Val Thorens ski and snowboard resort

The three Valleys skiing and snowboarding region makes up the worlds largest interconnected lift system. From the Val Thorens ski and snowboard area it is possible to descend into Méribel and then further on to Courchevel. The sheer size of this ski and snowboard area insures that skiers and snowboarders of all levels can find something suitable and challenging.

Val Thorens is a completely pedestrian environment and cars must be parked outside the centre of Val Thorens after unloading. This gives Val Thorens a pleasant atmosphere that is much appreciated by the discerning skiers, snowboarders and telemarkers that visit year after year.

The architecture of Val Thorens has over the years been transformed from soulless apartment blocks into what is now a delightful village under the high peaks that surround it. The ski lift up from Orelle in the Maurienne Valley gives access to Val Thorens from near the Italian border and this attracts weekend skiers and snowboarders from Turin.

Beginners	Excellent
Intermediates	Excellent
Advanced	Very good
On piste	Excellent
Off piste	Very good
Snowboarding	Excellent
Extensive area	Excellent
Restaurants	Very good
Night life	Good
Snow record	Excellent
Resort charm	Good

Geneva	3 hours
Lyon	3 hours
Chambéry	2 hours
Moûtiers	0.5 hours
Resort altitude	2300 m
Vertical drop	2300 m - 3300 m
Up lift capacity	167 lifts
Piste KM	600

There is a great deal of choice when it comes to eating lunch on the mountain in Val Thorens. The mountain restaurants of La Chaumière, Chalet Les 2 Ours, and Chalet Génépi all come highly recommended. L'Oxalys serves serious gourmet food that will keep you coming back as long as skiing or snowboarding is not on the agenda afterwards. For good views try Etape 3200 at the top of Cime de Caron.

There is an abundance of restaurants, bars and Cafés in Val Thorens. For serious dining L’Oxalys is definitely worth a visit. Celebrity chef Jean-Michel Bouvier’s cuisine is outstanding. Also at the high end of the scale is La Table du Rou which is situated in the Hotel Le Fitz Roy. For a traditional atmosphere try La Cabane, an old style farm chalet. Also recommended is Le Blanchot, an intimate wine bar serving excellent food.

Popular bars in Val Thorens include Le Tango, The Viking Pub, The Frog, Roast Beef and the Ski Rock Café. If you want to party late on into the night then Le Malaysia and The Underground provide the perfect venue. For a healthier alternative visit the New Generation sports centre which has tennis and squash courts as well as a pool and spa.