La Thuile combines an authentic old village and a modern slope-side complex accessing fabulous quiet slopes.
It’s popular with Brits, partly because of the friendly locals and affordable prices but also because of the fantastic ski area with ski links across the French border to La Rosière with 150km of slopes on offer, served by 35 lifts.
Old La Thuile’s Roman remnants and mining history are still in evidence in the old resort over the river, or you can stay right by the slopes in a modern base at 1440m. There are uncrowded slopes and north-facing pistes to ensure the snow stays in prime conditions.
© Consorzio Operatori Turistici La Thuile
There are some great easy slopes, and with free childcare on offer, La Thuile is particularly popular with families. But for better skiers there’s extensive intermediate terrain, with great reds and the option of the excitement of skiing over to France for the day. For expert skiers there’s also fabulous off-piste terrain and heli-skiing available, as well as one of the most challenging World Cup downhill slopes in the Alps.
There have been lots of improvements over the summer to La Thuile’s international ski area, ahead of the 22-23 season.
These include improvements to the Arnouvaz chairlift and levelling up the bases of slopes 12 and 14.
On the French side of the area, three live information panels have been installed at the arrival of the Roches Noires and Du Fort chairlifts, to make skier circulation around the slopes more fluid. The panels allow customers to choose which slopes to ski on, based on openings, closures and weather conditions which will be updated in real time.
In the near future there are plans to modernise the sector of the slopes between Les Suches and Chaz Dura. Two old triple chairlifts have been designated for the axe, with plans to replace them with a swish new gondola for the 24-25 season.
© Consorzio Operatori Turistici La Thuile
The departure station of the new gondola will be built at the top station of the DMC cable car up from La Thuile and reach the top of Monte Chaz Dura so in future the ascent will be made in enclosed cabins sheltered from any bad weather. A big plus of this will be year-round access for non-skiers too to a point that affords spectacular views of Mont Blanc and huge swathe of the Alps around.
Work is due to begin next summer 2023 and be continued the following summer before operations starting in December 2024.
Off the slopes La Thuile has a few shops to browse as well as a swimming pool and around 30 restaurants, bars and even a late-night disco.
La Thuile
Main Image © Consorzio Operatori Turistici La Thuile
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