Tailor-made ski holidays in Val Thorens

Skiing and snowboarding in Val Thorens

At 2,300 m, Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe, and around 90% of the Val Thorens-Orelle ski area lies above 2,000 m. That altitude gives one of the longest seasons in the Alps, usually from late November to early May. The local area has about 150 km of pistes, reaching into the Maurienne valley at Orelle, and links to Les Menuires, Méribel and Courchevel across the 600 km of Les 3 Vallées.

Most of the skiing is above the tree line, on wide, open slopes that suit confident beginners and intermediates. The cable car to the Cime Caron, at about 3,200 m, opens up panoramic views and some of the resort’s most challenging runs, and there is plenty of off-piste terrain to explore with a guide. Snowboarders have a well-maintained snowpark, and the high altitude means the snow often stays in good condition late into the day.

Val Thorens for families and beginners

Val Thorens holds the Famille Plus label and has a central beginner area between the Roc, Cascades and 2 Lacs lifts, with four free magic carpets. A reduced-price beginner pass covers the nursery slopes, and gentle, easy runs such as Cairn and Boulevard Cumin help you build confidence.

The ESF and several independent ski schools offer lessons for children and adults, with snow gardens for the youngest. One thing to bear in mind is the altitude: it can be cold and windy, so good clothing matters, and families with very young children sometimes prefer a lower village in the valley.

Where to stay in Val Thorens

Val Thorens is a compact, purpose-built resort designed around skiing, and much of the accommodation is ski-in/ski-out, with pistes running right through the village. The centre is semi-pedestrian, so once you have parked or arrived by transfer you rarely need a car.

You will find apartments, chalets and hotels from simple to luxurious. Staying near the main front de neige puts you close to shops, restaurants and the beginner area, while accommodation higher up or on the edges often lets you ski straight to your door. If you want a quieter, more traditional base, Les Menuires and Saint-Martin-de-Belleville further down the Belleville valley are linked to Val Thorens by the lifts.

Getting to Val Thorens

The nearest station is Moûtiers, about 35 km away, served by TGV trains from Paris and, on winter Saturdays, by the Eurostar Snow train from London with a change at Lille. From Moûtiers the bus takes about 50 minutes to an hour up the Belleville valley.

Chambéry is the closest airport, about 1h40 by road, while Geneva and Lyon are about 2h45 and Grenoble 2h45 to 3h. Times depend on traffic and snow, and the Saturday changeover in February can add significant delays. Winter tyres or chains are compulsory on the mountain road.

Beyond the slopes in Val Thorens

Le Board sports centre is the main indoor option, with a heated fun pool and two 20 m swimming lanes, a children’s water area, a wellness area with saunas, hammam and balneotherapy pools, plus courts for squash, badminton and basketball and a children’s play park. Outdoors, the Cosmojet, about 5 km long from the top of the Péclet Funitel, is described by the resort as the longest sledge run in France; children riding alone must be at least 9 years old.

Val Thorens is also known for its lively après-ski and nightlife, with bars on the slopes and in the village, and there is an outdoor ice rink on Place Péclet in winter. Mountain restaurants range from simple self-service spots to gastronomic tables.

When to go to Val Thorens

Val Thorens usually opens before the rest of Les 3 Vallées, in late November, and stays open into early May. Early December and January offer cold, reliable snow and quieter slopes, though days are short and temperatures low. February is the busiest month, while March and April bring long sunny days and good spring snow, making Val Thorens a strong choice for late-season holidays when lower resorts are struggling.

Your Val Thorens holiday with AlpAway

Whether you are a group of friends looking for ski-in/ski-out apartments or a family wanting snow-sure skiing at Easter, we can help you plan accommodation, lift passes, rental, lessons and transfers in one go. Send us a request with your dates and group, and we will build a proposal around you.