To get the most skiing possible this winter, why not see out the season in Val Thorens, where spring skiing truly comes into its own.
Picture this: you’re relaxing on a deckchair, basking in glorious sunlight, tan underway, sunglasses on, refreshing beverage in hand, meal on the way… No, no, you’re not enjoying a summer getaway in the Caribbean, you’re enjoying a midday lunch break on the sun-drenched slopes of Europe’s highest ski resort, fuelling up for an epic afternoon’s ski.
With such a huge amount of incredible ski terrain and a high-altitude, snow-sure location, Val Thorens has unsurprisingly become one of Europe’s most popular resorts, with skiers from across the world drawn to its plentiful slopes throughout the ski season.
However, though most skiers tend to frequent Val Thorens during the traditional winter season (that is, from December to March), it’s in the spring that this adventurous resort truly comes into its own.
A tried and tested favourite for late-season skiing, there’s a huge amount to enjoy here as the days begin to lengthen. So whether you’ve been putting off booking your first ski holiday post-Covid, fancy squeezing in a second ski trip this season, or are simply seeking a little sunshine with your skiing this year, we’ve got five reasons why Val Thorens should be top of your spring skiing list.
5 Reasons Val Thorens is the Ultimate Spring Skiing Destination
1. High Altitude = Reliable Snow (all the way to May!)
There’s snow reliability and then there’s Val Thorens snow reliability…
Set at a staggering 2,300m altitude, Val Thorens is the Alps’ highest ski resort, so if there’s ever a resort that can boast about serious snow credentials, it’s here.
With many of the areas’ slopes north-facing and above 3,000m, fantastic snow conditions here are not limited to the ‘traditional’ season dates of many other resorts. With 99% of Val Thorens’ skiing located above 2000m of altitude, the resort offers guaranteed snow cover throughout March, April, and May – often even seeing heavy snowfalls through to their closing in mid-May.
Thanks to a combination of a superb snow base and copious snowmaking facilities, you’ll be forgiven for thinking you were skiing in February conditions, but for the glorious sunshine and lack of white outs.
Instead, in Val Thorens, you can ski in the sun all day long, while still enjoying fantastic snow conditions all the way through to May.
2. A Vast Spring Ski Area
Set within the huge 3 Vallees ski area, (which with over 600km of slopes is one of the world’s largest) Val Thorens knows a thing or two about serious skiing. But don’t just take it from us – if skiing superstar Lindsey Vonn chooses to ski there during her holidays, it’s got to be an area worthy of its plaudits.
Though the larger area closes on April 22nd, the Val Thorens area, which offers around 150km of slopes in itself, is set to stay open all the way through until May 8th.
This is a ski area that truly has something for everyone, from gentle beginner slopes to more challenging intermediate routes and epic off-piste options if you’re lucky enough to enjoy some of that legendary late-season powder.
Even better, pretty much all of Val Thorens’ epic terrain can be reached directly from the village, with much of the accommodation remaining ski-in, ski-out, even until the latest weeks of the ski season.
Convenience, variety, powder potential? We’re sold!
3. Say Goodbye to On-Slope Crowds and Hello to More Ski Time
Not only can you enjoy a wide variety of ski terrain in Val Thorens, you can also enjoy it without the crowds, particularly in the later months!
For one reason or another, most skiers will choose to travel between the key winter months of December and March. This means that come April, lift queues and crowded slopes are quickly forgotten, allowing you to enjoy the best of this incredible area in true social distancing style!
What’s more, as the days draw longer, ski resorts are able to extend their daily opening hours in comparison to the peak winter dates. But why stop there?! In Val Thorens, you can extend your ski days even longer thanks to additional evening skiing opportunities. From February 8th, the Funitel de Péclet will stay open until 6.30 pm (Tuesday to Friday), allowing you to enjoy even more ski time, drink in the stunning late-season sunsets, and truly make the most of your well-earned getaway.
This year more than ever, anything that gives us more ski time is a win in our books!
4. New and Unique Outdoor Activities and Entertainment
However, don’t let the quieter slopes fool you; though the slopes may be emptier, the resort remains impressively lively, with sun-drenched terraces proving the ideal afternoon spot for happy mountain-lovers to bid goodbye to the winter months.
Not only does the lingering daylight allow for longer ski days, it also means there tends to be more going on, both on and off the slopes.
You will be able to take on many of the resorts’ key winter activities (tobogganing, zip lining, new ice skating rink and more…) in the daylight, as well as enjoy some fantastic individual events. From the energetic electro event Festival’Tho (March 22-24) to the rhythmic sounds of the Jazz à Val Thorens event (April 16-18 April) you’ve got a host of entertainment to choose from!
However, for the best send-off to the season, why not time your trip to experience Val Thorens’ awesome season-ending event, La Grande Dernière? After the resorts’ hugely successful launch event “La Grande Première”, Val Thorens will be celebrating “La Grande Dernière” across the weekend of 6 May, to officially close the ski season.
Throughout the weekend, the resort will enjoy sports events, races, entertainment and music, with live DJs and incredible dedicated parties! We certainly can’t think of many better ways to experience our final turns of the season and drink in the last of those snowy mountain views…
Experience “La Grande Dernière with one of Val Thorens’ dedicated packages, which will be bookable in March.
Find out more about Val Thorens’ plentiful events here.
5. Unmissable Deals
One of the final reasons we absolutely love spring skiing? It often provides some of the best deals that you’ll find for ski holidays, particularly those in such a sought-after resort.
The easiest way to find your perfect deal is through Val Thorens’s own booking portal, reservation.valthorens, where they bring together all the areas’ best accommodation deals and special offers, as well as providing preferential rates on ski passes, lessons, transfers and activities.
