Val Thorens reviews - World Snowboard Guide

Navigation

New Snow park

Wed 6 April 2011 SC

Last season Val Thorens got a new park (2010) now it's even bigger and better. Found this out at http://www.skigb.com who seem to know the local vibe.

Late trip - April 05

Wed 21 September 2005 Darren
I took a last minute trip to Val Thorens in April 05. This was only my 2nd week away, my other trip being to Alpe D'Huez earlier in the year.

My initial impression was just how small an operation this was compared to Alpe D'Huez. I much preferred the town and found the bars and restaurants very good, if not as always pricey.

We were extremely lucky in having a huge dump of snow on the day we arrived and for the first two days the boarding was excellent. I am still a begineer so not much off piste for me but other boarders appeared to be having the time of their lifes. As the week progressed the slopes were rock solid in the morning and slushy in the afternoon. I mad a few bad choices on which slopes to attempt at various points throughout the day so newbies like me beware - speak to your chalet host to get the best advice.

I found the whole trip very good indeed with enough variation on the local slpes for a begineer and of course you can get easy access to the three valleys if you wish.

I will defnately go back for a late trip again in 06 as being so high it has to be one of the most snow sure resorts.

Superb

Wed 1 December 2004 Alex
Really gorgeous area in the three valleys and at the highest point of all, the best skiing area also. The village seems quiet off peak and some of the hotels look great even though ours was slightly budget (you get what you pay for!) avoid the tourist trap for lunch on the piste which will save you a packet! The nicest thing was the access for every other village, a 10 minute lift ride gets you to the top and from there the choice is yours! For the advanced skiers you have a good range of backcountry availiable but be advised to borrow someone who knows where there going! being so high the weather moves in very, very fast! Hope this helps :)

Resort Statistics

Resort Type: Alpine
Winter: Nov to May
Summer: None

Lifts

Total Lifts: 47
Cable cars: 2
Gondolas: 3
Chair lifts: 16
Drag lifts: 8
Max people per hour: 53,000
Board Leashes required: No

Mountain

Total pistes/trails: 67
Total ride area: 87miles (140km)
Longest run: 2miles (3km)

Top lift: 3230m
Vertical drop: 1400m
First lift: 1800m

Piste suitability

Green runs: 44%
Red runs: 44%
Black runs: 12%

Lift Passes

Lift Passes:
Local area:
Half-day 27.5, Day 34.5, 6 Days 166
3 Valleys:
Half-day 34.5, Day 43, 6 Days 215, Season 935
Lift times:8.30am to 4.30pm

Snowfall

Average annual snowfall: 10metres
Artificial snowmaking coverage: 25%

Facilities

Snowboard Schools: ski schools with snowboard sections
Snowboard Hire: lots of choice
Night Riding: : No

Other activities

Heliboarding: : Not available
Snowmobiles: alone 70 euros an hour
2 people 80 euros an hour

Further information

www.valthorens.com
Email:valtho@valthorens.com

Tacky with loads of skiers, but access to great terrain

Please install Flash and turn on Javascript.

ON THE SLOPES: Very good
OFF THE SLOPES: Okay but cheesy
MONEY WISE: Overall this is an expensive resort. Can be good value if you want almost guaranteed good snow.

HALFPIPE: Yes - 1
TERRAIN PARK: Yes - 1
BACKCOUNTRY/OFF-PISTE:Yes
TREE RUNS:A few

Please install Flash and turn on Javascript.

Add a WSG resort summary to your website with our free widget.