Val Thorens
Snow Range
1300-3200m
The highest resort in Europe with great snow and skiing
Compact Val Thorens is Europe's highest resort; set in a huge ski bowl, with runs fanning out in all directions. The resort enjoys excellent snow conditions throughout the season, making it a fantastic place to learn to ski or board. Ski down the valley to Les Menuires and the wonderful La Masse area and then pop over to nearby Courchevel and Meribel on the massive Three Valleys circuit. This is some of the most amazing skiing in the world.
- the experience
- the slopes
- lift passes and tuition
- ski/board equipment
The experience
Après Ski
A great resort for après ski. The Frog & Roast Beef (the highest pub in Europe), the Sne Sko and the Ski Rock Café for an excellent après ski atmosphere; Malaysia, for live music, the Underground Disco, the Eclipse bar and the Viking Pub.
Activities
· Excellent sports centre - tennis, squash, football, table-tennis, climbing, sauna, Jacuzzi, gym, swimming-pool · Tobogganing · Ice driving · Parapenting · Snowshoe walking
Eating out
Over 45 restaurants from simple crêperies to gourmet cuisine.· Pizzas around €9 · 3-course meal with wine approx. €23 · Fondues from €20 · La Cabane for traditional French dishes, the Scapin Pub for pizza. Les Clarines for top class gastronomic delights.
Other amenities
· Cinema · Skidoos · Two exclusive shopping centres · A toboggan run in a natural 6km long valley
Family choice
The ESF runs a non-skiing crèche, with English speaking staff, for children aged 18mths-3yrs. Your children will be looked after in a fun and safe environment, normal activities include games, drawing, make-up and sledging.
For ages 3-4yrs the ESF also offers a skiing kindergarten, the Piou Piou club. The Piou Piou club fits in with normal crèche hours and provides a 45 min ski orientation class in a dedicated kids snow gardens. There are two ski gardens in resort, both have a magic carpet ski lift and play area in order to stimulate the childrens' senses and provide them with a fun introduction to the world of skiing. In bad weather conditions children will be provided with free hot chocolate. See resort intro page for prices (p178).
Resort features
- Crystal Ski Escort
- Fast Pass
- First Time
- Snow Train
Transfer time
Chambery 2 hrs 45 mins, Geneva 3 hrs 45 mins, Snow Train (Moutiers) 1 hr
The slopes
Beginners
There are many wide, gentle slopes for improving confidence and allowing an easy descent back to the resort. Complete beginners will enjoy the First Time ski and board programmes with a beginner lift-pass, covering 8 lifts in the Val Thorens ski area.
Intermediates
Try the long, wide red pistes around Funitel, Grand Fond, Boismint or the Peclet glacier. High speed lifts now provide links to Mottaret and the rest of the Three Valleys, or explore the hidden 4th Valley of Orelle, the full Three Valleys circuit offers endless opportunities with minimum queuing, even in high season.
Advanced
Expert skiers will relish the sheer volume of challenges on offer. From the fabulous powder snow on the Glaciers of Peclet and Chavière, the world-class mogul-bashing on the long steep Cîme de Caron black run, and the infamous Couloirs of Courchevel - the Three Valleys has all this and more!
Snowboarding
There is no chance of running out of places to ride here. It has terrain to suit any type of rider, be it hammering on the wide open pistes, throwing yourself down the Boardercross course or floating on air in the board park near the Funitel lift - Val Thorens always has the answer. Beginners also have plenty of easy runs leading into the centre of resort. Val Thorens is a great place for people who want to progress in the huge playground that is the Three Valleys.
Slope facts
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Total kms of piste
600kms Three Valleys (140kms Val Thorens)
Piste type No of runs Easy 183 Intermediate 119 Difficult 33 -
Number of lifts
183 (Three Valleys) (3 cable cars, 37 gondolas, 69 chairlifts, 74 drag lifts)
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Direction of slopes
N, E, S/E, W
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Snow cannons
348 (Val Thorens), 2,007 (Three Valleys)
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Longest run
5kms Cîme de Caron
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Mountain restaurants
43
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Cross-country trails
120kms (Three Valleys)
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Snow Range
1300-3200m
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Village Height:
Val Thorens: 2,300m (7,545ft);
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Highest Ski Lift
3,230m (10,862ft)
Lift passes and tuition
Lift Pass
| Days | 6 | 8 | 13 |
| Adult (Local) | £152 | £192 | £292 |
| Adult (Area) | £194 | £251 | £400 |
| Child (Local) | £108 | £137 | £209 |
| Child (Area) | £147 | £189 | £297 |
| Senior (Local) | £125 | £158 | £241 |
| Senior (Area) | £167 | £207 | £327 |
| Special 6 Day Family Pass* | Local | Area |
| 2 Adults 2 Children | £471 | £610 |
| 2 Adults 3 Children | £574 | £753 |
| 2 Adults 4 Children | £677 | £895 |
Lift pass coverage: Local lift pass includes Val Thorens only. Area lift pass includes the entire 3 Valley ski area.
Photo required for lift pass? Free passes only (under 5 and over 74)
Ski/Board Tuition
| Val Thorens | Adult | Child |
| Ski/Board (6 x 3 hrs am) | £127 | £116 |
| Ski/Board (6 x 2 hrs pm)* | £88 | £78 |
| Ski/Board (6 x 2.5 hrs pm)* | £107 | £95 |
| Piou Piou Club | ||
| 6 x am (no lunch) 0900-1200 | - | £110 |
| 6 x full day (with lunch) 0900-1700 | - | £182 |
Children: Ski 5-12 yrs incl. Board 6-12 yrs. Piou Piou 3-4yrs (ESF) 0900-1200 & 1400-1700.
No. of instructors: 39
First Time Skiing / Boarding
| Adult | Child | |
| First Time ski | £212 | £163 |
| First Time board | £237 | £195 |
Includes: 6 days equipment hire, 6 days tuition and 6 days beginner lift pass.
the savings
Reduced lift pass prices for over 65s.
Special family lift passes available for 2 adults and 2, 3 or 4 children (5-17 years).
One FREE child skis and boots for each adult pre-booking skis and boots.
Ski/board equipment
Ski/Board Equipment
| Days | 6 | 8 | 13 |
| Skis | £51 | £58 | £104 |
| Superior Skis | £70 | £81 | £140 |
| Snowboard | £70 | £85 | £131 |
| Ski Boots | £44 | £54 | £85 |
| Snowboard Boots | £50 | £57 | £103 |
| Child Skis | £29 | £38 | £65 |
| Child Boots | £28 | £37 | £67 |
| Child Snowboard | £61 | £72 | £124 |
| Child Board Boots | £28 | £31 | £49 |
| Child Helmet | £16 | £18 | £34 |
the savings
Reduced lift pass prices for over 65s.
Special family lift passes available for 2 adults and 2, 3 or 4 children (5-17 years).
One FREE child skis and boots for each adult pre-booking skis and boots.
