Val Thorens - World Snowboard Guide

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High, high, high; Val Thorens is the highest resort in Europe, it’s a load of purpose-built block of ugly flats, a few shops and a line of bars. With nothing to do at night but drink, and at a height of 2300m, it’s painfully cold when walking for that drink.

Who cares, though? With a lift system that whisks you up to 3200m, north-facing slopes, a 9m average snowfall and a connection to the Trois Vallees, you can stick the bad points where the sun don’t shine. Furthermore, although not noted as a summer resort, you can still ride here right up until early August. Like the rest of the Trois Vallees, it’s full of package-deal holidaymakers. Lots of Brits but not as many as at Meribel or Couchevel, although you'll find it’s also popular with the Dutch and Swedes. Many of the apartments will give you instant slope access; some have a highrise chair going past your window (so keep an eye out when leaving the shower).

They’ve even made Val Thornes a car-free zone, so at least you don’t have to look out for motors when running for the pub, but you will have to make parking arrangements if driving. It’s a rip-off 53 Euros a week if you book on the internet, or otherwise its 62.50 euros if you just turn up.

Fortunately, Val Thorens is a board-friendly place with a funpark and without the stuck-up attitude of some of the Trois Vallees resorts.

Hotel search

New for season

2006/7: Improvement to the Laudzin, Christine and Tête Ronde pistes. Snowmaking on Blanchot and Laudzin pistes

Top holiday offers

£453

Val Thorens, France
05/Jan/13 , Manchester

Le Cheval Blanc Apartments - Self Catered
Residence Le Cheval Blanc is in a fantastic ski-in/out location giving guests easy access to all of the Trois Vallees ski area. For beginners the ski

Flexibility
Resort
Catering
Depart (UK)

Property	Date	From	Basis	Price
Chalet Le Sommet	20/Jan/13	Heathrow	Cater	£ 683
Chalet Catherine	03/Mar/13	Manchester	Cater	£ 878
Chalet Le Sommet	13/Jan/13	Southampton	Cater	£ 667
Chalet Le Sommet	20/Jan/13	Manchester	Cater	£ 703
Chalet Chloe	17/Feb/13	Gatwick	Cater	£1,164
Chalet Le Sommet	10/Mar/13	Heathrow	Cater	£ 753
Chalet Le Sommet	07/Apr/13	Heathrow	Cater	£ 803
Chalet Olivier	03/Mar/13	Southampton	Cater	£ 882
Chalet Catherine	17/Feb/13	Stansted	Cater	£1,214
Chalet Catherine	24/Feb/13	Gatwick	Cater	£ 934
Hotel Les Trois Vallees	30/Mar/13	Gatwick	HB	£1,118
Hotel Le Portillo	19/Jan/13	Manchester	HB	£1,862
Olympiades Apartments	22/Dec	Gatwick	SC	£1,348
Hotel Les Trois Vallees	02/Mar/13	Stansted	HB	£1,073
Hotel Les Trois Vallees	02/Mar/13	Manchester	HB	£1,083

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

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Tacky with loads of skiers, but access to great terrain

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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

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