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Val Thorens ski resort

Snow Range

1300-3200m

The highest resort in Europe with great snow and skiing

Val Thorens is Europe’s highest ski resort, this makes it snow sure even at resort level, a luxury that most other resorts can’t achieve without snow making. Not only can you enjoy skiing the huge central bowl and the glacier but with the three valleys on your doorstep you have easy access to over 400 miles of slopes. Away from the famous centres of this huge skiing domain there are some hidden gems, both Orelle and the Pointe de la Masse are easily reached from Val Thorens and offer quality skiing away from the crowds. In the evenings the compact resort centre comes to life with bars, restaurants and nightclubs, entertaining you into the small hours, before starting another great day in the snow.

FREE local Val Thorens lift pass for all guests staying the Fitzroy (offer valid for all new bookings made from 29th Jan 10, subject to availability. Lift pass supplied in resort by hotel)

  • the experience
  • the slopes Val Thorens snowboarding
  • Val Thorens lift passes and tuition
  • ski/snowboarding tuition in Val Thorens

The experience

Val Thorens Après Ski

A great resort for après ski. The Frog & Roast Beef (the highest pub in Europe) and the Sne Sko Café for an excellent après ski atmosphere; Malaysia, for live music, the Sumit Disco, the Eclipse bar and the Viking Pub.

Activities

· Excellent sports centre - tennis, squash, football, table-tennis, climbing, sauna, Jacuzzi, gym, swimming-pool · Tobogganing · Ice driving · Parapenting · Snowshoe walking

Eating out in Val Thorens

Over 45 restaurants from simple crêperies to gourmet cuisine.· Pizzas around €9 · 3 course meal with wine approx. €30 · Fondues from €25 · La Cabane for traditional French dishes, the Scapin Pub for pizza. Les Clarines for top class gastronomic delights.

Other amenities

· Cinema · Skidoos · Two exclusive shopping centres · A toboggan run in a natural 6km long valley

Family choice

The ESF runs a non-skiing crèche, with English speaking staff, for children aged 18mths-3yrs. Your children will be looked after in a fun and safe environment, normal activities include games, drawing, make-up and sledging.
For ages 3-4yrs the ESF also offers a skiing kindergarten, the Piou Piou club. The Piou Piou club fits in with normal crèche hours and provides a 45 min ski orientation class in a dedicated kids snow gardens. There are two ski gardens in resort, both have a magic carpet ski lift and play area in order to stimulate the childrens' senses and provide them with a fun introduction to the world of skiing. In bad weather conditions children will be provided with free hot chocolate. See resort intro page for prices (p178).

Resort features
  • Crystal Ski Escort
  • Fast Pass
  • First Time
Transfer time

Chambery 2 hrs 45 mins, Geneva & Grenoble 3 hrs 45 mins, Snow Train (Moutiers) 1 hr

The slopes

Beginners

(Crystal rating 4)

There are many wide, gentle slopes for improving confidence and allowing an easy descent back to the resort. Complete beginners will enjoy the First Time ski and board programmes with a beginner lift-pass, covering 8 lifts in the Val Thorens ski area.

Intermediates

(Crystal rating 5)

Try the long, wide red pistes around Funitel, Grand Fond, Boismint or the Peclet glacier. High speed lifts now provide links to Mottaret and the rest of the Three Valleys, or explore the hidden 4th Valley of Orelle, the full Three Valleys circuit offers endless opportunities with minimum queuing, even in high season.

Advanced

(Crystal rating 5)

Expert skiers will relish the sheer volume of challenges on offer. From the fabulous powder snow on the Glaciers of Peclet and Chavière, the world-class mogul-bashing on the long steep Cîme de Caron black run, and the infamous Couloirs of Courchevel - the Three Valleys has all this and more!

Snowboarding

(Crystal rating 4)

There is no chance of running out of places to ride here. It has terrain to suit any type of rider, be it hammering on the wide open pistes, throwing yourself down the Boardercross course or floating on air in the board park near the Funitel lift, Val Thorens always has the answer. Beginners also have plenty of easy runs leading into the centre of resort. Val Thorens is a great place for people who want to progress in the huge playground that is the Three Valleys.

Slope facts
  • Total kms of piste

    600kms Three Valleys (140kms Val Thorens)

    Piste type No of runs
    Easy 183
    Intermediate 119
    Difficult 33

  • Number of lifts

    183 (Three Valleys) (3 cable cars, 37 gondolas, 69 chairlifts, 74 drag lifts)

  • Direction of slopes

    N, E, S/E, W

  • Snow cannons

    348 (Val Thorens), 2,007 (Three Valleys)

  • Longest run

    5kms Cîme de Caron

  • Mountain restaurants

    43

  • Cross-country trails

    120kms (Three Valleys)

  • Snow Range

    1300-3200m

  • Village Height:

    Val Thorens: 2,300m (7,545ft);

  • Highest Ski Lift

    3,230m (10,862ft)

Lift passes and tuition

Lift pass, ski hire and tuition prices shown are correct at time of publication. However, all prices quoted may be subject to change during the ski season.

Lift Pass

6 Days Adult Child Senior
Val Thorens Local £157 £110 £129
Belleville Valley £194 £137 £162
Three Valleys Area £211 £159 £179

Special 6 Day Family Pass* Local Area
2 Adults 2 Children £499 £677
2 Adults 3 Children £610 £836
2 Adults 4 Children £720 £994
Child 5-12yrs incl.(*5-17yrs incl. for family passes - all members of the family should have the same surname or provide proof they live together as a family). Senior 65-74yrs incl.
Lift pass coverage: Local lift pass includes Val Thorens only. Belleville includes Val Thorens & Les Menuires. Area lift pass includes the entire 3 Valley ski area.
Photo required for lift pass? Free passes only (under 5 and over 74)

Ski/Board Tuition

Val Thorens Adult Child
Ski/Board (6 x 3 hrs am) £146 £133
Ski/Board (6 x 2 hrs pm)* £108 £89
Ski/Board (6 x 2.5 hrs pm)* £123 £108
Piou Piou Club
6 x am (no lunch) 0900-1200 - £125
6 x full day (with lunch) 0900-1700 - £267

Usual hours of instruction: (Prosneige) AM Sun 1000-1200, Mon-Fri 0900-1200. *PM 1430-1630 until 02/02, 1430-1700 from 02/02 to eos. Hours may vary. Max. of 10 per group.
Children: Ski 5-12 yrs incl. Board 6-12 yrs. Piou Piou 3-4yrs (ESF) 0900-1200 & 1400-1700.

First Time Skiing / Boarding

Adult Child*
First Time ski £255 £191
First Time board £280 £209

*Child ski 5-12yrs. Board 7-12yrs
Includes: 6 days equipment hire, tuition and beginner lift pass.

the savings

Reduced lift pass prices for over 65s.
Special family lift passes available for 2 adults and 2, 3 or 4 children (5-17 years).
One FREE child skis and boots for each adult pre-booking skis and boots.

Ski/board equipment

Ski/Board Equipment

6 Days Adult Child
Bronze skis £74 £46
Silver skis £99 £64
Gold skis £118 -
Ski/board boots £45 £23
Snowboard £99 £64
Superior Snowboard £118 -
Helmet £18 £18

Child Ski 4-11yrs Board 7-11yrs Incl.

the savings

Reduced lift pass prices for over 65s.
Special family lift passes available for 2 adults and 2, 3 or 4 children (5-17 years).
One FREE child skis and boots for each adult pre-booking skis and boots.

 

† 2 for 1 lift pass is available on selected accommodation on selected dates. See accommodation page for details.

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