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Client Review: Val Thorens December 2022
Our loyal client and her family headed to Val Thorens in December 2022, read all about it below!
Europe’s highest resort with unmatched access to 3 Valleys skiing
Val Thorens is Europe’s highest ski resort, offering unbeatable snow reliability and direct access to the vast Three Valleys ski area.
Purpose-built for convenience, it delivers true ski-in ski-out living, with everything close by and easy to navigate.
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Val Thorens Quick Facts
- Ski area: 3 Valleys
- Resort height: 2300m
- Resort top height: 3230m
- Km piste: 600
- Distance from Calais: 590 miles (approx. 9h)
- Lift pass: ££££
- No. of slopes: 0
- Green slopes: 53
- Blue slopes: 141
- Red slopes: 117
- Black slopes: 36
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Beginners:
★ ★ ★
-
Intermediate:
★ ★ ★ ★
-
Expert:
★ ★ ★ ★
-
Boarders:
★ ★ ★ ★
Highlights
Europe’s highest resort ensures reliable snow and long ski seasons
Access to 600km Three Valleys slopes offering unmatched variety
True ski-in ski-out resort layout designed for maximum convenience
Lively après-ski with extensive bars, terraces and nightlife options
Excellent intermediate terrain with wide high-altitude cruising runs
Can feel busy and limited green runs for very nervous beginners
Resort
Everything you need to know about Val Thorens
Discover Val Thorens beyond the hype; from the slopes and lunches with a view to the après and activities to try.
High-altitude, purpose-built resort with convenience at its core
Vibrant, energetic atmosphere with options for quieter stays
Ideal for groups, couples and active families wanting easy access skiing
A high-altitude, purpose-built resort
Val Thorens sits above the tree-line at 2,300m, making it the highest ski resort in Europe. It has an exceptional position on a sunny, west-facing mountainside with spectacular views of the summits of the Alps. Unlike traditional Alpine villages, it was designed specifically for skiing, which means everything is built around convenience and access to the slopes.
Despite being purpose-built, the architecture blends modern and traditional styles, avoiding the feel of a concrete resort. Accommodation ranges from simple apartments to high-end residences with spa facilities, many offering direct ski-in ski-out access.
Lively atmosphere with plenty of choice
Val Thorens has a busy, energetic feel, with a strong mix of skiers, snowboarders and groups. The resort centre can feel lively and is popular, especially in peak weeks, but the spread-out pistes and amount of terrain to be skied mean crowds rarely impact skiing for long.
There are quieter pockets within the resort too, like the Balcons area, making it possible to enjoy a more relaxed stay if preferred.
Easy to navigate and highly practical
The compact layout means everything is within easy reach. Lift stations, ski schools, shops and restaurants are all close to accommodation, often within walking or skiing distance.
This makes it particularly appealing for groups and families who want a smooth, stress-free ski holiday with minimal logistics.
Vast high-altitude terrain with access to the entire Three Valleys
Outstanding intermediate cruising with wide, open pistes
Snow-sure conditions throughout the season thanks to altitude
Beginners
Val Thorens offers a well-designed beginner area with wide, gentle slopes and dedicated zones. These areas are free to access and separated from faster skiers, which helps build confidence.
However, while progression is good, the number of green runs across the wider ski area is relatively limited compared to some family-focused resorts. Slopes like Pluviometre, Niverolles and Tête Ronde are all easier blues to progress too. However, nervous beginners may find the step up to busier slopes more challenging.
Intermediates
This is where Val Thorens truly excels. Wide, high-altitude slopes and an abundance of blue and red runs make it one of the best intermediate playgrounds in the Alps.
From the glacier areas to long cruising runs down to neighbouring resorts like Les Menuires and Méribel, the skiing is varied and extensive. The red runs in the Boismint sector are particularly good and it’s usually quieter there too. The modern lift system makes exploring effortless, allowing you to cover huge distances each day.
Advanced
Advanced skiers have plenty to explore, with challenging black runs, steep descents and extensive off-piste terrain.
The Cime Caron summit is a highlight, offering dramatic views and exciting descents from over 3,200m. Off-piste routes such as Lac du Lou, with a 1,400m vertical descent, provide serious vertical and adventure for experienced skiers.
The Borgne sector is dedicated to ski touring. It has one ascent slope that is groomed and prepared and two slopes to descend, one of which is unpisted.
Mountain fun zones
Val Thorens has a top-rated snowpark and family-friendly fun zones, including beginner parks and playful slopes designed for learning and enjoyment.
Nordic skiing
Nordic skiing is limited within the resort itself, but wider Three Valleys access provides more extensive cross-country trails.
Exceptional range of activities beyond skiing for all ages
Strong appeal for families, groups and non-skiers
High-energy experiences alongside relaxation and wellness
Outdoor and adventure activities
Val Thorens offers one of the widest activity ranges in the Alps. Options include zip lines such as the double 1,800m la Bee zipline which has a flying height of us to 65m! Fat biking on snow, mountain karts on snow, and the Cosmojet toboggan run, which you can also try at night, mean there is plenty to choose from.
Special experiences like paragliding or taking a snowgroomer to have dinner in a yurt on the slopes add a different dimension to the holiday, while scenic viewpoints such as Cime Caron provide breathtaking panoramas across the Alps.
Family-friendly experiences
Families are well catered for with toboggan runs, including the famous Cosmojet, one of the longest in Europe. There are also play areas, snow activities and dedicated children’s zones throughout the resort.
Ski school and childcare options make it easy to manage younger children, with facilities designed to integrate smoothly into the ski day.
Indoor leisure and relaxation
Facilities such as the large Le Board sports centre offer pools, wellness areas, fitness spaces and indoor activities including a soft play.
This makes it easy to relax after skiing or enjoy alternative options during bad weather days.
Huge choice of restaurants, cafés and international dining options
Lively après-ski and nightlife among the best in the Alps
Excellent range of shops and services for all needs
Dining options
Val Thorens offers over 60 restaurants, from casual cafés to fine dining. You’ll find everything from traditional Savoyard cuisine to international options including Italian, Asian and American-style dining.
Mountain restaurants are plentiful and varied, with both affordable self-service options and high-end dining experiences.
For lunch with a view, the options in the new space at the top of Cime Caron are a must. We tried the simple snack bar on the rooftop terrace, meaning you are almost as high as you coud be in the resort. Frites and a drink were surprisingly good value and the views were incredible. Skis are safely stored in racks that are secured using your ski pass meaning you can relax over lunch without worrying about your kit. The wine bar in the same building is one of the highest in Europe.
Après-ski and nightlife
The après-ski scene is one of the resort’s biggest draws. From sunny terraces and slope-side bars to the famous Folie Douce, there’s something for everyone.
Evenings can be as lively or as relaxed as you like, with bars, lounges and nightclubs open late into the night.
Shops and essentials
The resort is very well equipped, with supermarkets, bakeries, ski shops and a wide range of services all available in resort.
Everything is within easy reach, making self-catering and day-to-day life straightforward and convenient.
Peak Retreats has defended its position as champion [Best Ski Operator in the Telegraph Travel Awards 2023]… The winners of this year’s awards showcased stellar commitment to delivering memorable, and valuable, holidays in the mountains…
As a boarder, I appreciated the wide runs above Val Thorens and the red piste from Cime Caron at 3200m down to the resort is incredible.
The Cime Caron area is a definite highlight. From the impressive gondola to get there to the views from the top, which are absolutely incredible. The rooftop bar had ingenious lockers for your skis that were opened and locked using your ski pass, so you can relax without worrying about your skis. Despite the pretty exclusive setting, it felt friendly and down-to-earth - chips and a drink were reasonable considering we were a captive audience!
We liked the view of the piste and chairlift and watching the snowplough come past each evening. The steam room was excellent.
Fantastic to relax in the private jacuzzi overlooking the mountains after a days skiing. Chalet Cocoons was perfect accommodation for us.
Fantastic accommodation. I fully recommended Chalet 2400.
Great service beforehand as per usual and staff at Chalet Altitude were superb - excellent English and really accommodating. Being able to check in early made the week start brilliantly.
Val Thorens has always been a good all round resort.
Val Thorens is a great resort and set up for larger groups. There is everything you want and need and its nice and high so greater certainty of snow.
Val Thorens, Les Balcons de Val Thorens: Excellent wellness, swimming pool, spas and saunas. Access/open hours good. Well staffed, clean, fantastic views.
Val Thorens - another great holiday. This time in Chalet Val 2000 - check in efficient and the apartment was extremely clean. Internet connection excellent.
Location
Accommodation
Val Thorens ski accommodation options
All Val Thorens accommodation
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about Val Thorens
Is Val Thorens good for beginners?
Val Thorens is good for beginners thanks to its dedicated, free-access beginner areas with wide, gentle slopes. These are well separated from faster skiers, helping build confidence. However, there are fewer green runs across the wider area, so very nervous beginners may find progression a little more challenging compared to smaller, beginner-focused resorts.
Is Val Thorens good for intermediate skiers?
Val Thorens is one of the best resorts in the world for intermediates. With access to the Three Valleys’ 600km of pistes, there are endless blue and red runs. The wide, open slopes at high altitude make it ideal for cruising and building confidence while covering large distances.
Is Val Thorens suitable for advanced skiers?
Yes, Val Thorens offers plenty for advanced skiers, including steep black pistes and extensive off-piste routes. Areas like Cime Caron and Lac du Lou provide challenging terrain and impressive vertical descents, while the wider Three Valleys network adds even more variety.
How big is the Val Thorens ski area?
Val Thorens itself has around 150km of pistes, but it forms part of the Three Valleys ski area, offering over 600km of interconnected slopes. This makes it the largest linked ski area in the world, with terrain for all levels.
Is Val Thorens snow-sure?
Yes, Val Thorens is one of the most snow-sure resorts in the Alps. Its high altitude of 2,300m and skiing up to over 3,200m ensures reliable snow conditions from early season through to late spring.
Is Val Thorens good for families?
Val Thorens is very family-friendly, with good ski schools, childcare facilities and a range of activities such as tobogganing, an indoor play area and snow play areas. It is best suited to families with children who are happy progressing beyond beginner slopes.
Are lift passes in Val Thorens pre-bookable?
Yes, lift passes can be pre-booked with us. These provide access to the full Three Valleys ski area. Local or shorter-duration passes can also be purchased in resort. Pre-booking helps you avoid queues and means you can start skiing straight away on arrival.
Can I pre-book ski hire in Val Thorens?
Yes, ski hire can be pre-booked with us. The shops we use are located throughout the resort and often very close to accommodation and lifts. Pre-booking ensures your equipment is ready on arrival, making the first day much easier.
Can I pre-book ski school in Val Thorens?
Yes, group ski school for children and adults can be pre-booked with us from around 3 years old with the ESF French ski school. Private lessons can also be pre-booked in Val Thorens, whether you want an introduction to the ski area or to focus on your technique.
Is childcare available in Val Thorens?
Yes, childcare is available but varies by age. For children aged 18–36 months, places can be pre-booked with us. For younger infants from 3 months, childcare is available but must be arranged directly with the provider. Booking early is strongly recommended, especially during peak weeks as there are limited spaces.
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