Ski chalets Val Thorens & hotels Val Thorens France
As snow sure as it gets! Good value chalets and decent hotels. Access the 3 Valleys ski area
Val Thorens hotels, chalet Val Thorens, skiing holidays Val Thorens
Val Thorens is the highest resort in the Alps and one of the most snow sure, with North facing slopes guaranteeing good snow for a long season. It is a classic purpose built resort - compact with lots of convenient slope-side accommodation. (Apartments, hotels and chalets) Val Thorens is quite compact so it doesn't really matter where you stay (there is also a very good free bus service around the resort). Close to many of Val Thorens hotels and chalets are the extensive local slopes to suit all abilities, convenient, gentle nursery slopes and good access to the rest of the vast Three Valleys. There are quite extensive covered shopping arcades with a fair choice of bars and restaurants. There is also a good sports centre. At the heart of the resort is the snow covered Place de Caron where debutante skiers and boarders mix with pedestrians. There are lots of bars and restaurants that look out over this area - many with large terraces making for some good viewing in late February, March and April when the weather is warmer and sitting outside is pleasant.
The accommodation tends to be of a higher standard than most purpose built resorts in Val Thorens. Hotels are of a good standard, comfortable and stylish. If you are looking for a chalet, Val Thorens has many on offer. Most are apartment chalets (Val Thorens apartment chalets tend to be quite smart) often with access to an indoor swimming pool.
View all 29 ski chalets in Val Thorens
View all 4 hotels in Val Thorens
Resort statistics
- Beginners
- Intermediates
- Experts
- Snow sure
- Off-piste
- Ski area
- Charm factor
- Non-skiers
- Nightlife
- Practicality
- Fine dinning
- Short transfer
- Resort value
Airports
- LYON (2.5 hours)
- GENEVA (2.5 hours)
- CHAMBERY (1.75 hours)
Pros
- Arguably the highest resort in Europe - therefore as snow-sure as you can find
- Easily accessed and very good beginners' slopes right in the heart of the village
- Part of the enormous Three Valleys ski system offering a huge ski domain for all standards
- Although a purpose built resort it is more pleasant than you might imagine
- Val Thorens hotels and chalets are mostly is ski-in, ski-out or both
Cons
- When the weather is bad it can be a bit bleak. There is not a tree in sight
- Some of the village is still unattractive to walk through
- The pistes can get very crowded during peak weeks
- Very little to do when off the slopes
Resort Restaurants
The Oxalys, found in the apartment building of the same name, is THE place to go for a blow out gourmet lunch (you can ski to and from here) or dinner. Service is slick and the atmosphere refined, calm and modern. The dining room is bright and airy and the views over the slopes very good - the menu is inventive and the quality of food absolutely first class. The Fitz Roy Hotel (Relais & Chateau) has an excellent restaurant serving traditional quality French cuisine. In fact many of Val Thorens hotels have very good restaurants. For something more regional we suggest the Vieux Chalet (Val Thorens favourite) and the Chaumiere. Other good choices include the Cabane, the Ferme de Rosalie, the Montana, El Gringo's (Tex Mex), Auberge de Balcon, Le Toit au Monde, the Joyeuse Fondue and the Galoubet.
Mountain Restaurants
For a purpose built resort the choice of on-slope eateries is actually pretty good so if you're going to have a long, lazy and filling lunch, best warn your hosts you want a small dinner at your chalet! Val Thorens' Bar de la Marine on the Dalles piste is good with a large terrace area playing music after 3pm. The Moutiere in the same area is more reasonably priced. The Chalet Plan Bouchet refuge in the Maurienne Valley is very popular. The Chalet (Val Thorens enthusiasts report it as one of the best!) des 2 Lacs gets rave reviews, the potato pie in particular!! For food and value and also the Deux Ours (half way down the Blanchot run) gets good reports - large portions and reasonably priced.
Apres Ski
Actually the scene is quite lively in Val Thorens. As most of the bars are easily accessible from the slopes the temptation to have a few drinks on the short walk home is hard to resist. The Red Fox (karaoke) and the famous Frog and Roast Beef (live bands and half price beer at tea time) at the top end of the village are both very popular and lively. At the lower end of the resort the Sherlock in the Temple de Soleil building is the place to go. As Val Thorens is quite a small resort, it's only a hop, skip and a jump back to your chalet or hotel. Val Thorens literally has everything on your doorstep!
Nightlife
The British 'hang outs' of the Frog and Roast Beef, Red Fox and the Sherlock are the busiest bars. However, the Friends and the Viking pub are lively places too. The subterranean nightclub at the Place de Peclet has a good 'happy hour' but does tend to slip into Europop disaster when the disco gets going later in the evening. The Malaysia cellar bar is good for live bands and the Blanchot is a stylish wine bar. There is a lively disco in Dicks Tea Bar at the Place de Peclet. Also recommended are O'Connells and the cosy Rhum Box both of which are quieter and more relaxing yet still atmospheric. After dancing the night away, it will be a short stroll back to your Val Thorens hotels, ready for another day on the mountain.
Resort Map Note only lifts departing from the resort base are shown.
Key
Funicular
Cable Car
Gondola
Chair lift
Drag lift
Ski Hire Shops
| Location | Name | Stars | Discount | Promo Code |
| A | Goitschel Sports 1 | Up to 45% | AlpineAnswers | |
| B | Goitschel Sports 2 | Up to 45% | AlpineAnswers | |
| C | Goitschel Sports 3 | Up to 45% | AlpineAnswers | |
| D | Goitschel Sports 4 | Up to 45% | AlpineAnswers |
The star rating for the ski hire shops is an indication of the level of service; quality and variety of stock, and the space and decor of the shop. It is also a reflection on the price. A five star rated shop will offer great service and equipment but also will charge the highest price. Ski hire shops with a two star rating have less variety and older, poorer quality of stock but are cheapest.