Guide to Val Thorens, French Alps

Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe (2300m altitude) and forms part of the huge Trois Vallées skiing area. First built in 1971, the resort has been improved with more attractive Savoie architecture and a compact pedestrianised centre. There is excellent doorstep skiing, reliable snow cover and access to over 600km of pistes, linking Meribel, Courchevel, Les Menuires, Reberty and St. Martin de Belleville. Many wide gentle blue slopes fan out from the resort, much favoured by novice skiers and boarders. For fans of off-piste skiing, Val Thorens is really the place to be.

Mountain Information Val Thorens

	Resort Altitude	2300 m
	Vertical Drop	1350 m
	Top Lift	3200 m
	Lifts	24
	Total Runs	67, (262 km)
	Longest Run	5 km
	Advanced Runs	28
	Intermediate Runs	25
	Beginner	8
	Cross Country	124 km (3 Vallees)

Getting to Val Thorens

The low cost way to travel to Val Thorens ski resort is to first find one of the many cheap flights to Geneva, Chambery or Lyon. Chambery airport is the closest airport to Val Thorens, at 75 miles distance. Coach connections are provided by Transavoie Transport. Other possible airports are Geneva (95 miles) and Lyon (123 miles), from these count on at least 3 hours transfer time. Buses and trains leave daily from Geneva airport. From Turin in Italy, access is possible via the Fréjus Tunnel to the Orelle lift system in the Maurienne valley.
The nearest train station is Moutiers, from where it is a 22 mile taxi or bus ride to Val Thorens ski resort. Satobus Alpes connects the region with Lyon. By hire car, take the autoroute to Albertville and dual carriageway N90 to Moutiers and follow signs.

Accommodation in Val Thorens

Apartment beds are the choice for cheap accommodation and outnumber hotel beds by at least 5 to 1. Accommodation standards are higher than elsewhere, all locations are very convenient for the slopes. Check out L'Oxalys, Les Montagnettes or Hameau des Marmottes for more luxury. The tourist office will help make reservations. There are several excellent hotels in Val Thorens with every amenity, Fitz Roy and Le Val Thorens are the luxury hotels in town. Less expensive are the Balcons de Val Thorens and Pierre et Vacances. Hotel Sherpa is friendly and good value with excellent food. If you're looking for an inexpensive place, Village Montana might be a good bet.

Bars, restaurants and apres ski

Après ski in Val Thorens is lively, all the popular bars, disco's and restaurants are close to the centre. Après-ski hot spots are the Malasya Bar, Agora, Club Med nightclub and Underground. The Ski Rock Cafe, Frog and Roast Beef, the Malaysia and the Viking all have lively action. Also try the Tango (live music), Viking pub, Bloopers, Le Monde and Taverne du Lou (delicious food) or fill up in one of the many restaurants, almost every style of food is available.

Activities

Non skiing facilities are limited but include a sports centre with indoor swimming pool, sauna, squash, tennis and outdoor skating rink. Hang-gliding, snow scooters, paragliding are also possible. The cinema has many films in English, or go shopping in the arcades. Check out Europe’s highest 6km.long toboggan run with a vertical drop of more than 2200 ft. For snowboarders there is a dedicated snowboard park, a boarder cross course in the Maurienne Valley and plenty of varied terrain on and off piste.