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Resort information for Val Thorens
Val Thorens is built high above the tree line on a sunny, west-facing mountainside at the head of its valley, surrounded by peaks, slopes and lifts. The streets are supposedly traffic-free. It is a classic purpose-built resort, with lots of convenient slope-side accommodation. It’s quite a complex little village; but it’s quite compact. At its heart is the snowy Place de Caron, where pedestrians mix with skiers and boarders. The village is basically divided in two by a little slope (with a drag-lift) that leads down from here to the broad main nursery slope running the length of the village. Seen from the slopes, the resort is not as ugly as many of its rivals – buildings are mainly medium-rise and wood-clad; some are distinctly stylish.
The main disadvantage of Val Thorens is the lack of trees. Heavy snowfalls or high wind can shut practically all the lifts and slopes, and even if they don’t close, poor visibility can be a problem. The resort has a wide piste going right down the front of it, leading down to a number of different lifts. Chair-lifts heading north from the resort serve sunny slopes above the village and also lead to the link to the Méribel valley. Few resorts can rival Val Thorens for reliably good snow-cover, thanks to its altitude and generally north-facing slopes. Recent reports suggest that the longest queues are for the largest and most rewarding lifts, although they do move fairly quickly.
For a high, modern resort, the choice of mountain restaurants is good. Eating out in the village offers something for most tastes and pockets, and it is more lively at night than most high-altitude ski-stations in terms of the après-ski, with a fair choice of bars and restaurants. There are also quite extensive shopping arcades.
We'd like to wish you an enjoyable holiday in the snow and please don't hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any queries regarding your insurance cover.
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