Bad weather ski areas in Avoriaz

Discover the top Avoriaz bad-weather skiing

Updated 3 March 2025

The high, open pistes lack the contrast required for orientation during white out conditions and slope and sky can blur into one.

However, there are certain runs that offer more contrast providing vast amounts of skiing/snowboarding when the flakes are falling.

Head for the trees

The trick is to head for the pistes that are tree-lined and more sheltered, as they help provide definition when everything else seems to be white.

Keep in mind that the low lying areas can be covered in an all-encompassing fog, but the top of the mountains can be bathed in glorious sunshine (check out the webcams). Also, if it’s lashing down with rain in the valley, it means it’s snowing up top, giving you the best and freshest powder you’re likely to ski on! And because it’s a bad weather day, chances are, you’ll have the mountain to yourself.

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Bad weather skiing in Avoriaz

Sheltered runs in the Lindarets area

If you're staying in Avoriaz, the closest sheltered skiing can be found in the Secteur Lindarets, with runs leading down towards the Ardent gondola. This area benefits from tree-lined pistes, offering improved visibility in whiteout conditions.

For those based in Morzine or Les Gets with their own transport, parking at the Ardent gondola provides a convenient access point to these sheltered slopes. Alternatively, skiers can reach the area via Super Morzine, Express Zore, and the Télésiège Seraussaix, which places you above Avoriaz and Lindarets with multiple route options available.

The Stash – A natural snowpark

One of the best places to ski when heavy snow is falling is The Stash snowpark. This area is lined by Lindarets' trees and offers multiple route variations, making it an exciting and sheltered choice. With a mix of freestyle features and natural terrain, it’s easy to spend the entire day here without getting bored.

Tree-lined pistes

For piste skiing, Combe à Floret and Les Tannes are excellent options. These enclosed runs provide the necessary shelter while also featuring multiple off-piste cut-throughs for advanced skiers and snowboarders looking for extra challenges. To repeat the run, take the Express Lindarets lift back up.

Further along the mountainside, the Express Prolays lift gives access to more red and blue runs, again featuring multiple lines and cut-throughs. The edges of these pistes offer opportunities to dip briefly into the trees before rejoining the groomed sections, making them ideal for finding some protection from the elements without venturing too far off-piste.

Chaux Fleurie – options for different skill levels

On the opposite side of the valley, the upgraded Express Chaux Fleurie lift provides quick access to the Col du Bassachaux. While the top is more exposed, dropping down under or near the lift line offers multiple sheltered routes. However, skiers should be aware that some of these lines lead to small cliff drops, making them unsuitable for less experienced riders.

For a safer descent, stick to the Grand Plan blue or Chaux Fleurie red, both of which converge at the base of the lift, ensuring an enjoyable yet controlled run back down.

The Parchets blue a fun home run

A final option not to be overlooked on poor weather days is the Parchets blue, which leads down to the TC d’Ardent. While not particularly challenging, this run is entertaining, with playful sections on either side of the piste. In particularly bad conditions, it provides an enjoyable, repeatable route without the need to endure long, exposed chairlift rides in between.

Ski area in Avoriaz

Bad weather skiing in Morzine

Morzine has many runs accessed via the Pleney telecabine and a number of chairlifts; TS de la Crusaz, TS des Mouilles, TS d’Atray and TS des Fys.

The runs are an even mix of blues and reds, the latter spanning the intermediate ability levels whereby some would maybe constitute black status if they were not running directly into resort but luckily they are all lined by trees making them ideal for poor visibility days.

The Pointe de Nyon Is a little high and exposed but the runs beneath the peak that run down from the Nyon Plateau to either the Charniaz bowl or to the base of Nyon itself are also lined with trees and make for some good snowfall skiing.

Bad weather skiing in Les Gets

Off-piste under the Chavannes lift

Above Les Gets, the off-piste route beneath the TC des Chavannes lift offers multiple lines that merge at the bottom. A key advantage is the enclosed telecabine, providing warmth between runs—unlike the exposed Chavannes Express chairlift.

Chavannes bowl – a hub for all abilities

Further into the resort, the Chavannes bowl is a large ski area with multiple lifts and runs of all levels—blue, red, black, and off-piste—all leading back to the same lift hub. The Chavannes Express is the best way to reach it, as the alternative route via the TC des Chavannes and TS de la Croix is much slower, particularly in bad weather.

For an easy descent into the bowl, take the Violettes blue run, which, like others in the area, offers side tracks near the trees for improved visibility in whiteout conditions. The piste edges also feature natural kickers and drop-offs for added fun.

Tree-lined runs and off-piste options

To explore the off-piste tree runs, use the TS Rosta, Grains d’Or Express, or Ranfoilly Express. These offer access to cut-throughs directly from the lifts or slightly further down the pistes. For less experienced skiers, tree-lined edges provide a way to enjoy ungroomed snow without venturing too tight into the trees.

Meeting up with friends is easy, as the lifts in the Chavannes Bowl all converge at a central point, ensuring no one gets permanently lost.