The Association Les 3 Vallées have announced today that, due to negative temperatures and significant early snowfall, Val Thorens will be open a week earlier than planned with some select slopes skiable from November 18, 2023.
These include the Funitel Péclet, the Cascade chairlift and all the magic carpets in the centre of the resort which will be available from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
For this pre-opening week only – up to Saturday November 25, 2023 – skiers and snowboarders will be able to hit the slopes at a discounted rate of just €20 per day, with Val Thorens’ mountain operation staff working hard to prepare the entire ski area for full operation in time for Val Thorens’ big annual launch event– the La Grande Première, held over the weekend of November 25 & 26, 2023.
Top ski, clothing and accessory brands create a tent village in Place de Caron so that enthusiastic skiers and snowboarders can register and then test out the latest equipment for an hour or two.
Olivier Desaulty, the Association Les 3 Vallées’ executive director, explains, “Val Thorens is Europe’s highest ski resort at 2,300m and we’re super excited that they’re opening early, with passes at such a compelling rate. Other resorts in Les 3 Vallées system have also had decent early snow. For example, 60 to 80 cm has fallen on Mont Saulire which links Courchevel to Méribel, so it’s looking like a very positive start for winter 2023/24.”
To kick off the season, other key events are also being held in Val Thorens: the Ski Mountaineering World Cup (November 24 to 26) as well as the Skicross World Cup (December 5 to 8).
The whole Les 3 Vallées interconnected system is due to open from December 2, 2023 to April 21, 2024.
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.
