Located in the heart of a large circle dominated by 6 glaciers, Val Thorens is, at an altitude of 2300 m, the highest resort in Europe.
Val Thorens, highest ski resort in Europe, is also the summit of the 3 Vallées, whose culminating point is the "Epaule du Bouchet" at 3230 metres.
Les 3 Vallées, largest ski area in the world, offer you an exceptional range of landscapes and a great diversity of skiing, with very easy links between the different resorts. From the "Cime de Caron" among others, you have a direct access to the largest panoramic scenery in the Alps.
Val Thorens is a top choice with its height, extent of slopes and easy access to the rest of the three valleys. Suitable for skiers of all levels; beginners can use the free lifts and progress to the gentle slopes above St Martin de Belleville. More challenging runs are accessed via the Funitel gondola which whisks over 3000 skiers and boarders per hour to the Peclet glacier. Even more adventurous runs are accessed via the cable car that takes you up to 3220m.
The local Val Thorens runs are better suited to intermediates, but advanced skiers will relish the runs down from the Cime de Caron cable car. The fast Cascades chair services some good steep runs, but it’s the off piste that will appeal most. The run down from Peclet lift down to Meribelis fun, but it is essential that only the fit and those with a mountain guide should attempt this run as it has many hazards!
The extent for intermediate skiing in the whole of the Three Valleys area is unbeatable. The local runs around Val Thorens offer the best slopes for the intermediate skier. Most of the runs are easy reds and challenging blues. It will take most intermediate skiers just 90 minutes to get across to Courchevel, which is at the far end of the ski area. Audacious intermediates should not miss the Combe du Caron runs, where the black is not the least bit intimidating, but instead is very wide and normally has good snow.
Apres-Ski:
Surprisingly lively at night there are over 45 bars, restaurants and clubs to choose from, some open until the early hours. The popular watering-holes at Val Thorens are Le Tango, the Ski Rock Café, the Viking Pub, and the Frog and Roast Beef, which claims to be the highest pub in Europe.
When it comes to eating out, L’Oxalys, run by celebrity chef Jean-Michel Bouvier, is one of the finest restaurants in the resort. Chalet des Glaciers is its nearby rival. La Joyeuse Fondue, Le Vieux Chalet and Bloopers are all praised. Chamois d’Or serves ‘excellent smoked salmon and avocado salad’, and Le Blanchot is ‘quite fantastic, with a great wine list’. La Paillotte is recommended for crêpes and fresh trout.
Other Activities
Excellent sports centre - with tennis, squash, football, table-tennis, climbing, sauna, Jacuzzi, gym, swimming-pool Volleyball Roller blading Cinema Skidoos Sports centre and swimming pool Two exclusive shopping centres A toboggan run in a natural 6km long valley
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