When we think of a perfect winter sports destination, Val Thorens immediately comes to mind. This high-altitude ski resort in the French Alps has much to offer, such as an impressive mix of challenging slopes, breathtaking views, and modern facilities. For active winter sports enthusiasts who love to be on the slopes, this is an ideal place with unparalleled possibilities. Val Thorens is connected to the slopes of Les 3 Vallées, the largest interconnected ski area in the world with 600 km of slopes! And when the sun shines abundantly every day, we have a fantastic time in Val Thorens. However, our visit could just as easily have begun in a sports hall…
Our taxi driver has bad news: the road near Moûtiers is closed because boulders have fallen, completely blocking the way with no possibility of passing. We’ve been at a standstill in Aigues Blanches, about five kilometres before Moûtiers, for quite some time. The supermarket in the village is doing good business, as are the restaurants. There’s no space left in them, and some establishments have even run out of their entire stock. The recovery service is towing away a car that was hit by a boulder. It’s a write-off; it’s a miracle there were no fatalities.
After three hours of waiting, we can move on. We finally reach our destination around three o’clock. Other travellers are less fortunate. They are stranded in Albertville, forced to spend the night on a camp bed in a sports hall. They undoubtedly had imagined the start of their winter sports holiday differently.
Val Thorens was developed in the 1970s as part of the immense ski area Les 3 Vallées. The goal? To build a high-altitude, snow-sure ski resort that would attract a wide audience. And they succeeded. Situated at 2,300 metres, Val Thorens is the highest ski village in Europe. The combination of modern infrastructure and the charm of a snow-sure mountain village makes it a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts. Although Val Thorens is relatively young compared to some other Alpine destinations, it has built an impressive reputation in a short time. Val Thorens is known as one of the best winter sports destinations in Europe.
The next morning, we’re ready to discover the ski slopes of Val Thorens. From our apartment, we have a magnificent view of the area. The rising sun colours the mountains purple; it promises to be a beautiful day. We grab our skis, and after a few metres, we’re on the slope. Wonderful, no fuss with a ski bus. Here, it’s ski-in/ski-out everywhere. At the Ski Cool ski school, we meet Julien, a young chap who was born and raised in Val Thorens.
Julien takes us on a discovery tour through the ski area of Val Thorens. When he sees that we can reasonably follow him on the first descent, he shifts up a gear. We whizz down the wide slopes and try to keep up with his pace. At the first stop, I say that he can take it a bit easier. We mainly want to enjoy and take lots of photos.
In the winter season, it’s always busy in Val Thorens. There are nearly 26,000 beds in hotels and apartments. The average occupancy rate in hotels and apartments is almost 90%. These days, almost all accommodations are fully booked. Yet we hardly notice it. On the wide slopes, the crowds are very manageable. And there are so many possibilities that the multitude quickly spreads out over the area. We hardly have to wait at the lifts either. The lifts are modern and very innovative. Julien explains that many new techniques are applied here, which are later adopted by other ski areas.
In three days, we get a good picture of the many possibilities in Val Thorens. We’re really impressed. An advanced skier can indulge here because there are many challenging slopes. But beginners are also catered for. There are plenty of blue slopes available.
The ski area of Val Thorens offers 150 kilometres of slopes. Additionally, it’s part of Les 3 Vallées, creating an interconnected ski area of no less than 600 kilometres of ski slopes. There’s something for everyone: wide blue slopes for relaxed descents and steep black slopes for the experienced skier.
These slopes in Val Thorens are our favourites:
For those who want to escape the crowds around Val Thorens, the Orelle ski area is a nice option. This part of Les 3 Vallées is on the other side of the mountain and is often quieter. With the Val Thorens ski pass, it’s possible to make this crossover. The slopes are wide and well-maintained, and the snow conditions are often excellent. Orelle was our first destination every morning. After a journey with the modern lifts, we entered a completely different world. The wide slopes were almost deserted, and the views of the Alpine massif were unsurpassed. Two descents in Orelle stand out for us:
Orelle feels like a hidden gem within this large ski area. It’s a great place to take a break from the crowds. If you’re in Orelle early in the morning, you can even make the first tracks on the neatly prepared slopes.
A visit to Val Thorens is not complete without a trip to the Cime de Caron. This iconic mountain peak is at 3,200 metres. That height provides a panoramic view that extends far into the Alps. We discover Mont Blanc, the Ecrins, and even the Swiss Alps in the distance. With this radiant weather, we can enjoy it endlessly. The fresh mountain air and the absolute silence at this height make it an almost spiritual experience. Even if you don’t ski here, a visit is worth it. Many winter sports enthusiasts take the time here for a cup of hot chocolate while enjoying the vast landscape.
I’m not much of a daredevil myself, so I pass on the La Bee zipline. My wife, on the other hand, enjoys a spectacular activity. She’s quick to jump at the chance when we discover the La Bee zipline. She gets a harness on, and after a thorough instruction, it’s time: she zooms down at express train speed. Via two intermediate stations, she whizzes to the centre of Val Thorens.
Before I reach that point on my skis, she’s long since down and has her long skis back on. Full of enthusiasm, she tells about her journey. The wind whistled past her face as she floated above the slopes. She heard the enthusiastic reactions of skiers below her.
The start is at the top of the Deux Lacs lift and ends almost two kilometres further in the village. The skis are safely attached behind the back so that you can continue skiing immediately upon arrival. This is a unique way to view the ski area from a different perspective!
After a morning full of descents, it’s time for a break. Fortunately, there are numerous cosy mountain restaurants in and around Val Thorens where you can enjoy a delicious lunch.
Val Thorens has much to offer for the active winter sports enthusiast. The possibilities are unparalleled. In our opinion, these are the trump cards of Val Thorens:
No destination is perfect. Neither is Val Thorens. These are the lesser points of the ski area:
For active winter sports enthusiasts looking for a snow-sure destination, Val Thorens is absolutely a top choice. The possibilities are boundless due to the many beautiful slopes. The view of the surrounding Alpine giants is unparalleled everywhere. It’s a place where skiing is central, without being forced to participate in the vibrant nightlife.
Obviously, there are many young people. Every day at the end of the ski day, we encountered some students who had clearly had one too many. But in our accommodation, it was all peace and quiet. Whether you enjoy a quiet descent, a panoramic view from Cime de Caron, or a delicious lunch in a mountain restaurant, Val Thorens offers it all. Time to strap on the skis and enjoy this beautiful ski area!
Val Thorens is located in the French Alps. The ski area is in the Savoie, in the Vallee de Bellevilles. It is the highest ski village in Europe, at an altitude of 2,300 metres. Val Thorens is part of Les 3 Vallées. This ski area with 600 km of interconnected slopes is the largest in the world.
You can reach Val Thorens in three ways:
The ski area of Val Thorens has 150 kilometres of slopes. You'll find blue, red, and black descents, plus various off-piste possibilities. Thanks to its high altitude, it's snow-sure. The ski area is open for almost six months a year.
Val Thorens is part of Les 3 Vallées. This is the largest interconnected ski area in the world. Les 3 Vallées has a total of 600 kilometres of slopes, connected by lifts and descents between the villages of Val Thorens, Méribel, Courchevel, Les Menuires, and Saint-Martin-de-Belleville.
In Val Thorens, you have various options for a ski pass:
Beginners can manage with the Val Thorens-Orelle ski pass. Even if you're only staying in Val Thorens for a few days, you have enough possibilities with the local ski pass. Advanced skiers who want to get the most out of their ski holiday take the Les 3 Vallées ski pass. The price difference between these ski passes is not that big, by the way. That makes it certainly worth buying the Les 3 Vallées ski pass.
Yes, absolutely! Val Thorens is a top destination for winter sports. The village is located at an altitude of 2,300 metres, which almost guarantees snow certainty. The area is open for almost six months a year. The ski area has 150 km of slopes and is part of Les 3 Vallées, with a total of 600 km of slopes.
There's something for everyone: wide blue descents, challenging red and black slopes, and many off-piste possibilities. Additionally, Val Thorens has a lively après-ski scene, modern lifts, and good facilities. The views of the Alpine giants, including Mont Blanc, are unsurpassed. That's why Val Thorens is ideal for both beginners and experienced skiers!
Yes, Val Thorens is certainly suitable for couples aged 50+. The ski area is snow-sure and has modern lifts, allowing you to reach the slopes comfortably and quickly. All hotels and apartments offer ski-in/ski-out. That makes the start and end of your winter sports day nice and relaxed. There are wide blue slopes for quiet ski tours and challenging descents for experienced skiers.
Besides skiing, you can enjoy good restaurants and quiet accommodations. Most hotels have wellness facilities. Or you can go to Le Board. This multifunctional sports centre has a large wellness area and swimming pool. The building is not very cosy, rather functional. But the facilities are excellent. Want to avoid the busy après-ski? Then choose a hotel or apartment on the outskirts of the village. Val Thorens offers plenty of possibilities for a relaxed and active winter sports holiday.
In Val Thorens, there are several good restaurants where you can eat deliciously. A few recommendations:
Other good options are Il Gusto for Italian dishes and La Laiterie. This restaurant specialises in fondue and raclette.
The nice thing about Val Thorens is that all accommodations are located directly on the slope. You can put on your skis immediately and descend. And in the evening, you ski right up to your hotel door, it doesn't get better than that.
These are some highly rated hotels in Val Thorens:
In Val Thorens, there are many apartments. Guests are especially positive about these apartments:
This is the complete overview of accommodations in Val Thorens.
We visited the Val Thorens ski area at the invitation of the Val Thorens Tourist Office. We have written the blog independently and objectively based on our own impressions.