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An independent guide to Val Thorens
Val Thorens events 2017-18
There's always something going on in Val Thorens! Amongst the regular Val Thorens events are festivities at Christmas and New Year, and Apotheose Days and Dutch week at the end of the season. In the school holidays, there's entertainment for kids, as well as torchlit descents by the ESF, and fireworks. You can see top-class sports events in Val Thorens too, including the Trophée Andros and World Cup Skicross races. The Tuesday classical and jazz concerts at the church are always popular.
Val Thorens events: weekly highlights
Val Thorens events: Saturday 28th April to Tuesday 8th May 2018
All week to Friday 4th May 2018
Dutch week, with music and entertainment aimed at our tall friends from the flat country
Sunday 29th April 2018
8.30 to 11.30am Voluntary litter pick to clean up the resort. RV Maison de Val Thorens
Tuesday 1st to Tuesday 8th May 2018
Apotheose Days - fun activities including a water slide, Big Air Bag, and games for children
Friday 4th May 2018
Waiters' ski race organised by Antoine Diet
Val Thorens events for winter 2017/18
Val Thorens events: November 2017
Saturday 18th November 2017: season opening
Val Thorens opens for the 2017/18 ski season.
Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th November 2017: la Grande Première
La Grande Première is the first big weekend of the season, with 15,000 skiers anticipated on both days. Val Thorens is promising that 80% of the ski area will be open.
It's a chance to test the new models of skis and snowboards from 60 brands, including (skis) Atomic, Black Crows, Blizzard, Dynastar, Head, K2, Nordica, Rossignol, Salomon, Scott, and Volkl; and (snowboards) Burton, K2, Nidecker, Oakley, Drake, and Roxy. There'll also be touring skis and snowbikes to try out.
There are to be several activity zones, with a mini snowpark, a big air bag, and a trampoline for snowbikes. There'll be events in the early evening too, like Happy Hour, and games with prizes to be won.
Val Thorens events: December 2017
Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd December 2017: Trophée Andros in Val Thorens
The first stage of the car and motocross ice circuit competition is in Val Thorens. There are races with petrol cars, electric cars, and motocross bikes. €18 per day for entry to the middle of the circuit, or €30 for the weekend; free viewing from outside the circuit. The Trophée Andros continues in other French ski resorts, including Alpe d'Huez. This video shows the action at the Trophée Andros 2014 in Val Thorens (including Sébastien Loeb's appearance in one of the races):
Thursday 7th to Saturday 9th December 2017: Skicross World Cup
The best Skicross competitors in the world will be in Val Thorens for these two World Cup event, including Val Thorens's own Olympic champion Jean-Fred Chapuis. Qualifications on Thursday, semi-finals and finals of the first World Cup on Friday, and semi-finals and finals of the second World Cup on Saturday. Free for spectators. This video shows the 2015 Skicross World Cup in Val Thorens:
Tuesday 12th & Wednesday 13th December 2017: Snowboardcross World Cup
A stage of the Snowboardcross World Cup takes place in Val Thorens, home resort of Olympic bronze medallist Chloé Trespeuch.
Saturday 16th to Saturday 23rd December 2017: Ski and Boarderweek in Val Thorens
Ski and Boarderweek week brings mainly German snowboarders and skiers to Val Thorens. There are ski and snowboard contests, including jumps on a big airbag, and free tests of equipment. They set up an Easy Fun Park on the Voie Lactée, with coaching by experts. There's also entertainment, including a Trampo Board and an Air Jump; live concerts; and a Big Air Battle Show.
Saturday 23rd to Saturday 30th December 2017: Magical Christmas
Magical Christmas week in Val Thorens. There'll be a concert at the church, a torchlit descent for children, and a children's show.
Father Christmas will be staying in a cabin in Val Thorens this year, so there's an opportunity to meet him at the Lapland-themed village on place Caron. The Christmas Eve show involves a torchlit descent by the ESF at 6pm, a big firework display, and the arrival of Father Christmas at 7pm. Free mulled wine and hot chocolate at place Caron.
Sunday 31st December 2017: New Year's Eve
There'll be a torchlit descent by the instructors of the ESF at 6pm, entertainment for children, free hot chocolate and mulled wine on place Caron, and fireworks at ten to midnight. This is what it's like:
Val Thorens events: January 2018
Events to follow
Val Thorens events: February 2018
February 2018: Tournoi des 6 stations rugby on snow
Six teams, representing six different ski resorts (Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Valmorel, Morillon, Saint-Gervais, and La Clusaz), play short games of Sevens Rugby on snow. Date yet to be announced. There are usually some ex-internationals taking part, including Marc Lievremont, Serge Betsen, Christophe Dominici, and Shane Williams. Recommended. See the video from 2015 (when it was properly cold):
Wednesday 14th February 2018: Valentine's Day
On Valentine's Day in Val Thorens there'll be roses for the ladies (at the tourist office, from 9am to 7pm - while stocks last!). Free mulled wine (with ginger) on place Caron.
February/March 2018: Carnaval'tho
Events during Carnival week - there'll be music in the streets of the resort, and one evening there's a concert at the church at 6.30pm.
Val Thorens events: March 2018
March 2018: Festi Valtho
Loud dance music at the Chalets du Thorens (international electro music). There'll be a big air bag on site, and fireworks at the end. Dates to be confirmed.
Val Thorens events: April 2018
April 2018: 3 Valleys Enduro Rally
A series of 'specials' set up around the Three Valleys under the name 3 Vallées Enduro. Enter as a team of three, and go and try the Big Air Bag, giant slalom, freeride course, kilometre speed skiing, ski cross, and more. About 1,500 people take part. Prizes for everyone. Date to follow.
April 2018: Dutch week
The traditional Dutch week in the spring in Val Thorens, to celebrate Koningsdag (the King's birthday - actually the 27th April). Dates of Dutch week to follow.
Val Thorens events: May 2018
Tuesday 1st to Tuesday 8th May 2018: Apotheose Days
A series of events and entertainment, to celebrate the closing days of the season. Activities free for children up to 8 years old, otherwise there's a small fee for a pass. Evening concerts.
Tuesday 8th May 2018: the last day of the season
Squeeze the last drops out of the ski season. The lifts close at the end of today!
Make the most of all the Val Thorens events!
Val Thorens events: archived events programmes
Archive:
Val Thorens events: street market
There's a market in Grand Rue near the church, every Tuesday and Thursday of the winter season (and in the summer season). The market has a range of stalls, inclduing clothing, craft items, local honey, cheeses, and cured meats. Read more about Val Thorens market.
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