On a clear night the lights of Avoriaz create an impressive orange glow in the night sky beyondMorzine. The resort was the brainchild of local hero Jean Vuarnet, an Olympic Gold medal winner who wanted to propel his hometown into the premier league of ski resorts during the wave of construction and expansion that swept across the Alps in the 1960s.

Perched dramatically on the edge of the cliffs at the head of the valley, the easily-accessible sister resort of Avoriaz is nowadays an integral part of a winter sports holiday in this area. In the first instance itacts as an insurance policy against poor snow conditions with one of the highest average snowfalls in the whole of the Alps, and secondly the construction of the resort opened up previously untapped snowfields that stretch all the way to the border with Switzerland. Upon opening fully in 1971 the resort linked the slopes of Morzine to those on the Swiss side of the border and the mighty Portes du Soleil region was born (see our PdS link for more detail)!

Avoriaz is a dynamic and vibrant resort that is still something of a ‘work in progress'. With every winter season come new and exciting developments both on and off the slopes, but despite its continuing expansion the resort prides itself on being at the forefront of sustainable development.The slopes cater for all abilities and the modern and efficient lift network makes moving between sectors effortless. Beginners are well catered for on the plateau and intermediates will quickly build confidence on the wide open pistes of the Arare sector. Avoriaz tends to be the destination of choice for advanced skiers visiting the region and whatever your nemesis you will find it here! The moguls of the Combe du Machon and the deep powder of the Fornet snowcross district will leave your legs burning, whilst freestyle fans will love the large snowpark, an impressive half pipe and the longest natural terrain park in Europe ( The Stash ).

The official tourism web site will give a detailed insight into what to expect on a visit to Avoriaz: www.avoriaz.com

Vital stats:

Resort altitude: 1800m

Top lift: 2280m

Terrain: 150km

Pistes: 50 (5 green, 25 blue, 14 red, 6 black)

Lifts: 35

Typical opening dates: Early December – Late April

Longest run: 7km

Average annual snowfall: 9 metres

Our top tips:

•  You don't need to be an expert skier to reach Switzerland ! The Mossettes chairlift goes all the way to the frontier and the Abricotine is a long blue piste all the way back down.

•  The snowcross district is great for practicing your off-piste skills in a safe environment. This area is patrolled without being pisted.

•  Get out of the resort centre to pay less for better food! We love Mamo's in Les Lindarets for lunch.

•  It is worth getting up early for the corduroy pistes of the Arare sector and in your mind you will be skiing like a world chamion!

•  The quiet and gentle slopes of Super Morzine are a nice warm up on the way to Avoriaz.