Val Thorens
Ski Holidays In Val Thorens
Ski holidays in Val Thorens are unbeatable in so many ways; it is the highest ski resort in all of Europe with the resort sitting at 2300m, has access to Le Trois Vallees – the biggest linked ski area in the world, and if that’s not enough, it is engulfed in an incredible non stop party atmosphere that really will make you feel on top of the world.
Skiing In Val Thorens
Skiing in Val Thorens
Skiing in Val Thorens pips other resorts to the post with it’s variety of pistes. In many resorts the beginners are stuck on the nursery slopes at the bottom of resort, but in Val Thorens that is just not the case. Even total beginners can make the most of the whole mountain as it has a huge network of blue and green runs. There are many bars and restaurants on the pistes serving a variety of different cuisines, so whether you fancy some slopeside sushi or a ski-through stirfry you will never be left hungry or disappointed.
With pistes soaring as high as 3230m, Val Thorens is at a height way above the tree line, this means more piste and more waist deep powder fields. If you’re desperate to duck some low hanging branches then you can bob over to Meribel or Courchevel and weave the trees to your heart’s content. If it’s getting later in the day and you want to catch the afternoon sun, head up the Caron cable car and over to Orelle (your Val Thorens liftpass is valid here). It tends to get the sun a lot later and the pistes are often a lot less crowded than the slopes of Val Thorens.
For the park rats there are four different snowparks in the 3 Valleys area, and the Val Thorens park is easily accessible for beginners so even if you’re not ready to fly off the kickers, you can sit at the bottom and watch.
To really make the most of all the off-piste, hire a guide and have them show you the ropes, there are endless tracks and trails that you have to know about to find. One trail in particular takes you right over the top of the mountain and down to Lac De L’Ou. Be sure to get your speed up as you hit the bottom as there is a river to waterski across; it’s an exhilarating day of skiing, just try not to make a splash!
Accommodation In Val Thorens
One thing that Val Thorens does best is party! When it comes to apres ski in Val Thorens and it’s time to drop your skis and pick up a pint, do not expect to stop partying until well into the early hours.
A typical afternoon of apres in Val Thorens might start with a cold beer, or a vin chaud and end with dancing on the tables in your ski boots. Whether that’s under a shower of champagne in the Folie Douce (which has the benefit of the late afternoon sun) or in the pumping Bar 360 to some of Europe’s hottest DJs (Afrojack and Westwood are just a few of the big names that have played here). It is sure to set you in good stead to party through the night, and if you find yourself in a nightclub at 3am in your salopettes and ski-boots… consider it a victory.
There are also 2 restaurants on the mountain which stay open way after last lift. Here you can kick off your skis and sit down for a fondue and red wine with friends. Once you have finished eating get ready for the torchlit descent; a ski down the mountain in the dark with your path illuminated by flaming torches, it’s health and safety gone mad. Even if you don’t make it up the mountain for the meal, keep a look out from resort, the flurry of glowing lights snaking down the mountain in the dark is a real spectacle to behold.
After all these activities the town is buzzing with excitement, with the biggest nightclub in the alps, Malaysia, staying open until 5am. There are more bars than you could possibly visit in a week (including the highest pub in Europe!), ‘first lift, last orders’ is the only way to really experience Val Thorens.
If you fancy a quieter night or if you are not looking for a huge party, there are plenty of other things to do off the slopes. Val Thorens is host to the longest toboggan run in the world, which is floodlit at night for a more exciting experience. If that does not satisfy the thrillseeker in you, why not try the highest zip-wire in the world. At a height of 3200m, and reaching speeds up to 100kph you may need to take a spare pair of salopettes…
Transfers To Val Thorens
Ben’s Bus offers shared Val Thorens Airport Transfers and are almost certainly the cheapest way of getting from the airport to Val Thorens.
The Facts
- Village Height:2300m
- Highest Point:3200m
- Longest Run:4Km
- Largest Vertical Drop:930m
- Total ski area:140km
- Cost Indicator: 3
Recommended Bars and Restaurants
- Baramix
- Burger Bar
- Panda
- La Folie Douce
- Malaysia
Other Activities
- Airbag
- Zipwire
- Ice Driving
- Dog Sleds
- Snowmobiling
- Cinema
- Bowling