Val Thorens: great skiing all season long

Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe! Obviously, the highest ski resort in France too!

With its 2300m altitude measured on the sunny snow front, facing due south, Val Thorens enjoys a remarkable location in the ski area of Three Valleys.

When you cross the last bends going up the Belleville valley, which also hosts the ski resorts Saint-Martin-de-Belleville and that of Menuires, we feel like we are entering an unreal world, a sort of polar city, where the “snow” experience will be at its peak.

AlpAddict in Val Thorens — Val Thorens, the highest resort in Europe

And it is indeed true. Val Thorens is the resort that stays open the longest in France. From mid-November to mid-May! Six months of snow!

A Val Thorens, you can ski between 2300m and 3200m above sea level, on an incalculable number of slopes, all well exposed. The area is part of the large ski area of Three Valleys, and you will therefore be able to ski not only in the Belleville valley, but also in Meribel and Courchevel.

You will find articles on these stations by following the following links: Meribel, Courchevel.

The entire 3 Valleys area offers you 600 km of slopes, spread over more than 300 runs that you can take thanks to a network of 180 ski lifts. Frankly, the hardest part here is not avoiding going down the same slope twice, but rather finding your way between all these valleys, these exposures, and these very long slopes. For passionate skiers, it is a real pleasure.

Skiing in Val Thorens with AlpAddict — Skiing above the clouds in Val Thorens

Is there even skiing in Val Thorens?

As we will have understood, we are coming to Val Thorens especially for skiing. It is true that this is the kingdom of alpine skiing. For cross-country skiing lovers it is certainly not "the place to be" and for hikers who like to walk or snowshoe, you will be disappointed to discover that there are no trees or streams (in winter) ...

With its city appearance, with fairly tall buildings and its density of skiers in high season at the snow front, it is not a haven of peace and revitalization either. Val Tho, as it is nicknamed, is a real high-altitude ski resort.

So, yes, Val Thorens is an alpine ski destination. It is worth knowing.

Well, given the altitude, you can imagine that white days are possible (you know, a white day is when sky and earth merge in the fog and you feel like you're flying and not skiing since you no longer really know where you are... except that you're on a slope!), and in that case, how do you fill your days?

The best thing, if you still want to ski, is to switch to Meribel and its forests.

Otherwise you can opt for a fun day at the resort: the Sports Center of Val Thorens awaits you with its swimming pool, its gym, its bowling alley; you can go Fat Biking (yes, yes downhill too!) or the Cosmojet Luge, a Tyrolean above the ski slopes…or simply go for a drink in the Ice Bar!

Val Thorens, due south — Val Thorens, a sunny resort

What are the best slopes in Val Thorens?

All the slopes are magnificent here, and for all levels. Sometimes there are a lot of people at the lifts at the bottom of the area - especially at school hours - however I have a little gem for you if you want to ski easy.

You have to go in the afternoon to the Rosaël valley. You can also reach this area by cable car. from Orelle, Maurienne side

Why in the afternoon?

We ski on south-west facing slopes, in the sun, between 2500m and 3200m above sea level.
The skiers of Meribel and Courchevel are forced to leave the area to return to their valley before the ski lifts close
Beginners don't come (even though they could) because they think it's far and difficult.

In fact it is paradise, and the little lost corner of the enormous domain of Three Valleys.

Ski peacefully with AlpAddict in Val Thorens — Silence on the high slopes of Val Thorens

In conclusion, skiing at Val Thorens, first of all, you have to be sure to find snow.

Then it's skiing in the sun, on a gigantic area in which you can vary the pleasures.

Finally, it is a resort that offers all the necessary comforts for après-ski and family holidays. There is something for everyone...as long as you like skiing!