Ski Val Thorens
Comprehensive Ski Resort Guide including; Accommodation, Apres Ski, Ski guides and other useful Val Thorens Information
Val Thorens facts
- Area: The Three Valleys
- Village Height: 2300m
- Avg. annual snowfall: 600cm
- No. of lifts: 180
- Season dates: Late Nov - Start May
- Km of piste: 600km
- Acreage of terrain: 10873 acres
- Terrain parks: 1
- Snow making: 13.3km of piste / 40% / 127 cannons
- Distance to airports: Geneva / Geneve 143km
- Runs: 3311412139
Insider's guide to Val Thorens
View the guide
Weather
Overcast skies
last snowfall
Piste conditions
Spring conditions across the resort
lifts open
Piste: Good
Off-piste: Tracked
Runs to resort: Good
lower/upper snow depth
Last snowed: 21st Apr
Report date: 30th Apr
Val Thorens Webcams
-
360 degree panorama
Last update: 23:00 / 23 May 13
Overview of Val Thorens Ski Resort
The success of the Val Thorens ski resort is often overlooked when ski industry pundits talk about the rise to fame of Whistler and the ever growing popularity of resorts like Meribel. If you look at the Val Thorens ski map today it’s hard to believe the resort did not exist at all 40 years ago and initially had some problems establishing itself as a small collection of early buildings in a very remote location, the highest ever purpose built ski area in Europe – as it remains to this day.
But those visionaries in the late 1960s have been proved right, and Val Thoren’s success has only gathered pace in recent decades after critical mass was achieved. It can now cater for more than 20,000 guests per night, has hundreds of shops and restaurants and, with a standard offer to all visitors of slopeside accommodation, guaranteed snow from late December to early May each winter and the world’s biggest lift served ski area at your feet, this is one of the very few ‘safe bets’ in world >ski resort recommendations
Of course a Val Thorens holiday isn’t for everyone. Its altitude means no trees to be seen and it is an entirely man made, seasonal community with all that entails. It is criticised by some for its stark architecture, but 250 million Euros have been spent in a beautification process in recent years, with local wood and stone at the forefront. It is a child of the early 70s when the excess of 1960s concrete had been spotted (much of it just down the valley in Les Menuires) and architects had moved on.
There has also been criticism of little to do besides skiing but again the resort has addressed this in recent years, creating a great multi-sports and swimming pool complex and extra outdoor activities.
The choice of accommodation and restaurants has also expanded upwards in quality with four star hotels (the top category in France at the time of rating) and Michelin starred restaurants opening. You can also find a wide variety of self-catered apartments and Hotels in Val Thorens.
No surprise then that Val Thorens has come from nowhere to become one of the 20 most visited ski resorts in the world, attracting more than 1.6 million guests each winter. For great prices and offers visit our Val Thorens ski deals page now.
Some of our most popular accommodation this year include; Le Hameau du Kashmir & Les Temples du Soleil & the Hotel Val Thorens.
Skiing Guide
The Val Thorens stats speak for themselves: €1.5 million investment in beginner facilities; 200+ intermediate runs; 70ha snowpark; and access to 32+ black runs.
Après Ski
Val Thorens means a drink in Europe’s highest bar and a dance in Europe’s highest nightclub.
Families
Kid’s can play off their remaining energy at the indoor fun park and the piste running through Val Thorens means that almost all accommodation is conveniently situated to avoid those long walks.
Off the Slopes
Criticised in the past for having nothing to do other than ski, Val Thoren’s has expanded the range of activities being offered to now include such things as mountain biking on the snow.
Restaurants & Dining
Wide selection of eateries ranging from budget creperies and pizzerias to the Val Thorens’s own Michelin star restaurant.
Spa Guide
Val Thorens Sport Centre hosts most of the spa activity in the resort although private spa facilities can be found at the Fitz Roy hotel.
