- CHARMING TRADITIONAL VILLAGE
The best-known resort of the Maurienne Valley, Valloire, is a traditional rustic French village with small shops and restaurants set around the bustling market square. The narrow streets add to the charm of the resort, especially during the festive season or after a dusting of snow.
- EXTENSIVE, FOR ITS SIZE
The skiing in Valloire is extensive, given the relatively small size of the resort. 31 lifts, including two gondolas, allow access to 150km of slopes, spread across the three sectors of the resort. There’s vast skiing for intermediates seeking easy cruising pistes (21 green runs, 25 blue, 31 red and 6 blacks), however experts may find the terrain slightly limited. For those looking for a challenge off-piste, there are opportunities in Valmeinier – another small resort sharing the lifts and pistes of Valloire. Together 70% of the skiing is above 2000m, making for snow-sure skiing, whilst Valloire also boasts over 200 snow cannons.
- PLENTY FOR NON-SKIERS
Valloire is well-suited to non-skiers, and those looking for a relaxing mountain holiday in the snow. Facilities and activities in the resort include an ice rink, adventure park, spa, cinema, dog sledding and paragliding.
- RELAX
With over 20 restaurants, 19 bars, six mountain eateries and two nightclubs, there are plenty of options for those looking to sample the local cuisine or enjoy a few drinks after a day on the slopes. Après-ski is traditionally French (you won’t find people dancing on the tables here), but there are some relatively lively bars in the town.
- PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES
The closest airport is Chambery (118km; 1h), served by British Airways (ba.com), Jet2 (jet2.com) and Flybe (flybe.com). EasyJet (easyjet.com) fly to Grenoble (179km; 1.5h), as do Monarch (monarch.co.uk). The nearest train station, St Michel-Valloire, is 17km away and is served by French TGV, direct from Paris at weekends during the winter holidays, or from Chambery everyday. There is a shuttle from the train station to the resort. The village is just 17km from the A43 motorway junction.
Travel Essentials:
Peak Retreats (peakretreats.co.uk), the French Alps specialist, has a choice of nine accommodations in the resort, with prices starting from £107pp per week. This price includes Eurotunnel crossing for one car and passengers with free FlexiPlus upgrade.
