) is located in the upper part of the Belleville valley, at the foot of Peclet Peak (3562 m). This is the highest mountain resort in Europe, often called the “Roof of the Three Valleys” - the village itself lies at an altitude of 2300 meters, and the highest skiing point begins at 3300 meters. Such a high location provides the highest quality snow on the slopes, a wide variety of slopes and a long winter season. However, the winds here are quite strong, and without special clothing and experience, skiing may be uncomfortable.
The pistes of Val Thorens run down to the ski station and the village of Orelle from eight mountain peaks and six glaciers. In total there are about 66 slopes with a total length of more than 140 km (14% “black”, 37% “red”, 31% “blue” and 18% “green”), and almost all of them are at altitudes of more than 2000 meters, which means Mostly suitable only for experienced skiers. There are several routes through the high mountain passes (only “black” and “red”), allowing you to ride from Val Thorens to other resorts of the Three Valleys, and the slopes of the Pointe de Thorens peak (Pointe de Thorens, 3266 m) are famous for their spacious virgin fields . Only in the lowest part of the valley, at altitudes from 1800 to 2300 meters, there are about one and a half dozen “blue” and “green” slopes available for beginner athletes.
The slopes are served by 31 lifts with a total capacity of about 52 thousand people per hour. Moreover, it is in Val Thorens that the largest suspended lift in Europe is located - CARON (the cabin is designed for 150 people), lifting skiers to the highest point of the Cime de Caron valley (3200 m), from where a beautiful all-round view of the French, Italian and Swiss Alps opens - only about a thousand peaks! And the Funitel cable car, running from the valley to the foot of the Funitel glacier, lifts up to 3 thousand skiers per hour.
The village of Val Thorens was created specifically for skiers. Therefore, the slopes and hotels are located so that skiing is possible, as they say, “from the door”. And the number of other sports facilities is impressive - the longest toboggan run in France, Toboggan (length 6 km, has night lighting), children's and adult ski schools, a sports center with an indoor tennis and squash court, a gym, a fitness center, a playground rock climbing, a roller skating center, several areas for team games, a large playground for children from 2 to 6 years old, an aqua club, a well-equipped snow park, a boardercross track and about 4 km of flat ski tracks. At the same time, there is plenty of evening and night entertainment, and on Tuesdays (at 18.00) jazz concerts are held in the Val Thorens chapel.
In Val Thorens, great attention is paid to protecting the environment. The resort is being developed taking into account all environmental requirements. Hydrocarbon controls are implemented, vehicle traffic is restricted at the resort, and the Mountain Riders Association encourages skiers who visit the resort to take an active role in protecting the environment.
The estimated cost of accommodation and recreation in Val Thorens is slightly cheaper than in other resorts of the Three Valleys, and the hotels are located so that, having started skiing right at the hotel door, you can easily reach the nearest ski lift. A one-day ski pass Val Thorens - Orelle will cost 37 euros for adults (13-59 years old), 32 euros for pensioners (over 59 years old) and 26-28 euros for children aged 5 to 12 years, a six-day one - 178- 182, 151-155 and 125-127 euros respectively. The Vallee de Belleville ski pass (common for the entire Belleville valley, 330 km of slopes) costs 220-225 euros for adults, 187-193 euros for pensioners and 165-169 euros for children, and valid for 13 days - 455-475. 368-386 and 332-350 euros, respectively. The Trois Vallee ski pass, common to the entire region, is sold under general conditions. Renting a set of ski equipment or snowboard will cost 160-190 euros for 6 days for an adult, 100-120 euros for a child, 6-12 euros for visiting the swimming pool or bathhouses of the sports complex, 6 days of classes at a children's sports school (with meals) - 200 euros, for adults (half day) - 115 euros.
The ski season lasts from the end of November to the beginning of May, but already in November and until the beginning of July you can ski on the Pekl glacier.
Several ways to get to Val Thorens - inexpensive and fast. As far as this is possible in the case of a resort located high in the French Alps.
Val Thorens is the highest point of the Three Valleys region, the highest resort in Europe. The village is located at an impressive altitude of 2300 m, the trails begin almost at the doorstep of the hotel (and there are hotels that are right at the doorstep). All this looks impressive, but it only makes the road to Val Thorens itself somewhat difficult.
I’ll say right away that the easiest way to get to the resort is to order a transfer (for example, on the international website Kiwitaxi.Ru, where you can choose a car of any size). If you are traveling with your whole family or a large group, then this is also a cost-effective option. By the way, this is how the organizers recommend getting to Val Thorens on the resort’s official website.
But we’re not looking for easy ways, are we?
Therefore, we will consider other types of transport: buses and trains. Let's find out where the nearest airports are located in relation to the resort of Val Thorens.
From Geneva Airport to Val Thorens
Geneva Airport - Val Thorens (bus)
Between Geneva airport and the village of Val Thorens is 150 km. Regular transportation on this route is provided by the company Altibus. Flight schedule (buses depart from the station directly at the airport):
- On weekdays: 12:15, 15:30, 19:30;
- On Saturdays: 10:00, 12:15, 13:30, 14:30, 16:00, 20:30;
- On Sundays: 10:00, 12:15, 15:30, 19:30.
Geneva Airport - Val Thorens (transfer)
If you have already used Kiwitaxi services, you probably know that ordering a car on the service’s website is cheaper than from local carriers. Another advantage is that a taxi can be ordered in advance (from home), paying 20% for the reservation. Selecting a car by direction Geneva Airport - Val Thorens quite big. You can get by with a standard-sized car for four, or you can order an entire minibus with a capacity of 10 to 19 passengers.
In the first case, the transfer will cost from 330 to 350 EUR - this is a little more than four tickets for a regular bus, did you notice?
A minibus will cost more - from 650 to 950 EUR. But in terms of one passenger, the price will be even lower than on public transport.
For any questions regarding the cost, filling out the order form and organizational aspects of the trip, you can and should contact the support service. Kiwitaxi works in Russian, they answer willingly and knowledgeably. In any case, don't be shy. Mountain travel between countries is not the most trivial matter; you should know in advance what you will pay money for.
Transfer order form and preliminary price estimate:
* The transfer service includes not just delivery from the terminal exit to the hotel door, but also a full meeting at the airport with a sign, assistance with luggage and other amenities that are designed to make the move as easy as possible.
From Lyon Airport to Val Thorens
Saint-Exupéry Airport - Val Thorens (bus)
Altibus buses depart from Lyon Airport every week, from Friday to Sunday. Flight schedule:
It’s easier to get to Val Thorens from Geneva, but it’s also possible from Lyon.
- On Fridays: 11:40, 16:15;
- On Saturdays: 10:15, 11:20, 15:30, 18:45;
- On Sundays: 12:30, 15:35.
The cost of a one-way ticket for adults is 73 EUR (115 EUR round trip); for teenagers - 55 EUR (94 EUR round trip); for preschool children - 37 EUR (63 EUR round trip). You will have to pay extra for luggage - 6 EUR/one piece. Details should be checked on the carrier’s official website (see above).
Saint-Exupéry Airport - Val Thorens (transfer)
#2. Hotel Koh-I Nor Val Thorens
A completely new hotel complex designed by a designer. The rooms are large, warm, modern, with panoramic windows. From the ski-room you go directly to the slope. It has its own restaurant, bar, indoor pool, fitness room, terrace with mountain views and sun loungers. The number of rooms is large, but many people love the hotel.
#3. Altapura 5 stars
If we are talking about 5 star hotels, Altapura is the most luxurious of them. If the price doesn’t bother you, book without hesitation - this is a classic ski-in and ski-out. In addition to the joys of a skier, you will enjoy a spa center, a heated pool, a sun terrace, a fitness center, and an awesome restaurant! The rooms are huge but cozy.
* There is a nuance: it is better to look for rooms for 2-3 nights at once (or for the number you need). In Val Thorens, booking for one day is not held in high esteem - if you search for only one day of stay, the booking will show very few available options.
Val Thorens - how to get there from Moscow
We have already looked in detail at how you can get to Val Thorens from the airports of Geneva (150 km) and Lyon (180 km). But the information will be incomplete if we do not note that there are two more airports in the vicinity of the resort - in Grenoble (145 km) and Chambery (120 km). How can this help those planning to spend time in Val Thorens?
There is practically nothing if you are flying from Moscow - there are no direct flights to Grenoble, much less to Chambery. I will say more, there are direct flights only to Geneva (at least Aeroflot flies regularly). Connecting flights are available to Lyon via and. They are convenient and inexpensive, so the destination is in demand.
Prices for tickets Moscow - Geneva can be tracked in the calendar (you can change the city of departure and arrival at your discretion):
If you fly not from Moscow, but from Paris, then you can find an inexpensive domestic flight to Chambery. Since this airport is closest to Val Thorens, this route might make sense.
How to get to Val Thorens by train
The nearest train station to Val Thorens is in the village Moûtiers. This is the hub connecting all the resorts in the Three Valleys region. There are trains to Moutieres from Paris, Lyon and some nearby cities. The journey is long, and given that Val Thorens is still 37 km away by bus or taxi, few of our tourists use this method.
If for some reason you are attracted by the opportunity to get to Val Thorens by train, you can arm yourself with the website www.voyages-sncf.com and plan your route.
Why go, where to go and how to spend time in Val Thorens, watch the video.
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Val Thorens in France has a special charm that combines Savoyard traditions, modern European service and stunning highland landscapes. It is no coincidence that it is called the “roof of the Three Valleys” - this is one of the highest ski resorts in Europe, located at an altitude of 2300 m in one of the world's largest ski areas, the Three Valleys. The modern resort has excellent opportunities for ski lovers - from snow slopes of varying difficulty and excellent infrastructure to comfortable hotels with “skiing right from the door.”
Business card
History and modernity
Val Thorens is a fairly young ski resort, founded in 1971 thanks to an unusual bet by visionary engineer Pierre Schneblen. Immediately after its opening, the resort began to develop dynamically and today offers the most modern skiing infrastructure for skiers of any level, for active and family recreation.
What to see, where to visit
Val Thorens hosts many cultural and educational events. Every Tuesday, the town's church hosts classical or jazz concerts, and twice a week you can dine in a traditional Mongolian yurt, followed by a magical torchlight descent from the mountain.
Trails, slopes, lifts
Val Thorens in France is part of the extensive Three Valleys ski region with a total length of slopes of 600 km. Val Thorens itself has a ski area with an altitude difference of 1800-3200 m, with 99% located at an altitude of more than 2000 m, as well as 78 ski slopes with a length of 140 km, of which 11 are green, 29 blue, 30 red and 8 black. The resort is served by 31 ski lifts. There are also 5 km of cross-country ski trails and an excellent snow park with an area of 70,000 m2.
Entertainment and active recreation
In Val Thorens, everyone will find entertainment to their liking. Fans of active recreation are offered sleigh rides, snow scooters and dog sledding, Segways and snowshoes, snow bike rides, boarder cross and car driving on ice, mountaineering and paragliding.
The resort has a sports complex with swimming pools, sports grounds and a fitness center, several first-class SPA centers, a bowling alley and a cinema. In the evening, guests will enjoy the fiery rhythms of discotheques.
Local cuisine and wines
More than 60 restaurants and 40 bars of the resort will satisfy the tastes of the most discerning guests!
This includes haute cuisine, for example, the Michelin-starred restaurant l’Oxalys or the exquisite French restaurant La Table du Roy at the Fitz Roy Hotel, and traditional Savoyard dishes in the high-mountain chalet restaurants Chez Pépé Nicolas and Paillote. You can have fun at the Irish pub O'Connells, Le Saloon bar or the popular nightclubs Malaysia and Underground.
A real pearl for tourists is the ski resort of Val Thorens; France is proud of it for good reason. After all, it is located at an altitude of 2300 meters and is considered the “roof of the Three Valleys”. That is why there is always a lot of snow here. In addition, it is possible to take a cable car to the highest point of the resort (3200 m), from where you can admire the stunningly beautiful view.
Since Val Thorens was built in the 70s of the last century, it is very different from similar alpine resorts - here you will not find the usual fir trees or alpine chalets, but there is the most important thing: guaranteed snow and beautiful scenery.
The only thing you need is to get used to the altitude and acclimatize. And then you can have a lot of fun skiing on the local slopes.
Val Thorens - how to get there?
For the resort of Val Thorens, the nearest airport is Chambery, which is located at a distance of 112 km from the resort. From here the bus transfer takes only an hour. You can also fly to Geneva airport (120 km) or Lyon (200 km). From these places, the road to the resort will take about 3 hours. The bus ticket costs 80 euros.
Hotels
In the resort of Val Thorens, hotels have very reasonable prices. The cost of living will cost from 300 euros per day to 1000 euros per week. Those wishing to visit Val Thorens can book apartments in advance.
In our opinion, the Altapura hotel is the leader in the price-quality category. This is a wonderful place, located at an altitude of 2300 meters, on the slope of a mountain. The hotel has spacious rooms with beautiful scenery outside the window. There is a column for iPhone, once again confirming the desire for excellence and innovation. In Altapura there is a ski rental and storage room. It is also very convenient that the descent and pistes start right from the doors of the ski storage. The cuisine is varied and satisfying. It is possible to order dinner at one of the ala carte restaurants.
The hotel has a nice and clean SPA area with a swimming pool.
You can find out more about the infrastructure of the complex on the map:
Trails, slopes, lifts
One of the advantages of this resort is 140 km of mountain slopes right in the center of the Three Valleys. In total there are 66 trails of any difficulty level and 30 lifts. Their total capacity is 52,000 people/hour.
For beginner skiers, green and blue slopes are perfect, but, unfortunately, there are not many of them. For those who have already more or less learned to ski, there are excellent blue runs on both sides of the resort. For experienced skiers, there is a whole expanse of red and black slopes; they can also try their hand at descending from the highest point of the Three Valleys - Pierre Laurie (3230 m).
A map of the Val Thorens ski slopes will help you find a suitable place to ski:
Ski pass
Ski-pass prices (in euros)
Renting all the necessary equipment for 6 days will cost:
- for adults - 170 euros
- for a child - 100 euros.
A visit to the pool or bathhouse in the sports complex - 10 euros, lessons at a children's ski school (6 days) - 200 euros, for adults - 120 euros (half a day).
Other activities, après-ski, attractions
This resort has many bars, restaurants and discos that are open until late at night. Here are some of them:
- Cafe Snesko guarantees a good time, with live music every night from 5.30, including crazy Danish folk music mixed with popular English songs.
- Le Saloon could be the best après ski bar in Val Thorens for those of you who know how to have real fun.
- At Le Rendez-Vous on the Rue de Soleil you can relax in a beautiful setting while enjoying the famous French frogs or roast beef.
For supporters of silence, there are sports complexes with swimming pools, baths, saunas, a fun park for children, as well as a bowling alley and a free library. And for adrenaline lovers, the resort offers cycling along the red track, sledding, ATV, snowmobiling, etc.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of Val Thorens:
- the highest mountain resort in Europe;
- many tracks for professionals;
- long season;
- guaranteed snow;
Among the disadvantages it is worth noting: the need for acclimatization, the lack of pedestrian areas and a small number of trails for beginners.
In general, tourists who have visited this French ski resort leave only positive reviews about Val Thorens and recommend it to their friends and acquaintances.
Val Thorens- the most famous French resort, deservedly holding the title of the highest mountain resort in Europe, because the resort village is located at an altitude of 2300 m above sea level.
Geographically, Val Thorens belongs to the department of Savoie and borders the Vanoise National Park. Val Thorens is part of one of the largest ski areas, called Le Trois Vallées (The Three Valleys) and includes resorts, and.
Description
Val Thorens is a great place not only for a family holiday, but also for a party holiday. A variety of pistes, guaranteed absence of problems with snow, as well as a large number of budget accommodation options have made Val Thorens one of the most popular options for winter holidays. The residential area of Val Thorens is designed according to the ski-in/ski-out principle, so moving from the hotel to the ski lifts takes a minimum of time.
The local trails are conducive to a relaxed skiing style. They are ideal for learning and reinforcing skills. There are no forests here, but the extraordinary snowy landscapes and magnificent panoramas opening from the tops of the resort can fascinate even the most notorious pragmatic urbanist.
Freeride lovers will certainly appreciate the virgin slopes of Val Thorens, and extreme sports enthusiasts will appreciate the glaciers De Peclet, De Chaviere, Du Bouchet and De La Pointe Renod.
Val Thorens occupied the slopes of four ridges: Mont Du Borgne, Aigulle De Peclet (3562), Pointe De Thorens(3266) and Pointe Du Bouchet(3420). At the same time, the area is not isolated and allows you to get to any of the neighboring ski areas without leaving the ski slopes. The furthest resort from Val Thorens is Courchevel, located 1.5 hours away. Time flies by unnoticed, because... An unforgettable journey awaits you, including interesting trails and ski lifts surrounded by the magnificent nature of the French Alps. Val Thorens, like the entire Le 3 Vallées area, has a single, well-developed transport network. They run between resorts ski bass.
The ski season in Val Thorens lasts from late November to mid-May. You can ski on glaciers in the summer. Average temperature – - 5 - - 15°C. The thickness of the snow cover on the slopes of the resort is 150 cm (in the valley) and more than 300 cm in the upper part of the slopes. A guarantee of 100% snow coverage on the slopes during the ski season is a kind of sign of the quality of the resort.
Within the ski area Le Trois Vallées operates single ski pass. However, riders are given the opportunity to choose their ski area. In the 2012-2013 season, the cost of a six-day ski pass was:
- Val Thorens zone – 192 euros(150 km of trails);
- Belleville valley area (Val Thorens-Orelle, Sant Martin de Belleville, Menuires) – 231 euros(300 km of trails);
- all Le Trois Vallées resorts (600 km of pistes!) – 245 euros.
Skiing at the resort
In Val Thorens 80 routes were laid at altitudes from 1800 to 3230 m, including 11 green, 30 blue, 31 red and 8 black tracks. The total elevation difference in the area is 1430 m. The longest route is 2.25 km. The slopes are served by 30 modern lifts: 1 pendulum, 6 gondola, 16 chairlifts (including 9 high-speed) and 7 rope tows.
Val Thorens. Resort Overview
The trails are divided into 4 ski areas: Borgne, Peclet, Thorens, Bouchet.
Zone Borgne with the highest point Col De La Chambre(2850) – ascent is carried out by chairlifts and gondola lifts. From this zone along the extended red track LAC DE LA CHAMBRE you can go down to the neighboring resort of Meribel. Mostly blue trails are laid in this area, among which two short black trails are lost.
Peclet zone with the highest point of 3101 m - the ascent is carried out by chairlift and gondola lift. At the top of the zone is the eponymous glacier. The trails in this area are predominantly red. There are only two short black tracks. At the bottom of the zone there are several green and blue trails. A separate area is allocated for training beginner riders. Here is located red slalom track, as well as at the Cascades chairlift – snowpark with a total area of 70,000 sq. m with springboards, boxes and rails of varying difficulty levels. There is a shock-absorbing mattress that allows you to perform tricks in safe conditions (Jump’ Air).
Thorens Zone with the highest point in the area Cime De Caron(3200) – ascent is carried out by chairlifts and gondola lifts. The funicular is functioning. Eat De Chaviere Glacier. In this area, the largest number of slopes are located on the Val Thorens side and only three slopes descend to a small area from which the longest gondola lift in the area departs, descending to Orelle. Thorens stands out as the longest in the area and steep black piste COMBE DE CARON. From this area, through a series of blue and red pistes, you can descend to the underlying resort of Les Menuires.
Bouchet– the most remote ski area from Val Thorens. The ascent is carried out using chair lifts. The zone is located 2 glaciers– Du Bouchet and De La Pointe Renod. The highlight of the zone is border cross track.
In Val Thorens there is a France's longest toboggan run LE TOBOGGAN length 6 km (elevation difference 700 m). There are separate trails for pedestrians and people who prefer cross-country skiing.
In general, the trails are prepared at a decent level. They are made in the French style: wide with comfortable rollouts. Ice crusts and stones on the slopes are a rare occurrence. Of course, especially popular trails break up closer to two o'clock in the afternoon, but you can always find an equally interesting alternative for skiing. An undeniable advantage of the resort is the opportunity to travel skiing and snowboarding throughout the region.
They work on the slopes snowcats. Installed snow making system. Some trails are illuminated.
Nutrition on the slopes of Val Thorens is far from its strong point. There are not food stations on all slopes, and the cost of food is not easy on the wallet. However, there are also pleasant moments. Some restaurants practice so-called “happy hours”, when drinks are sold at a fairly decent discount. And, for example, in the Bar 360 bar, located near the Moraine highway, there are sun loungers where you can soak up the soft rays of the winter sun.
Safety
Val Thorens implements a full range of measures to ensure the safety of riders on the slopes. Dangerous areas are being monitored, a rescue service is operating, and an expanded network of first-aid posts has been created. A set of anti-avalanche measures is being carried out, incl. Avalanche barriers were installed on particularly dangerous slopes. The trails are carefully marked. Catching nets have been installed.
Services
Val Thorens offers a standard package of services:
- parking;
- shops and equipment rental;
- repair of ski and snowboard equipment;
- ski schools;
- kindergartens;
- extreme driving courses, etc.
Après-Ski
Val Thorens has a special atmosphere that sets it apart from many French resorts that prefer tranquility to wild fun. Probably because of the contingent of riders, who are mostly young people and students, it is always noisy and relaxed here. But this does not mean that you need to abandon the resort if you are a supporter of silence. There are also less noisy areas in Val Thorens, you just need to be more careful when choosing your location.
In your free time from skiing, you will find numerous cafes and restaurants, nightclubs, a sports and entertainment complex with swimming pools, saunas, a solarium, a children's fan park, a fitness center, a court, a Wellness center, as well as a bowling alley and a library with free book rental. And another highlight of the resort - underground dance floor, located under the central square. For adrenaline junkies, a bike ride is held several times a week (the Tete Ronde red track), snowshoeing, sledding, snowmobiling and ATV riding, ice-driving and much more are also available.
Accommodation at the resort
Accommodation in Val Thorens is the cheapest in the area. There are many offers here from budget apartments to more expensive options. The average cost of hotel accommodation starts at from 300 euros per day, and in the apartments – from 1000 euros for 7 nights.
