THE HISTORY OF AVORIAZ
THE CREATION OF AVORIAZ IN THE 1960S
Avoriaz - then called “Avorea” – was originally composed of a few chalets inhabited by the people of the Morzine Valley during the summer months when taking their herds to the alpine pastures. In the winter the people and their animals went back down into the valley and the hamlet was deserted. Only a handful of enthusiasts braved the thick snow for the pleasure of skiing down the slopes high above the plateau.
One of them was Jean Vuarnet, who was born in the area and became famous when he won the Olympic downhill, and who took over the running of the resort tasked with developing the snowfields and the Avoriaz resort.
In 1963 the Les Prodains cable car was opened.