Val Thorens ski hotels and holiday packages
So tell me about it...
At an altitude of 2300m, Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe and undoubtedly one of the very best! Part of the huge Three Valleys area, the resort has been cleverly planned, creating a village feel around a compact centre (where car access is restricted) and offering doorstep skiing practically wherever you stay. Not surprisingly, the height of Val Thorens means long hours of sunshine, an unrivalled snow record and great skiing for all grades.
The resort of Val Thorens is built on the west-facing slopes on the east side of the valley and the skiing stretches across the western flanks, with plenty of north-facing slopes, meaning good snow conditions are virtually guaranteed here. Above the resort there are some good reds from the top of the Peclet glacier (3101m) which is well served by the 25-man gondola and behind the resort are the more gentle blues coming down from the Col de la Chambre (2803m), which is also the linking point to the Méribel Valley.
The greater proportion of the skiing is accessed from the collection of chairs and bubbles below the resort base which service the broad flank between the Pointe de Thorens and Cime de Caron (3200m). Underneath Pointe de Thorens the Col chair rises to 3133m, giving access onto the Chaviere Glacier. Across the flank most of the skiing starts from above 3000m and is largely intermediate, though there is plenty of interesting off-piste between the marked trails.
Nightlife is informal and relaxed with a good choice of restaurants, bars and clubs. For non-skiers, there is a superb sports centre with tennis and squash, an indoor pool, sauna and jacuzzi.
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Entertainment
Val Thorens proudly boasts the highest après-ski in Europe and has a good selection of lively bars. The Frog and Roastbeef has live bands and happy hour after skiing and the nearby Viking pub is a local favourite. Le Tango and the Ski Rock Cafe are also popular. The Red Fox specialises in afternoon karaoke and live music draws the late crowd to Malaysia. There are lots of bars in the Croisette area of Les Menuires and a nightclub called New Pop. In Bruyeres the Taverne is a nice bar and there is also another club called Leeberty.
For whiteout days there is a cinema, bowling, ice skating, a gym and an indoor swimming pool. Parasailing can also be arranged. Val Thorens is also home to the highest toboggan run in Europe.
Gourmet & nightlife
Le Blanchot is a good local restaurant in Val Thorens with a bumper wine cellar, specialising in local Savoie wines. For a more gastronomic treat try l'Oxalys restaurant where the chef has just won a distinguished award for "Young Chef of the Year". The Fitz Roy Hotel and Bergarie restaurants are both higly recommended too. Try the Le Funitel and Le Scapin for pizza and pasta. El Gringo, a lively restaurant and bar, serves mexican food.
Extras
For whiteout days there is a cinema, bowling, ice skating, a gym and an indoor swimming pool. Parasailing can also be arranged. Val Thorens is also home to the highest toboggan run in Europe.
Beginners
There are many wide, gentle slopes for improving confidence and allowing an easy descent back to the resort. Complete beginners will enjoy the First Time ski and board programmes with a beginner lift-pass, covering 8 lifts in the Val Thorens ski area.
Intermediates
Try the long, wide red pistes around Funitel, Grand Fond, Boismint or the Peclet glacier. High speed lifts now provide links to Mottaret and the rest of the Three Valleys, or explore the hidden 4th Valley of Orelle, the full Three Valleys circuit offers endless opportunities with minimum queuing, even in high season.
Experts
Expert skiers will relish the sheer volume of challenges on offer. From the fabulous powder snow on the Glaciers of Peclet and Chavière, the world-class mogul-bashing on the long steep Cîme de Caron black run, and the infamous Couloirs of Courchevel - the Three Valleys has all this and more!
Snowboarders
There is no chance of running out of places to ride here. It has terrain to suit any type of rider, be it hammering on the wide open pistes, throwing yourself down the Boardercross course or floating on air in the board park near the Funitel lift - Val Thorens always has the answer. Beginners also have plenty of easy runs leading into the centre of resort. Val Thorens is a great place for people who want to progress in the huge playground that is the Three Valleys.
Val Thorens has special children's learning areas, with ‘magic carpet' lifts at the base area. Introduction to skiing is available to children aged three and over, with lessons proper from aged four. There are crèches/nurseries at Le Montana and Le Roc.The sports centre has plenty to keep kids busy, including a trampoline and bouncy castle.
