Val Thorens

Nestled in the Saint-Martin-de-Belleville commune in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alps region of France, the Val Thorens is the highest altitude ski area in Europe. Val Thorens itself is set at an altitude of 2300m, making your stay here one of the unique places to stay in France. Head right to the ski lift as soon you step out of your accommodation in the beautiful Val Thorens.

Information

Shops are open Monday-Saturday from 09.00 or 09.30 to 19.00 in high season and 09.00 or 09.30 to 18.00 at other times. Shops are generally closed on Sundays.

How to get there

To reach the Val Thorens, you can either use a shuttle service, a car rental service, or hire a taxi. The nearest airport to Val Thorens is at Chambéry, but only a limited number of flights land here. The airports at Lyon and Geneva are better for international tourists, and you can find direct transportation to Val Thorens from the airport. If you want to reach Val Thorens using a train service, you'll have to stop at Moûtiers first. Train lines like TGV, Eurostar, and regional lines connect Moûtiers to larger towns. Moutîers is located 23 miles (38 km) away from Val Thorens. You can either take a car or use the snow train to reach Val Thorens from Moûtiers. The snow train will take you to the ski resort within an hour. Helicopter is also an option.

History & Culture

Before the 1960s, Val Thorens was better known as summer pastureland. During that decade, the idea to turn Val Thorens into a thriving ski resort was just beginning to take ground. At the same time, Les Menuires was already being developed. Around 1964, a road was built that extended from Les Menuires to Val Thorens, opening the doors of the newly opened ski resort to the public. Val Thorens was always designed to have the highest altitude ski area in all of Europe. The splendid view of the Péclet glacier from the Cime de Caron makes this place a serious contender for the title of the most beautiful place in France. As the Val Thorens was being developed, the minds behind the project were told that their dream of building the highest altitude ski resort in Europe wouldn't be feasible. Today, Val Thorens boasts the highest altitude ski resort in Europe and single-handedly draws the largest crowd of international tourists each year. This makes it a skiing resort you must see in France.

Do & See

Aside from skiing, you can also try these activities at one of the best places to see in France: - Skating at the rink - Sports and wellness center - Paragliding - Ice diving - Snowmobiling - Tobogganing - Dog sledding - Ice driving - Sledge trailing

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Discover Val Thorens

The beautiful sights in Val Thorens, which are an absolute must-see in France, can even be enjoyed as you take a bite out of a delicious meal from the slopes. Over sixty restaurants give you nearly every option under the Sun when it comes to choosing what you want to eat. Enjoy local French flavors, or the familiar taste of a burger, and everything else in between, from an altitude of above 2000m. Val Thorens was always designed to have the highest altitude ski area in all of Europe. The splendid view of the Péclet glacier from the Cime de Caron makes this place a serious contender for the title of the most beautiful place in France.

Sunset from the top of the Peclet Funitel

This season, the last run of the day will be on the Peclet side! To the delight of skiers, Val Thorens’ flagship Funitel is extending its opening time until 6.30pm from Monday to Friday. That means you can admire the sunset before setting off on the blue Tête Ronde or red Christine run at dusk. A few turns later and you’ll be heading for the Castor and Pollux magic carpets, taking you back to the resort with a headful of beautiful images and memories.

Ski area’s two ziplines

Are you looking for maximum thrills? Then we have just the activity: ziplining! From the heart of the resort or from the top of Le Bouchet on the Orelle sector, take flight above the slopes alone or accompanied! There’s nothing else quite like it – this activity has unarguably become a Val Thorens essential. BEE FLYING: Accessible to children aged 14 and over, 1.40m or taller. Setting off from the top of the La Moutière chair lift. LA TYROLIENNE: Accessible only to skiers aged 8 and over, via the Le Bouchet chair lift.

Share a fondue with family or friends

No holiday in the mountains would be complete without cheese ! After a great ski session, there’s nothing better than a good fondue around the fireside, at a restaurant or at home, for going over the day’s highlights !

Hurtle down the COSMOJET 6km toboggan run

With friends or family, Val Thorens’ toboggan run will send you shooting off into the stratosphere! On the programme? Banked turns and a variety of gradients along an almost 45-minute run! Beware! Guaranteed to make you scream with laughter! Open from 12.15pm to 4pm Monday to Friday (4.30pm from mid-February). For even more thrills, why not try an evening descent!