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Val Cenis Resort Reviews


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Visitor reviews for Val Cenis Ski Resort

Val Cenis Ratings

Overall: 4.2. Based on 19 votes and 11 reviews. Vote

Snowsure: 4.6

(1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Val Cenis is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.

Variety of pistes: 4.3

(1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Val Cenis has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.

Off-piste: 3.8

(1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.

Scenery: 4.6

(1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.

Access: 3.9

(1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Val Cenis.

Public Transport: 4.2

(1) There are no buses or taxis to Val Cenis, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.

Accommodation: 4.7

(1) No places to stay in/near Val Cenis, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.

Cheap Rooms: 4.4

(1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.

Luxury Hotels: 3.1

(1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Val Cenis.

Ski in/Ski out: 4.7

(1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.

Childcare: 4.2

(1) There are no child care facilities at Val Cenis, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.

Snowmaking: 4.1

(1) Val Cenis relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.

Snow Grooming: 4.5

(1) There are no snow groomers at Val Cenis, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Val Cenis are groomed daily.

Shelter: 4.2

(1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Val Cenis is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.

Nearby options: 3.8

(1) If snow conditions are poor at Val Cenis, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.

Regional rating: 4.5

(1) Val Cenis usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.

Lift Staff: 4.5

(1) The staff at Val Cenis are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Val Cenis are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.

Crowds/Queues: 4.5

(1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.

Ski Schools: 4.7

(1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.

Hire and Repairs: 4.6

(1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.

Beginners: 4.6

(1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.

Intermediates: 4.7

(1) No intermediate terrain at Val Cenis, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.

Advanced: 3.8

(1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.

Snow Park: 2.9

(1) Not even a kicker at Val Cenis, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.

Cross-country: 4.1

(1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Val Cenis, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.

Luge/Toboggan: 3.1

(1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Val Cenis has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.

Mountain Dining: 4.1

(1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.

Eating: 4.0

(1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.

Apres-Ski: 3.2

(1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.

Other Sports: 4.1

(1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.

Entertainment: 3.8

(1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.

Winter Walks: 3.9

(1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.

Ski Pass Value: 4.6

(1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.

Value (National): 4.6

(1) Overall, Val Cenis is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.

Value (Global): 4.7

(1) Overall, Val Cenis is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

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March 16, 2004
lslade from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
A great resort. Unlike other large french resorts Val Cenis has not been commercialised and retains a lot of its original character. This does mean that there is a limited nightlife...but the upside is that there a comparatively speaking very few lift queues - in our opinion this allows an extra hours skiing per day. The scenery is very good and some of the runs down through the trees - on or off piste are fantastic. We were there in March 04 and the snow was excellent with powder everywhere you turned, although some of the runs were icy in the afternoon following some fantastic sunshine. Definately worth a visit if you're looking for something a bit different - but practice your french!
February 07, 2005
Catherine Willetts from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
This will be our third year at Val Cenis, excellent skiing and fantastic views. Always plenty of good soft snow, short lift queues and not to commercialised in our opinion a fantastic place that we want to keep for ourselves!
March 03, 2005
Darren Milnes from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
A great little resort for the intermediate. No rip off prices. Snowcoach will look after your kids at the Alpazur Hotel. More challenging stuff up the road if you need it (Bonneval) Definately returning soon
January 15, 2006
Karen Lee from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
We were in Val Cenis for the new year 06, it was a beautiful resort, had really good snow as it had snowed the day before we arrived quite heavily and we had snow for the first few nights. Stayed at Les Valmonts De Valcenis, can't recommend this property enough, ski in, ski out!! Great for the children as they didn't have to walk. The resort itself was really friendly, got some equipment at Sport 2000, the staff couldn't do enough for us, our boys wanted to try snowboarding and they kitted them out for 10 euro. We like the quieter resorts as we usually go with a few other families and can make our own apres ski but there was something for everyone here, great restaurants, pubs etc. Great too for French revision for the children's GCSE's!! Altogether, really looking forward to returning to Val Cenis!!
January 07, 2007
ian palin from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Well we have just returned from Val Cenis after spending new year 2006 there, it was our third visit. The locals are great, as are the prices. Sad to say though all the hard work put in by the snowmaking team this and previous years is wasted due to no skill or care by the snow grooming teams, it snowed several times while we were there and only the blue runs were groomed, and not that well, the top slopes were left and as a result the new snow was either blow away or pushed off the runs by skiers, this would not be such a problem if the resort had good snowfall record each and every year but it has not. It's only saving grace is that most of the slopes face north so avoid the sun in mid winter. If you are thinking of a holiday here do not go early or late in the season unless you book late and have checked the weather, or you could be facing slopes of ice or even mud lower down, a shame that a nice little resort let's itself down on such a basic winter sport skill.
February 08, 2009
John from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Just got back a couple of weeks ago from our yearly grown ups trip to Val Cenis - best skiing ever. Been in Jan for 3 years running and the last two years have been fine. Before that I went in March - that was ok too that year. This year there is so much snow a few runs up the top over near Mont Cenis were tricky but a right laugh. Other than that all was well - some fantastic runs. Been a bit grey this year but then that, in part, can be blamed on all the snow falling. Going back to Val Cenis next week, with the kids this time - looking forward to them having a great time and me not being so full on. Trying out the MMV down in Lans Le Bourg this time, for a change - tried the one in Flaine before and was pleased with the arrangements for the kids. Locals are as welcoming as ever - really great. Sadly the prices are 50% up on last year - due to the poor exchange rate.
February 22, 2009
DEBS from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Visited Val Cenis in the first week of Feb and had a fabulous time. Stayed in the mmv club hotel in Lanslebourg which is ski-in & out with an all inclusive package. The food was amazing and they cater really well for kids. Overall, Val Cenis is a really family friendly resort; the ski hire shop (Ski Set) couldn't be more helpful and even the lift attendants helped the children with a cheerful smile and greeting. There were no lift queues at all during this week and the snow conditions were great. The negative aspect is that it can be windy at the top, however, we just skied in Termignon or Lanslevillard on windy days (all connected by lift system, so no bus journeys.). Overall, the novices in our party loved the snail runs at Val Cenis and the experts were content with the higher slopes above the villages. I would certainly recommend Val Cenis and plan to visit again in the future for a hassle free ski holiday.
February 12, 2010
JP from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Just got back from 9 days in Val Cenis. Pretty town, nice easy slopes at the bottom, harder up the mountain. Possible for relative beginners to ski down from top of the mountain I thought the slopes were somewhat icy in parts. Not sure if this is due to many of them being north facing, or the artificial snow....where the artificial snow was, there was a tendency later in morning/day, for snow to be pushed off to sides, similar to indoor skiing in UK, snow on top, ice below. L'Escargot is good for absolute novices to ski 10k+, but rather tedious after a while, and it's not possible to do anything much than ski down without any turns. Would I go back?....Having been to other resorts in Austria and Italy, I'd say Val Cenis is nice place, skiing is ok, people there are nice, prices reasonable, but there's so many places to go I'll try another one next time.
February 07, 2011
hugo from Ski France France
Val Cenis it was but now it's 'Grand Cenis' as there is a new link to Termignon which is well laid back and a great village to stay; French proper and that's it! Amazing scenery on the slopes and great characters in the village. Try Le Petite Farme, Marines bar and real France with the best Genepi in the Lion or go to France, not package holiday crap! Hugo.
February 08, 2012
Richard Hallam from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
I recently stayed at club hotel Alpazur. It was clean and tidy with great food. The prices for drinks are reasonable and the staff friendly. The skiing area is limited but there are some good runs at Bonevelle and La Norma for the more experienced skier. They have had plenty of snow making conditions, easy and good for experienced and beginners alike.

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