Valloire
Why Valloire Ski Resort?
- It’s a 'real' French resort
- With Valmeinier, it has 160km of pistes – 70% of which are above 2000m (6,500 ft)
- There’s some excellent après-ski with plenty to do and many places to relax
- It’s well-suited to non-skiers
- Awarded 'Flocon Vert' certificate for sustainability in Dec 2022
- Holders of a 6+day lift pass for Valloire can pay a small upgrade fee locally and ski in Val Thorens
- Easy access to other resorts like Orelle, the back door into the 3 Valleys for the likes of Val Thorens – is a 30-minute drive away (a new fast, super modern cable car has been built for 21/22 season in Orelle making access even easier up to Orelle and Val Thorens)
- And it’s only 17km from motorway exit
Read Mary Novakovich's review of Valloire in The Guardian, 'Walking with llamas and the best beer in the Alps!'
Valloire Resort Information
In the 'Golden Valley', Valloire and its 17 hamlets (including 'Les Verneys', 'Les Clots' and 'Les Granges' where some of our accommodation is located) is a reasonably large traditional village with 1300 inhabitants and is located between 1,400m and 1,800m. At the foot of the famous Galibier Pass, Valloire is accessed via the motorway exit and TGV station at St Michel de Maurienne (17km) and is 4 hours from Paris by train.
Valloire has a good selection of bars, discos, shops, an ice rink, bowling and a fitness centre. Alternatively, you can visit a working farm in Valloire to try the local Beaufort cheese - or try spotting a chamois on snowshoe outings, go parapenting or try a microlight flight.
For three days and nights each year in Valloire ski resort, sculptors from all over the world meet to compete in a snow-and-ice sculpture contest .
Galibier Pass
This pass, the natural frontier between the southern and northern Alps, not far from ‘la Vanoise’ and ‘les Ecrins’ National Parks, has been made famous because of the celebrated Tour de France bike race. You can admire other summits such as the ‘Aiguille d’Arves’ and you might even get a glimpse of an ibex.
Valloire ski area
Valloire is rightly recognised internationally as an excellent ski region. With 150km of well-groomed pistes linked with nearby Valmeinier and 70% of the area above 2,000 metres and predominantly north-facing slopes, snow conditions are first class.
The lightly wooded terrain is varied, and some of the runs are as long as 1,000 vertical metres.
On the Valloire side, there are four locations where you can access the ski area.
- The Cret de la Brive gondola departs from the centre of the resort right by the church. This takes you up to the Crey du Quart area of Valloire. There are all types of runs along this sector and the in-resort runs are green or red. You can drop down into Valmeinier from this side of the mountain,
- The Setaz gondola leaves from another point in the resort centre and takes you up to the Setaz mountain area and the Thimel mountain. Again it’s a mix of runs with some great black runs for the experts off the side of the Thimel mountain. The resort runs are green or red,
- The Moulin Benjamin chairlift heading out of the main Valloire town into another hamlet links up with the Thimel mountain area. The resort run back to the Moulin Benjamin area is blue. Les Chalets du Galibier are situated opposite the chairlift,
- Also in Les Verneys is a FREE drag-lift for beginners. The resort runs down to Les Verneys are green or blue.
Valloire skiing info
Beginners
There is an above-average choice of runs for beginner skiers and progressing beginners. you can quickly get a 'feel' for the peaks on the nursery slopes around the Thimel mountain restaurant. Whichever area you choose to ski, there are also green and blue slopes and a free drag-lift at Les Verneys.
Intermediates
Intermediates have a good choice of runs from wide reds to gentle blues.
Advanced, off-piste & ski touring
Black runs like the long Cascade will test many experienced skiers.
Mountain fun zones
There is a snow park and a half-pipe.
Easy park on the slopes
Have a go on the small bumps and hairy turns on the Escargot run - Access: TSF Lac de la Vieille / Piste Escargot lift.
Boardercross on the slopes
480m of downhill thrills with a beautiful view of the Golden Valley. For children and adults, solo or in groups - Access: TSF Thimel lift.
Big airbag on the slopes
Fly through the air with your skis on your feet and land on a big, inflatable airbag – Access: TSF Lac de la Vieille or TK Château Ripaille lift.
Snow Racer on the slopes
710m of steep curves, humps, tunnels and surprises for everyone! Test your mettle on the Snow Racer slope! - Access: Thimel ski lift.
Nordic skiing
3 loops of different levels all starting in Verney's hamlet– access by shuttle.
Valloire ski hire & lift passes (pre-bookable)
Pre-book your 6 day+ Valloire ski hire and/or Valloire 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.
Valloire group ski school (pre-bookable)
Ski school for children is available to book from 3 years to 12 years in Les Gets (including some childcare in the nursery alongside ski lessons with meals, please enquire) with Peak Retreats. Children can learn to snowboard from 7 years+.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.
Valloire 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 Les Gets for private lessons - 0033 4 79 59 00 73
Valloire childcare (not pre-bookable)
Childcare from 2 years-2.5 years (non-skiers)
ESF Mini-club - 2 to 2.5 years old children usually don't ski but stay in the Kindergarten and play a series of indoor or outdoor games. The Mini-Club/ kindergarten Les Marmottons is located in Centre Station inside ESF building, at the foot of Crey du Quart.
Please contact ESF direct as we cannot pre-book this kids club -Â 0033 4 79 59 00 73.
It is advisable to book before you go and in good time as spaces get filled quickly, especially in Peak times. A childhood vaccination record will be needed.Â
Babysitters (not pre-bookable)
A list of babysitters is available from the tourist office.
Top snow activities to experience in Valloire!
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable.
Dog-sledge rides
Come for a 30-minute ride in the sled led by 10 dogs around la Valloirette (not suitable for children under 2 and expectant mothers and people with back pain). The sled can carry 2 adults and 2 children aged less than 10 years old or 1 adult and 1 to 2 children (Weight limit: 200kg or 440lbs).
Snowshoeing and walking
Please take note that outside of prepared zones you are at risk (steep slopes, cliffs, crevasses…). Dangerous areas are not marked and there may be an avalanche risk. Leave marked areas at your own risk and peril. This sport requires walkers to have knowledge and understanding of what walking off-piste entails. Find out about the avalanche risk. Walk off-piste with a guide. Choose a route adapted to your technical and physical level.
Top activities to experience in Valloire
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable.
Ice skating rink
Open December to April.
Animal Safari
A fun way to discover the ski area: hunt down the five huge wooden animal sculptures which make sounds. The Marmotte, chamois, eagle, wolf or hare tell tales of the valley and Valloire.
Musical treasure hunt
Look for musical instruments hidden in the ski area (bells and xylophones).
L’Eestancot – Family outings with llama Gilles Tosca
Tchupi and his friends will take your family for a ride (children from 4 years of age). Trip Advisor approved. Information at Kosa Kruta in the square in front of the town hall or at the welcoming event Dahu Malin on Sundays.
Segway touring
Segway tours. Try a Segway to see what all the fuss is about! Open to everyone, even to those with physical disabilities (if they can stand).
Les Sens des Cimes spa
Les Sens des Cimes is an oasis of serenity in the heart of Valloire where you can rest and relax. Our spa, of refined design, welcomes you both alone and in pairs. You can choose various massages, formulas or facials and body treatments. We have a Jacuzzi for you to relax in and a sauna and hammam to drain your stress away and to eliminate fatigue and toxins. If you want to take the experience even further, you can end your visit in our tea-room.
Cinema
Seats 334, digital and 3D equipment, about 15 different films every week including previews, French films and box-office hits. The cinema is classed as « Art et Essais ».
Bowling Le Mafayo
Bowling - Bar - Cocktails - Billiards – Table football – Video games. Next to the ice-skating rink, 6 lanes, all equipped with bumpers for children. (Please book in advance) Karaoke and gift evenings every week – Big screen TV for sports events.
Valloire après-ski, restaurants & bars
The resort has over 70 shops, over 20 bars and over 25 restaurants.
Amenities
Valloire is served by a range of amenities including: mini-supermarkets, several cash points, doctors, pharmacies, physiotherapists and dentists. Library, fitness centre, beauty parlour, hairdressers, launderettes/dry cleaning, bakeries…
Getting to Valloire, France
By road:
Driving distance from Calais 580 miles (approx. 8hrs30).
From Calais, take A26 Motorway towards Reims and Troyes, then Dijon, Lyon, then A43 Motorway Exit no9. Follow signs to Valloire (17 km from the motorway exit).
The Galibier pass is closed from the end of October till the begining of June.
By rail & air:
Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras. See our train services page for more information as we can pre-book the trains for you. The nearest train station to Valloire is roughly 17km away in St Michel.
4 international airports are nearby, see our flying page for information on airlines. We don't book flights, we invite you to do your own research.
Geneva Airport to Valloire is roughly 190km, approx. 1hr 45 mins
Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc Airport to Valloire is roughly 118km, approx. 1hr
Grenoble Alpes Isere Airport to Valloire is roughly 179km, approx. 1hr 30 mins
Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport to Valloire is roughly 189km, approx. 2hr 30 mins
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.
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.
Resort shuttle bus:
Free shuttle buses run throughout the day linking the different areas of the resort.
