Val Thorens ski resort piste map
Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe, sitting at an altitude of 2,300 metres in the French Alps. The resort forms part of the Val Thorens-Orelle ski area, which itself connects directly to Les 3 Vallées, the largest interconnected ski domain in the world with more than 600 km of pistes. Thanks to its high altitude and terrain that lies almost entirely above 2,000 metres, Val Thorens is renowned for its reliable snow conditions and long ski season, typically running from late November until early May. As the highest ski resort in Europe, Val Thorens combines excellent snow conditions with a strong accommodation offering, including a range of ski chalets, ideal for groups wanting ski-in, ski-out access at altitude.
Below you can download the latest Val Thorens piste map in PDF format, which also shows connections between Val Thorens and Orelle. Further down the page, you’ll find helpful information about the best ski pistes in Val Thorens, along with an overview of the main lift systems serving the resort.
Val Thorens-Orelle ski piste map
Click on the link below to download the latest Val Thorens-Orelle ski resort piste map in PDF format
The Val Thorens piste map explained
Unlike resorts divided into separate ski sectors, Val Thorens forms a largely interconnected ski area, allowing skiers to move continuously between different parts of the mountain without returning to the resort. Its position at the highest point of the Three Valleys also makes it an important gateway, with lift and piste connections towards Les Menuires, Méribel and Courchevel, as well as Orelle on the Maurienne side.
- Immediately above the resort, a concentration of gentle green and blue pistes around Campagnols, Musaraigne, Castor & Pollux and the beginner area provides an excellent learning environment for first-time skiers. These lower slopes are served by short lifts and magic carpets, allowing beginners to build confidence before progressing onto the wider ski area.
- To the west, the slopes rising towards the Col de la Chambre (2,850 m) provide the main connection into Les Menuires and the rest of the Three Valleys. This area is dominated by long blue and red pistes, making it one of the best parts of the mountain for intermediate skiers looking to explore neighbouring resorts without tackling overly difficult terrain.
- Above the resort, the Péclet, Plein Sud, Cairn and Moraine sectors form the heart of the Val Thorens ski area. Here, a dense lift network gives access to a broad mix of blue, red and black pistes, together with terrain parks, ski-cross courses and panoramic viewpoints. This central section offers the greatest variety of skiing and acts as the hub from which most routes across the resort begin.
- To the north-east, the mountain rises towards Cime Caron (3,200 m), one of the highest accessible summits in the Three Valleys. Reached by cable car, this area offers spectacular panoramic views together with some of the resort's longest and most challenging descents. Several red and black pistes descend from the summit, making it a favourite area for confident intermediate and advanced skiers.
- Beyond Col de Rosaël (3,000 m), the ski area continues into Orelle, linked directly to Val Thorens by the Orelle-Caron cable car. The Orelle side features quieter slopes, high-altitude skiing and wide open terrain extending towards Plan Bouchet (2,350 m) and the Pointe du Bouchet (3,420 m). Although fully integrated into the lift network, Orelle generally feels less busy than the Val Thorens side and offers a more relaxed skiing experience.
Val Thorens-Orelle ski resort overview
- Resort altitude: 2,300 m
- Highest lift: 3,230 m (Cime Caron)
- Vertical drop: 930 m
- Number of ski pistes: 83
- Types of ski pistes: 11 green, 37 blue, 28 red, 7 black
- Kilometres of ski pistes: 150 km (Les 3 Vallées 600 km)
- Longest run: 3.5 km
- Number of ski lifts: 30 (Les 3 Vallées 180)