Orelle (Val Thorens)
Why Orelle Ski Resort?
- Links to Val Thorens - the highest ski resort in Europe, meaning snow-sure slopes from November to May
- A lower-cost base from which to explore the vast Les 3 Vallées ski area
- Gateway to over 600km of varied (and pretty amazing!) slopes in the 3 Valleys
- Home to the highest zip wire in the world
- A quiet village away from the hustle and bustle of most 3 Valleys resorts
Orelle Resort Information
Orelle is located within the Maurienne Valley region of the French Alps. It’s divided into 10 small hamlets. The authentic hamlets are tucked away in a natural beauty spot, near Italy and the Vanoise National Park. The stone houses have beautiful slate roofs and lots of traditional charm. Discover a village with a unique architectural heritage! The area is ideal for those seeking peace, calm and authenticity.
'Francoz' hamlet is home to the brand new gondola from 21/22. There is a new link between Orelle and Val Thorens (takes 20 mins) which creates a new entry point from the Maurienne Valley (and Italy) to the 3 Vallées. For the first time in Val Thorens’ history, the summit of Cime Caron at 3,200m is directly accessible from Orelle thanks to the construction of two gondolas called Orelle and Orelle-Caron. It means visitors can access Val Thorens directly from Orelle either on skis or by foot!
There is a bar, restaurant and mini-market next to the gondola base station. For a further selection of shops, bars and restaurants St Michel de Maurienne is a five-minute drive. A little further afield, St Jean de Maurienne is a 20-30 minute drive.
Orelle/Val Thorens ski area
Although Orelle is located in the Maurienne Valley, its ski area is within the 3 Valleys domain. Orelle itself has a small ski area with a few pistes but is directly linked to Val Thorens and the 3 Valleys ski area. As of the 21/22 season, there is a brand new high-speed cable car from Orelle to Val Thorens.
From Orelle you can choose between three primary ski areas:
Orelle-Val Thorens (150km of piste)
La Vallée des Belleville (300km of piste)
The entire 3 Valleys (600km of piste)
Val Thorens/Orelle is part of the large 3 Valleys ski area (the largest ski area in the world), which many skiers rightly regard as the greatest intermediate ski playground in the world (but don't be put off if you are a beginner or total expert because Val Thorens/Orelle literally has plenty of slopes for all levels and masses of free-ride and off-piste opportunities). This impressive lift-linked ski area is formed of 8 ski resorts:
- Val Thorens
- Orelle
- Les Menuires
- Saint Martin de Belleville
- Meribel
- Brides-les-Bains
- Courchevel
- La Tania
Les 3 Vallées, as it's called in French, offers you over 600km of high altitude and snow-sure ski slopes (150km just in Val Thorens itself) - every ski enthusiast’s dream! Amazing skiing can be had right from the beginning of the winter season in the Les 3 Vallées ski area and there is something for everyone - no matter what your style or ability. Renowned for its superb quality of snow and modern high-tech ski lift system which is ever-evolving, Val Thorens/Orelle is a perfect ski resort for everyone.
The 3 Valleys benefit from excellent snow coverage - the minimum altitude level for skiing is 1,300m (at Courchevel Le Praz) and the maximum is 3,230m. In Val Thorens/Orelle you spend most of your time skiing at altitudes between 2,300m and 3,200m which is pretty exceptional.
Additional ski fact info, main ski info in resort facts box at top of page (24/25):
Half the size of the 3 Valleys pass, the Belleville area covers Val Thorens, Orelle, Les Menuires, St Martin de Belleville only - 300km of pistes
Val Thorens/Orelle local area:
Green slopes: 11
Blue slopes: 39
Red slopes: 29
Black slopes: 7
Orelle/Val Thorens skiing info
Beginners
At the top of the Orelle gondola there’s a small green nursery slope with a beginner lift (suitable for complete beginners even on their first day). The pistes around Orelle and the top of Val Thorens are primarily blue and red (ideal for intermediates). In general, complete beginners will struggle though, so we’d advise that unless you’re a very quick learner that the access routes to Val Thorens are only really suitable for intermediates.
Intermediates
Val Thorens has some of the best intermediate terrain in the 3 Valleys. From Orelle and the top of the Val Thorens mountain range there are plenty of blue and red runs. To get from Orelle to Val Thorens there’s a chairlift or the Orelle-Caron gondola. Depending on your level, you may prefer one or the other.
Advanced, off-piste & ski touring
The pistes down from Cime de Caron cable car can be challenging. The Falaise and Variante runs from the 'Col de Rosael' (near the Orelle area) can be challenging too, especially when moguled. There are plenty of black runs around Val Thorens. The 3 Valleys have over 600km of piste so if you stretch a little further into other resorts you will find more than enough to keep you entertained.
Orelle resort runs
There are no resort runs back to Orelle village. You need to take the Orelle gondola back down.
Mountain fun zones
Snowpark
The Val Thorens’ snow park is internationally recognised and rated by experts. Located at 2600m it boasts exceptional snow. The varied components of the park allow both beginners and professionals to improve and have fun on freestyle features adapted to their level. ‘Shapers’ also create different jumps every year to give everyone new ways to get aerial!
Take the Moutière chairlift at the base of the ski resort and then the Plateau draglift next to the snow park.
There is also the family snowpark. Normally, this snow park is situated in the 'Grand Fond' sector, but this winter it’s been moved to a place that is more accessible for beginner skiers and boarders. The family slope will join the Junior Space and Funslope in between the 'Chalets du Thorens' and the slope crossing. This fun zone offers an exciting place to play for even the smallest of skiers!
Nordic skiing
There are only 4km of cross-country ski trails in Val Thorens itself. However, there are 130km of cross-country ski trails in the whole of Les 3 Vallées ski area.
Get closer to the summits and enjoy breath-taking scenery such as the Cime Caron with its 360° panoramic views of more than 1000 alpine peaks of the French, Italian and Swiss Alps or the Mont de la Chambre with its clear view of Mont Blanc. There are also various mountain restaurants along the way to stop for a bite to eat or a refreshing drink or two.
La Braiz is the highest cross-country skiing run in Les 3 Vallées! Starting near the Plan Bouchet lift, which is at 2,350m, this 1km tour is ideal for those who want to discover the Orelle-Les 3 Vallées area in a different way and work on their fitness! The trail is accessible with a pedestrian lift pass.
Orelle ski hire & lift passes (pre-bookable)
Pre-book your 6 day+ Orelle ski hire and/or Orelle lift pass with Peak Retreats.
To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.
Other lift passes are available to buy in the resort such as half or full-day passes (for those who only wish to ski the odd day) or one-use lift passes for pedestrians. Some resorts also offer specific beginner area passes and cross country passes.
Orelle group ski school (pre-bookable)
Ski school for children is available to book with Peak Retreats.Â
To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.
Orelle private lessons (not pre-bookable)
Private lessons with an instructor can only be arranged directly with the ESF ski school. Peak Retreats cannot pre-book these. Private lessons are usually around €40-60 per hour (depending on resort, time of day and period) and becomes cheaper the more hours you take and the more people you have to share the hours with i.e with family members or friends. Some resorts insist on a minimum of 3 sessions to be booked at once.
Contact ESF Orelle for private lessons - 0033 479 56 74 11
Babysitters (not pre-bookable)
A list of babysitters is available from the tourist office.
Top snow activities to experience in Val Thorens/Orelle!
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable.
Please note it takes an hour to get from Orelle to Val Thorens by gondolas so plan your trip back accordingly so you don't miss the last lift.
See activities in Val Thorens
Top activities to experience in Val Thorens/Orelle!
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable.
Please note it takes an hour to get from Orelle to Val Thorens by gondolas so plan your trip back accordingly so you don't miss the last lift.
See activities in Val Thorens
Orelle après-ski, bars & restaurants
1 restaurant, altitude restaurant, 1 bar
Bar des 4 Vallées
At the departure of the gondola, Valerie welcomes you in her friendly snack bar. Beautiful sunny terrace from March. Open 8am-7pm.
Chinal Donat altitude restaurant
Chinal Donat
Easily accessible via the gondola or the Orelle slopes. A south-facing panoramic terrace protected from the wind makes it a great and relaxing lunch stop! Open every day from 9am to 4.30pm. Enjoy a homemade meal next to the fireplace and sample some Savoyard specialities or World Cuisine in this warm and friendly restaurant.
Amenities
Orelle is served by a range of amenities including ESF Ski School, sports shop, Mini-market, post office, delicatessen, laundrette. The nearest cash point is St Michel de Maurienne (6km).Â
Getting to Orelle, France
By road:
Driving distance from Calais to Orelle 583 miles (approx. 8hrs 25)
From Calais, take A26 Motorway towards Reims and Troyes, then Dijon, Lyon, Chambéry. Follow the A43 Motorway to Modane. Take A43 until St Michel de Maurienne then RD1006 to Orelle (4 miles). Listen to Autoroute FM (107.7 FM) for traffic news in English.
By rail:
Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras. See our train services page for more information. The nearest train station to Orelle is roughly 4 miles away in St Michel de Maurienne.
By air:
4 international airports nearby. See our flying page for information on airlines (however we don't book flights).
Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc Airport to Orelle is roughly 63 miles, approximately 1hr 15
Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport to Orelle is roughly 111 miles, approximately 2hrs
Geneva Airport to Orelle is roughly 112 miles, approximately 2hrs
Grenoble Alpes Isere Airport to Orelle is roughly 108 miles, approximately 2hrs
Bus transfers:
Altibus/Bens Bus/Snow bus (and the likes of) offer shared bus transfers from some French/Swiss airports and SNCF train stations to ski resorts. We don't book these (or have any affiliation with them), we invite you to do your own research.
Private taxi transfers:
Private taxi transfers from airports and train stations are pre-bookable with Peak Retreats. See our airport & station transfers page for more information.
