We are just back from a fantastic family holiday in Avoriaz Feb 2nd-9th 2013. This was the first ski holiday for my children, 4 of them aged between 6 and 11 and they had a wonderful experience. I can highly recommend the Village des Enfants Ski School and most especially Sylvan (he was fab!).The children had a fun week with him and got great instruction. I skied with the instructor, Jan, in a parents class and I found him great also. We experienced the most amazing snow for the week. Being in Avoriaz for the week was like being transported to Narnia. Our accomodation was basic in Fontaines Blanches but very acceptable and reasonably priced.The location cannot be beaten, all of us having fallen in love with the magical Boulangerie next door!
The only negative aspect to the holiday was our transfer from Geneva airport to Avoriaz. Unfortunately, I booked a private transfer with Alpybus. Please read this carefully do not book Alpybus-even if you are given the seats for free, don't do it!.They are the most incompetent, ridiculous and downright rude company I have ever dealt with.The journey from Geneva to Avoriaz should take approx 11/2 hrs, it took Alpybus over 4. We didnt get into Avoriaz til 1-30 a.m, our plane having touched down in Geneva at 7-15pm. They were over 1hr late leaving Geneva and then the journey itself was farsical. The driver pulled over the bus about a half an hr into our journey to attach the wheel chains, we were on the side of the road for over an hr and he met with little success to attach the chains. He then drove the bus for about 50metres and pulled over again to take off the chains. This bizarre behavior continued a few times during the journey. Our return journey was not without mishap either as they cancelled our scheduled private transfer the morning we were due to depart but confirmed they had places on another bus for us at a reduced rate of 200 euro as it was not the private transfer we had ordered. When we eventually got the bus the driver would not agree to the 200euro price we were quoted by the Alpybus office and insisted rather roughly that we pay the 270 euro price.Trust me when I tell you- Life's too short to have to experience Alpybus and on your holiday, if you love and care for your family, don't do it. You'd be better off walking!
But back to Avoriaz, a magical place that we all can't wait to return to in 2014 if Angela Merkell allows us.