Val Thorens Ski Resort Guide — Simon Jack Burgess

Val Thorens is Europe’s highest ski resort and as such has one of the longest ski seasons in the Alps. The extensive local terrain in Val Thorens (150km) is made better by its links to the rest of the Three Valleys and a total of 600km of pistes! Whether you are heading to Val Thorens for guaranteed snow, the endless variety of pistes or to dance the night away, Val Thorens has you covered.

Locally Val Thorens links to neighbouring Orelle to form what is commonly referred to as ‘the fourth valley’. This part of the 3 Valleys ski area offers an exceptional snow record with enough terrain to keep everyone happy. Furthermore, the resorts across the 3 Valleys are constantly improving the lift network and Val Thorens is no exception.

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VAL THORENS FIRST IMPRESSIONS

If you will allow me, I have two very different first impressions of Val Thorens. Initially, as a beginner I made my first turns on a snowboard in Val Thorens. On that first trip, I considered Val Thorens to be a tough experience. I struggled with the crowds and my instructor dragging me onto button lifts… there were better places to learn.

More recently returning as a snowboarder who has visited resorts across the globe I was impressed by the facilities and terrain at Val Thorens. Noticeably from my earlier visit, the beginner’s areas had received an update with new magic carpet lifts running alongside the learner’s slopes. Similarly, the impressive Cascades chair moves crowds away from the village efficiently. Val Thorens had improved its facilities and I was excited to explore more around the resort.

VAL THORENS SKI AREA

Forming a key part of the world’s largest combined ski area, Val Thorens is a big reason why people visit the Three Valleys. The ski area is about as snow-sure as can be with the majority of its terrain (99%) above 2000m and skiing possible on two local glaciers.

Val Thorens is spread between its highest lift point, Cime De Caron (3200m) and its lowest point, Plan de L’eau (1800m) offering 1400m of vertical descent within the resort. Taking the Cime de Caron allows for skiing down to Pan Bouchet in Orelle. The Orelle Valley is one certainly worth exploring on your trip especially after fresh snowfall as there is less competition for freshies.

Throughout the resort, you will find your fair share of reds (35%) and blues (43%) which make Val Thoren’s ideal for intermediates. The quality of the snow in Val Thorens ensures that the pistes stay in exceptional condition making them really confidence building.

Val Thorens sits above the treeline so can be a tough place to ski on those bad weather days. The lack of context during a whiteout can become quite challenging. If the visibility is poor consult the webcams, as a real benefit of skiing the Three Valleys is that the sun is likely to be shining somewhere. Meribel and Courchevel offer more tree-lined runs which can be a godsend in adverse conditions.

VAL THORENS FOR BEGINNERS

Half of the pistes across the Three Valleys are graded as green or blue which goes some way to explaining why this mega-resort is popular with beginners. I personally learnt to snowboard in Val Thorens however the situation has changed greatly. Consider watching the below video which explains the learning experience in Val Thorens.

The beginner's areas in Val Thorens are located in the village with the main trail being quite crowded. Personally, I found this quite daunting when learning, however, it now seems there are more segregated areas off the main trail. Beginners will appreciate the investment in magic carpets across the resort which certainly improve the beginner experience.

When venturing away from the beginner area there are a number of mellow green runs that skiers can head to. The Cascade and 2 Lacs chairs will probably be your first choice. Similarly, the Pionniers chair marks a good place for progression onto blues with Plein Sud and Corniche leading back to the village.

The Magic Carpets in Val Thorens are free of charge which again is a major positive for beginners heading to VT.

VAL THORENS FOR INTERMEDIATES

Val Thorens is perfect for intermediate skiers and snowboarders with plenty of terrain to explore. I loved the trails of the Boismint chair that were nice and wide and tended to avoid crowds. The long red that links trails Boismint and Plan de L’eau was great for picking up some speed.

Elsewhere the pick of the intermediate terrain can be found of the three main gondolas, Peclet, Grand Fond, and Cime Caron. Each gondola accesses some long red trails that provide a good amount of challenge for the advancing intermediate skier.

Intermediates looking to get off-piste after snowfall will find pockets of great snow and mellow gradients to the side of the Peclet pistes. Similarly Grand Fond had some nice areas beside Variante and Falaise. Again Boismint offers good terrain for these conditions with nothing steep to the sides of the pistes.

The pick of the lot could be blue run Jerusamlem which has been voted amongst the Top 10 ski runs in the world. The area to the side of Jerusalem can be great for those looking for a mellow entry into off-piste snowboarding.

VAL THORENS FOR ADVANCED

Although the piste map is dominated by blue and red trails, Val Thorens is a great place to snowboard for the more experienced. Val Thorens. The obvious run is Combe de Caron where you can pick your way down the slope which on my trip remained ungroomed. In reality, there is so much more in Val Thorens with the opportunity to find great off-piste across the whole mountain.

FREESTYLE VAL THORENS

There are two terrain parks in Val Thoresn, the VT Park and the Family Park. The VT park has its own surface lift which means you can effectively lap it, rather than doing a longer loop utilising the Grand Fond. The Terrain Park was still under construction during my visit but there was a good series of entry-level freestyle features and the jump line was being shaped.

The Plateux area where the park is located is normally found in shade during the morning meaning landings can be hard and icy. Consider delaying your visit until the afternoon until the sun has softened the snow.

The family park is found off the 2 Lacs chair and has a mellow boarder cross track with hoops to ride through. Again I can see them developing upon this throughout the season.

OFF-PISTE VAL THORENS

Getting off-piste in Val Thorens is possible across the resort with lots of options depending on the weather. Turning left at the top of Boismint chair will take you into some interesting terrain with a huge bowl and chutes leading back to the pistes. The Cime Caron offers options both back towards Val Thorens and down into Orelle and easy access is possible across to Meribel and Les Menuires where your options increase further. La Masse in Les Menuires is amongst my favourites with the Liberty Ride or Freeride Zone.

If you are interested in ski-touring or splitboarding then Val Thorens offers a number of interesting options within the resort or accessible by resort lifts. Amongst the most popular routes and the Lac du Lou or The Pierre Lory.

LIFTS VAL THORENS

What can not be argued is the quality of the ski lift infrastructure in Val Thorens. Across the resort and the wider Three Valleys ski area the the lifts are fast and modern, but more importantly well placed to navigate the resort. I was impressed by the ability of the lifts close to the village to move crowds quickly away from the resort. Cascades in particular loads and moves skiers effectively preventing crowds even at peak times.

Being a high-altitude ski resort, Val Thorens can get those bad weather days when high winds can threaten closures. Luckily the ski lifts in Val Thorens are able to keep turning and the resort can keep running in all but the most adverse weather conditions.

WHERE TO SKI IN BAD WEATHER VAL THORENS

Sadly when the weather does get bad in Val Thorens there is little shelter or context to be found. Heading into Meribel or down into Les Menuires provides better shelter and more context from the tree-lined slopes. If you are restricted to Val Thorens then sticking to the runs closest to the resort will provide some context from the large apartment complexes.

VAL THORENS PISTE MAP

VAL THORENS GALLERY

VAL THORENS VILLAGES

Val Thorens combines with Les Menuires and St Martin de Belleville to form the Belleville Valley. From each of the villages, it is possible to explore the Val Thorens ski area with ease. Similarly, basing yourself in nearby Orelle can also reflect a great base for a Val Thorens ski holiday. All of this could make it confusing when deciding where to stay for your Val Thorens ski trip. In this section, I look to provide you with information about each village to make an informed choice.

VAL THORENS

The most obvious choice for your Val Thorens ski holiday is of course Val Thorens. Staying in the highest ski village in Europe comes with its advantages including direct access to the slopes and ski-in-ski-out accommodation. Val Thorens now a bustling ski town with everything you would need not just for a ski holiday but for life in general. The large sports centre, a great selection of restaurants and activities for kids make Val Thorens an easy choice for your ski accommodation.

The accommodation itself varies from large hotel chains like Club Med to self-catering apartments on the side of the piste. Whatever your requirements or budget Val Thorens will have something for you. Personally, for one of my trips to Val Thorens, I stayed in the worst-rated apartment on booking dot com and had a great time. Fair the apartment was naff, but it was central, ski-in-ski-out and budget-friendly.

If staying in Val Thorens it is worth noting that the village is not car-free but you have to park in the designated parking garages. Cars left at the side of the road will receive penalty tickets and possibly be towed. The garages vary in price and you can save money by parking further from the village centre. Free shuttle buses run between the car parks and the village regularly.

LES MENUIRES

A resort in its own right, Les Menuires represents a great base for your Val Thorens ski or snowboard holiday. Locally there are 150km of pistes, but with easy access by road or chairlift to Val Thorens this skiable area doubles. Staying in Les Menuires will save you cash but not at the expense of your experience. Les Menuires is referred to as the ‘Ugly Duckling’ of French ski villages but it provides a practical base for your ski holiday.

The Village of Les Menuires is lower down the Belleville Valley at 1850m which certainly makes it a less reliable base during early and late season.

SAINT MARTIN DE BELLEVILLE

St Martin de Belleville is like a little brother to Val Thorens. Often overlooked as it is lower in the valley, St Martin has connections straight into the heart of the Three Valleys. At 1450m St Martin de Belleville is less snow-sure than Val Thorens but its links mean this isn’t really an issue. The village itself is quieter which can offer a more chilled alternative to a Val Thorens ski holiday.

ORELLE

Another cost-effective village to explore Val Thorens from is Orelle. Orelle is more traditional and less a ski village but more actual village. From Orelle, you will need to take the 3 Vallees Express and then Peyron and Bouchet chairs to ski into Val Thorens but this is all due to change with plans for an updated gondola.

The Village itself had a really nice vibe and felt like a quieter Samoëns, with a classic stone village centre and enough shops to fulfil your needs. Orelle is a combination of budget-friendly and quieter Val Thorens ski holiday base.

VAL THORENS SEASON DATES

Val Thorens regularly has one of the longest ski seasons in the Alps with the opening of the ski resort in November and closing in May. Therefore it is possible to ski for nearly six months in Val Thorens, longer than any of the other Three Valleys ski areas. The long ski season in Val Thorens makes it a fantastic choice for early and late season ski holidays to the Three Valleys.

TRAVEL TO VAL THORENS

WHERE IS VAL THORENS SKI RESORT?

Val Thorens is in the Vallèe de Bellevilles in the Savoie region of France. Located at the top of the Valley you will pass St Martin de Belleville and Les Menuires en route to Val Thorens.

Val Thorens is easy to access within France’s Savoie region which is cluttered with world-class ski areas. The high proximity of ski resorts in the Savoie ensures that many facilities and businesses are geared around travel to the ski areas.

GETTING TO VAL THORENS BY AIR

Flying to Val Thorens is the fastest and easier way to get to Val Thorens from the UK. Flying into Geneva airport represents your best bet with regular flights and many transfer operators in the terminal building. Alternative routes into Lyon are also possible.

From both Geneva and Lyon airports you can then either self-drive, take a transfer or continue your route by train towards Moutiers.

Flying is and will remain the easiest and quickest way to reach a ski resort however, it also has the largest impact on your Carbon footprint.

GETTING TO VAL THORENS BY TRAIN

Taking the train to Val Thorens is possible with trains from London via Paris arriving at Moutiers which is within an hour from Val Thorens. Although Val Thorens itself does not have a train station arriving at Moutiers and then taking a bus/transfer to the resort is a fairly simple process.

GETTING TO VAL THORENS BY CAR

Although a longer journey, I have always appreciated the freedom that can come from driving your car to the ski resort. Driving to Val Thorens is straightforward although cumbersome driving long distances down motorways. Having driven to Val Thorens when travelling with my dog, I found the journey really simple.

There is no need for a car within the resort and you will have to factor in the cost of using the underground parking areas in Val Thorens, but driving to Val Thorens was a stress-free travel method.

Driving to Val Thorens will involve taking either a ferry or Le Shuttle to Calais before starting your drive to the southeast of France. The easiest route is to stick to the French toll-roads which are well-maintained and easy to navigate, although this does come at a further cost.

If you intend to drive to Val Thorens, remember it is essential to have winter tyres and snow chains.

GETTING TO VAL THORENS BY COACH

Travelling from London to Val Thorens by coach is an affordable option but is probably most people’s least favourite method of transport. Operating from London Victoria Coach Station Snow Express operate weekly departures to Val Thorens.

VAL THORENS LIFT PASSES

There are multiple ski pass options for Val Thorens and choosing the right one for you and your group can be confusing. Let’s take a look at the best options below.

LOCAL AREA PASS - VAL THORENS/ORELLE

The local area pass is enough for most skiers and snowboarders visiting Val Thorens for a 7-day period. The area encompassed by Val Thorens and Orelle includes 150km of pistes and some pretty epic off-piste terrain. By purchasing the local area ski pass you will be unable to venture further into the Three Valleys, but for many first-time/intermediate skiers, you won’t need to.

Purchasing the local pass will save you around €7 each day.

VALLEE DES BELLEVILLES PASS

This pass similar to the above does not offer full Three Valleys ski area access but it is a good medium point. This pass includes 300km of terrain shared between; Val Thorens, Orelle, Les Menuires, & St Martin de Belleville. With 300km of pistes this pass covers 50% of the available pistes in the Three Valleys ski area.

Purchasing the Vallee des Bellevilles pass will save around €5 per day.

THREE VALLEYS LIFT PASS

Those looking to explore the full ski area should look to purchase the full Three Valleys ski pass. This pass covers the 600km of pistes across all Three Valleys ski areas. Although €7 more expensive than a local Val Thorens lift pass, this extensive pass is a great option for the more able who may wish to explore the entirety of the combined ski area.

EPIC PASS HOLDERS

If like me you visited the Three Valleys using an Epic Pass then you are entitled to a 7-day Three Valley ski pass which covers the entire 600km and all resorts in the Three Valleys. Epic Pass holders will need to take their Epic Pass and photo ID to either Forum Joseph Fontanet or the Funitel de Pèclet ticket offices to receive your free pass.

ABILITY

Beginners and early intermediates visiting Val Thorens should consider purchasing the local pass. There is plenty to keep you entertained whilst you are honing your skills within the local area. Access to Orelle could be considered adventure enough for your early trips to Val Thorens.

Remember if you are a never-ever, then you may not need to purchase a lift pass initially as the Magic Carpets are free to use. Liaise with your instructor to discuss whether you will be venturing further than this.

BUDGET

If budget is a consideration then meeting midway and getting the Vallee des Bellevilles pass could be your best option. 300km of pistes within this area should be enough to satisfy even the most ardent skiers and snowboarders on a week’s trip to the Three Valleys.

RETURNING VISITOR

If you are returning to Val Thorens and want to escape the local area then having the Three Valleys lift pass is ideal. You can still ski within the local area but the Three Valleys pass allows you to make the most of the connections to the nearby ski areas.

To check the latest prices and buy your lift pass click here.

VAL THORENS PROS

Val Thorens offers guaranteed skiing between Nov and May making it one of Europe’s longest ski seasons.
As part of the Three Valleys, Val Thorens has access to 600km of pistes across multiple French ski resorts.
Being a high-altitude village the Val Thorens ski area mostly sits above 2000m ensuring snow quality is great.
Val Thorens has 150km of local terrain which is well suited to intermediates.
Val Thorens has an exceptional lift system with modern lifts transporting skiers quickly and efficiently around the mountain.
Purpose-built village of Val Thorens has numerous accommodation options.

VAL THORENS CONS

The learner's areas in Val Thorens are busy with the main village run being a bit of a nightmare at peak times.
Val Thorens lacks context in trees due to its altitude meaning the resort can have bad visibility days which are not fun.
Limited on-piste terrain for the more advanced skiers and snowboarders.

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VAL THORENS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

IS VAL THORENS FOR BEGINNERS?

As someone who learnt to snowboard in Val Thorens and subsequently taught snowboarding across various continents I wouldn’t say that Val Thorens is an ideal place to learn. The positives are that Val Thorens offers free use of the Magic Carpets to beginners which is a nice touch and there are plenty of ski schools available. My main issue are the crowds which can feel daunting, so if you are set to learn in Val Thorens avoid the peak weeks.

WHAT IS VAL THORENS FAMOUS FOR?

Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe making it famous for exceptional skiing conditions and a long winter season.

IS VAL THORENS A PARTY RESORT?

Val Thorens is a party town but you don’t need to feel like you are in the thick of it. If you are after Après ski well Val Thorens does it superbly with a number of bars and nightlife throughout the village. Nightlife in Val Thorens stays open until the early hours so be prepared to dance away the hangover so you can still make first lift.

IS VAL THORENS EXPENSIVE?

Val Thorens is a premium ski resort in the largest combined ski area in the world so yes it can be expensive. Within the context of the Three Valleys, Val Thorens represents great value when compared to Courchevel and Meribel which are advertised towards the more affluent clientele. There are always ways to budget and reduce costs for your ski holiday from accommodation to bringing your lunch with you on the slopes.

IS VAL THORENS HARD TO SKI?

The resort runs of Val Thorens are suitable for beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders with the majority of terrain rated as blue or red. There are a few black graded slopes within the resort however the main challenge is found away from the pistes.

WHICH AIRPORT DO YOU FLY TO FOR VAL THORENS?

The airport of Chambery is the closest airport to Val Thorens but the choice of flights is limited. Flying into Geneva or Lyon will result in longer transfers but cheaper and more regular flight services.

VAL THORENS ACTIVITIES

Val Thorens has plenty to keep skiers and non skiers entertained when visiting for a winter ski holiday. There are a number of activities available throughout the resort which will add to your on snow experience. Below is a selection of my favourites.

BEE FLYING VAL THORENS

Bee Flying was incredible and certainly one of the highlights of my trip to Val Thorens. The journey back to the village takes on 1800m of zip lines in three stages, where you will hover 65m above the ground. Check out the video below for a POV of my experience at Bee Flying Val Thorens.

ICE RINK

In the village of Val Thorens, you will find an Ice Rink where beginners through to experts are welcomed to put on their skates and head out onto the ice. The rink is 400m2 and is only open during the winter season.

ICE DRIVING

Ice Driving Val Thorens is exactly what it sounds like! These go karts on ice race around the 225m ice track at the base of the village in this incredible mountain setting. Check out the Ice Driving Experience here.

BEST SKI SHOP IN VAL THORENS

When visiting a ski resort I always try to find the best ski and snowboard shops to recommend to others. After spending time looking for snowboard boots in most of the Val Thorens ski shops I can highly recommend Zenith Ski Shop.

Although I didn’t purchase anything in Zenith, the assistance I was given was exceptional. Zenith is ideally located in the centre of the village and has an excellent selection of ski and snowboard gear to buy and rent. I took my board in for a service and they did a great job with a quick turn-around.

VAL THORENS FINAL THOUGHTS

Val Thorens is always going to be one of the best options for ski holidays in Europe. When you combine the highest resort village, with terrain above 2000m, and a large connected ski area Val Thorens packs a punch. The village and local area have everything you require in a ski resort base and it is hard to argue against returning to the resort year after year.

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Aug 23 Val Thorens Ski Resort Guide