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PLAN YOUR VALMOREL SKI HOLIDAY
Looking for the right stay in Valmorel?
Top Snow Travel can help you choose the right accommodation, village location, dates, transfers, ski lessons and extras for a seamless France ski holiday.
Choosing the Right Accommodation in Valmorel
Valmorel is in the Grand Domain ski area that includes Saint-Francois-Longchamp, Celliers, La Léchère, Nâves, and Doucy Combelouviere. It’s a family-friendly ski resort sitting 1,400 meters.
Many skiers often overlook it in favour of larger resorts like Val d’Isere or Tignes.
It is a purpose-built ski resort, but it doesn’t follow the high-rise buildings of many French ski resorts. Instead, it is built with traditional building materials to give it a more authentic mountain village appearance with many small apartment blocks with wood cladding.
Valmorel’s snowy streets are largely pedestrianised, and most accommodation is close to the lifts. If you stay in one of the outer hamlets, you can get around on the free eco-shuttle buses.
Valmorel’s ski area has 165km of pistes that go up to 2,550 meters. The 56 runs are serviced by 50 ski lifts and feature well-established artificial snowmaking facilities. Most runs are best suited to beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders. You’ll love the highway-style runs that allow you to get up to some high speeds.
Beginners can hone their skills in the six novice areas, two of which are reserved for kids. But there is also a children’s club that entertains kids while teaching them how to ski. Advanced skiers and snowboarders will love the off-piste terrain Valmorel has to offer. The best off-piste can be found around Nâves and Massif de la Lauzière, but a guide or instructor will take you to the best runs for the snow conditions.
The family-friendliness of Valmorel is enhanced with the various kids’ activities available when they’ve finished skiing. For example, kids can enjoy sledging, air boarding, and riding quad bikes and snow scooters.
You can also relax in the thermal baths or numerous spas, Valmorel has to offer. Alternatively, you can explore the area with snowshoes, paraglider, or on a dog sled.
Valmorel isn’t known for its extensive nightlife, but there are a few bars and a nightclub to entertain you in the evenings before you head back to your luxury apartment.
Valmorel can be an excellent choice depending on your dates, group profile, skiing level and accommodation expectations. If you are still exploring options, browse our French ski resorts page to discover more of the resorts we recommend across the French Alps.
- Valmorel is a charming ski-in ski-out pedestrian-only village built with local materials – wood, stone and slate. It is the only ski village in France with this type of beautiful architecture.
- It is perfectly suited for families with the majority of slopes being blue runs (perfect for beginners and intermediate skiers).
- It stages the world famous dog-sledding race event, La Grande Odyssée
- Valmorel ski resort is the first one in the Tarentaise valley coming from Geneva. This means a shorter transfer time to get to the ski resort from the airport.
- Valmorel hosts the Spartan sprint race every year. This is a gruelling 5 km, 20 obstacle foot race on rugged terrain to test courage, strength and determination.
- Valmorel is a beautiful, charming little pedestrian village perfectly suited for families with children of all ages. It is one of the best family ski resorts in France for children along with Avoriaz in Les Portes du Soleil.
- Couples or groups of friends wanting a small cosy alpine village experience with ski-in ski-out access
- The ski area suits beginners and intermediates alike with the majority of Le Grand Domaine ski area slopes being blue runs.
- People who love dogs and nature. Valmorel is one of the best dog-sledding destinations in the French Alps which is why it consistently stages an event on La Grande Odyssée (world famous annual dog sledding event)
- Fitness lovers! Valmorel hosts the Spartan Sprint race and is a must do for any fitness athlete wanting to challenge themselves against the best
Stroll through Valmorel’s pedestrian-only main street and enjoy the charming village atmosphere, with boutique shops, restaurants and a handful of bars.
Valmorel, like many ski resorts in the Savoie and Haute-Savoie region, also offers a wide range of winter activities beyond skiing, including snowshoeing, winter hiking, Nordic walking, sledging, children’s electric snowmobiling, fat biking, snake-gliss, groomer rides, paragliding and dedicated children’s activities.
Indoor activities include a cinema, indoor golf simulator, spas and wellness facilities.
Dog sledding is another memorable experience in Valmorel, with routes through a beautifully preserved setting of high plateaux and snow-covered forests. In January, Valmorel is also usually part of “La Grande Odyssée” Savoie Mont-Blanc, the famous international sled dog race, making it a special time to visit for snow and dog lovers.
Valmorel is 1 hr 45 min drive by private transfer from either Lyon or Geneva Airport.
It’s a 20min drive from Moutiers train station, the closest train station in France to Valmorel.
Next winter, Valmorel ski resort is scheduled to open from December 12th 2026 to April 11th 2027.
There are 4 ski resorts which are part of Le Grand Domaine ski area which include: Valmorel, Doucy, Celliers and St-François-Lonchamp.
Ski Information
Season
December 12, 2026 – April 11, 2027
Ski area
Resort altitude: 1,400m
Linked to St François Longchamp to form the Grand Domaine ski area, the altitude ranges from 1,400 to 2,550 metres and is best suited to intermediates.
50 lifts provide access to 165 kilometres of trails, including 24 green runs, 39 blue, 19 red and 8 black.
Linked ski area
Le Grand Domaine (4 resorts):
Valmorel, Doucy, Celliers, St-François-Lonchamp
- 165 km of slopes
- 90 runs (24 greens, 39 blues, 19 reds, 8 blacks)
- 50 Lifts
Transfer time to Valmorel
- Moutiers train station (closest): 20min*
- Chambéry airport: 1hr 15min*
- Geneva airport: 1hr 45min*
- Lyon airport: 1hr 50min*
*Transfer time is approximate, by private transfer vehicle and subject to traffic, weather and road conditions. Shared shuttle/bus transfers have set departure times, take much longer to travel and don’t offer door to door service which is why we recommend & only book private transfers.
Activities & Location
Non-ski activities and experiences
Sometimes you want a day off your skis, or you want to see what other things a ski resort offers. Also, if you are with children, they may not be able to ski all day, so you will need to keep them entertained. Valmorel has a few options for activities; here are some that we think you may want to check out.
Cross country Skiing and Snowshoeing
Cross country skiing and snowshoeing are very popular in Valmorel, thanks to its thousands of hectares of gentle terrain. This makes the area a perfect introduction to these sports.
Ice Climbing
Valmorel is a great spot for trying your hand at ice climbing if you are still feeling energetic. There are a few waterfalls above Valmorel that freeze during winter. A guide will take you to the best one to suit the conditions and your ability. They will also have all the necessary ropes and equipment.
Valmorel For Animal Lovers
There are several ways to experience Valmorel with the help of local animals. Dog sledding is one of the best ways to see the area as you sit back in your sledge while a team of huskies pulls you through the local forests. Valmorel is considered to be one of the best locations for dog sledding in France. Every winter, Valmorel plays host to the La Grande Odyssée dog sledding race. If you happen to be in Valmorel from 09 – 21 Jan 2027, it is well worth seeing.
How to get to Valmorel
Valmorel ski season STARTS in…
Valmorel Ski Resort Video
Valmorel is a charming ski-in ski-out pedestrian-only village built with local materials – wood, stone and slate. It is the only ski village in France with this type of beautiful architecture. This ski resort is made for families!
Watch this video to find out more…
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