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Afbeelding - Val Thorens
© OT Val Thorens - C. Cattin
France

Val Thorens (France)

Based on 13 reviews

Val Thorens in short

  • Height: 2300 metres
  • Snow is 100% guaranteed
  • Ski-in, ski-out resort in the 3 Valleys
  • World-famous ski resort

Val Thorens is situated at the far end of the Belleville Valley, after the ski resorts of St Martin de Belleville and Les Menuires. The ski resort largely owes its popularity to its altitude. Val Thorens is actually the highest ski resort in Europe - 2300m above sea level - and enjoys some of the best snow conditions in the Alps all season long. As part of the Three Valleys ski area, Val Thorens gives access to more than 600km of slopes that are shared with Les Menuires, Saint Martin De Belleville, Méribel, Courchevel, Orelle, La Tania and Brides Les Bains. Everything in Val Thorens is set up to provide perfect skiing and snowboarding conditions on your ski holidays.

The pedestrianised centre of the unique ski resort of Val Thorens is surrounded by easily accessible ski slopes, making this a popular ski-in, ski-out ski resort for families. As far as facilities are concerned, there is not much to fault with a snow park, a boardercross, an area dedicated to children, a slalom run, a 6km-long toboggan run and a smaller one reserved for the youngest clients. Unlike many other French ski resorts you will not see any large concrete apartment blocks in Val Thorens, just a lot of wood and stone buildings that emphasize the luxurious nature of the resort. Even though the altitude guarantees excellent snow conditions, it does have its drawbacks: there is not a tree in sight and it can sometimes get very cold and a little bleak if the sunshine is being shy in Val Thorens! Nevertheless, the panoramic view of the surrounding mountain peaks from the Cime Caron (3200m) is one of the best in Europe, according to the Michelin Guide. Day- and night-life are plentiful here, with venues such as La Folie Douce starting the après-ski action off as early as 2pm in the afternoon! Again, because of its privileged position in the heart of the Les Trois Vallées ski area, prices are known for being rather high! You won't be disappointed, however, as the overall standards in Val Thorens are exceptional! Val Thorens is a quick drive from Lyon Airport and is easy to access with the Eurostar ski train.

Review of Val Thorens

Snowplaza.co.uk review
  • Winter hiking
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Aprés-ski
  • Family/children
  • Price level
8.8
Visitors' reviews

based on 13 visitor reviews

Latest review by Danny

“Was in Val Tho this winter and loved the way the slopes run right through the village centre. It was a 2-minute walk from my apartment to the slopes. This is intermediate paradise - not so many black slopes but you can carve to your heart's deligh...”

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Skiing in the Three Valleys

The Val Thorens-Orelle ski area has 150km of runs for all ability levels. Arranged in a bowl, the slopes have different orientations so you can ski in the sun all day long - start in the Boismint sector and work your way around until you get to La Folie Douce just in time for après-ski! Val Thorens is especially great for intermediate skiers, with plenty of blue and red pistes for carving. Beginners will find a funslope and dedicated beginner's area, and expert skiers can tackle a few black slopes, some of which are ungroomed with challenging moguls. Take the Grand Fond lift and ski down towards Orelle on a lovely run with panoramic views of the Alps behind Val Thorens, or head towards the Col de la Chambre, which will link you up with the rest of the Trois Vallées ski area.

THE highest snowboard spot in Europe is Val Thorens

99% of the ski area surrounding Val Thorens is situated above the altitude of 2000m, ensuring exceptional snow conditions from early until late in the ski season. The ski area Val Thorens is THE snowboarders’ spot in the world-renowned Three Valleys ski area, with its 110m halfpipe, hip-quarters and the Jump Air in its snow park near 2 Lacs. Come and try out the latest equipment and join in the festivities during the Rock On Snowboard Tour weekend in Val Thorens. Val Thorens also offers huge opportunities for freeriders - coast in the deep powder from the Cime de Caron or the Pointe de la Masse, or on the Péclet or the Chavière glaciers.

Val Thorens and the Famille Plus Montagne label

In its "Family Guide", Val Thorens, with its Famille Plus Montagne label, offers a multitude of ideas, advice and services to enable families to "share unique moments" on their ski holidays in Val Thorens. From Christmas to Easter, Val Thorens offers an enticing program of events with different kinds of entertainment for all ages. Val Thorens also offers interesting deals, such as the family ski pass where all members of the family pay the child rate! There are free lifts for the youngest members of the family and a special beginner ski pass at a very attractive price. Families can relax knowing they will spend great ski holidays in Val Thorens.

Never a dull moment at Val Thorens

Each year in the French ski resort of Val Thorens, when the days on the slopes get longer and the sun is already warm, the biggest DJs on the planet land on the pistes of Val Thorens and make the mountain move for three days - FestiVal Tho! This major event in the electro music scene takes place at the Chalets de Thorens in the 360° Bar at 2300 m of altitude and attracts an international audience seduced by the quality of music and the festive, laid-back atmosphere up on the slopes of Val Thorens. Aside from the FestiVal Tho, Val Thorens hosts a wide selection of live concerts and international DJs, not least at La Folie Douce up on the slopes. In more laid-back news, Val Thorens recently implemented a program aimed at relieving stress through various mountain activities. Invigorating baths, deluxe spas and snowshoe tours are just a few of the wellness options organised in partnership with this program, which will help you unplug, unwind and get the most out of your ski holiday in Val Thorens. Finally, Val Thorens offers all the usual non-skiing activities: ziplines, sledging, swimming, paragliding, fatbiking and more.

Committed to protecting the environment

Val Thorens is conscious about protecting the natural habitats that make it possible to ski in such lovely surroundings. In addition to the eco-friendly steps taken by the resort itself, the marmot mascot reminds all skiers and snowboarders to take their own steps to help preserve the environment. For those who love alternative snow sports and outdoor activities, Val Thorens offers walking or snowshoe tours around the resort or up in the ski area itself. Themed walks are organized - for example, observation of wildlife, scenic walks, outings in the forest, etc... And while you're on your ski holidays in Val Thorens, why not try a 100% natural mountain sport: ski touring with seal skins and participate in the Dynafit Snow Leopard Track initiation organised by the Sports Club in Val Thorens!

Photo gallery of Val Thorens

Afbeelding - Val Thorens
© B.Longo OT Val Thorens
Afbeelding - Val Thorens
© J.Clatot OT Val Thorens
Afbeelding - Val Thorens
© B.Longo - OT Val Thorens
Afbeelding - Val Thorens
© P.Lebeau - OT Val Thorens

Weather in Val Thorens

Today

Heavy showers with occasional sunshine

Heavy showers with occasional sunshine
2 / 7

Frost line

2310 metres

Rain

13 mm

Tomorrow

Wet snow with occasional sunshine

Wet snow with occasional sunshine
2 / 9

Frost line

2298 metres

Rain

10 mm
Après-ski & nightlife in Val Thorens
Restaurants 80
Bars & cafés 45
Discos 3
Cinema 1
Theater
Casino
Concert Hall
Ski schools & ski lessons in Val Thorens
Number of Ski Schools 10
Number of Ski Instructors 300
Instruction slope
Ski lessons in Nederlands
Private ski lessons 65
Ski lessons 6 days, 65 hours, € 307,00
Snowboard lessons 6 days, 65 hours, € 297,00
Cross-country skiing
Book your ski school online in Val Thorens
Adult Ski Lessons 1 offers available
Snowboard Lessons 12 offers available
Kids Ski Lessons 15 offers available
Off Piste Skiing 1 offers available
Other activities 1 offers available
Ski Touring 1 offers available
Facilities in Val Thorens
Number of hotels 15
Number of hotel beds 2500
Number of tourist beds 2500
Supermarkets 1
Bank
Tourist information for Val Thorens
Name Office de Tourisme Val Thorens
Telephone 000808
Distance to Val Thorens
Distance from Brussels approx. km
Airport Genève approx. 159 km with bus service
Train station Moûtiers Salin Brides Les Bains approx. 37 km with bus service
From the highway approx. 37 km 45-minutes drive
Val Thorens for the children
Childcare
Childcare from 3 months
Number of hours of childcare 8 hours a day
Price without lunch € 69,00
Price with lunch
Children's Carousel
Magic Carpet
Child Lift 1
Adventure Park
Playground
Mascot
Mascot Name VALTHY
After skiing in Val Thorens
Public sauna
Fitness Centre
Public solarium
Massage
Spa & Wellness
Indoor pool
Balloon flight
Paragliding
Indoor tennis
Squash court
Hiking trails 54 km
Torchlight Tours
Indoor skating rink
Ice skating rink
Curling
Snow rafting
Dog sledge
Snowmobiles
Toboggan run