Val Thorens

Find Chalets Resort Guide to Val Thorens

Val Thorens is all about altitude. With the highest lifts in the Trois Vallees, skiers can expect to find some of the most challenging terrain here. There seems to be something about the height of the place that gives the nightlife a somewhat frenzied air as well: expect to rub shoulders with party-happy Scandinavians in addition to the French and English. There's a friendly vibe here, even if it doesn't extend to the somewhat questionable architecture

Val T's height can be something of a double-edged sword early on in the winter. While snow conditions are all but guaranteed, there's a risk of bad weather and the fact that it is entirely above the treeline means there isn't much in reserve once cloud rolls in.

Val Thorens Pro's

  • High-altitude, snow-sure destination with great access to the Trois Vallees
  • Excellent intermediate terrain
  • Car-free village.

Val Thorens Con's

  • When the weather comes in there is no skiing to be had
  • High winds can leave the pistes rock hard
  • Some crowded pistes in the centre of the resort

Skiing in Val Thorens

Val Thornes Ski Resort

Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe at 2300m providing the perfect ski in, ski out or ski directly to your do resort. Along with the altitude and the Glacier de Péclet providing perfect snow conditions you can also ski during the summer months on the glacier.

Because the resort is traffic-free and purpose-built, almost anywhere you stay will allow ski-to-your-door accessibility. When the weather turns you'll know it and skiing or even smiling can be a bit of a struggle with freezing temperatures and possible whiteouts. But there's normally plenty of sun, so you should be able to do both.

Val Thornes is a traffic free resort purpose built resort and as the highest of the 3 Valleys provides skiing and boarding for all levels but its clearly favoured by more intermediate or advanced skiers. Boarders will find them selfs in some of the best snowparks to be found around the resort.

This is a ski resort for people looking for guaranteed snow conditions with Meribel and Courchevel on your door step.

Beginners

There are lots of gentle green runs near the village and even a magic carpet for those struggling with the lifts.To progress onto the longer blue runs take the Moraine or Moutiere chairlifts. Beginners may be put off by the bleakness of the resort on bad-weather days.

Intermediates

Les Trois Vallees is an intermediate skier's wonderland.There are plenty of blues and red runs around the village that offer some excellent skiing. Push yourself by taking the steep red run off the Col lift, which is fabulous, especially when just groomed. The Funitel Peclet cable car opens up some great reds, which lead back down to the resort.

Expert

Experts need to explore the area to make the most of the terrain. There are some challenging, though not steep, blacks and reds off the Cime de Caron cable car. Off the back of this peak is a nice black that leads into the lesser known 'fourth valley'of Orelle, which is so often overlooked.The Pierre Lory pass is a good place to start testing the powder skis. It requires a short traverse from the top of the Col chairlift. Fast skiers can make it over to Courchevel in just over an hour.

Powder

There is masses of off-piste terrain in Val Thorens and, thanks to the high altitude, the powder usually holds up for a few days.The Cime de Caron cable car gives access to the huge Lac 194 du Lou area, which usually has good snow until late season. To really get away from the crowds, take one of the numerous routes down to Orelle.

Tourist Office

  • Tourist Office: Val Thorens Tourist Office
  • Address: Maison du Val Thorens, 73440 VAL THORENS
  • Country: France
  • Zip code: F 73440
  • Tel: +33 (0) 4 79 00 08 08
  • Fax: +33 (0) 4 79 00 00 04
  • Email: valtho@valthorens.com
  • Website: http://www.valthorens.com

Val Thorens

Beginner 
Intermediate 
Advanced 
Offpiste 
Snowboarding 
Apresski 

Snow Reports

Val Thorens Snow Report

Last 48 hours : 0cm

Packed Powder | Snow Base : 260cm

 
 

Resort Facts

Resort altitude : 2300m

Highest Ski Lift : 3200m

Longest Run : 6km

Piste Size in kms : 600km

Total Runs : 275

Beginner Runs : 44%

Intermediate Runs : 45%

Advanced Runs : 11%

Total lifts : 198

Night Skiing : No

Snowboard park : 2

Season Starts : 20 December

Season Ends : 11 April

Departure Airports :
Gatwick, Heathrow, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow

Nearest Airport :
Geneva, Grenoble

Transfer Time : 3hrs

Activities :
Snowshoeing, Paragliding, Snow Mobiling, Tobogganing, Glacier Excursions, Sports Centre, Bowling Alley, Heli Skiing, Cinema, Telemaking