If you look at bustling ski resort of Avoriaz today, it’s hard to imagine that just over 50 years ago, the area was simply a meadow for summer grazing.
Perhaps the most avant-garde of all ski resorts, its unique architecture has helped Avoriaz stand out since it opened in 1966.
But how did this ski resort, perched on a cliff at 1800m, come into existence?
From ‘Rovorée’ to ‘Avoriaz’
Originally, the plateau on which the resort was built once belonged to a wealthy Chablais family – the Earls of Rovorée.
The land was given to the commune of Morzine, and the mountain pastures became known as ‘Rovorée’. As time passed, the pronunciation became ‘Avorée’, then ‘Avoréaz’ and finally ‘Avoriaz’.
At this time, the plateau numbered only a few huts used to give shepherds shelter in spring as the valley’s herds headed up to higher pastures.
The Power of Three
The creation of Avoriaz the ski resort itself was down to the dreams of three men: Jacques Labro, Gerard Brémond and Jean Vuarnet.
All three were in their twenties and combined the skills of an Olympic champion (Vuarnet), an artist (Brémond) and an architect (Labro).
The Ideas Man: Jean Vuarnet
Jean Vuarnet won the gold medal in the downhill at Squaw Valley in the 1960 Winter Olympics and in retirement to his home town of Morzine started the Avoriaz project (as well as the famous sunglasses business in 1961).
His dream from the start was of a car-free ski resort with streets covered in snow. In the early 1960s – when car ownership was still aspirational and part of the consumer dream – this was a radical idea and such a resort was completely contrary to conventions at the time.
The Developer: Gerard Brémond
It was only when Robert Brémond – a local property developer – encouraged his son Gerard Brémond to join the project that Avoriaz began to become a reality.
Brémond was determined not to be too traditional and was prepared to take risks.
He brought on board Jacques Labro, a revolutionary architect with designs that were breaking away from the standard neo-urban architecture of the time.
The Stylist: Jacques Labro
A winner of the Prix de Rome in 1961, Labro decided to forget the standard geometric lines and create unique buildings that mimicked the natural curves and shapes of the plateau.
Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright and Aval Aalto, he founded the Atelier d’Architecture d’Avoriaz (AAA) with Jean-Jacques Orzoni and Jean-Marc Roques, and designed Avoriaz from scratch.
Traditional urban line and Savoyarde styles were out; adapting construction to fit the relief and the mountain setting were in.
Every building is unique
Every building in Avoriaz is unique, positioned to maximise exposure to sunlight and views of the mountains. The roofs of the resort almost feel like a fifth wall, sloping with the terrain.
Facades across the resort are wood-clad, with unvarnished red cedarwood tiles that over time have coloured according to their positioning: ash-grey for north-facing, mink grey for south-facing and chestnut brown for east- and west-facing walls.
Discover Avoriaz yourself
If you’d like to discover this unique car-free resort this winter, then please contact the Chaletline team on 01822 617761.
We offer 19 properties in Avoriaz, including catered chalets, hotels and self-catering apartments. Get in contact and let us know the size and mix of your group and we can recommend the best option for you.