Val Thorens

Val Thorens lays claim to the title of Europes highest ski area at a height of 2300m. It is home to some varied and exciting skiing and, with its high altitude, it is one of the most snowsure resorts in Europe. The resort is part of the famous Three Valleys ski area which is the largest ski area in the world, although much of the best skiing is actually located in the Val Thorens valley. The resort has a reputation for exciting nightlife with a friendly and cosmopolitan atmosphere. With good skiing and great après ski, Val Thorens is well worth a visit.

Ski Area

Val Thorens has a total of 140km of piste served by 32 fast lifts pretty much all of which is located above 2000m. Due to its height, the snow cover tends to be the best in Europe although it does mean on bad weather days there are no trees to hide in. The skiing is largely all on north facing slopes which tend to keep their condition well although not so great for a piste side sunbathing. There is a good distribution of pistes for all abilities with a particularly large amount of excellent reds making it an ideal intermediate/advanced resort. For expert skiers there is a huge amount of accessible off piste with a wide variety of terrain.

Town Centre

Val Thorens is in the heart of the Three Valleys ski area and is about as ski in ski out as a resort can get, the village actually has a piste and carpet lift running down its centre. The resort is purpose built so lacks the charm of some other resorts although it has been tastefully developed with largely medium rise buildings and a continual investment in redevelopment. The resort is well known for the quality of its nightlife and superb atmosphere.

UCPA Centre

The Val Thorens UCPA centre is a truly ski in ski out location built bang in the middle of the pistes. It is 15 minutes walk from town which can be a little treacherous when icy. UCPA are providing a transfer service until 11pm to move people in and out of the centre, after this it is advisable to jump into a taxi.  The centre has an attractive and unusual circular design and the usual array of UCPA facilities including a wonderfully atmospheric ‘ampitheatre’ style bar with a large open fire place in the centre.

VAL THORENS OVERVIEW

Pros

  • World famous skiing, amazing off piste and huge pisted area
  • Highest resort in Europe
  • Excellent night life
  • Ski in ski out location
  • Extremely snowsure
  • Fast lift network
  • Friendly atmosphere

Cons

  • Not the prettiest resort
  • Vulnerable to bad weather
  • No tree skiing

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VAL THORENS FACTS

Best For: Snowsure skiing
Resort Charm:
Centre Comfort:
Nightlife:
Nearest Airport: Geneva (150km), Grenoble (144km)
Coach Available:
Fun Fact: The highest resort in Europe
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Testimonials

Read what our clients say about us

  • One click and you’ve booked everything. No searching around for lessons, ski-hire etc. And the best thing is you can keep adding people to your group.
    Anna R
  • Describing the UCPA is difficult. Not because there is a lack of adjectives to adequately convey the amount of fun you’ll have while you are there, the friendliness of the instructors, the quality of the food...
    Mark D
  • We all appreciate that we are inside one of those perfect moments, heightened by the expectation of another afternoon riding the perfect, untracked powder that our instructor...
    Matt J
  • The food offers great variety, choice (several options each night), quantity (as much as you want) and quality is decent.  Cheese and yoghurts coming out of your ears, packed lunch option, afternoon tea and cake and you can drink your own wine at din...
    Anna R
  • The food is great and there is tons of it from breakfast, lunch, snack time (after your day on the slopes) and dinner in the evening. My favourite meal this year was on the Thursday evening when it was...
    Peter E
  • The lessons are brilliant with fun instructors who know how to give everyone individual instruction and to party when its time to party.
    Asim A
  • All UCPAs are very friendly and sociable. The bar and dining areas are open with big tables, encouraging people to sit together and get to know each other. This makes it very easy as a solo traveller.
    Anna R
  • Action Outdoors set up a personal group page and as a group leader, I did’t have to worry about taking everyone’s payments. Each group member is responsible to pay their own way through the group page directly to Action Outdoors. Win!
    Asim A
    

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