An independent guide to Val Thorens
This guide to Val Thorens apartments in professionally-run tourist résidences covers all the many options in Val Thorens
Good quality, long-established résidences include Montana, Balcons and Montagnettes. There are also newer luxury apartments such as Hameau du Kashmir and Koh-i-Nor.
You can book these apartments in Val Thorens direct, or through tour operators such as Inghams, Crystal, or Skiworld.
This guide to Val Thorens apartments groups them by sector - the area of the resort where they're located. The map below shows the eight sectors.
For the location of each résidence, see a Val Thorens apartments location map.
Résidence Hermine is above the rue du Gébroulaz, just far enough away from the bars to be quiet.
The apartments are good quality and nicely decorated in an Alpine style.
There are different size apartments, from 2 bedroom/4-6 person, up to 6 bedroom/12-14 person. All have flat-screen TV, and the larger ones (6-8 person and bigger) have a real fire.
There's a small pool, and sauna (access included). Private parking and wifi.
Résidence Plein Sud (2006) is more recent than Chalets des Neiges Résidence Hermine. It's in the Rue de la Boucle, close to the Tango hotel and Valthoparc parking P0.
Apartments range from 2 bedroom/4 person to 7 bedroom/14 person. There's a real fire in apartments for 6 people and bigger; the résidence has a sauna and fitness room, and you have access to the pool in Résidence Hermine.
On site, there's a 'well-being' centre, offering massages and beauty and relaxation treatments (extra charge).
Private parking and fibre wifi.
Tel: +33 479 39 02 90 (both résidences)
The Koh-i-Nor opened in 2013. As well as being a 5-star hotel, it has 34 apartments, from 2 room/2 person (30m2) to 5 room/8-12 person (130m2).
The apartments combine 'elegance, sophistication, and subtle blend of mountain-inspired art and modern design'!
Facilities include spa with swimming pool, sauna, hammam, and fitness room; brasserie; restaurant; lounge bar; and shops.
Belonging to Maeva (part of the Pierre & Vacances group), Maeva Le Schuss is very close to the slopes and the Roc de Péclet children's snow garden, in a quiet area of resort (place du Slalom).
It's traditional French self-catering accommodation - ie fairly basic, not luxury - but the prices are competitive. The apartment sizes are from studio + cabin/6 person, to 2 bedroom/8 person.
Tel: +33 465 900 700
Also in the place du Slalom, and right at the bottom of the slalom stadium, le Gypaete is of a similar standard to Résidence le Schuss (i.e. fairly basic accommodation for your self-catering ski holiday in Val Thorens).
It has 27m2 studios for 4 people. From reviews on the Maeva website it appears that there may be no wifi.
The Portillo, just by place Péclet, has 35 apartments for self-catering ski holidays in Val Thorens, as well as twenty hotel rooms, three restaurants, and a bar.
The apartments are classified as 'standard' (studios for 2, 3, or 4 persons), or 'superior' (from 1 bedroom/2 person, to 2 bedroom + 2 cabins/8 person).
The location is very good for the slopes, and for shops, bars and restaurants. Noise from people returning home after a night out could be an issue, as the main bar street is close by.
Service at the Portillo can be eccentric at times.
Tel: +33 479 00 00 88
On a quiet street, with direct access to the slopes, the Val Chaviere apartments are in the same building as the Hotel Val Chaviere but under separate ownership.
They are large apartments, from 3 bedroom/6-8 person, to 6 bedroom/12-15 person, so ideal for bigger groups and families.
All have wood-burning stoves, and the 10-13 person and 12-15 person apartments also have private saunas.
Tel: +33 479 00 90 70
Les Montagnettes has chalet-style buildings for
self-catering holidays in Val Thorens, Les Menuires, La Plagne
and Courchevel.
Montagnettes Résidence Lombarde is one of four in Val Thorens. The apartments range from 2 bedroom/6 person, to 4 bedroom/12 person. All have an open fireplace.
Some reviews say the decor is ageing and the apartments could do with being refreshed.
Tel: Reservations +33 479 10 49 15; reception: +33 479 00 94 00
The Tourotel is in a great location, right by the piste.
It offers a basic self-catering ski holiday in Val Thorens, in apartments ranging from studio/2 person, to 1 bedroom + cabin/6 person.
Free TV, wifi, and table tennis.
Tel: +33 484 47 49 21
Le Sabot de Vénus, built in 2008, is right in the centre of Val Thorens - you look out onto it from the Post Office.
The apartments range from 20m2 to 135m2. All have TV and DVD player, and free wifi. The résidence has a private parking, sauna and hammam.
Tel: +33 615 52 62 76
Les Olympiades is in the rue piétonne de Caron, a little snowy street leading up to the central place de Caron. It's an excellent location for the slopes, and for the town (it's opposite the Galerie Caron, the shopping centre which also houses the sports centre).
Apartment sizes range from studio/2 person (18m2), to 3 bedroom/10 person (57m2).
The standard is fairly basic, and there could be some noise from people returning home after a night out, or even fellow-guests in the résidence. It gets a lot of 1-star reviews.
Tel: +33 470 22 22 22
At the entrance to the resort, the Altineige has apartments from studio/2 person (20m2), up to 1 bedroom/6 person (30-40m2).
This used to be a tourist résidence, but it may now be individual owners renting out apartments.
Tel: +33 479 22 15 68
Next door to Altineige, Valset apartments are slightly superior, and generally quieter. Sizes from studio/2 person, to 2 bedroom/8 person.
Like Altineige, this used to be a résidence, but now the apartments seem to be rented out by various different owners.
Directly by the Plein Sud piste is the Oxalys, part of the Montagnettes group.
There are 36 apartments, for a luxury self-catering holiday in Val Thorens. They range from 1 bedroom/2-4 person (35m2), to 4 bedroom/8 person (95m2). Wifi is available (included).
It is a very good location, right by the piste (although the piste is narrow and busy just here, and quickly gets bumpy, so beginners and less confident skiers may prefer to walk the short distance to the nursery slopes, at the start of the week at least).
The Oxalys website comments on the views: 'without yielding to the sirens of ostentation, the residence offers to all an extraordinary panoramic view...'
It's only right to refuse to yield to the sirens of ostentation. I tried it once and I didn't like it.
There are two spa/relaxation centres. The first is open to all Oxalys residents, and has a small swimming pool, jacuzzi, 2 saunas, and a hammam (steam room). The second is private, and you can book it just for you and your party for an hour at a time.
There's a bar and restaurant.
Tel: +33 479 10 49 15
The Hameau du Kashmir was new in Winter 2012/13.
A Montagnettes self-catering residence located at the entrance to resort and with direct access to the Plein Sud piste, it's built around a small central square.
To chime with the name, the décor is 'ethnic and smart.'
There are 39 apartments altogether, from 4 person to 6 person. This makes it slightly different from most other recently-built résidences in Val Thorens, which mainly have larger apartments.
The complex has two restaurants - the main one that does breakfast and dinner, and the Beef & Lobster for lunch and dinner.
There's a relaxation area with pool and hot tub, sauna, fitness room, and rooms for massage/body care.
Tel: +33 479 10 49 15
Village Montana are very good quality and highly popular apartments, towards the bottom of the resort in the rue du Soleil.
There are five different buildings, but all have convenient access to the slopes. If you have children in the mini-club or ESF snow garden, this résidence is an ideal place to stay, as it's right by the Montana snow garden.
The 4 star apartments of the Village Montana are in four buildings - Montana 1, Montana Valbel, Montana Soleil, and Montana Caron. They are all of the same high quality - solidly built, quite spacious, nicely decorated, and well-equipped. There's a range of apartment sizes, from 1 bedroom/2-3 person (32m2), to 4 bedroom/8 person (110m2).
All the apartments have balconies, S, SW or SE facing, with a good view of the mountains. They also have flat-screen TVs and free wifi. The 3 bedroom/6 person apartments have a wood-burning stove.
There's a spa on site, with sauna, hammam, and relaxation area. Massages are available: there are different types of massage at different prices, including massages called Californian Dream, Sporting Dream, and Indoceane Dream.
There restaurant within the complex is called Le Jasper, and it has a sunny terrace.
Open since Winter 2011/12, and built to the latest environmental standards, the 5 star Montana Plein Sud apartments offer a little extra luxury on a self-catering ski holiday in Val Thorens.
They range from 2 bedroom/4 person (55-60m2), to 4 bedroom/8 person (100m2). They are spacious, and beautifully decorated in a contemporary style. All have modern flat-screen TVs, and free wifi. DVD players and games consoles are available.
You have free access to the on-site spa, Les Bains du Montana (sauna, hammam, and small pool).
An even more recent building is 5 star Montana Lodge, which also has a small swimming pool.
Tel: (all Montana) +33 479 00 21 01
Under the same ownership as Village Montana, the Cheval Blanc is just next door, in a great location right by the piste.
It has 163 apartments, ranging from 1 bedroom/2-4 person, to 3 bedroom/8 person.
The building has a rather cavernous feel inside, but the apartments themselves are very nicely decorated, even if they are not quite so spacious or luxurious as Montana. They all have sunny balconies (when the weather is sunny (!)), TV, and free wifi.
The Cheval Blanc has its own restaurant/bar, Le Chaudron Magique, which is open every day from 5pm. The menu includes Savoyarde specialities; they do take-away pizzas too.
Tel: +33 426 78 26 78
Le Chamois d'Or is in a very handy location, right by the Rond Point des Pistes (the main ski school meeting point).
There are 180 apartments altogether, ranging from studio/2 person (20m2), to 2 bedrooms/6 person (70m2).
They are of an ok standard, and have TV and free wifi.
Tel: +33 479 01 34 34
Les Ancolies is a small résidence above the Rendezvous bar/restaurant, which has spacious, beautifully-presented apartments.
They range from 2 bedroom + cabin/6-8 person (70m2), to 5 bedroom/8-10 person (110m2). All have TV and DVD player, free wifi, and real fire.
Tel: +33 479 00 10 39
These two résidences, Soleil 1 and Soleil 2, opposite each other on the rue du Soleil, have the spacious, comfortable apartments you would expect for a self-catering holiday in Val Thorens with Montagnettes.
They range from 2 bedroom + cabin/6 person (72m2), to 5 bedroom/10 person (105m2). The interiors feature pine and stone, and have S or SE facing balconies, fireplace, flat screen TVs, and free wifi.
Tel: +33 479 10 49 15
Silveralp has studios for up to 4 people (20m2), and studios with a mezzanine floor for 5 people (28m2).
This used to be a tourist résidence run by Odalys, but the apartments now appear to be rented out individually by private owners.
Les Neiges Eternelles is a chalet-style building with just three 4-bedroom apartments. They are quite luxurious, and were conceived by a named interior designer, Jean-Benoit Boisset.
The apartments have private sauna, real fire, south-facing balconies, TV and DVD player, and free wifi. A laptop and games console are available. You can book a catered raclette or fondue evening in your apartment.
Tel: +33 470 00 15 63
In the rue du Soleil, the P&V Temples du Soleil apartments have easy access to the pistes, and an on-site superette, ski shop, bar, and restaurant (La Grange).
They are functional rather than luxurious, for a reasonably-priced self-catering holiday in Val Thorens. They are sometimes used by groups of students.
TV, wifi, half-board option (eating in La Grange), fitness room, sauna, jacuzzi, hammam.
Really one of the wings of Temples du Soleil, le Machu Pichu has been renovated to a much higher standard.
There two apartment types - 1 bedroom/4-5 person, and 1 bedroom/6 person. All have TV, wifi (extra); half-board option, eating in La Grange; fitness room, sauna, jacuzzi, hammam.
Across the road, and also belonging to P&V, is Résidence le Tikal, of a similar character to le Machu Pichu.
There's a range of apartments, from studio/2 person, to 3 bedroom/8-9 person. The accommodation is refurbished to an excellent standard, and well-equipped.
TV, wifi (extra); half-board option, eating in La Grange; fitness room, sauna, jacuzzi, hammam.
The popular apartments at Les Balcons are at the top of Val Thorens, in the Balcons quarter, within seven different 'chalet' buildings.
There is a wide range of apartment sizes, from 1 bedroom/2-4 person, up to 8 bedroom/16-18 person. They are very nicely laid out and decorated. All have TV, and the larger ones (8-11 person and bigger) feature wood-burning stoves.
Access to the slopes is from the ground floor of some of the chalets, or a short walk down the road; ski back by a route just off the Plein Sud piste, or walk back up the road.
There's a private parking (extra), and a spa with small swimming pool, sauna, hammam, and fitness room.
Other facilities on site include a bar and restaurant, L'Auberge des Balcons (where guests on half-board have breakfast and dinner), and another restaurant, La Cabane; there's also a ski shop, and a mini-supermarket.
Just across the road is the welcoming Red Fox pub.
Tel: +33 479 00 90 70 or +33 384 86 15 51
Les Balcons-Platinum is the résidence in Chalet 7, which opened in 2011/12.
The apartments are from 1 bedroom/2-4 person (41m2), to 3 bedroom/6-8 person (115m2).
They are modern and luxurious, and have certain extras compared with the rest of Les Balcons - wifi, espresso coffee maker in the kitchen, and boot dryers in the ski lockers.
Tel: +33 479 00 90 78
These two next door résidences, Val 2400 and Chalet Altitude, have well-equipped apartments, with TV, free wifi, and wood-burning stoves (Val 2400) or open fires (Altitude).
They range from 4/6 person (56m2), to 12-14 person (135m2).
There is a small swimming pool and sauna, shared between the two complexes.
Tel: +33 479 00 85 00
The apartments in the Chalet de Rosaël have fireplace, balcony, TV with CD and DVD drive, and free wifi.
They range from 1 bedroom + cabin/4 person (41m2), to 5 bedroom + cabin/12-14 person (120-140m2).
There's an on-site restaurant (La Ferme de Rosalie), and a spa area including small pool, sauna, hammam, and fitness room.
The Chalets du Thorens are on the piste - at the top of the Combe de Thorens piste, see the piste map.
This means that you're away from the village, although you can walk there, and the Chalets du Thorens operate a free shuttle by snowmobile or piste basher at 8.30am, 5.30pm, and 7pm, and on request in the evening.
There are just eight apartments, from studio/2 person, up to a 10-12 person apartment. They have TV, wifi (included), and most have balconies.
On site, there is the popular 360 apres-ski bar, plus a restaurant, self-service restaurant, lounge bar, pizzeria, waffle stall, and snack bar.
Whichever Val Thorens apartment you choose, I wish you a great stay in Val Thorens.
Skiing Made Easy is a Kindle ebook and paperback. It's a practical guide to learning to ski, based on many happy seasons of ski teaching in Val Thorens.
'This is the book I wish I'd had when I started skiing' - Amazon reviewer.
Read more about Skiing Made Easy.
Buy the paperback direct or on Amazon. Buy the Kindle ebook.
Skiing Made Easier is the follow-up to Skiing Made Easy, and covers technique beyond basic parallel turns - carving, short turns, bumps and off piste.
Read more about Skiing Made Easier.
Buy the paperback direct or on Amazon. Buy the Kindle ebook (affiliate links).
OutdoorMaster ski and snowboard goggles from Amazon - £39.99 at the time of writing.
As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.