Resort Guide: Val Thorens

✈️ Getting to Val Thorens:
Val Thorens is easily accessible through major airports, with Geneva and Lyon offering good international connections approximately 200 kilometers away. Additionally, the resort’s well-connected road network ensures a convenient and scenic journey for those traveling by car.

Ski & Snowboard Lessons in Val Thorens

SkiBro brings together the best ski schools Val Thorens has to offer as well as the best independent ski and snowboard instructors, mountain guides on a single easy to use platform. Enter your requirements to find the provider that is best matched to your needs, check out providers’ profile videos and past client reviews, and instant book online in just a few clicks.

As it attracts customers and instructors from all over the world so ski lessons are readily available in English, French, Dutch, Russian, Italian, German, Spanish… you won’t have much any finding a multilingual ski instructor in Val Thorens! For your lessons you can bring your own skis or snowboard, or hire skis within resort. The choice is yours!

Children’s Ski Lessons

From a three-year-old’s the first steps on snow in the children’s snow garden to teenagers confidently crushing black runs and getting in to the snowpark you’ll find ski lessons for children of all ages and ability in Val Thorens (which can come in handy when you suddenly realise your kids have become better skiers than you!). 

We’re probably (more than) a bit biased but at SkiBro we think that properly laying the foundation for a lifetime on the slopes – free of bad habits – is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give their children.

SkiBro’s partner ski schools and instructors are all fully certified and have years of experience providing kids’ ski lessons that focus not only on technical instruction but also fun and safety.  

Children’s ski lessons tend to book up very quickly during peak school holiday periods like half-term and christmas break, so make sure to book early during these times to avoid disappointment.

Val Thorens for Beginners

There’s also no need for first-time skiers to buy a lift pass on day one as there is a free nursery slope on the snowfront aka the Rond Point des Pistes.  You’ll find two dedicated pistes for those learning to ski, Musaraigne and Campanols, served by “magic carpets” – travelator style belts enclosed in perspex tunnels. There is also a great variety of gentle green and blue runs — especially those down from the Caron gondola and Pionniers/Plein Sud lifts — give a great introduction to the sport and allow for quick progression.

Intermediates will love the high descents, terrain and snowparks, and the long, winding blues and reds. The Pluviometre and Chasse down from the 3 Vallees gondola is a great route, as is the Voismint and Plan de l’Eau down from the Boismint chair on the other side. From Cime Caron, the Col de l’Audzin is one of the best reds in the whole resort. Christine another beautiful high-altitude blue piste which starts all the way up the mountain at nearly 3000m, offering stunning views of the Alpine surroundings.

Val Thorens for Experts

Experts will want to head for the highest peaks and plunge down the Comb de Caron, a long and steep black that drops you at the Cime Caron gondola. From each of the peaks, a variety of steep terrain is on offer, as is a host of inviting off-piste, where the high altitude guarantees nearly bottomless powder. The snowpark is also one of the best in the Alps, so teens and expert freestyle skiers and snowboarders are well catered for.

Val Thorens for Off-Piste

Considered by those who get into it as skiing in its purest (and most fun!) form, freeride (also known as off piste or backcountry) skiing is the pursuit of skiing all over the mountain, unrestricted by the edge of the piste in a variety of snow conditions. 

A good day’s freeride skiing might involve long descents down wide open mountain faces, steep couloirs and adventures through the trees, far away from the crowded pistes. In addition to private ski instructors and mountain guides you can sometimes find camps and courses designed to give upper-intermediate skiers their first taste of off-piste delights in Val Thorens. Be careful though, the white powder can be quite addictive.

 Top Tips From Val Thoren’s Best Ski and Snowboard Instructors:

• Don’t buy a lift pass on day one if you’re a first time skier – the beginner ski area is free!
• There’s more to Val Thorens than just skiing – try the world’s highest zipline or the world’s longest toboggan run!
• Decide if you need to buy a full 3 Valleys ski pass, it’s a hard day’s skiing to go to Courchevel and back and VT has 140km of pistes of its’ own.
• Instead of bringing your own skis or snowboard from home you can pre-order online from a shop like Intersport to make sure you have the season’s best ski gear waiting for you when you arrive in resort – easy peasy!
• If you have children make sure to book in advance for holiday ski lessons – Val Thorens can get busy at half term and Christmas.   Don’t miss out getting the spot you want!

Val Thorens for Non-Skiers

If skiing isn’t your forte, fear not – Val Thorens offers a plethora of activities for non-skiers to enjoy. The town boasts a vibrant sports centre complete with a swimming pool and an ice skating rink, providing alternative winter fun. Explore the scenic surroundings through winter walking trails, accessible by foot or take a gondola ride to join your family for a leisurely mountain lunch.

For those seeking off-piste adventures, Val Thorens provides various non-ski activities, including snowshoeing and unforgettable dog-sledding experiences.

Summer Skiing

During the summer months, Val Thorens transforms into a unique destination for skiing enthusiasts seeking an extraordinary experience. With access to the Glacier de Péclet at an impressive altitude of 3,456 meters, Val Thorens offers summer skiing opportunities on the snow-covered slopes.

Skiers can take advantage of approximately 20 kilometers of pistes on the glacier, providing a thrilling and scenic environment for both beginners and experienced skiers. The Grande Motte Glacier in nearby Tignes is also a popular summer skiing spot, showcasing breathtaking views and excellent conditions for those looking to extend their skiing adventures beyond the traditional winter season.

Après Ski

Val Thorens’ après-ski scene is vibrant and diverse, with options to suit every taste:

1. La Folie Douce: Iconic mountainside venue for live music and lively dancing.
2. Coco-Ricos: Traditional nightclub experience with music and a vibrant atmosphere.
3. Place Caron: Central square hub with outdoor terraces for drinks and socializing.
4. Dick’s Tea Bar: Legendary nightclub with renowned DJs, open until the early morning.
5. Le Monde: Cozy bar offering a relaxed atmosphere and a variety of drinks.
6. Coin des Amis: Local favourite in the town centre, bustling with drinks, music, and laughter. Whether you crave slopeside excitement or a laid-back evening, Val Thorens’ après-ski ensures memorable nights after exhilarating days on the mountain.

Ready to book? explore our ski schools, instructors, guides & activities here.