LLM Contributor Kate Morfoot enjoys a flexible skiing stay in the five-star catered accommodation Chalet Renard Blanc in the French resort of Avoriaz. Read on to see what she got up to during her travels here.
The resort
Avoriaz in France is located in the heart of Portes du Soleil with an easy transfer from Geneva Airport taking just one hour and 45 minutes or less on a good run. The interesting journey takes you past Les Gets and up and through the pretty town of Morzine where you will find Avoriaz, a buzzy and welcoming high-altitude town. There are many tall buildings with slanted roofs and walls covered in wooden shingles, which are meant to mirror the natural shape of the surrounding mountains.
Avoriaz is car free making it super quiet, clean and safe. You can get around the town easily by walking, by skis or by taking the horse and sleigh taxi service.
This is one of the best resorts in France for both amazing skiing on 650km of piste and for off-slope activities. Head to the fun tropical jungle pool full of waterfalls and slides at the Aquariaz water park. If you’d rather be out exploring the area, strap on some snowshoes and join a Nordic walking tour or try sit-skiing if you want to take it easy or you’re not a skier.
You will find slopes for all levels with 162 easy, 106 intermediate and 28 difficult and many of these slopes are right on the door-step of the accommodation. We took advantage of the knowledge of a British ski school instructor from Avoriaz Alpine Ski School to show us the routes on the first day which is well worth doing to get to grips with this huge ski area.
The Portes du Soleil area has some of the most challenging skiing in France, with over 20 black runs, some of the biggest moguls in the world on ‘The Wall’ at Avoriaz, endless off-piste possibilities, and the hair-raising World Cup Downhill from the top of Les Hauts Forts. For those wanting gentler slopes, then you are spoilt. It’s a learner’s ski paradise and for those wanting the next step up, intermediate skiers have plenty of choice of beautiful wide ski runs.
The local slopes are the most snow sure in the whole area, and you could easily spend the whole week picking your best routes, the wide blues around the Prolays chairlift and fast reds off the Choucas and Fornet chairlifts are top contenders. The beautiful tree-lined slopes down to Les Lindarets, where you can also stop off and enjoy a drink or spot of lunch at La Pomme de Pin.
But there’s so much more to do too from exploring the pretty slopes in Morzine and Les Gets to the wide-open ones over the border to Les Crosets in Switzerland.
Accommodation
We checked in to Chalet Renard Blanc (Chalet White Fox), a superior five-star catered accommodation that is FlexiSki’s flagship chalet situated in the heart of Avoriaz. Its ski in/ski out location is perfect, it is also conveniently located next to the Ski-Set Amara sport hire shop, many restaurants and shops, plus a luxury spa. The beauty of this chalet is ‘flexibility’ where you can take shared or sole occupancy.
Flexiski creates tailor-made holidays for discerning guests. It’s aimed at skiers and snowboarders that are looking for convenience when booking premium accommodation, with experts on hand to ensure the travel process is smooth and hassle-free. Three, four or seven night stays are welcome and if guests arrive early, that’s OK and if you have a late flight, you don’t have to be out by 10am, but you are welcome to rest in their designated snug /shower room.
We enjoyed sumptuous, daily cooked breakfasts with a choice of local pastries, afternoon tea and cake and a four-course dinner including canapes, beef wellington with seasonal vegetables, salmon and rice and a raclette evening. The home-made puddings, including a five-star chocolate mousse, by the in-house chef were delicious.
Sleeping up to 12 people, Chalet Renaud Blanc has five twin/double bedrooms and one snug (that can be used as an extra bedroom) and a sauna.
Bedrooms are available on both floors, all featuring flatscreen TV’s. En-suite and private options are available. It’s important to note that room five can only be booked along with room four as it shares a bathroom with room four.
The chalet has a private ski room with boot warmer cupboards. After a great day skiing there is a stylish sauna and hammam on the first floor to you revive those aching muscles. Like a luxury hotel, bathrobes and slippers are provided too.
Chalet Renaud Blanc combines modern styling and a great space, with luxury home from home comforts. The chalet accommodation is spread over two floors in a high-end residence amongst other chalet apartments.
The arrival days are Monday for three nights – ski 3.5 days, Thursday for four nights – ski 4.5 days, Monday or Thursday for seven nights – ski 7.5 days. On your arrival day you may access the chalet anytime from 9.30am to change, leave your bags and go skiing. Your bedroom will be ready by 5pm at the latest but normally earlier.
The chalet hosts days off are Wednesday and Saturday which gives skiers the opportunity to try one of the local restaurants in the town, such as the stylish La Cabane owned by Annie Famose, former Alpine skier who won two medals at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble.
In a nutshell
Flexible doorstep skiing really is the icing on the cake in Avoriaz. With easy access to the Proclou Piste, whatever your ability you are straight into the Portes du Soleil ski area and a warm welcome awaits back at Chalet Renaud Blanc.
Getting there
Self Drive: If you wish to self-drive to the chalet there is charged indoor car parking within a few minutes’ walk of the chalet at the welcome centre car parks. Pre booking direct with the car park is advisable, Flexiski can help you with the details to book.
Flights: Leading leisure airline Jet2.com offers friendly low fares, great flight times, and a generous 22kg baggage allowance to Geneva from London Stansted Airport. Flights start from £37 one way including taxes. For more information visit jet2.com or call 0800 408 5599.
Factbox
2023-34 pricing: £604pp* for three nights, including fully cooked breakfast, afternoon tea, evening drinks and canapes, four-course dinner with wine, return airport transfers. Bookings can be made for the whole chalet or as individual rooms.
*Dates for the price shown include: January 1, 8, 15, March 25 and April 1, 8, 15.
For more details visit flexiski.com or call 01962 587777.
Follow Kate’s ski adventure on Instagram @Love2Eat2Travel
