At 2,300 meters, Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe and is set in the 3 Valleys, one of the largest ski areas in the world. Therefore, staying here gives you access to 600km of pistes if you buy the full area lift pass.
However, the local lift pass allows you to neighbouring Orelle, which has nearly all its terrain above 2,000 meters. You can also ski or snowboard on two glaciers, cementing Val Thoren’s reputation as one of Europe’s most snow-sure ski resorts.
Val Thorens is a purpose-built ski resort with a modern ski lift system that makes visiting the rest of the 3 Valleys very easy. It is made up of three villages, Les Menuires, Val Thorens and Saint Martin de Belleville, that provide 150km of runs serviced by 50 lifts.
Even though Val Thorens is a purpose-built ski resort, it isn’t an eyesore consisting of high-rise concrete buildings. Instead, its designers made it fit in with its surroundings, and the recent investments have improved its aesthetics.
Val Thorens is a lively ski resort, popular with groups of friends, families and students. Most of the accommodation is self-catered apartments and hotels. Some of these are beautiful 4 and 5-star options offering ultimate comfort and luxury.
The groomed slopes around Val Thorens are popular with beginners and intermediate skiers and snowboarders. You’ll love the combination of snow quality, perfect gradients, excellent grooming, and the quality lift system. If you like a long, leg-burning blast, Val Thorens is a great place to go, as some runs are longer than the map suggests.
When your legs can’t do any more, you can choose between many places to eat and drink. The restaurants range from burger bars to fine-dining establishments. Le Malaysia is Val Thoren’s nightclub and has the largest dance floor in the French Alps.
But before you head into town, why not try out the six-kilometre-long toboggan run, go ice driving, fat biking, or paragliding?