Val Thorens Ski Resort, France

Overview of Val Thorens

High above the small French town of Moutiers lie the three resorts of the largest linked ski area in the world - The Three Valleys. Val Thorens is purpose-built and the highest of these resorts (and of all the resorts in Europe for that matter). The layout is in a wide-open bowl, surrounded by 360-degree peaks. Val Thorens has been the recipient of no fewer than eight 'World's Best Ski Resort' accolades since 2013, the most recent being awarded in 2023.

Val Thorens skiing is all about the altitude and its majestic north-facing slopes, most of which start above 3000m and offer snow-sure skiing at any time of winter. Beginners are spoilt for choice on the many nursery slopes and the gentle blue and green runs above the village. Intermediates will be in their element racing along mile after mile of piste across the ski area. And finally, advanced skiers couldn't ask for anything more with some of the most challenging terrain of the Three Valleys right on their doorstep.

Like most purpose-built resorts, the Val Thorens village itself couldn't be described as quaint, but it is compact and perfectly planned so that no accommodation is too far from the piste. Most are ski-in/ski-out and only a short walk from the huge assortment of shops, restaurants and bars.

3 Things We Love About Val Thorens

1. Snow-sure resort - Europe's highest ski resort, at an altitude of 2,300m with 600km pistes to enjoy in the Three Valleys.
2. Apres scene - Well-known for its vibrant apres scene with a huge selection of restaurants and bars.
3. Ski-in/ski-out - Being purpose-built means an enormous amount of accommodation and resort facilities are ski-in/ski-out.

Skiing and Boarding in Val Thorens

To ski Val Thorens is to ski the crown of the 'Three Valleys' (Meribel, Val Thorens, Courchevel) which is the largest ski area in the world. As the highest resorts in the French Alps, you can pretty much guarantee that snow conditions will be good from early December right through to the end of April.

With a Three Valleys full area lift pass you will have access to 600km of pistes across Courchevel, Meribel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires and Saint Martin. This includes 200 lifts and 321 pistes (51 green pistes, 132 blue pistes, 106 red pistes, and 32 black pistes).

Beginner

• Beginner skiers are generously catered for with a 10-hectare area of green beginner slopes right in the middle of the resort.
• Find the pink zones named 'Zone ski facile' for more beginner areas. These can be found at the bottom of the mountain, next to the centre of town.
• Once ready to try out some blue runs, find gentle and wide slopes and long-linking groomed trails down from the Col de la Chambre which will help you on your journey towards becoming an intermediate skier or snowboarder.
• There are also lots of gentle blues down from the Caron gondola and Boismint chairlift.
• The run "Lory" into Orelle is a nice wide blue that is south facing so a great sun trap.
• For complete beginners, you can buy just a beginner pass. This gives you access to a few lifts at a reduced price. Lifts included on this pass include Cascades, Les 2 Lacs, and Peclet.

Intermediate

• Work on your wide turns and carving down from the Moraine gondola
• Improve your speed along the steeper and naturally rolling red pistes from the top of the Boismint chairlift
• Try the runs from the top of the Peclet glacier for some beautiful views followed by superb runs back down
• Be sure to check out the classic runs down to Saint Martin de Belleville
• The Les Menuires side is a really great place for intermediate skiers and is very easily accessible. 

Advanced and Off Piste

• Be sure to hit the brilliant black run (or slightly easier red) from the Cime Caron peak back down to the resort.
• The Three Valleys has six glaciers in total to explore, and lots of powder fields on offer.
• Popular off-piste routes in Val Thorens include: The Pierre Lory run from the top of the Ors Bouchet chairlift into the Maurienne Valley, and the Lac du Lou run accessed from the Cime de Caron gondola - there is also a refuge here you can visit.
• Discover a 'secret' glacier cave. Head to the top of the Peclet gondola and follow the blue run until you reach the fork. Keep left and follow the tracks to the cave.
• The Lac Blanc area from the top of the Lac Blanc or Funitel Peclet lifts has some great off piste options. 

Park

• Located next to the Plateau blue run, the Val Thorens snowpark features jumps, rails, and boxes of varying difficulties.
• Check out the VT Fun Ride Family Park. A space-travel-themed area with fun features, challenges, tunnels, and beginner slaloms.
• Head to Meribel and Courchevel for more snowparks, including an airbag to practice big jumps in Meribel.

Additional Tips

• Take a breather and admire the spectacular view from the highest point in the Three Valleys, the Cime Caron at 3200m altitude.
• Head to the Point de la Masse above Les Menuires for a view of Mont Blanc and an unbelievable picnic spot.
• Head to Meribel or Courchevel to explore more of the mountain range. All 3 valleys are easily accessible on just a few lifts.
• From mid February the Peclet lift stays open until 6:30pm to give you the chance to ski under the moonlight!

When skiing or snowboarding in any un-patrolled / un-pisted area, you should always have the correct equipment and employ the services of a qualified mountain guide. Skiing or snowboarding off-piste can result in injury or death even with a professional mountain guide or instructor. Our partner ski schools in Val Thorens, Prosneige and New Generation, offer off-piste lessons and guiding.

Activities in Val Thorens

Fancy doing something else besides skiing and snowboarding? Here are some of the top things available in the resort.

• Sports centre - Open all day with a 50m swimming pool, spa, gym, trampolining, and other sports facilities. 
• Bowling - Open every day and a great place for all the family.
• Toboggan run - Enjoy the rush along Europe's longest toboggan run at 6km in length.
• Zipline - Two different zip wires to choose from. A dual, race-style zip wire or the highest zip wire in Europe with a 300ft drop.
• Cinema - The Lac Blanc cinema welcomes guests in the centre of the Val Thorens resort with two evening showings.
• Helicopter ride - Fly over the most prestigious summits of the Alps and take in the views over the largest ski area in the world.
• Market - The market in Val Thorens takes place every Tuesday and Thursday during the ski season. The market runs along Grande Rue (the main road which runs past the church).

Evolution 2 activities

In Val Thorens, Evolution 2 hosts a great variety of non-skiing activities. Below are just some examples. You can book these activities online .

• Dog sledding - A fun and traditional snow activity available for all ages. Great to do in a group and will provide a memory both kids and adults will cherish.
• Parapenting - Explore the skies and enjoy the views of the mountain range on a whole other level.
• Ice driving - A very popular afternoon activity on the ice course in Val Thorens. Choose from a snazzy rally-style car, quad bike or a 4WD buggy to navigate your way around the track for some thrilling entertainment, including instruction.
• Igloo Party - An adventure for your children: they'll learn about snowshoeing, building igloos, the mountain, and protecting the environment.

Après Ski in Val Thorens

Val Thorens is renowned for its apres-ski scene. At night, the resort comes alive with underground bars and clubs, creating one of the best apres-ski scenes in Europe. There are eight bars along the main road, all within 100m of each other, so it's not hard to find the main hub of nightlife when visiting this resort.

• Cafe Snesko - A lively apres and late-night bar with an amazing atmosphere and larger-than-life service.
• 360 Bar  - An amazing apres venue with DJs (sometimes world class DJs), right on the piste. Big events are often hosted here.
• Red Fox - A pub away from home. Enjoy a traditional pub style with a great selection of drinks for apres. Also here you'll find live music, sports and other entertainment.
• The Frog - The highest pub in Europe and very famous for its lively atmosphere, live music, great food and great team.
• Klub Summit - DJs, drinks and dancing. Only open at night.
• La Folie Douce - At the top of the Plein Sud chairlift is this epic venue with a huge terrace offering amazing views of the resort. Live musicians and MCs get you on your feet every day from 12pm.
• Favela - From cold beer to build-your-own-taco nights, live music to beer pong tournaments, you'll find it all at Favela, the legendary party venue spread over two floors.
• Jacks - Lively bar located in Les Menuires, so great for those not staying in the centre of Val Thorens.
• Rhum' box - They serve great cocktails in a more intimate, tiki themed venue.
• Saloon - A great apres venue with beer pong, live music and DJ's.
• DownUnder - A fun sports bar with pool, darts and showing major sporting events.  

Places to eat in Val Thorens

As in all ski resorts, especially in peak season (or when heavy snow brings everyone on the mountain!), it is best to book your restaurant in advance.

On the mountain

• Chez Pepe Nicolas - A small and cosy mountain restaurant off the beaten track.
• Chalet de Caron - A popular restaurant at altitude located on the Piste du Cairn.
• Chalet des 2 Lacs - A restaurant with amazing views at 2445m altitude.

In town

• Johns Scandinavian - A quaint little restaurant serving a fine dining menu of Scandinavian food.
• Johns American - Tex-Mex style restaurant with the best burgers in Val Thorens.
• The Frog - Classic pub grub-style food. Great for apres or lunch snacks. A favourite of our Skiworld staff!
• La Maison - Upmarket fine dining restaurant serving French classics.
• L'Auberge - Classic French restaurant with what they claim is the best fondue and raclette in the 3 valleys.
• La Joyeuse Fondue - Enjoy Savoyard specialities in an intimate setting, with plenty of choice of tartiflette, fondue, pierrade and raclette. Try the unusual pierrade terre and mer with beef, duck and scallops.
• Le Rendezvous - An Italian brasserie offering great pizza, pasta and risotto as well as steaks, burgers and local specialities such as raclette and pierrade.
• Il Gusto - A restaurant great for large groups, serving traditional French food highly recommended by our staff.
• Yuki Yama - Delicious Asian fusion food for something a little different.
• Club 72 Steakhouse - A steakhouse highly recommended by our staff.

Family Features Val Thorens

Please also see the 'Activities' and 'Ski Schools' sections for a wealth of non-skiing and skiing options for families.

Depending on the age of your child, there are a few childcare options available in Val Thorens.

• ESF day care and kids club - Day care for children age 3 months to 3 years, and a kids ski club for children age 3 to 5 years.
• Private babysitting - See the Val Thorens website for a list of babysitters in resort.