Val Thorens has a peerless reputation as one of the best ski resorts in Europe. Sitting at an altitude of 2,300m, the village earns the coveted crown of Europe’s highest ski resort, guaranteeing one of the longest seasons in the Alps. A purpose-built, primarily ski-in/ski-out village, the resort is one of several that make up the famous Three Valleys ski area. Sitting in an alpine bowl high above the treeline, luxury ski holidays to Val Thorens offer incredible snow-sure conditions, gorgeous panoramic scenery, and some of the best skiing in the French Alps. The resort has a lively village atmosphere, with a buzzing après-ski and nightlife scene, alongside a selection of luxury chalets in Val Thorens and gourmet restaurants both on and off the mountain for the more discerning traveller. Whether looking for a family getaway, a celebration with friends, or a corporate retreat, Val Thorens has much to offer all manner of clientele, with our in-depth resort guide covering everything you could need to know for a Val Thorens luxury ski holiday.
Skiing in Val Thorens
The highest ski resort in the Alps, skiing in Val Thorens finds you high above the treeline in wide alpine bowls. Val Thorens immediate ski area, Val Thorens-Orelle, gives access to roughly 150km of slopes, of which 99% are found above 2,000m. Not only does this guarantee snow-sure slopes on your luxury ski holiday to Val Thorens, but also means the resort also boasts one of the longest ski seasons in the Alps, with lifts typically running from mid-November into the start of May.
Given its high-altitude location on the side of the mountain, many pistes snake their way through the resort, leading to a fantastic beginner’s area running alongside the village. This makes it perfect for any first-timers and family ski holidays to the Three Valleys. Higher up the ski area, you will find a mix of cruisy blues and reds, as well as some challenging black runs, with several north-facing slopes that hold their snow incredibly well throughout the winter. Of the 75 slopes total in the immediate ski area, there is a pleasant variety, with 10 greens, 32 blues, 26 reds, and 7 black runs. Check out our guide on the 5 best pistes in Val Thorens to find out which of the 150km of pistes you should seek out on your next luxury ski holiday.
The skiing in Val Thorens is not only limited to the immediate ski area. Val Thorens is one of the major resorts that forms part of the Three Valleys, a mammoth ski area of 600km of interconnected slopes. The Three Valleys ski area links Val Thorens with other renowned ski resorts, including Méribel, Courchevel, and St Martin de Belleville, and with such an expansive variety of slopes, there really is something for all skiers of any ability.
Restaurants in Val Thorens
Val Thorens has a wide variety of fantastic restaurants for you to explore. With the best restaurants in Val Thorens found both in resort and on the mountain, you’ll be spoilt for choice, whether you’re looking for somewhere for long, lazy lunches with breathtaking panoramas or a chic and cosy spot for a gourmet dinner. Below is a list of our top picks for places to eat in Val Thorens.
Les Explorateurs* – In the luxurious 5* Hotel Pashmina, you’ll find the intimate dining room of Les Explorateurs, the only Michelin Star restaurant in Val Thorens. With one star to its name, Les Explorateurs offers Alpine haute cuisine, paying homage to the mountain terroir, and crafted with supreme technical skill.
Les Aiguilles de Péclet – Perched at the foot of the Péclet Glacier at 3,000m, this is undoubtedly one of the best mountain restaurants in the Alps. Les Aiguilles de Péclet serves up everything from hearty Savoyard lunches to quick snacks, alongside views that are simply breathtaking. Despite being on the slopes, the restaurant is accessible to both skiers and pedestrians via the VT13 Péclet gondola.
La Frutière – The main restaurant of the famous Folie Douce après-ski bar, La Fruitière offers up a gourmet menu of Savoyard cuisine. Whether dining on the glorious terrace or within the comfortable indoor space, this mountain restaurant at 2,600m is a fabulous option, open for lunch from 12pm to 3pm.
Caron 3200 – Offering both French Savoyard and international cuisine, the restaurant at Caron 3200 has all you could need for a delicious mountain lunch. However, food is not necessarily the main draw here. Located at the top of the Cime Caron, the panoramic views are spellbinding, with peaks from across the French, Italian, and Swiss Alps all visible from this high-altitude location.
Chez Pépé Nicolas – Situated between Val Thorens and Les Menuires at 2,000m, Chez Pépé Nicolas is a gourmet mountain restaurant worth a visit. The restaurant serves traditional cuisine in a high-quality fashion, utilising produce often grown or made on-site in their own farm.
Val Thorens Après-Ski & Nightlife
Val Thorens is probably the resort to be in the Three Valleys for lovers of all things après-ski and nightlife. Easily among the best resorts for après-ski in France, Val Thorens has a plethora of pubs, clubs, and bars in the village and on the slopes, with something to suit all manner of tastes. While you can find places for a refined cocktail and a quiet drink if you know where to look, the resort has a more famous reputation for big slopeside parties and ebullient celebrations. Come mid-afternoon, skis come off, and après-ski celebrations commence, with dancing on extensive terraces in the glory of majestic mountain panoramas. Once the sun sets, return to your luxury chalets in Val Thorens before heading back out to experience the vibrant and vivacious resort nightlife. Below you’ll find a select pick of some of the best places to visit in Val Thorens for après-ski and nightlife…
Folie Douce – The biggest name in après-ski. Folie Douce is legendary across the French Alps, with 8 locations overall. Found on the blue Plein Sud piste, this is one of two Folie Douce bars in the Three Valleys.
Bar 360 – Bar360 features an expansive terrace and attracts top DJs with multiple events throughout the season, including the electronic music festival, Festi Val Tho – one of many music festivals in the Alps. And with an easy green run back into the resort, it’s a fantastic place for an epic session of après-ski in Val Thorens. It’s no surprise it stands out as one of the best après ski bars in Europe.
Malaysia – For nightlife in Val Thorens, this is the main hotspot. A nightclub in the Alps unlike any other, Malaysia is open until the early hours of the morning.
Fahrenheit 7 – This ski-in/ski-out hotel in Val Thorens offers the complete spectrum of après-ski festivities. Sit out on the 300m² terrace, which hosts sunset parties from 4pm to 8pm. Enjoy the cosy, intimate atmosphere of La Cheminée lounge bar. Or head to Le Zinc for some festive après-ski with live music and DJ sets on their private stage.
Klub Summit – A unique little spot for nightlife in Val Thorens. Klub Summit opens its doors at midnight, kicking off proceedings with an hour and a half of karaoke, before transforming into a full open-format club with DJ sets well into the night.
Saloon Bar – Run by the same people behind Klub Summit, Saloon Bar is a fantastic bar for both après-ski in Val Thorens and partying late into the night. Saloon Bar and Klub Summit are found along a nice little strip of bars, pubs, and clubs, meaning you will surely find a delightful spot for après ski, whatever your mood.
Non-Skiing Activities in Val Thorens
When it comes to things to do in Val Thorens when not skiing, après-ski isn’t the only thing on the menu. There are plenty of activities in Val Thorens for non-skiers, ranging from family-friendly options to more adrenaline-inducing options. Perhaps the most thrill-seeking thing to do is a run down La Bee, a double tyrolienne (zipline) that lets you fly over the slopes at heights of up to 65m above the ground. For those who prefer to keep their feet (or backsides) on the snow, Val Thorens offers both snowtubing and sledding. In fact, the Cosmojet toboggan ride is the longest in France, with over 5km of twists and turns to sled down.
Further things to do in Val Thorens off the slopes include paragliding, ice climbing, fat biking, and ice skating. And if the weather isn’t on your side, there is a sports centre in town with gym facilities, a swimming pool, and wellness features – that is, of course, if your luxury chalets in Val Thorens don’t already come equipped with such facilities!
Luxury Accommodation in Val Thorens
Cocoon Apartments – Luxury Apartments in Val Thorens
The Cocoon residence is a collection of 10 luxury self catered apartments in Val Thorens. Situated in a ski-in/ski-out location off the blue Plein Sud piste, they are a versatile option for a luxury ski holiday to Val Thorens, with apartments in size ranging from 2- to 6-bedroom properties. Each apartment comes with a private outdoor Jacuzzi and sauna, while also offering access to a shared swimming pool within the residence. With a clean, smart, modern alpine finish, these popular, spacious apartments are a fantastic choice for luxury Val Thorens ski holidays.
La Datcha VT – Luxury Chalets in Val Thorens
When it comes to luxury chalets in Val Thorens, Chalet La Datcha VT is the clear standout option. One of our Ultimate Luxury Chalets collection, this catered ski chalet in Val Thorens represents the pinnacle of luxury that this resort has to offer. Located on the same piste as the Cocoon residence, this ski-in/ski-out chalet is a mammoth 1,200m², sleeping groups of up to 15 guests across 8 bedrooms. The facilities on offer at Chalet La Datcha are exemplary; from a spa area with swimming pool, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, sauna, Hammam, and gym, to the chalet’s incredible entertaining areas, including but not limited to cinema rooms, a private bar, cigar room, and games room with racing and golf simulators. The chalet comes with a full range of staff services, including a chef, butler, housekeeping, and in-resort driver service. It is not only the best luxury chalet in Val Thorens, but one of the greatest across the Three Valleys.
Hotel Altapura – Luxury Hotels in Val Thorens
There are many incredible Val Thorens hotels for a luxury ski holiday, but we think Hotel Altapura might just be the best of the bunch. Ski-in/ski-out just above the base of the Plein Sud chairlift, this luxury 5* hotel in Val Thorens offers up to 88 rooms and suites to choose from. The standout feature of the hotel is its 1,000m² spa area, providing an unparalleled wellness offering which includes an indoor/outdoor swimming pool, wet and dry saunas, a fitness room, multiple treatment cabins, and an IGLOO ice room. What’s more, the hotel has its own stylish bar, on-site ski shop, and no less than three restaurants, with a chic Italian, an Asian-influenced eatery, and a traditional alpine dining room.
Inspired by a luxury ski holiday to Val Thorens? If you want to learn more about the resort or are interested in booking a holiday in one of our Val Thorens luxury chalets, or anywhere else on our portfolio, then we are here to help. Simply pick up the phone and call +44 (0)1202 203 650, or send us an email and one of our Ski Specialists can help craft the perfect luxury ski holiday for you.
Follow Us on Socials!
Keep up with the latest news and additions to our portfolio by following us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest!
