Avoriaz is still in France so it's a bit cheaper then Swiss, but yes compared to the U.S.A. food is expensive. But the food is very good do.
And don't forget you need a transfer from GVA (geneva) to Avoriaz and this can be pricey.
Taxi's forget it you easily pay 200 euros
http://www.alp-line.com/
^ Is pretty good and they have excellent drivers and good prices.
And pick shared transfer, it's cheaper and usually you are alone.
The most expensive part is your sleeping place.
A cheap appartment in Ski Season wil set you back at least 1100 euro = 1550 dollars.
Your best bet is to find some people you can stay with, 400-500 dollars seems a bit low but possible.
There are some really really cheap but very very shitty apartments
Avoid the French Holidays btw : expensive and busy.
The best building to stay in is "The Snow" since it is in the middle of the resort.
Ski pass is considering the size of the area relatively cheap.
Prices can be found here:
http://www.avoriaz.com/ski-holidays/lift-passes.php
(Note the Avoriaz lift pass constricts you to just the Avoriaz area.)
But overal, yes skiing in Europe is more expensive then in America, especially in France/Switzerland.
Ask me if you want to know anything, Avoriaz has been my home-mountain since basically forever.
But you can expect views like this:
(the little village is Morzine, taken from a ski piste that leads all the way down from Avoriaz to Morzine.)
(Early season so not so much snow.)
