Valmorel
Why Valmorel Ski Resort?
- Ski-in/ski-out access to over 165km of intermediate pistes
- Voted 'Best Family Ski Resort' at the 2014 World Snow Awards
- Attractive purpose-built resort
- 'Famille Plus' resort - good children’s facilities and great for families
- Car-free resort centre
Valmorel Resort Information
Recently featured in The Guardian as one of the ten best-value family ski holidays, the purpose-built, family-friendly ski village has been developing steadily since the late 1970s.
Low-rise chalet-style developments have a pleasing, premium look, are well proportioned and incorporate stone, timber and attractively painted stucco, with traditional Savoyard design features. The end results integrate successfully with the surrounding unspoilt high-mountain landscapes, whose aspect is softened locally by extensive tracts of forest.
The compact heart of the village has most essential services located conveniently around a single, car-free street. Elsewhere development has been mostly in clusters, taking account of return runs and thus taking full advantage of the ski-in/ski-out potential. Getting around is easy, with free half-hourly shuttle buses serving outlying accommodation. Road access is straightforward, too, and there are direct TGV high-speed rail services from Paris, plus Eurostar trains from London, into nearby Moûtiers (15km). You’ll need to pay for car parking in the traffic-free village, although there are 180 free unsecured parking spaces in nearby Crey (1.5km).
For non-skiers, or for anyone with the urge to add a little variety to their stay, the range of outdoor activities includes snowshoeing, ice-climbing and Segway hire.
Founder of The Dad Network, Al Ferguson, visited Valmorel with his family. In his review, he says, "this resort really does cater for all abilities...We had a truly wonderful time whether it was skiing, eating, shopping, sledding or relaxing. This resort is by far the best we’ve been to and we will certainly hope to return again soon!"
In Briony Key's review on Ski Bible, she says, 'friendly people, friendly on the pocket, with plenty to keep skiers and non-skiers happy, Valmorel rocks'!
Peak Retreats offers hotel rooms and apartments in Valmorel. All our accommodation is hand-picked and of a very high standard (3 & 4*), providing the ideal base for a Valmorel ski holiday.
Interested in buying an apartment in Valmorel? See our Buying in the Alps section.
See some of the best of Valmorel's events, activities and facilities and read our three reasons to visit Valmorel.
Valmorel ski area
Considering the convenient, accessible location and the extent of terrain on offer, it’s perhaps surprising that Valmorel seems so far to have slipped below the radar of most British skiers. The main village begins at around 1400m and is lift-linked to Celliers, Doucy Combelouvière and (beyond the famous Col de la Madeleine) Saint François Longchamp. The resulting 165km of pistes are spread across an impressive 3600 hectares whose combined terrain is known as Le Grand Domaine. Currently, there are 50 ski lifts, skier capacity having received a major boost with the addition of two powerful new high-speed installations – a six-seater chairlift and an eight-seater gondola.
Despite the altitudes (1300-2550m) being relatively modest, the geographical location attracts dependable snowfalls, and by way of further assurance, 315 snow canons help maintain snow quality on key runs.
The Grand Domaine’s real strength is its suitability for families, early intermediates, and beginners, and Valmorel makes a fine base from which to explore it.
Additional ski fact info, main ski info in resort facts box at top of page (22/23):
Valmorel local area
95km of pistes, 31 lifts (4 gondola, 9 chairlifts, 16 draglifts, 2 carpet), 55 slopes:
Green slopes: 13
Blue slopes: 28
Red slopes: 9
Black slopes: 5
Valmorel skiing info
Beginners
There are special beginners’ areas for “gentle” ski learning. These are specially designed, reserved and made safe for learning and improving confidence. There are three mini-zone areas for beginners and skiers who want to make a few turns:
- The Charmette-Bois de la Croix sector (Valmorel): four draglifts and a treadmill are available to help learn and develop confidence.
- On top of the gondola Pierrafort (Valmorel): the Malatrai draglift and the Roches Blanches carpet are ideal for families with young children. They’re also accessible to pedestrians.
- In the Combelouvière area, the easy and sunny Echappeaux-Charmettes zone is in an “enchanted forest”.
There’s one free drag-lift in Valmorel - the Blanchot - for first-time skiers.
Novices can also get a safe, sheltered foretaste of the blue runs on the green-graded Chantemerle, which drops through the trees into Doucy Combelouvière. Crossing over into Saint François Longchamp adds a sense of covering some distance (you’re now in the Maurienne Valley) and a different perspective on things, without the risk of getting out of your depth, ability-wise. In fact, the additional 57km of pistes on this side are even gentler, being mostly greens and blues.
Intermediates
The local runs are mostly blue-graded. The blues are well-linked, to offer some enjoyable cruising. There are some gentle blue runs in Saint François Longchamp too.
Advanced, off-piste & ski touring
At first glance, the flattering, mostly undemanding terrain might put off advanced skiers, but there’s worthwhile off-piste to explore and a handful of black-graded pistes includes some highly rated runs with dependable snow quality. They’re accessed above Valmorel via higher drag lifts like Mottet (2394m), Riondet (2262m) and Gollet (2000m), or above Saint François Longchamp via Schuss (2099m). More experienced skiers will enjoy the red-graded pistes which depart from beside the black runs mentioned above, plus the descents from either side of the Col de la Madeleine. There are also ‘virgin areas’, like the Lauzière mountain range, with its numerous off-piste gulleys.
Valmorel ski hire & lift passes (pre-bookable)
Pre-book your 6 day+ Valmorel ski hire and/or Valmorel 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.
Valmorel beginner's lift pass grants access to the below ski lifts for AM, PM or full day sessions (payable in resort):
- Rocher drag lift
- Blanchot drag lift (free for all)
- Bois de la Croix carpet
- Pierrafort gondola
- For 1/2 day of ski => only 1 ascent allowed
- For 1 day of ski => 2
- Roches Blanches carpet
- Malatrai drag lift
Valmorel group ski school (pre-bookable)
Ski school for children is available to book from 3 years to 12 years, in Valmorel, with Peak Retreats. 3-4 year olds will go into the Piou Piou lessons. Children can learn to snowboard from 8 years+.
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.
Valmorel 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 Valmorel for private lessons - 0033 4 79 09 81 86
Valmorel childcare (not pre-bookable)
Valmorel resort does not have a creche for childcare. The only option is by taking ski lessons with the ESF ski kindergarten from 3 years old. This is pre-bookable with Peak Retreats. There is no option for childcare without skiing at any age.
Babysitters (not pre-bookable)
A list of babysitters is available from the tourist office.
Top snow activities to experience in Valmorel
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website
The mission of the ski patrol
Access to the slopes before anyone else, it's possible! Valmorel invites you to board the first gondolas before the opening of the slopes, in the company of the first aid patrollers. It is an opportunity to exchange with mountain professionals, to discover the backstage of their profession, and thus leave your first traces on the freshly groomed slopes!
Free (provided you have a valid skipass).
Access from 12 years old (RED slope level required).
The snow factory
Get behind the scenes of the Valmorel Ski Area by exploring an exciting and unknown aspect of a ski resort: the CULTURE SNOW! Discover the secrets of snowmaking, its usefulness, snowmaking technology, the impact on the environment... in the company of mountain and slope professionals, all this... on skis!Free (provided you have a valid skipass).
Access from 12 years old (blue slope level required ).
Snowshoeing
An easy walk to discover the joys of snowshoeing and an opportunity to taste some local Savoyard food.
Airboarding
Descend the mountain on a high-tech inflatable sled/snowboard, monitored by a member of the ESF.
Quad outings
Discover the pleasure of driving on snow in superb surroundings, all around Valmorel.
Top activities to experience in Valmorel
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website
Ice climbing
Climb the natural ice cascade in Valmorel.
Spa
Well-being and relaxation in the heart of Valmorel's pedestrian street.
Valmorel news & events
What's new for the 23/24 season:
- New gondola - this winter, Valmorel will inaugurate its brand-new 10-seater Planchamp gondola, departing from the resort centre (replacing Altispace chairlifts). Families with young children will now have easy access to the Pirates Village, as well as to the zip line and the pedestrian and snowshoe itineraries. The lift will be 50% faster than its predecessor, taking just under 5 minutes. Public toilets are also available at the top of the new gondola lift.
Events taking place in the 2023/24 season:
More information can be found on Valmorel tourist office: www.valmorel.com
Valmorel après-ski, restaurants & bars
Valmorel has a number of restaurants and bars so there is plenty of choice.
Valmorel amenities
Valmorel is served by a range of amenities including:
Sherpa supermarkets:
Le Bourg - 07.30-13.00 and 15.30-20.00
Creve Coeur - 07.30-19.30
Cake shop, cheese shop, regional products, Spar, sports shops, doctors, pharmacy, vet (in Moutiers).
Getting to Valmorel, France
By road
Driving Distance from Calais to Valmorel 570 miles or 8hrs20. Go to Albertville on the A43 from Chambéry or the N 212 from Annecy. Take the dual carriageway RN90 in the direction of Moûtiers. Take exit 37 for Valmorel.
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 Valmorel is roughly 15km away in Moutiers.
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.
Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc Airport to Valmorel is roughly 90km, approximately 1hr
Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport to Valmorel is roughly 180km, approximately 2hrs
Geneva Airport to Valmorel is roughly 125km, approximately 1hr 45 mins
Grenoble Alpes Isere Airport to Valmorel is roughly 167km, approximately 2hrs
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
The 'Valmobus' shuttle buses are free and provide links to and from the resort, every day from 8am to 8pm (about every 20 minutes).
