Val Thorens Piste Ski 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.
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 area map
Click on the link below to download the latest Val Thorens-Orelle ski map in PDF format
Val Thorens ski area overview
Val Thorens sits at the heart of a vast natural alpine cirque surrounded by high peaks and glaciers. The resort forms the uppermost section of the Val Thorens-Orelle ski area, which offers around 150 km of pistes and connects directly to the wider Les 3 Vallées domain with more than 600 km of interconnected skiing. The high altitude of the resort plays a key role in snow reliability. With around 99% of the ski area located above 2,000 metres, Val Thorens enjoys some of the most consistent snow conditions in the Alps and one of the longest ski seasons in Europe. The terrain spreads across a large natural bowl above the resort, with lifts accessing a mix of wide cruising pistes, steep alpine descents and high-altitude viewpoints. One of the most famous is Cime Caron (3,200 m), the highest point of the ski area, which offers a spectacular 360° panorama across more than a thousand Alpine peaks.
Val Thorens-Orelle ski area in brief
- Resort altitude: 2,300 m
- Highest lift: 3,230 m (Cime Caron)
- Vertical drop: 930 m
- Number of pistes: 83
- Piste distribution: 11 green, 37 blue, 28 red, 7 black
- Total skiable terrain: 150 km (Les 3 Vallées 600 km)
- Longest run: 3.5 km
- Number of ski lifts: 30 (Les 3 Vallées 180)
Best ski pistes in Val Thorens for each ability level
- To beginners, Val Thorens offers several wide and gently sloping pistes that are ideal for learning the basics. One of the most accessible options is Col de l'Audzin, a gentle blue run that provides the perfect environment for building confidence and practising turns. Nearby, Plein Sud is a wide and sunny piste with reliable snow conditions, making it another excellent choice for beginners progressing beyond the nursery slopes.
- Intermediate skiers will find a wide selection of long cruising pistes across the ski area. Tête Ronde is a flowing red run with wide carving turns that make it particularly enjoyable for confident intermediates. Christine offers well-groomed terrain with a steady gradient, while Jerusalem is one of the most scenic descents in the area, winding through open terrain with spectacular mountain views. For those seeking a slightly faster run, Masse provides a sustained gradient ideal for carving, while Lac Noir offers a quieter and slightly more technical red piste away from the busier slopes.
- Advanced and experienced skiers can explore some of the steepest and most demanding terrain above Val Thorens. Combe de Caron, descending from the summit of Cime Caron, is a long and challenging black run known for its steep gradient and dramatic alpine setting. Nearby, Combe de Rosaël features steeper pitches and often excellent snow conditions. Dame Blanche is another demanding descent that requires strong technical ability, while Rocher Noir offers a challenging run with additional off-piste options for expert skiers looking to explore beyond the marked pistes.
Val Thorens ski lifts
The Val Thorens ski area is served by a network of 30 modern ski lifts connecting the different sectors of the resort and linking directly with the Orelle area and the wider Three Valleys domain. Lift types include:
- 4 funiculars
- 1 Cable car
- 5 Gondolas
- 13 Chairlifts
- 7 Surface lifts
One of the most iconic lifts in Val Thorens is the Cime Caron cable car, which provides access to the highest point of the resort at 3,200 metres. Recently upgraded with new cabins for the 2025/2026 winter season, the lift transports skiers to one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the Alps, offering a 360° panorama across more than 1,000 Alpine peaks. The summit area is also home to Caron 3200, a new multi-service building featuring a panoramic restaurant, wine bar and viewing terraces.
The Face Nord gondola, a new 10-seater installation located at the arrival of the Moraine gondola, helps improve skier circulation across the ski area. The lift provides direct access to the Asters and Face Nord pistes and offers a strategic connection to the Orelle sector via the Lory blue run. Designed to optimise skier flow across the mountain, the gondola has a capacity of approximately 1,450 passengers per hour.