The French resort of Val Thorens is the highest skiing destination in Europe. The resort’s wonderfully welcoming atmosphere and vibrant après ski scene are regarded as right up there with the best on the continent and, in fact, the world. With 180 lifts and 300 km of pistes in total, there really is an enormous amount on offer.
Part of the vast Three Valleys system, there is guaranteed snow from November right through until May, so there’s no danger of being disappointed on your Val Thorens ski holiday. Whilst it may not have the same aesthetic appeal that you might find elsewhere in the Three Valleys, few would dispute the exciting and charming ambience.
In a place that’s absolutely buzzing with activity, few visitors find it easy to leave at the end of their Val Thorens ski holiday. There is a remarkable volume of skiing on offer at the resort, with Val Thorens itself offering a staggering 140 kilometres of pistes, alongside the 160 kilometres available at Les Menuires and St Martin de Belleville.
With slopes to suit all abilities, it’s the ideal destination for a group with a wide range of skiing experience. Many of the slopes, however, become very popular and busy even as early as mid-morning, so it’s definitely a good idea to have an alarm set so that you can make the most of the day. This is the best way to avoid the inevitable lift queues.
For Beginners
Beginner skiers will find that a Val Thorens ski holiday is ideal for taking the first tentative steps on the slopes. The nursery slopes are situated right next to the village, with very easy access from the accommodation. These are accessible without a lift pass, whilst there are also a number of gentle slopes to which beginners can progress when they are ready.
For Intermediates
With over 200 blue and red runs, Val Thorens is perhaps most suited to the skier with a reasonable level of experience looking for a relaxed and casual time on the slopes. Some of these runs reach up to 12 kilometres in length, so there’s more than enough to keep you entertained for the entire trip.
For Experts
If you’re looking for something a little more on the adventurous side, there’s certainly no shortage of runs for the expert skier to try out on a Val Thorens ski holiday. The Boismint area was recently upgraded in an expansion project, with an extra black run now in place in addition to the numerous exhilarating blacks throughout the Three Valleys. It’s certainly enough to get your adrenaline pumping! Starting at the Cime de Caron lift, the Caron run is without a doubt the most challenging of all the routes close to the village, stretching out for three glorious kilometres.
Now you’ve got the lowdown on the snow offerings at the popular resort of Val Thorens, you’re all set for an exciting trip to one of Europe’s finest skiing destinations!
Belinda Smythson works for Ski Amis, a specialist ski travel agency and booking service that has been helping avid skiers craft their perfect winter holiday for over a quarter of a century. If you're looking for a Val Thorens ski holiday, or anywhere else in the Three Valleys, Paradiski, Espace Killy or Chamonix Valley, Ski Amis is the go-to company for winter sports fans searching for the ski break of a lifetime.
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