Ski Holidays in Val Thorens
One of Europe highest located ski resorts sitting at 2,300, Val Thorens along with Courchevel, Meribel La Tania and a few other resorts make up the iconic Three Valleys ski area; a large expansive area with up to 600 km of pistes that climb up to 3230m.
Thanks to its height, Val Thorens enjoys some of the best snow conditions in the Three Valleys, with the season lasting until late April. Known for its powder and off-piste opportunities, Val Thorens also has a fantastic selection of mixed-ability runs that cater to all ski ability levels. It also has a very efficient lift that allows great connections to Meribel and Courchevel.
Val Thorens is a purpose-built ski resort with world-class facilities. It has a car-free centre and operates a ski-in, ski-out accommodation system. The resort has a wide selection of restaurants, bars and pubs and is a leading apres ski resort, with a vibrant party scene.
‘First lift, last orders’ is the only way to make the most of Val Thorens, with the largest array of bars and the exhilarating nightlife coming second only to the amazing 600km of jaw-dropping pisted runs. As part of the largest linked ski area in the world with a huge network of blue and green runs, it’s perfect for beginners as they can really make the most of the mountain.
If you’re a pro then the copious parks, including the famous DC Park just over in Meribel, and the abundance of challenging black runs will keep you more than entertained. The lack of tree line runs is amply compensated for by the vast open powder fields and miles of off-piste just waiting to be tracked. We love Val Thorens and we’d like to share a few of our secrets with you about where to ski and what to do in the resort.
As far as accommodation is concerned Val Thorens really can provide something for everyone. The resort can offer luxury hotels, comfortable chalets with spa facilities, large apartments with bedrooms for all. Or at the other end of the spectrum there’s plenty of cheaper crash-pads perfect for those looking for a budget getaway. Slope-side access? Central location? Away from the noise of bars? Or even right on top of the bars? Whatever ticks your boxes this resort can do it all!
Val Thorens Best Bits
Track the Moraine lift
Close to resort and easy to access this is the perfect place to warm up your legs and hone your technique! A collection of blue and red runs come down the mountain alongside each other, they’re a little more challenging than the greens and blues lower down in resort and with such a long descent you’ll have plenty of time to perfect your turns. If you already have the confidence to send it all the way to the bottom it’s a lot of fun to race your friends and clock the highest speeds you can, plus if conditions are good you can hop straight onto the Col chairlift to take you up to the Glacier. After flying down these runs a few times you’ll be more than ready for a pit stop at Wok Ski!
Pop over to Orelle
Val Thorens, Meribel and Courchevel may steal the limelight as the big names of this ski area but let’s spare a little thought for the lesser known “4th Valley” of Orelle. Easy to get to from Val Thorens by catching the Grand Fond lift and popping over the other side, you’ll find long cruising blues and reds taking you down towards Orelle. There are typically less people crowding the runs over on this side so enjoy the sense of peace and quiet for a little while. From Orelle you can catch a couple of lifts to take you up to the Sommet Des 3 Vallees, at 3230m it’s the highest point in Val Thorens making it the perfect point to grab a group picture. There are only red runs to take you back down so make sure you’re ready to test yourself, or if you’re a real thrill seeker maybe you fancy the peak-to-peak zip line that sends you across the valley.
Explore the full 3 Valleys
You could quite easily spend a whole week around the Val Thorens valley and not get bored, but don’t waste the opportunity to explore the full 600km on offer at the tips of your skis. As soon as you head over the edge from Val Thorens to Meribel you’ll spot the difference, at a lower height of 1450m you’ll notice the appearance of trees offering picturesque runs in and around the resort. you should push to get all the way over to Courchevel too and stop for a lovely piste side lunch, but make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to get home before the lifts close.
Val Thorens and après-ski go together like snowboards and half-pipes.
When you’ve had your fill of snowsports action for the day, there are some brilliant bars and nightclubs that will keep you busy so that you can party into the wee small hours and recover with a long lie in, sauna and shower the next morning if needed.
But you’ll find variety here too – as well as the livelier establishments that welcome all but are particularly aimed at younger skiers and the university ski trip set, there’s a handful of hip, sophisticated spots and traditional pubs where you can watch sports and have a few beers while blethering with friends and family.
Here are a few can’t miss après-ski highlights for revellers on the roof of Europe:
It’s almost mandatory to mention La Folie Douce in any run-down of Val Thorens après-ski attractions. It claims to host the highest dancefloor in Europe and at 2600m, the views are astounding. Be warned – after a few beers and signature shots accompanied by live DJs and table-top dancing, the altitude has been known to cause dizziness! Also, don’t forget that if you want to party in a more exclusive space call in advance and reserve your spot in the VIP area.
If you still want to party late into the night, try The Malaysia. It has a 700 square feet dance floor (which it claims is the largest in the Alps) and serves delicious cocktails to a suave clientele from 10pm to 4am.
Crewzer is a laid-back beer and burger joint operated with pride and passion by two local residents who are also obsessive freeriders – so you can be sure that they know exactly the type of food, drinks and ambience that hit the spot after an exciting, but exhausting, day on the slopes.
Fancy a convivial beer or three at the most elevated British bar in the Alps? Head to The Frog and Roast Beef for lively vibes, yet more dancing, and a traditional yard of ale challenge that’s certainly not for the faint-hearted!
Favela
Located at the top of town in the heart of all the bars, Favela is an awesome venue! It is based over 3 floors and has plenty of space for you to dance, drink and generally have a jolly good time. Favela can also cater for large group meals at fantastic prices with a range of Latin American street food!
Le Chalet des Deux Lacs
A great mountain restaurant that serves up some delicious food! They organise an amazing mountain meal where you ski back under twilight!
Wok Ski
Asian food on the pistes. It's a welcome change from the copious amounts of cheese!
La Cabane
A cosy chalet style restaurant serving delicious alpine classics and other traditional cuisine!
Sucré-Salé
If you need a breakfast pick me up and a coffee then you need to head here. In fact, you need to go and try their pastries regardless! You can find them on Rue du Soleil near the Cheval Blanc and Montana residences.
La Grange
A traditional Savoyard dining experience with excellent food and service.
Saloon
No matter which resort you visit, if there is a Saloon Bar in town you are guaranteed to have one hell of a venue for your group. The guys know exactly what it takes to give a group the best possible night and best possible holiday. At Saloon you always get amazing drinks deals and good music, their infamous Long Island Iced Teas have long been a favourite of ours!
Le Monde
A really fun bar that blasts out Europop bangers all evening!
Favela
Located at the top of town in the heart of all the bars, Favela is an awesome venue! It is based over 3 floors and has plenty of space for you to dance, drink and generally have a jolly good time. Favela can also cater for large group meals at fantastic prices with a range of Latin American street food!
Cafe Snesko
Café Snesko is a Val Thorens institution. It's a Scandi bar and my god do they know how to party in there! The bar and ceiling are regularly on fire and the staff are totally insane but Snesko will spit you out at some unknown time with a pet rock having had the best night of the week and maybe your life. Just don't make any plans for after Snesko, there is no such thing! Get there between 5-6pm and just go with the flow!
The Frog
The Frog is a seasonaire favourite and for good reason! With great food and fun staff, you can see why they flock there every night! They have a few challenges to try, so give them a crack if you're brave (or stupid) enough...
Malaysia
When you first see Malaysia you'd think it was an innocent food hut in a white chalet, but when you go down the stairs into the Alps biggest club you realise you've been had!
