Val Cenis
Why Val Cenis Ski Resort?
- Ideal for beginners and intermediates with green and blue runs down through the trees
- A good variety of shops, supermarkets, restaurants and bars
- Very friendly and charming resort
- Easy access - only 30mins drive from the motorway
- Great off piste for experts, especially above Bonneval
- Great ice rink, swimming pool and whirlpool facilities
Read 'five reasons to ski Val Cenis this (or next) season' by welove2ski.com's Felice Hardy!
Val Cenis Information
Val Cenis is the largest resort in Haute-Maurienne Vanoise and comprises two traditional villages - Lanslebourg and Lanslevillard - which have been combined into one resort. It has retained its charm and tradition and visitors are guaranteed a genuinely warm welcome from the local people who run the resort themselves - so there’s no need for uncommitted seasonal labour here!
Seasoned travellers can visit the Centre des Glières in Lanslevillard (near Les Balcons du Village residence) which has an ice rink, swimming pool and whirlpool. It’s great value for money! You get free access when you book accommodation with the Val Cenis Les Balcons du Village and Les Balcons en Haut.
Away from the slopes in Val Cenis, enjoy a visit to the fromagerie or the 12 chapels culture trail. The weekly welcome drinks, street animation and torchlight descents are not to be missed. The après ski in Val Cenis is quiet but the many restaurants and bars and two cinemas should keep everyone happy. A good variety of shops and supermarkets ensure that those self-catering will find all they require. Val Cenis ski resort is only half an hour's drive from Modane and the motorway.
Peak Retreats offers a range of Val Cenis accommodation options. All of Val Cenis' ski apartments have been hand-picked and are of a very high standard (3 & 4*), providing the ideal base for a Val Cenis ski holiday.
Read Fraser Wilkin's weather review on weathertoski.com where he says Val Cenis has "good snow reliability, good sunshine record and (last but not least) plenty of trees to play in should it decide to be stormy."
VAL CENIS SKI AREA
With more than 80kms of marked piste and a vertical drop of 1400m, Val Cenis has a varied ski area. It’s ideal for beginners and intermediates with green and blue runs down through the trees as well as opportunities to access even the highest runs at 2800m.
Among the forests of larch and cembra pine, 125km of trails, including the link to Termignon, offer something for everyone. Below 2000m the slopes are beautifully tree-lined.
A fleet of comfortable lifts, trails groomed every night, snow culture that guarantees good snow ... and ultimately, a resort of high quality – is ideal for all types of skiers. At the top of the Val Cenis slopes at 2,800 m, you can enjoy a splendid view across the Mont Cenis lake and the Parc National de la Vanoise.
The other ski resorts in the valley are Bramans, Sollières-Sardières, Bessans, and Bonneval, although you’d need to buy additional lift passes if you wanted to ski these areas - all within a 10-20min drive of Val Cenis.
VAL CENIS SKIING
VAL CENIS BEGINNERS
Val Cenis is ideal for beginners with 12 green runs to practise on – many of them between resort level (1500m) and 2000m. The majority of the resort runs back into either of the Val Cenis villages are green. There are some enjoyably long blue runs to progress to. The green Escargot run is a six miles long - plenty of slope time to practise on this one, even if you don’t ski at snail’s pace! Access it via the Ramasse chairlift in Lanslebourg.
VAL CENIS INTERMEDIATES
About three-quarters of Val Cenis’s ski area is dominated by blue and red pistes. Above 2000m you’ll find many red runs to keep you occupied - some of them quite challenging. If you want to explore further, try the red runs above Termignon and take the blue Forestière run right the way down to Termignon village.
VAL CENIS EXPERTS
Although advanced skiing is limited, there’s some great north-facing off-piste terrain and two free-ride circuits. From the top of the ungroomed Michèle Jacot or the Moraine slopes, you can enjoy powder and bumps!
VAL CENIS SNOWBOARDERS
Val Cenis Snowboarders will enjoy the park and natural half-pipe.
Val Cenis Ski Hire
Pre-book your Val Cenis ski hire with Peak Retreats.
To download the ski extras form, see 'Helpful links' further down the page.
Please note, these Pound Sterling prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.
Special offers: *7 days for the price of 6. Free Skis/snowboard & boots (Blue/Red) for party leaders of groups of 10 or more all taking equipment. 1 Free helmet per child aged 6 and under for every adult booking skis or snowboards & boots (must be under same booking reference and requested on form above). Other duration prices on request - Cross Country ski prices on request.
Find out more about Peak Retreats ski hire
Val Cenis Ski Passes
Pre-book your Val Cenis lift passes with Peak Retreats. Find out more about Peak Retreats ski passes
To download the ski extras form, see 'Helpful links' further down the page.
Please note, these Pound Sterling prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.
Special lift pass EASTER OFFER: from 30/03/19 (Val Cenis Vanoise only)
2 Adult passes (12-64yrs) bought: 1 Free child (5-11yrs)
Other lift pass on offer (to buy locally in resort in Euros):
Val Cenis ski pass – ½ day and daily rates 2018/19:
½ day - €25 children, €31 adults
Day - €32 children, €38 adults
Abbreviations:
TK - téléski (draglift)
TS - télésiège (chairlift)
TC - télécabine (gondola)
Val Cenis Ski School
Pre-book your Val Cenis ESF ski school with Peak Retreats. Find out more about Peak Retreats ski school
Ski school for children is available to book from 3 years to 11 years, in Val Cenis, with Peak Retreats. 3-4 year olds will go into the Ski Kindergarten lessons. Children can learn to snowboard from 10 years+. Childcare with or without lunch options (3-12yrs) - please enquire for details and prices.
For ski school times and prices, please download the ski extras form from the 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note these are just guiding prices. Please call us for the latest prices.
Please note that lesson times are subject to change right until the last minute - you will be advised. Outside French school holidays the ski school reserves the right to cancel group lessons should numbers be insufficient. For peak periods - Christmas, New Year, February half-term and Easter - we strongly recommend that you book as early as possible and in any case at least 6 weeks prior to the required dates. Morning lessons tend to get booked up first and therefore we may only be able to offer afternoon classes within 6 weeks of departure. In some resorts, English speaking instructors may not always be available, particularly at peak times.
We cannot always guarantee that prices will be cheaper than in the resort. When ski packs prices are calculated, the currency is bought at the exchange rates that apply at the time. You can be assured that once you have booked your extras, if the pound depreciates, you will not be charged more for your ski packs, enabling you to budget for your holiday in advance.
Val Cenis Individual Tuitions (2018/19 prices, NOT pre-bookable)
Individual tuitions can only be purchased directly from the ski school. Peak Retreats cannot pre-book these.
Around €39 per hour for 1-2 people.
Please note that prices are only an indication and are subject to change
Ski school Val Cenis contact numbers for private lessons only:
ESF DE VAL CENIS Le Colombaz
73480 Lanslevillard
Tel. +33 (0)4 79 05 92 43
Val Cenis Child Care
Childcare is not pre-bookable by Peak Retreats. Please book direct.
Haltes Garderies Les P'Tits Loups
For children from 3 months - 3 years
Indoor and outdoor activities -snow games, togoggan, farm visits etc., educational activities and crafts.
Guide prices for 18/19
1/2 day - 25 €
6 half days - 119 €
Le Club Enfants Les P'Tits Durs En Hiver
For children 6-12 years
Guide price for 2018/19
6 afternoons Sun-Fri from 117 €
Chez ESF
Rue des Rochers
73480 Lanslevillard
Tel. +33 (0)4 79 05 92 43 - garderievalcenis@wanadoo.fr
www.garderievalcenis.com
Top winter activities to experience in Val Cenis!
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable.
Snowsport activities:
Airboard (lanslevillard)
From age 8. The thrilling experience of body-boarding on real snow, where participants zoom down the slope on a specially designed air inflated board!
Dog sledging (Lanslebourg)
From age 2 years. You sit down in your sledge and the guide, called musher, carries you through the Mont Cenis wide open space thanks to his complicity with his dogs. Booking at the ESF Val Cenis.
Snowshoe outings (Lanslevillard)
From 10 years. Snowshoe outings. Theme week: the path of history, fortifications, archaeology, villages, local heritage.
Ski touring and freeride (Lanslevillard)
Ski touring, freeride, white trail. See the Bureau des Guides for more information.
Toboggan run for over 5’s (Lanslevillard)
From age 5 years. At the arrival of the gondola Val Cenis Le Haut, find the start of the toboggan run 900 m long with bumps and turns taken. Skipass needed.
Toboggan run for over 5’s at night (Lanslevillard)
800m downhill lighted track. Children of -1m25 in a sledge with an adult. Children of 1m25 are alone driving their own sledge under the supervision of an adult. Pass on sale on the spot. Personal helmets allowed. Chairlift ride and equipment loan included.
Ice rink (Lanslebourg)
300m² of track. Improved glide. Speed/sensation. Hockey equipment is available. Gloves and helmet mandatory.
Ice rink (Lanslevillard)
Put your ice skates on and enjoy the ride. Educational equipment is available. Closed on Saturdays. Subject to climatic and technical conditions.
Night skiing (Lanslevillard)
Night skiing in Val Cenis Lanslevillard, every Thursday on the Colomba chairlift. Accessible to holders of valid ski pass of the ski area.
Snake gliss (Lanslevillard)
The Snake Gliss is a set of sledges, fixed to each other. The sledge snake descends along the blue track "Chamois", the pilot, a professional activity, directs the head. Duration: 45 mins.
Snowkite (Lanslebourg)
From age 13 years. Slide on your skis, pulled by a wind-inflated kite. Possible in the afternoons, subject to weather conditions.
Snowpark (Lanslevillard)
New snowpark on the area of La Met. Free access.
Snowscoot (Lanslebourg)
From age 5 years. Come discover the Snowscoot with Edgar, passionate and former snowscoot competitor. He will introduce you to this slide that he wants to share with everyone. The snowscoot is a very fun and accessible activity, no notion of gliding is necessary.
Snowtubing (Lanslevillard)
At more than 2500m altitude, the Base-2500 offers a descent in buoy 60 meters in a natural valley. A helmet is mandatory. Accessible to holders of ski pass valid ski area or a pedestrian pass.
Wing jump (Lanslevillard)
Discover news skiing sensations.
Yooner (Lanslevillard)
Once the skiers have deserted the slopes, come and try out this modern, lightweight, easily manoeuvrable and comfortable snow sport and enjoy a sensational new activity!
Other activities:
Carriage ride (Lanslebourg)
Take place on board for a little carriage ride in the streets of the resort, you will surely discover places you do not suspect! In the afternoon, on reservation.
Big airbag (Lanslevillard)
Lie on your board, let yourself slide and land gently. Blow-up board so you can jump and land quite safely.
Paragliding (Lanslebourg)
Paragliding Tandem flight with Michel.
Paragliding (Lanslevillard)
Enjoy a flight with a team of experienced passionate well-travelled guides with more than 30 years of experience. Antipodes has the record of the first tandem slight ever launched from the Everest at 8850m altitude.
Bowling (Lanslevillard)
From age 5 years old. 6 bowling alleys, lounge bar, billiards, pinball, table football. Daily from 10.30AM to midnight.
Escape game (Lanslebourg)
Real immersion game in real life scenarios and scenery! Our rooms "The Emperor's Room", "The Avalanche" and "La Coulée" are original creations based on local history. You will not find them anywhere else! The new room "La Coulée" is exclusively dedicated to children from 6 to 12 years old.
Leisure centre (Lanslevillard)
An aquatic area heated to 29 ° C with a 25m sports pool, a fun pool, whirlpools inside, an outdoor area dedicated to your fun with slide and paddling pool. Sale of bathing caps, jerseys, armbands, glasses.
Indoor activity centre (In nearby Sollières-Sardières)
Trampolines - Mini-motos - restaurant - snack & goûter. An indoor activity centre for 2 - 12 years old, trampolines for children and adults, mini motorbike circuit. Daily. Free for accompanying adults.
Library (Lanslebourg)
Media library with more than 4000 books (novels, literary prizes, comics, albums, magazines) 750 DVDs, audio CDs and games. The temporary exhibition, paid computer connections available, paid to print. Free Wifi and scanning.
Library (Lanslevillard)
Leave or take for free adult or children books. Free of charge.
Cinema (Lanslevillard)
2D and 3D cinema with one screen with 166 seats.
Cinema (Lanslebourg)
180 places.
Cheese visit (Lanslebourg)
Visit of the Beaufort cheese making workshops (making in the morning Free access to the circuit of a visit with sight on the room of manufacture (manufacture in the morning).
Feed the animals (Lanslebourg)
Come and feed the young animals from the farm: veels, baby rabbits and lambs and meet the milking cows. From Monday to Friday, Free entry for children < 3 years.
Please note: All the above information is for information only. For the most up-to-date information please visit the resort tourist office website. All prices for activities are in local currency (€ Euros) and are bookable and payable locally in resort.
Val Cenis Tourist Office
Val Cenis Tourist Information
Tel. +33 479 05 23 66
www.valcenis.com
Look out for the news, events and highlights of the Val Cenis programme which will be announced in due course.
In the meantime, do sign up to our newsletter for the latest resort news and ski holiday offers.
Val Cenis Après-Ski, Bars & Restaurants
Bars and restaurants - 21 restaurants/bars in Lanslevillard, 18 in Lanslebourg, 2 cinemas.
Amenities
Val Cenis is served by a range of amenities including a welcome drink, weekly child torch-lit descents during school holidays, shows, sports tournaments, visit cheese-producing farms, Carnival in February… all organised by the Val Cenis Tourist Office.
Getting to Val Cenis, France
By Road:
Driving distance from Calais 595 miles (8 hrs 45 mins)
From Calais, take A26 Motorway towards Reims and Troyes, then Dijon, Lyon, then A43 Motorway Exit Modane. Follow signs to Val Cenis via the N6 (24 km from the motorway exit). Attention winter Iseran Pass and the Col du Mont Cenis are closed to traffic.
By Rail:
Modane station (24km)
There is a regular coach service to Val Cenis from the forecourt of Modane station.
For information, timetables and bookings: www.altibus.com
Tel. 00 33 479 68 32 96
Airports:
Chambery is 135km from Val Cenis (1 ½ hours)
www.chambery-airport.com
Turin Airport is 145km from Val Cenis (2 hours)
www.aeroportoditorino.it
Grenoble is 202km from Val Cenis (2 ¼ hours)
www.grenoble-airport.com
Lyon Saint-Exupery is 212km from Val Cenis (2 ¼ hours)
www.lyonaeroports.com
Geneva is 213km from Val Cenis (2 ¼ hours)
www.gva.ch
Public shuttle bus transfers from airport
Lyon Airport - Val Cenis via Modane (www.lys-altibus.com).
Chambery Airport - Val Cenis via Modane (www.lys-altibus.com).
Val Cenis Airport Transfer
For pre-bookable private transfer rates with Peak Retreats, view here.
Access around Val Cenis
The shuttle bus is running between Lanslebourg and Lanslevillard every day, for free, from 8:30 to 19:00 during the all season. In French ski school holidays this coach runs until 22:30 but there's only one per hour. In addition, on Thursdays of the season (until end of March) one bus is runs from 20:00 to 22:00.
A large car park (suitable for coaches) is opposite the Vieux Moulin cable car.
Other
A bag room (no charge) is available at the top of the Vieux Moulin cable car.
Getting to other resorts in Maurienne
Ecomobility Skibus: Open to skiers and non skiers. Service not intended for groups. Limited to the capacity of the vehicle seat. It connects all villages and resorts of the valley. Admission is free.
LINE 1: Bramans - Bonneval sur Arc (including Val Cenis)
LINE 2: Termignon - Sollières-Sardières - Aussois
Val Cenis Opening Dates
Val Cenis ski area is open: Sunday 16/12/18 – Monday 22/04/19.
