New ski lifts and ski slope in Avoriaz
The Portes du Soleil is one of the best ski areas in the world. And it’s about to get even better, thanks to continued investment improving the lift network year on year. Alongside this, new pistes are also created.
The big news ahead of winter 2019/20 is the installation of 2 state of the art chairlifts in Avoriaz, giving far quicker access to Switzerland. Plus, there’s a brand-new red run next door.
Replacement of the Léchère lift
If you’re familiar with the Avoriaz area, you’ll probably remember the ‘Léchère’ chairlift?!?
Léchère was the lift you never wanted to go on but sometimes just had to!
This was the old, slow and rickety 3-man lift from the Les Lindarets valley up to the bottom of the Mosettes lift, which then takes you over the border and into Switzerland.
The new high-speed 6-man Léchère lift will be even longer than its predecessor – going over 600 metres further up, giving better access the Abricotine ski run.
Spanning over 1700 metres and supported by 17 pylons, it’ll carry 2700 skiers an hour, compared to the old lift’s 1800.
Skiers and snowboarders will then connect with a second new 6-seater lift, called ‘Les Cases’, with the border crossing being about 3 quarters of the way up!
The new red run will be next to the bottom of Les Cases lift, where there’s already a blue run.
Les Cases will offer a third way of accessing the Swiss resorts Les Crosets and Champéry from the Avoriaz area.
Both lifts are set for completion this December and will open for the winter! You can see photos of the construction here.
Other improvements in the Portes du Soleil
Léchère and Les Cases is the big news coming out of the Portes du Soleil, but it’s not everything that’s going on.
In Les Gets, they’re making a reservoir next to the Grains d’Or chairlift that’ll help feed the snow canons even more.
Over at Nyon, they’ve widened the steep red run a little, which should make all the difference.
A little further down the mountain and you may remember the old Fys chairlift? Well that rust bucket is history and being replaced! Good news, especially if you’re staying at Chalet des Montagnes as we can whip you up there in the morning.
In Avoriaz they’re putting in a new resort centre gondola from near the bar restaurant Changabang to the ESF meeting point/Yeti café.
And let’s not forget the powers that be are cracking on with plans for a ‘super lift’ linking Morzine and Avoriaz. But that’s not confirmed yet.
The best ski area in the world
It’s all about keeping ahead of the game and this is why Morzine and the Portes du Soleil is the place to ski yet again this season. Our ski area offers a massive 650km of pistes across 12 linked resorts in France and Switzerland.
Established in 1995, Simply Morzine are the original and best Morzine chalet company, offering a selection of catered and self-catered ski chalets to rent in central Morzine, luxury apartments, and a charming piste-side French hotel.
