Val Thorens

Situated at the top of Les 3 Vallées, the largest ski area in the world, in the heart of a natural rock and ice circus, Val Thorens offers a complete range of skiing. At 2300 metres, Val Thorens, the highest resort in Europe, is situated in the heart of a 360° Alpine Circus, orientated in all four directions, with a grandiose countryside, optimal sun throughout the day and nearly guaranteed snow from the end of November through to the beginning of May. There’s easy skiing around the resort, medium and difficult on the summits.

It’s the highest ski resort in Europe, it’s part of the largest ski region in the world, and that altitude means Val Thorens can open for snow sports from November to May.
Since it was first established in 1971, one of the newest as well as the highest of the French purpose-built resorts, each new development at Val Thorens has been carefully planned and thought out. Over the past 45 years the resort has reinvented itself many times and moved with the times, extending the choice it offers to respond to holidaymakers needs.

Val Thorens Resort Review

24 Ski Resorts in 2024

Val Thorens: A High-Altitude Party with Amazing Skiing 🇫🇷

If you are looking for a ski resort that combines a vibrant nightlife with some of the best skiing in the world, Val Thorens might be the perfect choice. Located in the French Alps, this resort is part of the Les 3 Vallées ski area, which has over 600 km of linked slopes and 186 lifts. Val Thorens is also the highest resort in Europe, at 2,320 m, which means you can enjoy snow-sure skiing and stunning views. Here are some of the highlights of our stay at Val Thorens in January 2024.

The Skiing

Val Thorens has something for every skier, from beginners to experts. The resort has 150 km of slopes, with 11 green 🟢, 29 blue 🔵, 29 red 🔴, and 9 black ⚫️ runs. The slopes are well-groomed and varied, with wide open pistes, steep couloirs, and fun terrain parks. The resort also has access to the whole Les 3 Vallées ski area, which means you can explore other resorts like Courchevel, Méribel, and Les Menuires.

One of our favorite runs in Val Thorens was the red Lac Blanc, which starts from the top of the VT13 Funitel Peclet gondola. This run is sunny, long, and wide, with some undulating terrain. It was also always quite empty, which made it even more enjoyable. Another run we loved was the blue Genepì, which starts from the top of the Moraine gondola. This run had a great view of the Belleville valley and was gentle and long, perfect for warming up our legs.

For beginners, there are plenty of green and blue runs to get you started, as well as ski schools and nurseries. Val Thorens is a great resort for mixed level groups, as everyone can find their own pace and challenge.

Restaurants

Val Thorens has a wide range of restaurants to suit every taste and budget, from Michelin star restaurants to fantastic pub food. You can find traditional French cuisine, as well as international dishes like pizza, burgers, sushi, and curry. Here are some of the places we tried:

1️⃣ La Maison Val Thorens: This is a typical French restaurant that has a large outdoor terrace and a modern elegant interior. The food is exquisite and refined, with dishes like foie gras, truffle risotto, and beef fillet. The service is attentive and professional, and the prices are reasonable for the quality. La Maison Val Thorens is located at the bottom of the slopes, near the Place Caron, and is open from 12 pm to 10 pm.

2️⃣ Les Aiguilles De Péclet: This is a mountain restaurant that has a stunning view of the Belleville valley and a great snack bar. You can enjoy a quick drink or a hearty meal, with dishes like tartiflette, raclette, and fondue. The restaurant is cozy and rustic, with a fireplace and a wooden decor. Les Aiguilles De Péclet is located at the top of the VT13 Funitel Peclet, and is open from 9 am to 4:30 pm.

Après vibes

Val Thorens is known for its lively and fun après-ski scene, with plenty of bars, clubs, and events to keep you entertained. Whether you want to dance on the tables, listen to live music, or chill out with a drink, you will find something to suit your mood. Here are some of the places we checked out:

1️⃣ La Folie Douce VT: This is the place to be if you want to party on the slopes. La Folie Douce is a famous chain of bars that offer live DJs, saxophonists, dancers, and singers. The atmosphere is wild and festive, with people dancing on the tables, spraying champagne, and singing along. La Folie Douce is located at the top of the Plein Sud chairlift, and is open from 2 pm to 5 pm.

2️⃣ Cafe Snesko: This is a cozy and friendly bar that has live bands, karaoke, and happy hour. Cafe Snesko is located at the bottom of the slopes, near the Place Caron. It is open from 4 pm to 2 am, and is a great place to meet new people and have a good time.

Besides those 600km of skiing and boarding in the 3 Valleys, Val Thorens also now offers a big choice of outdoor activities for everybody, wherever you are skier or not.

With 150km of runs in its own valley shared with Orelle and of course 600km in the 3 Valleys, Val Thorens offers a huge choice of terrain for all tastes and abilities.

 

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Ski with the Ski Club of Great Britain today!

The Ski Club is the UK’s oldest and largest snowsports membership organisation, dedicated to bringing skiers together to discover better skiing through an enthusiastic community! The Ski Club operates a dedicated Ski Club Rep in this resort, along with 28 other resorts across Europe and North America – ski with us today and find your best day ever on snow.

Alongside Reps, the Club offers a host of services to help you make the most of your time on snow, including travel insurance designed by skiers for skiers, exclusive discounts for our Members, a huge range of information online and in our magazine, amazing Ski Club Experiences, special events in the UK and broad plus incredible Ski Club Freshtracks holidays around the world for every taste in skiing.