About Beginner areas in Avoriaz and Portes du Soleil

Beginner ski hire

Even if there are several equipment options to choose from, we recommend you go for the most basic.

Beginner skis are short, flexible skis that are easy to turn or, if you're snowboarding, you'll have a shorter stiffer snowboard that's easier to control and generally cheaper too.

You won't need to know about the technical aspects of any of the equipment as ski hire shops will advise you to get the best model for your ability and size once you've booked. 

Beginner ski lessons

If you're learning to ski for the first time, Avoriaz has plenty of choice of ski schools who teach children and adults.

Children's lessons are determined by their age and ability, whilst adult lessons are determined by ability and interests. 

Beginner ski passes

If you're joining a ski school as a complete beginner, you will probably start off in the nursery areas where a ski pass isn't needed, practising on the slopes without using any lifts at all.

If you're a skier looking to progress after having already learnt the basics, you can buy a ski pass from as little as 5 hours. You should consider buying an Avoriaz only ski pass rather than the Portes du Soleil ski pass (which includes the neighbouring resorts in France and Switzerland).

The Avoriaz pass is available for 5 hours, one or two days or on weekends only. These passes will give you access to 4 green and 25 blue pistes, allowing you to build in confidence without travelling too far from resort. If you're looking to ski further afield or for more than 2 consecutive days, consider buying the Portes du Soleil full area pass.

Children under 5 ski for free - proof of age will be required at the lift pass office and you'll still need to collect a hands free pass to access the lifts.

Free childs pass in April

From start of April, one under 12 year old du Soleil pass is offered free with every purchase of one adult Portes du Soleil pass of a minimum of five days (must be direct family members). A 3€ fee will be charged for the hands free card.

Best beginner areas

Avoriaz

Absolute beginners will start on the Écoles or Dromonts pistes in the centre of Avoriaz. These gentle slopes are served by slow drag lifts, perfect for building confidence at your own pace.

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can progress to three nearby green pistes, accessed by the Proclou, Seraussaix, and Baron chairlifts. These are slightly longer but remain gentle and manageable.

For those looking to refine their skills further, there are four easy blue pistes in the same area: Proclou, Seraussaix, Qu’mont, and Gernues. These runs provide a great transition from green slopes and allow beginners to build confidence in a comfortable environment.

For more experienced beginners looking for a challenge, Avoriaz has some steeper blue pistes. Stade d’Arare, Bleue du Lac, and Bleue d’Arare A should only be attempted once you feel confident and ready to take on more demanding terrain.

Morzine

The TS du Belvedere lift takes you from Pléney to the top of a gentle green run, making it a great spot to practise your snowplough after ski school.

For those moving up to easy blue runs, there are plenty of options. Piste B, Piste C, and Piste D all lead down to the base of the Pléney télécabine. Piste B is the longest and most gradual, with no steep sections, making it ideal for building confidence. Piste C and Piste G, accessed via the TS des Fys and TS d’Atray lifts, are slightly steeper and perfect for beginners ready to work on their technique.

The Super Morzine télécabine and the Express Zore lift provide access to two excellent blue runs: Tetras and Zore. Tetras offers a consistent gradient, while Zore is longer but features a steeper, often bumpy section at the end. Both are great for practising and refining your skills.

Les Gets

Les Gets has a dedicated free ski zone for beginners, accessible from the top of the Chavannes chairlift, with two magic carpets and a rope tow to help new skiers get around with ease.

For families, the Le Grand Cry snowpark is a fun spot decorated with totem poles and American Indian themes. Kids can try small jumps and tunnels before getting their faces painted in the main tepee. Expect to see young skiers in feathered head dresses having fun around Les Gets!

When you're ready for longer runs, the wide blue pistes from the Chavannes chairlift are a great next step. The Gentiane run leads down to the base of the Chavannes Express, making it easy to loop back up. The Bruyere run follows a slightly different route but is another good option for improving beginners.

On the Nauchet bowl side (to the right of the Chavannes), the Rosta chairlift provides access to a longer blue run, as well as a connection to Turche, a gentle piste ideal for practising turns and control.

What should I wear when skiing or snowboarding?

Buying all the gear before you go can be daunting if you’ve never set foot in a ski resort before. The key items to bring with you, along with the obvious ski jacket, ski trousers and sunglasses, are as follows:

• Layers - thermal tops and leggings, fleeces, hoodies, hats and a good pair of ski gloves and a helmet. Weather on the mountain can change pretty quickly, and you are much better off wearing layers of thinner items as opposed to a big, bulky jumper.
• Socks - a variety of socks ranging in thickness, it may sound weird but in our experience hire boots can be quite painful with the wrong socks.
• Sun cream - even when it’s cloudy the sun here can (and will) still get you, and don't forget the underneath of your chin as the sun reflects off the snow too. Don't forget a lip salve with an SPF.
• Piste map - make sure to always have one in your pocket while you're out on the mountain. You can pick up paper copies from the lift pass or tourist office once you've arrived in resort.

More inspiration...

Take a look at this year's ski pass prices or find your way around with piste maps for Avoriaz.