Val Thorens, France

Val thorens ski resort

Stunning scenery and guaranteed snow in Europe's highest resort

Not just the highest resort of the Trois Vallées but actually the highest resort in Europe (2300 metres), the ski resort of Val Thorens is modern, purpose-built, snow-sure and surrounded by spectacular peaks and glaciers. There are several commercial centres with plenty of bars and restaurants and a sunny main square almost on the piste. The snow stays at resort level throughout its very long season and access to the skiing is extremely easy from anywhere in resort.

The ski resort of Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in the Alps. Along with the ski resorts of Meribel and Courchevel it forms the famous Trois Vallées ski area. Val Thorens is a purpose-built resort and has exceptional snow reliability and a huge choice of skiing for all levels of skier.

The Three Valley ski area is one of the best and certainly one of the most extensive in the world. It is possible to ski through Meribel to Courchevel for lunch and back within a day.

The Funitel Bouquetin is a lift designed to transport skiers between Val Thorens and the rest of Les Trois Vallées. The slopes are high and mostly north facing, so there's likely to be a good covering of snow well into spring.

Skiing in Val Thorens offers a wide variety of slopes for beginners and intermediates and some challenging slopes for advanced skiers including the Cime de Caron, a steep descent from the top cable car. The ski resort of Val Thorens also offers access to some excellent off-piste options too with the descents towards Lac du Lou being the most famous.

Apres ski in Val Thorens offers a wide choice of restaurants in the ski resort of Val Thorens to suit all budgets and tastes.  There are also some good mountain restaurants. The après ski in Val Thorens offers 3 discos and plenty of lively bars. Other apres ski activities include ice climbing, driving on ice, paragliding and tobogganing.

After skiing in Val Thorens there is a cinema, bowling, ice-skating, and a huge newly renovated indoor sports complex and Aqua Club. There are 3 tennis courts and you can also play squash. There is a gym and an indoor swimming pool. Val Thorens is also home to the highest toboggan run in Europe.  

The Three Valleys area is well connected and ski area is huge, but even if you just ski at Val Thorens, there are slopes for every level of ability. The Snowpark is popular with boarders and there are some non-ski sports to participate in like telemark skiing, skidoos, snowshoeing and cross country skiing.

As the highest resort in the Alps, the ski resort of Val Thorens is wide-open, bowl-type skiing above the treeline. The Péclet cable car takes skiers up to the glacier with winter skiing for intermediates and above.

The cable car ride to the top of Cîme de Caron, the highest point in the three valleys, is spectacular if you are lucky enough to be blessed with clear weather and limited winds. The view alone is worth the trip. From here you can take a black run straight down or a slightly easier advanced intermediate. True experts will want to ski over the ridge to the little-used fourth valley and then take the Rosael quad chair that will bring you back.

skiing and boarding in val thorens

Part of the fabulous Trois Vallées, boasting an unrivalled amount of skiing and boarding (600km), the ski resort of Val Thorens is a magnificent ski area suitable for all levels. Beginners can use the free lifts to master turns whilst intermediates progress to the slopes above St. Martin de Belleville. More challenging runs are easily and quickly accessible via the Funitel gondola, which whisks over 3000 skiers and boarders per hour up to the Pêclet glacier. Even more adventurous runs await you via the cable car, which runs to the Cîme de Caron at 3200 metres. The facilities for snowboarders are excellent across the whole Trois Valleés ski area.

apres ski in val thorens

The ski resort of Val Thorens offers over 45 bars, restaurants and nightclubs, from cosy local eateries to bars and clubs open to the early hours. One of the more popular British bars is the Frog and Roast Beef, or try The Red Fox if you fancy having a go at karaoke.