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

£483

Val Thorens, France
05/Jan/13 , Gatwick

Olympiades Apartments - Self Catered
The Olympiades enjoys a fantastic location in the heart of the ‘Caron’ area, opposite the sports centre and close to the slopes. The closest s

Flexibility
Resort
Catering
Depart (UK)

Property	Date	From	Basis	Price
Chalet Mathilde	03/Mar/13	Gatwick	Cater	£ 774
Chalet Mathilde	24/Feb/13	Birmingham	Cater	£ 874
Chalet Mathilde	24/Feb/13	Heathrow	Cater	£ 864
Chalet Mathilde	07/Apr/13	East Midlands	Cater	£ 844
Chalet Mathilde	07/Apr/13	Edinburgh	Cater	£ 854
Chalet Chloe	27/Jan/13	Bristol	Cater	£ 774
Chalet Chloe	24/Feb/13	Stansted	Cater	£ 860
Chalet Chloe	07/Apr/13	Gatwick	Cater	£ 820
Chalet Chloe	24/Feb/13	Birmingham	Cater	£ 874
Chalet Chloe	24/Feb/13	Heathrow	Cater	£ 864
Olympiades Apartments	29/Dec	Manchester	SC	£ 689
Hotel Le Sherpa	13/Apr/13	Gatwick	HB	£ 863
Residence Le Portillo	29/Dec	Birmingham	SC	£ 629
Le Montana Apartments	16/Feb/13	Bristol	SC	£1,673
Hotel Le Val Chaviere	09/Mar/13	Gatwick	HB	£ 903

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

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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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