Val Thorens

As one of the 3 Valleys, the skiing is unbeatable. There are over 600km of pistes to choose from all of them seamlessly linked by a modern and reliable lift system.

Val Thorens itself has lots to offer all abilities, 2 glaciers and 2 snow parks too.

BEGINNERS:

Very good indeed, the main nursery slopes are found around the resort centre offering incredible convenience to first timers. In fact, the “magic carpet” which is a covered travelator on the nursery slope is free of charge, perfect for first timers.

INTERMEDIATES:

So much to choose from! We particularly like the range of blues and reds on the Meribel side of Les Menuires, the Pluviometre and the Mont De La Chambre blue pistes are superb. No trip to the 3 Valleys, let alone Val Thorens is complete without checking out the Jerusalem piste, a helter skelter selection of rollers and sweeping turns combined with some draw dropping terrain. This piste is generally on most experienced skiers top 10 list in the world.

EXPERTS:

All the pistes from the top of the Caron are excellent and very steep. The Combe De Caron is superb. There is a good selection of reds and blacks from the Point De La Masse too. The best thing from an experts perspective is the sheer scope of the ski area. You physically cannot ski the entire piste map in a week. A great day trip is to grab first lifts, ski over to Courchevel Le Praz and then ski back again. This takes all day and involves flirting with missing the last lift back which is an expensive mistake to make! We suggest you take lunch and drinks with you because if you stop for a bite, you may miss your trip back.

“VT” is one of the liveliest resorts in France and is a very popular choice for skiers looking for a lively night out. The après-ski is great too, the second Folie Douce was installed here a few years ago and it has become arguably the liveliest après spot in the 3 Valleys. It is on the hill but the ski back to resort is a simple one. The Folie comes in to its own when the sun shines and the terrace bounces along to the pumping house music, fuelled by beer, rose and champagne too. Bar 360 is the other main après spot, situated on the Combe de Thorens green run, meaning all levels of skiers can ski to the bar. This is another very popular outdoor bar that is best experienced when the sun is shining.

The highlights in terms of bars, for a drink after dinner, are the Frog and Roastbeef and the Saloon bar. For those looking to party into the wee hours the best option is Le Malaysia, an enormous nightclub with excellent music.

PRONEIGE: http://valthorens.prosneige.fr/english/

SKI COOL: http://www.ski-cool.com

ESF: http://www.ski-school-valthorens.co.uk/

GIRL SKI AND SNOWBOARD: http://girlschool.fr