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
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
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
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
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
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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)
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Direction of slopes
N, E, S/E, W
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Snow cannons
348 (Val Thorens), 2,007 (Three Valleys)
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Longest run
5kms Cîme de Caron
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Mountain restaurants
43
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Cross-country trails
120kms (Three Valleys)
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Snow Range
1300-3200m
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Village Height:
Val Thorens: 2,300m (7,545ft);
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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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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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