Avoriaz is one of the easiest French resorts for families once you’ve arrived. There are no cars, the streets are snow, apartments are ski-in/ski-out, and two children’s ski villages take kids from age 3. The hard part is arrival day, when you have to get children, luggage and ski kit from the car park to your door without a car.
Is Avoriaz good for families?
Yes, especially with young children and beginners:
- No traffic. Children can walk around the resort safely, and you won’t need the car again until you leave.
- Ski-in/ski-out everywhere. Green and blue runs start right from the resort, so there’s no bus ride to the slopes.
- Two children’s ski villages, each for ages 3 to 16, plus a nursery from 6 months.
- Free skiing for under-5s.
- Lots to do indoors, including the Aquariaz water park, for days when the weather closes in.
The downsides: arrival and departure take planning, pushchairs are impractical on the snowy streets (ski shops rent sledge-style buggies), and some of the wider Portes du Soleil is beyond young children anyway.
Ski schools and kids’ lessons in Avoriaz
- Village des Enfants by ESF, on Place des Ruches in the centre, is a leisure centre and ski school for ages 3 to 16, with a chalet and a snow area for the youngest. Half-day and full-day packages combine ski lessons, activity sessions and an optional meal.
- Annie Famose’s Children’s Village also takes ages 3 to 16, mixing ski lessons with indoor activities. The resort says it’s about 300 m from each apartment block.
- There are eight ski schools in Avoriaz in total, plus many independent instructors, so there are plenty of options for private lessons.
Book early for school holidays. The resort recommends booking lessons well ahead, especially in the French holidays.
Childcare and nurseries in Avoriaz
- Avrizou Day Nursery takes children from 6 months, every day except Saturday, from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm. One resort page gives the upper age as 3 and another as 5, with a separate room for babies, so check when you book.
- Kids Club Amara runs activities such as crafts, treasure hunts and magic for ages 3 to 12, Sunday to Friday.
- Babysitters: the tourist office keeps a list; call +33 (0)4 50 74 02 11.
- Belambra Les Cimes du Soleil has its own kids’ clubs for guests from age 3. See where to stay in Avoriaz.
Best beginner areas for children in Avoriaz
- Plateau and Proclou are the resort’s beginner sectors, with beginner lift passes so you don’t pay for the whole area while children learn.
- Green and blue runs start right from the resort.
- The Lil’Stash is a children’s snowpark on a wide beginner blue run, with ground-level features, a tree-hut village, Shreddie the Yeti, and a picnic area with a self-service barbecue.
Avoriaz lift passes for families
- Children under 5 ski free.
- The child pass runs up to age 15 inclusive, and 16 to 19-year-olds get a reduced rate.
- Early Booking: passes of 5 days or more bought by 30 November 2026, outside school holidays, include a free pass for children under 12.
- Beginner passes cover the learning areas, so a full Portes du Soleil pass is only worth it once your children are touring.
Things to do with kids in Avoriaz off the slopes
- Aquariaz, an indoor water park with wild-water rivers, a big pool, slides and an outdoor hot tub.
- The cinema, with 2 to 3 screenings a day, some in 3D.
- Bowling, a bouldering gym with four levels and an outdoor ice rink.
- Dog sledding, tobogganing, snowshoeing and the Avokart and Hado augmented-reality games.
- Free children’s entertainment through the week; see the resort’s weekly programme.
Best family hotels in Avoriaz
Most families rent an apartment, and the choice of neighbourhood matters more than the building. Of the hotels, Belambra Les Cimes du Soleil is the most family-focused, with all-inclusive meals, kids’ clubs and escorted transport to ESF lessons from age 4. Neige & Roc, at Les Prodains, has pools and avoids the car-free arrival. See where to stay in Avoriaz for the full picture.
Tips for skiing in Avoriaz with kids
- Plan arrival day. Unload at the docks at the resort entrance first, then park, then call for a snowcat on +33 (0)4 50 74 01 55. With toddlers, one adult minding children and bags in the heated waiting room while the other parks makes life much easier.
- No horse-drawn sleighs for now. The sleigh service ended on 7 April 2026 while the stables are rebuilt, and snowcats took over. We found no official date for their return, so check with the resort if your children are hoping for a sleigh ride.
- Bring coins and soft bags. Luggage sledges unlock with a €1 or €2 coin, and wheeled suitcases are hard work on snow.
- Stay near ski school. Festival and Ruches are closest to the Village des Enfants; Amara is next to the Proclou beginner area.
- Pick your weeks. French and UK school holidays, especially February, are the busiest and most expensive.
For the bigger picture, read our Avoriaz ski resort guide.
