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Avoriaz: Top Station or Prodains?
Avoriaz is car-free, so we can only drop off and collect at one of two points.
“It couldn’t have been a better experience, both ways. On time, nice and safe drivers.”— Monica P, TripAdvisor
- About 1h40 to 1h50 from Geneva on a clear run (no snow or traffic).
- From Morzine the road climbs 800 m over 12 km, with 19 hairpin bends.
- We drop at the Welcome Centre.
- Best for guests at the Amara complex or in the Falaise area, next to the Welcome Centre. Hotel Mil8 may also suit: a 5-minute walk in snow.
- About 1h15 to 1h25 from Geneva on a clear run.
- Shorter, quicker and more comfortable. It avoids the 19 hairpin bends, so it suits anyone who travels poorly by road.
- You ride the telecabine as a foot passenger, with your luggage, in an enclosed bubble.
- Included in your day ski pass if you ski on your travel day, and children travel free. Otherwise adult single €8.50, return €13.90 (subject to change).
- Opens 07:00 daily. Closes 21:00 Monday to Thursday, midnight Friday and Saturday, 22:00 Sunday.
How do I get to my accommodation?
Avoriaz is car-free, so from either drop-off point you have three options: walk and hire a luggage sleigh, take a snow taxi (a people carrier on tank tracks), or take a horse and sleigh. The snow taxi and the horse and sleigh are paid. The snow taxi is the cheapest and the horse and sleigh the most romantic. Check whether your hotel includes this service.
At Top Station, snow taxis and horse sleighs usually wait at the Welcome Centre, with high-visibility staff to help. If not, you will need to book them on the single 24/7 number, +33 4 50 74 01 55. The tourist office says to call once you are ready to leave, but we suggest calling a few minutes earlier so the taxi arrives on time.
On busy Saturday or Sunday mornings, book well in advance and arrive at your destination 20 to 30 minutes before your collection time as a buffer.
If you arrive early at the Welcome Centre, there is a warm room with toilets. At Prodains, wait at the bottom of the lift, which is warmer. A pancake place next door sells mulled wine and hot chocolate, depending on the time of day.
Which should I choose?
It depends on where you are staying, your budget, your flexibility, how well your passengers handle mountain roads, and the telecabine opening hours. On busy Saturdays we generally only offer Prodains, unless it is outside the telecabine opening hours, when Top Station is the only option.
Our choice: when we are not working, we almost always take the Prodains telecabine up to Avoriaz. It avoids the sometimes treacherous and arduous drive up the 19 hairpin bends. Despite being born here, our children’s tummies don’t (ahem) ‘enjoy’ them, so we prefer the 3-minute straight ride up. Plus it is the coolest way to enter a ski resort, as it feels like arriving at the Batcave or a James Bond lair at the top :)
In severe weather, Prodains may be the only option on the day, for safety, because of police directives, or under our terms and conditions.
Not sure? Ask us, or get your price.