Avoriaz vs Les Gets: which should you book?
For snow certainty and true ski in ski out, book Avoriaz. It sits high at around 1,800 m, is fully car free and puts you straight onto the Portes du Soleil from your door. Book Les Gets instead for a pretty, traditional village you can drive right into, a relaxed family feel and lower prices, accepting that its lower altitude makes snow less reliable. Both are reached from Geneva in around an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half and share the same huge Portes du Soleil pass. The choice is high, car free, snow sure convenience against village charm and the easiest arrival.
Last reviewed June 2026
The short answer
Avoriaz wins overall for high altitude snow certainty, genuine ski in ski out and a car free village, the safer bet for a reliable week on the snow. Les Gets wins for traditional village charm, an easy drive in arrival and a relaxed, lower cost family feel. Both share the Portes du Soleil and an easy run from Geneva.
Avoriaz and Les Gets are two of the best loved bases in the Portes du Soleil, the vast cross border area linking French and Swiss resorts, so the wider skiing is shared and the real difference is the village and the snow under it. Avoriaz is a high, purpose built, car free resort perched on a cliff edge, all ski in ski out convenience. Les Gets is a charming old market town lower in the valley, easy to reach and full of character but more exposed to mild spells. The right pick comes down to how much you value guaranteed snow and convenience against charm and an effortless arrival.
The numbers side by side
| Avoriaz | Les Gets | |
|---|---|---|
| Village altitude | around 1,800 m | around 1,170 m |
| Ski area | Portes du Soleil, around 600 km linked | Portes du Soleil, around 600 km linked |
| Best for | Snow certainty, ski in ski out, freestyle, families | Village charm, easy arrival, families, value |
| Snow | High and reliable for the area | Lower, more weather dependent |
| Village | Car free, purpose built, slope side | Traditional town, drive in, lively |
| Arrival | Park below, then lift or transfer up, no cars | Drive straight into the village |
| Nearest airport | Geneva, roughly 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 | Geneva, roughly 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 |
Getting there
The drive from Geneva is almost identical, but the final arrival is where they differ, and it matters more than people expect. Both are roughly an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half from Geneva airport, the obvious gateway. Les Gets you simply drive into, parking at or near your accommodation, which is wonderfully simple with luggage and tired children. Avoriaz is car free, so you leave the car in the car parks below the resort and travel up by cable car, and your bags continue by snowcat or sled transfer to the door, which is charming but adds a step on arrival and departure. Winner: Les Gets for the simplest door to door arrival, Avoriaz if you would rather never touch the car again once you are up.
The skiing
On the wider mountain this is close to a tie, since both sit on the same Portes du Soleil network of around 600 km of linked pistes spanning France and Switzerland. Avoriaz has the edge for terrain right on its doorstep, with quick access to the wider circuit, excellent snow parks and the famous Swiss Wall nearby for experts. Les Gets has lovely, gentle, tree lined local slopes shared with Morzine, ideal for families and intermediates but a little further from the heart of the circuit. Winner: tie on the wider area, slight edge to Avoriaz for doorstep access and freestyle.
Snow
Avoriaz wins snow clearly. At around 1,800 m it is one of the highest and most snow sure bases in the Portes du Soleil, holding conditions when lower resorts struggle. Les Gets, at around 1,170 m, is pretty but more exposed to warm spells and relies more on snow making to keep its links open, which can disappoint in a mild winter. Winner: Avoriaz.
Families
Both are excellent family resorts, which is why they are so often compared. Avoriaz is car free and so very safe, with ski in ski out convenience, a famous children's village and snow you can count on. Les Gets is friendly, walkable and traditional, with gentle slopes and a relaxed pace, and the easy drive in suits families with lots of gear. Winner: roughly even, Avoriaz for safety and snow, Les Gets for charm and easy arrival.
Village and evenings
Les Gets wins for character. It is a genuine Savoyard town with a pretty center, good restaurants and a warm, lively but low key evening scene. Avoriaz has a striking, modern cliff top design and decent bars and restaurants, but it is a built resort rather than an old village and feels less cozy. Winner: Les Gets for charm, Avoriaz for slope side convenience.
Cost
Both land most groups in the $2,000 to $4,000 per person band for a week, rising toward $4,000 to $8,000 for smart catered chalets. Les Gets can come in a touch cheaper and offers a wide range of traditional chalet accommodation, while Avoriaz's ski in ski out apartments and high season demand can nudge prices up. Winner: roughly even, small value edge to Les Gets.
The verdict
Book Avoriaz for high, reliable snow, genuine ski in ski out and a safe, car free base, the stronger choice if a dependable week on the snow is your priority. Book Les Gets for a charming traditional village, the easiest drive in arrival and a relaxed, slightly cheaper family week, as long as you accept some snow risk at its lower altitude.
Either way you ski the whole Portes du Soleil. Read our full reviews of Avoriaz and Les Gets, explore the wider Portes du Soleil region guide and the France destination guide, consider neighboring Morzine, and see the family picks in our ranking of the best family ski resorts in the Alps before you book.
If you want this trip priced by specialists, tell us your dates and budget below and we will route your brief to the right operators.
Common questions
Is Avoriaz or Les Gets better?
Avoriaz wins overall for high altitude snow certainty, genuine ski in ski out and a safe car free village. Les Gets wins for traditional village charm, the easiest drive in arrival and a relaxed, lower cost family feel. Both share the Portes du Soleil and an easy run from Geneva.
Which has more reliable snow?
Avoriaz. At around 1,800 m it is one of the highest and most snow sure bases in the Portes du Soleil. Les Gets, at around 1,170 m, is prettier but more exposed to warm spells and relies more on snow making to keep its links open.
Do they ski the same area?
Yes. Both sit on the Portes du Soleil, a vast cross border network of around 600 km of linked pistes across France and Switzerland. From either base you ski the same circuit on the same pass, so the difference is the village and the snow beneath it.
Which is easier to arrive at?
Les Gets, which you simply drive into and park at your accommodation. Avoriaz is car free, so you leave the car below and travel up by cable car while your bags follow by snowcat or sled, which is charming but adds a step on arrival and departure.
Which is better for families?
Both are excellent. Avoriaz is car free and very safe, with ski in ski out convenience, a famous children's village and reliable snow. Les Gets is friendly, walkable and traditional with gentle slopes and an easy drive in for families with lots of gear.
How far are they from Geneva?
Both are roughly an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half from Geneva airport, the natural gateway. The drive is almost identical until the final approach, where Les Gets is a straightforward arrival and Avoriaz requires the car free transfer up to the resort.