Discover Val Thorens
Val Thorens is part of the Three Vallées ski area, the largest ski area in the world with over 600kms of ski runs. It is also the the highest altitude resort in Europe at 2300m. The resort was purpose-built in 1971 in a natural hollow which is overlooked by 6 glaciers. It is now subject to much stricter planning laws meaning that all new and renovated developments use traditional material. Val Thorens is as “snow sure” as it gets with 99% of the ski area being over 2000m as well has having mainly North and North West facing slopes ensuring a long season from Mid November to early May. Conditions are normally excellent and the resort is good for all levels of skier.
Development of Val Thorens started almost 50 years ago and initially it was thought the plan to build the highest ski resort in Europe wouldn’t work because of the altitude. However, Val Thorens is now one of the most successful resorts in the Alps and one of the most visited ski resorts in France.
Val Thorens tends to be frequented by true skiers due to the long season and the north and north west facing slopes being mainly in the shade. However, the resort sits on a south facing plateau and many visitors enjoy après ski on the sunny terraces after a hard day on the slopes.
Val Thorens has had a reputation in the past as a budget conscious holiday option due to the wealth of self catering accommodation. More recently there has been increased building of luxury projects and high quality restaurants which has diversified the clientele and attracted more family groups.
Summer skiing has now been suspended on the glaciers above Val Thorens but the area is a mecca for walkers and hikers. The views from the area are amazing including an outstanding 360 degree view over more than 100 Alpine summits in France, Switzerland and Italy.
Altitude 2,300m
A popular ski & dual season resort
Three Vallées ski area 600km of pistes
Legendary Glacier de Péclet
360 degree panoramic view
2 hours & 25 minutes from Geneva airport.
Val Thorens offer 3 lift passes in the following ski areas.
- Val Thorens – Orelle which has 150kms of pistes.
- La Vallée des Belleville which has 300kms of pistes.
- Les 3 Vallées which has 600kms of pistes.
Local skiing is exceptional with ski pistes criss-crossing through the village powered by a high tech lift system to help you traverse easily and quickly around the slopes. There are 9 black runs, 29 red runs, 29 blue runs, 11 green runs with 29 ski lifts. There is also a 70,000m2 snow park in Val Thorens on the Plateau Pistes.
Val Thorens is really well connected to the 3 Vallées ski area through an impressive lift system. In total there are 49 black runs, 175 red runs, 207 blue runs, 66 green runs with 180 ski lifts. Combine this with an additional 5 snowboarding parks and 130kms of cross-country skiing and you can see why the 3 Vallées has the accolade of being the largest ski area in the world.
Val Thorens is also a popular summer destination. Walking is particularly good and there are numerous hiking trails from the resort with a variety of difficulty levels from which to enjoy the majestic views that come with being such a high altitude resort. The resort is particularly well appreciated for its 360 degree panoramic views over 100 French, Swiss and Italian alpine summits.
Saint Martin/Les Menuires and Val Thorens offer 21 MTB routes covering a distance of 120 km. The MTB trails weave through the Vallée des Belleville along ridges, mountain slopes and river banks as well as passing near resorts and pretty mountain villages.
Other activities in Val Thorens include kayaking, canyoning, geocaching, via ferrata, fishing, glacier tours, archery and donkey trekking.