An independent guide to Val Thorens
This guide to the Val Thorens ski area includes the beginners area, an overview of the ski area sector by sector, the Snowpark, the Slalom Stadium, and the World Cup Skicross. There's a pdf of the piste maps too.
See suggested routes for the 3 Valleys from Val Thorens, and to Saint Martin, and read about mountain restaurants and walking paths in Val Thorens.
Discover the Val Thorens ski area here.
Where to start on your first skiing day in Val Thorens, and which lifts and slopes to take as you progress. The magic carpets and the beginners' pistes, the green runs, and the easiest blue runs.
Read about Val Thorens Beginners Area.
A sector by sector guide to the Val Thorens-Orelle ski area.
The sectors include Plein Sud, Péclet, Moraine, Montée du Fond, Caron, Rosaël, and Boismint.
Read a sector-by-sector Overview of the Val Thorens Ski Area.
Val Thorens has a great snowpark, with jumps organised into lanes - blue, red, and black. It's an Intermediate and Expert Park, on the skier's right of the Plateau piste, and it sometimes hosts top-class competitions.
Read about Val Thorens Snowpark.
The slalom stadium in Val Thorens hosts European Cup and FIS races, as well as local Val Thorens ski races. When it's not in use for racing or training, it's open to anyone to ski.
Read about Val Thorens Slalom Stadium.
The World Cup Skicross Jean-Frédéric Chapuis in Val Thorens is truly an attraction of the resort. In December 2012, it hosted a first World Cup ski cross events in December, and when it's not being used for competitions, it's open to anyone.
Read about the World Cup Skicross.
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.
How to do the 3 Valleys from Val Thorens.
This guide has ideas for a route from Val Thorens via Méribel Mottaret (and Méribel) to Courchevel, and suggests two main options in Courchevel - based on Courchevel Moriond and Courchevel 1850. Le Praz and/or La Tania can be added on.
There are a couple of lunch recommendations, and notes on two possible ways back.
Read about the 3 Valleys from Val Thorens.
The route to Saint Martin from Val Thorens.
The lifts and pistes to take, photos, ideas for coffee or lunch, and timings.
Read about a trip to Saint Martin from Val Thorens.
PDFs of the piste maps. Get an overview of the Val Thorens or 3 Valleys ski area, and start to plan some routes.
View a Val Thorens-Orelle piste map, or a 3 Valleys piste map.
For expert skiers and snowboarders who love getting away from the pistes, lifts, and the crowds, have a look at the off piste section. It includes safety considerations, contacts for local guides, information on the relevant guidebooks, and tips on where to buy or rent off piste equipment in Val Thorens.
There are also descriptions of some of the best off piste itineraries in Val Thorens, the Belleville Valley, and the 3 Valleys.
Read about the Val Thorens Off Piste Itineraries.
A new restaurant at the top of the Cime de Caron, and replacing the 2 Lacs chair with a different kind of lift, are two of the highlights in advance of the Winter season.
What else is new in 2024-25?
Read about What's New in Val Thorens in 2024-25.
A guide to all the Val Thorens mountain restaurants. Some of the best are the Chalet de la Marine, la Fruitière, and les Aiguilles de Péclet. There's also an entry for the ever-popular Folie Douce.
Read about Val Thorens Mountain Restaurants.
Val Thorens probably isn't the very best resort for walking, but the lift company and the tourist office have made an effort in recent years to create some walkers' paths. Certain lifts can be used by pedestrians.
Read about Walking in Val Thorens.
Have a great time exploring Val Thorens Ski Area.