfect getaway option for Morzine skiers or snowboarders who are tired of the slopes and looking to do something a little bit different in their winter-sport downtime!

Liz Olkowicz is the Business Development Manager for Ski and Summer Morzine, a tour operator, based in Surrey, offering tailor-made holidays in chalets in Morzine. Morzine is the perfect location from which to explore the French Alps, so for a great-value Alpine holiday, call us.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.