Repeatedly winning the World's Best Ski Resort award, Val Thorens is one of our favourites at Ski Collection HQ! Situated in the heart of the vast 3 Vallées ski area (600km of piste) the resort sits at an altitude of 2300m with a top height of 3230m, making it the highest resort in Europe! See below to see why Val Thorens should be at the top of your 'must visit ski resorts' list...
1. A huge varied ski area
Val Thorens is found in the heart of the notably large 3 Vallées ski area, with up to 600km of piste to explore! The resort is well linked to the other 7 resorts in the area - including Les Menuires, Meribel, Courchevel and Orelle, Saint Martin de Belleville, Brides-les-Bains and La Tania available with our sister company Peak Retreats! There is 150km of high-altitude and snow-sure ski slopes in Val Thorens itself, with a good variety of runs for all abilities, making this a perfect destination for families and mixed ability groups. Beginners can take advantage of the free Espace Debutant before progressing onto the green and blue slopes, intermediates have a great choice of red runs with some of the best terrain in the whole of the 3 Vallées, and experts can get adventurous on the challenging off-piste runs!
2. High altitude and snow-sure skiing
Les 3 Valleys has 600km of high altitude and snow-sure ski slopes (150km in Val Thorens itself). Val Thorens is a perfect ski resort for everyone with it's varied piste being renowned for its snow quality, excellent coverage and modern ski lift system. 85% of the ski area is located above 1800m and some 2000 snowmaking machines cover a third of the ski area ensuring a longer season than most other French Alps resorts.
3. Great choice of après and entertainment
There's plenty to do in Val Thorens when not skiing or boarding! From the adventurous and thrill-seeking fun of ice-diving and ice-climbing to the more traditional dog-sledging or tobogganing there is something for everyone. There's even the chance to explore the ski area by air with the recently added zip line
With over 40 bars and 3 nightclubs, Val Thorens guarantees lively après-ski! La Folie Douce is a must. Open every day from 09:00 until approximately 17:30 (when the ski lifts close), the balcony comes alive and the fun starts from around 14:00 with DJs, live musicians and singers entertaining the crowds below on the 700m2 dance floor with their funky deep house music – many are seen letting their hair down and dancing on the tables! Visited by some of our team last season Wild & Savage is an original concept, housing a bar, tattoo parlour, and snowboarding and streetwear shop all under one roof!
4. Getting around and access to the slopes
Val Thorens is a perfect resort if you want quick access to the slopes! Many of the residences and hotels are located on the slopes themselves (such as Hotel Les Arolles), and all properties in the resort are either ski-in/ski-out or offer doorstep skiing.
Brand new for this winter is the 15 seater driverless shuttle bus operating in the resort. This electric shuttle bus is the first of its kind in the Alps and is free to hop on and hop off!
The resort is also introducing Z-Green this season - an electric one-seater tracked vehicle designed to help people with mobility limitations get from their accommodation to the slopes. There are two free available to book via the Tourist Office, and Z-Green Park will be opening with a dedicated snow circuit.
5. Premium accommodation
We have some fabulous accommodation in Val Thorens, including a range of hotels, 3-star apartments and luxury accommodation. We have even included two properties in our Ski Collection Premium range, which offer the utmost in comfort and attention to style. Stay in the Premium ski-in/ski-out apartments at Chalets Cocoon, opened in December 2018, located just 300m from the resort centre and with fabulous views of the ski area. The 5-star Koh-I-Nor residence and hotel is found on the Plein Sud ski slope with doorstep skiing, facilities including private indoor pool, sauna, steam room and fitness suite. The Premium 5-star Hotel Pashmina le Refuge is one of the latest 5-star hotels in the resort, found in a quiet area but still only 150m from the resort centre.
Chalets Cocoon 4-star luxury apartments
Koh-i-Nor 5-star luxury ski residence & Hotel
5-star luxury Hotel Pashmina le Refuge
Like the look of Val Thorens for your next ski holiday? You can book online while you're here, call us on 023 9289 0960 or request a quote and we will find you the perfect ski holiday! Don't forget to sign up to our newsletter to get all the latest resort news and winter holiday deals!
