Val Thorens
Val Thorens is Europe’s highest ski resort, proudly standing at 2300 metres. The purpose-built French ski resort knows why it’s there and how to put on a ski holiday.
Boasting the longest ski season in France, open from November until May, she’s a bully packing a shivering punch through The Three Valleys
The terrain offers everything you could want, usually from ski-in-ski-out accommodation, and the town won’t let you rest.
The mix of high altitude terrain guaranteeing snow from 6 glaciers, sunbathed tabletop dancing terraces, underground nightclubs, James Bond zip lines can’t be missed. If you’re looking for an action-packed adrenaline-fuelled holiday, it’ Val Thorens.
Stop at reasonably priced sunny lunch spots to keep you fueled during your ski day.
Hideaway in the mayhem of the infamous Folie Douce for some of the highest altitude apres ski in the world. Lick your lips at the bountiful selection of restaurants for evening meals including Michelin star dining, hearty fondue and international cuisine.
Once you’re done with daytime another beast awakens. Turn up the volume in the local bars with live bands invoking toffee vodka spilling, ski boot knocking, rip your ski pants fun.
This resort does everything big, if skiing, snowboarding and partying are boring you for some reason, you might want to ramp up your adrenaline with a valley splicing zip line. It runs from the top of Orelle to the top of Val Thorens keeping the whole wire above 3000 metres. Still not satisfied? Try the longest toboggan run in the French Alps. 6 kilometres long, turning a children’s activity into a thrilling race.
The Ski Area
The wonder of Val Thorens lies in the guaranteed skiing options. Starting your day tricky when arguments break out within your group about which lift to take.
Cascades, Plein Sud, Moutiere and Caron create a selection of options depending on your destination. If the skies are blue, grab the Caron lifts which will float you way up over 3000 metres where you can drop over to the Orelle glaciers, The Three Valleys’ secret fourth valley. Drop off the Col de Thorens or Rosel on the way back for the 1000 metre beer earner descents.
The opposite side of the bowl linking to Meribel is naturally busy, especially when snow conditions struggle at lower altitudes. As the afternoon slips away, let the chaos finish before making your way home, unless you enjoy scenes resembling the Empire's assault on the planet Hoth.
Beginner skiers use well-positioned options with multiple covered magic carpets on the green runs in the middle of town. With the town sitting high into the ski area it is easy to get on and off the snow. Plus chair lifts even run over the top of hotels and apartment blocks for 360 skiing options.