Val Thorens – heavenly skiing pleasure guaranteed Val Thorens (2300 m)

In no other European skiing village are you as close to heaven as in Val Thorens. The famous winter sports village in the French region Rhône-Alpes lies at an altitude of 2.300 m, offers a breath-taking view to the French as well as the Swiss and Italian Alps and is thus regarded as the highest skiing station of Europe. However, this is not the only reason why Val Thorens is one of the most popular French destinations for winter athletes. Located at the highest point, Val Thorens forms the peak of a superlative skiing region: Les Trois Vallées, which is seen as the largest connected skiing region of the world with its three valleys and approximately 600 kilometres of slopes. This means: Val Thorens is not only the gate to a skiing circus of incomparable dimensions, but also guarantees snow thanks to its beyond-competition altitude – not lastly due to the „local glacier“ Cime de Caron at 3.200 meters altitude, which in addition offers a unique panorama with a view of more than 1,000 mountain peaks.

If you want to concentrate on the region of Val Thorens in your skiing vacation, you will be pampered with an enormous selection of a total of 68 slopes with 140 kilometres that are ideally connected with 30 lifts. From the lowest point of the skiing region Val Thorens, the valley station of the chair lift Plan de l’Eau at 1.800 meters all the way to the highest peak, the mountain station of the Bouchet mountain at 3.230 meters. In between, there are unusually long and versatile slopes, numerous touring options in deep snow, as well as a very large variety of freeride possibilities and snowparks. Beginners and „normal“ skiers will surely find what they are looking for on the 26 red, 28 blue and 10 green slopes and have enough variety to choose from.

Boarder-Mecca Val Thorens

Approximately from the beginning of the Nineties, Val Thorens has gained a reputation as a Mecca for snowboarders next to its title as the skiing village that has guaranteed snow and a large variety of slopes. Not lastly due to the meanwhile legendary Boarderweek that draws thousands of enthusiastic boarders to the highest winter sports village of Europe every year since 1995. Not only due to the different competitions that have approximately 1.500 snowboarders participating every year, but also due to unique concerts and parties with world famous artists and bands. As of 2007, Val Thorens has another highlight to offer the boarder community. A large, new snowpark with many kickers and rails located above the gondola „Grand Fond“ at the plateau-tow, which conveniently also serves as a parking tow.

At the top of the ski swing Trois Vallées

Winter athletes that want to explore the slopes beyond the skiing region Val Thorens have two options. Either they expand their territory to the Belleville-valley with 300 prepared kilometres, or to the entire Trois Vallées-skiing swing. Between 1.300 and 3.230 meters, the 3 valleys offer a total of 330 slopes on all levels, numerous deep snow sections, 118 cross country trails and 180 lifts that ideally connect all 25 peaks and all stations of the skiing region.

Highest level also for Après-Ski

Also aside from the ski-run, snowparks and trails, Val Thorens sets benchmarks and leaves no wish unanswered regarding after-ski fun. An international audience meets up in the numerous cosy bars, cafés, restaurants and discos after the lifts have closed to let the successful day on the slopes come to an end. If you want to have a day off from the snow, there are enough other things to do. Countless stores, boutiques and shopping areas invite you to spend some time. Visitors of the „Centre sportif“ may choose between bathing and wellness programs with sauna, steam bath and other pleasantries, or an athletic change with tennis or squash. Cinema, bowling centre, a night sledding slope or snow scooter trips round off the versatile leisure activities awaiting skiing vacationers in Val Thorens.

By the way, versatility is also dominant regarding the range of accommodation in the highest skiing station of Europe. From comfortable and residency living units over cosy apartments and chalet flats, there is something offered for every taste. Nearly all accommodation in Val Thorens is located directly along the slopes and thus offers ideal requirements for completely relaxed skiing vacations.

Families and children welcome

Val Thorens rightly carries the label „Famille Plus“ by the French tourism department: car-free streets, service specifically attuned to children and families, a visitors kindergarten for children 18 months and up, a ski kindergarten for small ski vacationers 3 years and up, and a skiing school for young skiers 4 years and up make Val Thorens an ideal skiing location for the entire family.

By the way, Val Thorens is a popular holiday destination also in summertime, and draws hikers and bikers that want to enjoy the beautiful nature around Val Thorens. At pleasant temperatures at an average of 25°C to 28°C.