Val Thorens Luxury Chalets

This resort is much smaller than it looks on the map, so whichever Val Thorens luxury chalet you choose, you’ll likely be close to everything you need. The town centre is mostly pedestrianized, and there are many underground walkways to escape to on colder days. There are also two free bus circuits if your legs are feeling weary.

Travelling by car

It’s easy to drive to Val Thorens via the Tarentaise, although it’s unlikely you’ll need a car once you arrive. You aren’t allowed to park your car on the streets in the winter. So, if your Val Thorens luxury chalet doesn’t have parking, you’ll need to reserve a space online at one of the station car parks.

Travelling by train

Moûtiers – Salins – Brides-les-Bains is the closest train station to Val Thorens. You can complete the remaining 37km via an Altibus shuttle, rental car, taxi, or private transfer.

Airports

Chambery is the closest airport to Val Thorens, but Geneva usually offers more convenience and choice for international flights.

Chambery (CMF) – 122km
By car –  1 hour 30 minutes
By bus/ train – 4 hours 30 minutes

Geneva (GVA) – 152km
By car –  2 hours 10 minutes
By bus/ train – 5 hours 40 minutes

Lyon (LYS) – 199km
By car –  2 hours 12 minutes
By bus – 5 hours 25 minutes

Private transfer

There is a range of transfer options into Val Thorens, including shuttle buses, private cars, and heli-transfers.

With so many great apres-ski options on offer, you may struggle to find time to return to your Val Thorens chalet. From legendary parties and high altitude claims to cosy pubs and quirky cocktail bars, the nights in Val Thorens are almost as diverse as the slopes.

There’s no need to take off your ski boots. You’ll find lots to distract you on your way home from the piste.

• As always in France, Folie Douce offers the pinnacle of apres-ski experiences. Live DJs, table dancing, and cabaret shows cement it as the most iconic spot to party on the piste.
• At 2,368m, Bar360 hosts Europe’s highest party. Get stomping in your ski boots to some of the world’s most famous DJs as the snow falls on this tropical-themed venue.
• If you prefer to start drinking back in town, ski straight to The Red Fox. This friendly spot hosts regular live sports and music, pub games, and karaoke.

With a huge choice of bars, you can keep the party going off the slopes or wind things down with a cosy pre-dinner cocktail.

• Heat things up at Favela, a Latino-inspired bar with fun cocktails and colourful décor.
• Make sure you tick the highest pub in Europe off your bucket list. British-owned Frog and Roast Beef offers classic pub food, generous happy hours, and an excellent spot for live sports.
• While you’re at it, make sure you stop at the highest place in Europe to buy a draft Guinness. O’Connells is a friendly Irish bar perfect for a cosy drink.
• For a relaxed atmosphere and a fun choice of drinks try Rhum Box Café. The quirky space has over 30 different flavours of rum.

Most bars in Val Thorens stay open until 2 am, but if you like to take things too far, there are several options that’ll guarantee a sore head in the morning.

• Café Snesko has the best atmosphere in town, with sing-a-longs, drinking games, and fire shows setting the spark for a wild night out.
• Summit is the rowdiest place on Val Thorens’ main bar street. What it lacks in glamour, it more than makes up for in atmosphere.
• Malaysia is the largest nightclub in the Alps and a must-visit for party animals in Val Thorens. The huge underground space hosts world-famous DJs and keeps the party going until 4 am.

The 3 Valleys is a vast wonderland of 600km of piste, linked by an efficient web of 160 lifts. With altitudes towering up to 3,266m, you’re guaranteed fantastic snow throughout the season.

Slopes surround the village, so you’ll be able to step straight from breakfast onto the piste and ski right into apres. A huge variety of terrain guarantees thrills for every level of skier, whether you’re looking for long sunny cruises or hair-raising descents.

The ski area

Choosing where to ski in one of the world’s largest ski areas is no small task. Val Thorens is the highest resort in the 3 Valleys, with exceptional connections to the surrounding domains.

The Val Thorens slopes rack up an impressive 150km. Intermediate and advanced skiers should invest in a lift pass for the whole of the 3 Valleys, especially if you like to cover a lot of ground. But if you want to stick to the surrounding area, you still have several options.

• Pointe de La Masse gets the morning sun and has both long winding runs and more challenging blacks.
• The east of the valley offers access to Meribel and Courchevel and has a nice selection of long reds and blues.
• Peclet is the best spot at the end of the day for glorious views and the last of the afternoon sunshine.
• Orelle is home to the summit of the 3 Valleys, with spectacular views, a peaceful atmosphere, and a fun choice of reds back down.
• You can also ski straight down from Val Thorens to Les Menuires and on to St Martin de Belleville.

Boarders

The 3 Valleys offers an immense choice of pistes to choose from, with many wide options perfect for boarding. Beginners will find an easy selection of runs close to the resort and experts and intermediates have a huge playground at their fingertips. A vast backcountry provides endless options for the more adventurous, from couloirs in Le Plein Sud to fluffy powder in Peclet.

Freestylers can head to the park at the top of the 2 Lac lift. It has a fun selection of jumps, rails, and boxes, as well as a half-pipe and bordercross circuit.

Beginners

Thanks to its altitude, beginners can step straight from their luxury ski chalet to the slopes in Val Thorens. In town, you’ll find five free ski lifts and a nice network of greens and blues. The magic carpets are gentle, perfect for a nervous beginner stepping on snow for the first time. When you’re ready to progress, it’s easy to build up your confidence slowly, with lots of slopes close to town.

Kids will love the Snow Village, complete with a snow garden to get them exploring, beginner-friendly lifts, and even an indoor play area.  Our recommended ski schools:

•   Ski Cool is one of the oldest schools in Val Thorens. They offer group and private lessons for children, teenagers, and adults in skiing, snowboarding, and off-piste.
•   Oxygene are established across the Alps and provide a huge choice of classes in different disciplines.
•   Supreme is a popular ski school in Val Thorens and they pride themselves on their small class sizes.

Intermediates

If you’re confident on reds and blues, all 600km of the 3 Valleys is your oyster. If you only have a local lift pass, make sure you keep an eye on where you’re going so you don’t drift into a new sector. Find your ski feet again on the gentle slopes above town. Then head down to Boismint for sunny reds and blues without the crowds.

When you’re ready for a challenge, you have plenty of choices. Get your legs burning by the Cime de Caron lift, or get your heart pumping on the thrilling reds around Mauriennaise. Cime de Caron offers some of the best views in the resort and you can take some long and glorious runs home from here.

Advanced

Experts will find more than enough to satisfy them on the pistes in Val Thorens, with neighbouring Courchevel and Meribel easy to reach for competent skiers. While there may not be an array of black lines on the piste map, many reds here will give you your adrenaline rush. Cime de Caron has some hair-raising descents and the moguls in La Masse will keep you on your toes.

Sprawling off-piste guarantees you won’t get bored. From the epic Saulire couloirs to the Aiguille de Peclet, you have the chance to create once-in-a-lifetime moments. Surrounded by six glaciers, navigating the backcountry in Val Thorens offers overwhelming choices. We recommend hiring a ski guide for at least one day of your trip so you can get the most out of your adventures.

If you’ve booked a luxury ski holiday in Val Thorens, the one thing you don’t need to worry about is its snow record. Europe’s highest resort has outstanding snow, but expect the temperatures to dip a little more than you might be used to.

December
Val Thorens is busy throughout December, with the yearly opening parties, the Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup, the Andros E-Trophy, and charming Christmas festivities.
Average snowfall: 136cm
Snow days: 10

January

January is quiet, meaning you can make the most of the pistes without the crowds. Party lovers shouldn’t be put off though, there are still plenty of parties in town to keep spirits high.
Average snowfall: 160cm
Snow days: 12

February
February offers some of the best snow conditions of the season. The resort will be packed thanks to various European holidays and you can get involved with fun events for Carnival’Tho and Valentine’s Day.
Average snowfall: 107cm
Snow days: 10

March
The days are getting longer, the weather is warmer, and the snow is clinging on. A packed-out events calendar includes St Patrick’s Day celebrations, the free electronic festival Festi Val Tho and the 3 Valleys Enduro.
Average snowfall: 105cm
Snow days: 10

April
The Jazz Festival hits Val Thorens in April. With 17 concerts across the resort, sunny spring slopes, and still plenty of snow, this is a great time to visit Val Thorens for apres-ski.
Average snowfall: 65cm
Snow days: 7