Val Thorens: great skiing all season long

Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe! Of course, so is the highest ski resort in France!

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

As you climb the last few hairpin bends up the Belleville valley, which is also home to the resorts of Saint Martin de Belleville and Les Ménuires, you feel as if you've entered an unreal world, a kind of polar city, where the "snow" experience is at its best.

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

At Val Thorens, you can ski at altitudes of between 2300m and 3200m, on countless pistes, all well exposed. The resort is part of the Trois Valléesski area, so you can ski not only in the Belleville valley, but also in Méribel and Courchevel.

You can find articles on these resorts by following the links below: MéribelCourchevel.

The entire 3 vallées ski area offers 600 km of runs, spread over more than 300 trails, which you can use thanks to a network of 180 lifts. Frankly, the hardest thing here is not to avoid going down the same run twice, but rather to find your way around all these valleys, exposures and very long runs. For keen skiers, it's a real pleasure.

Is there only skiing in Val Thorens?

As you'd expect, the main reason to come to Val Thorens is to ski. It's true that this is the realm of downhill skiing. For lovers of cross-country skiing, it's certainly not "the place to be", and for hikers who enjoy walking or snowshoeing, you'll be disappointed to discover that there are no trees or streams (in winter)...

With its town-like appearance, tall buildings and high density of skiers on the snow front in high season, it's not a haven of peace and rejuvenation either. Val Tho, as it's known, is a true high-altitude ski resort.

So, yes, Val Thorens is an alpine skiing destination. It's better to know.

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 rather than skiing, since you don't really know where you are anymore... except that you're on a slope!), and in that case how do you occupy your days?

If you still want to ski, the best thing to do is switch to Méribel and its forests.

Alternatively, you can opt for a fun day out in the resort: the Val Thorens Sports Centre awaits you with its swimming pool, sports hall and bowling alley; you can ride a Fat Bike (yes, downhill too!) or Cosmojet Luge, a Tyrolean traverse above the ski slopes...or simply go for a drink in the Ice Bar!

What are the best slopes in Val Thorens?

All the slopes here are magnificent, and for all levels. Sometimes it can get very crowded at the lower lifts - especially at school times - but I've got a little nugget for you if you want to ski cool.

In the afternoon, you should head for the Rosaël valley. You can also reach this area by the Orelle cable car, on the Maurienne side.

Why in the afternoon?

1. We ski on south-west-facing slopes, in the sun, at altitudes between 2,500m and 3,200m.
2. The skiers of Méribel and Courchevel are obliged to leave the resort to return to their valley before the lifts close.
3. Beginners don't come (although they could) because they think it's far away and difficult.

In fact, it's paradise, and the little lost corner of the enormous Trois Vallées domain.

In conclusion, skiing in Val Thorens means being sure of finding snow.

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

Finally, it's a resort that offers all the comforts you need for après-ski and family vacations. There's something for everyone...as long as you love skiing! 

You may also be interested in these articles