Vibrant Val Thorens
If there’s one thing that warmer weather in the Alps has taught us skiers and snowboarders, it’s that if we want to be sure of snow cover, we need to aim high.
And you can’t get higher than Val Thorens. Located up at 2,300m it’s the highest ski resort in Europe, and 99% of its slopes are located above 2,000m altitude. In short, quality snow conditions are guaranteed from mid-November to May.
Val Thorens is so sure of its great conditions – in fact, it stays open right through to mid-May and is one of the last to end its season in France. It all ends with a big party weekend, “La Grande Dernière”, this year from 6 to 8 May 2023.
Fabulous Spring Skiing
Val Thorens is located in a natural bowl which offers sunny and open skiing and has great connections to Les 3 Vallées, the world’s largest ski area with 600km of slopes. Fast, modern lifts mean you can spend more time skiing, less going back up.
The skiing goes high above to the mythical summit of Cime Caron at 3,200m, accessible by cable car and with a 360° view from the top over more than 1,000 summits from the French, Swiss and Italian Alps.
And right to the end of the season the whole resort is ski-in, ski-out. Val Thorens was designed from the very start to offer simple skiing holidays with no stress and no wasted time. You go right out of your accommodation and you’re on the slopes, even in springtime when the snow has melted from lower slopes at lower-altitude resorts.
The Resort
© T.Loubere OT Val Thorens
Val Thorens has grown into a major international resort offering a wide range of accommodation from 5★ hotels to budget apartments. There’s something to suit everyone, from families to couples to groups, on every type of budget. Springtime also brings some extra-high-value deals.
It is well known as one of the liveliest French resorts with a great après-ski scene including live concerts, themed and festive bars like La Folie Douce, le 360, Village Igloo and the largest night club in the Alps.
There are great dining options across the resort as well with gourmet cuisine from local specialities including fondue, raclette and tartiflette without forgetting the famous Val Thorens blueberry pie!
This winter the new sports centre, “Le Board”, offers many activities including a great swimming pool, spa, squash and more. There are lots of fun activities besides skiing too, including the La BEE series of ziplines that enable to you to fly over the lifts and slopes, either solo or with a friend. And there’s Moon Xperience Snow Tubing, new this winter, where you can link up with two, three or four other tubers!
© T.Loubere OT Val Thorens
All in all it’s no surprise that since 2013, Val Thorens has been voted France’s Best Resort nine times and the World’s Best Resort seven times in the prestigious World Ski Awards.
main image © L.BROCHOT – OT Val Thorens
For the latest snow forecast and updates on where is best to ski now, as well as ski news, gear reviews and resort spotlights, you can check out our regular podcast here Apple | Spotify | Podcasts or search The White Out on your chosen podcast directory.
