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Val Thorens Resort Reviews

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Visitor reviews for Val Thorens Ski Resort

Val Thorens Ratings

Overall: 4.3. Based on 61 votes and 42 reviews. Vote

Snowsure: 4.8

(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 Thorens is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.

Variety of pistes: 4.6

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

Off-piste: 4.5

(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: 4.0

(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 Thorens.

Public Transport: 4.2

(1) There are no buses or taxis to Val Thorens, (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 Thorens, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.

Cheap Rooms: 3.6

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

Luxury Hotels: 4.7

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

Ski in/Ski out: 4.8

(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: 4.3

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

Snowmaking: 4.3

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

Snow Grooming: 4.4

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

Shelter: 3.1

(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 Thorens is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.

Nearby options: 4.3

(1) If snow conditions are poor at Val Thorens, 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: 4.7

(1) Val Thorens 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: 4.3

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

Crowds/Queues: 3.8

(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: 4.8

(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: 4.3

(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: 4.8

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

Advanced: 4.8

(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: 4.3

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

Cross-country: 3.0

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

Luge/Toboggan: 4.4

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

Mountain Dining: 4.4

(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: 4.6

(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: 4.7

(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: 4.5

(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: 3.7

(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: 3.7

(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: 4.2

(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): 4.1

(1) Overall, Val Thorens 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): 4.2

(1) Overall, Val Thorens 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.

Show all 35 ratings

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March 25, 2006
Roger from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
This last week was fantastic. Great off-piste.
January 04, 2014
Visitor from Ski Germany Germany
Val Thorens was a great holiday; we highly enjoyed it. However, we had one bad experience at the store "Top Photo". This place seems to be not so "Top". Worst photo shop ever! Sold me an overpriced, wrong memory card for a GoPro camera and on complaint just laughed and tried to ignore me. I highly recommend not to go there!
December 13, 2008
Simon Lovering from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Just got back from a 4 day weekend in Val. Second time we have been there, the first time being 2 years ago when the start to the season was so bad, we had to change at the last minute to high altitude. We drove up to Val Thoren on Thursday night (4th), taking an hour longer than planned as the snow was dumping down. Snowed all Thursday night, Friday and through the night into Saturday. By Sunday we were off-piste, waist deep in fresh powder. When we left Val Thoren on Tuesday 9th, it was set to snow again that night, but I have to say all runs were open, loads of off-piste and the snow line was as low as 500m as we drove down the mountain. If you're going out, enjoy. A great start to the season, loads of snow. By the way, Val Thoren town is not bad, and not too expensive even with the current euro/pound situation, but we were there for the free white stuff.
January 22, 2006
Ian Lancey from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Just returned from Val Thorens yesterday after what can only be described as one of the best weeks of skiing i have ever had. Val Thorens offers a great mix of intermediate and advanced skking, with some challenging and exciting runs. Beginners fair less well with limited greens and easy blues, however, if you are willing to venture over to Meribel or Courcheval there are much better beginners opportunities. A good dump of snow helped conditions throughout the 3 valleys area but even before this fall, VT's snow was still pretty good, showing year on year VT to be one of the most snow sure resorts in Europe. Go for great skiing and boarding but not for a picturesque village that is quiet, the mix of English, Dutch and Scandinavian skiers and boarders results in a pretty good party town.
January 06, 2006
Tim Frampton from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Val Thorens is not that pretty, better than when I first came 8 years ago, I have come for at least a week every year since, if you want to go shopping and look good in a cafe on the slopes, best head of somwhere else! if you want good boarding piste or of piste, I have yet to find anywhere that can keep you on something new everyday. I have been to Canada around Europe and I think Val Thorens offers the best all round boarding Boarding, allways seems to have plenty of snow. To those who think its ugly, look at the mountains instead, they are the big white things outside the bars and appartments!
December 18, 2007
Carolyn from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Remember why you go skiing.........not to look at buildings! If you want brilliant terrain, guaranteed snow from November 'till May and a good, reliable lift network with well maintained pistes without having to fly halfway round the world, then VT is the place. We have been twice per year since 2000. Good, English speaking ski schools. Good range of accommodation at all budgets. Several supermarkets for those (like us) who prefer to eat out during the day and relax at home in the evening. Our family has ranged from an 11 month old to 40+ and the place suits us all - even the fussy teenage types - there are even loads of fashionable ski places with designer clothing. I mean what more can you ask for in one place! Don't take my word for it - just go there and see for yourself!
December 10, 2008
The Tank from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Next week, the weekend of the 13th Dec 08 will be my 3rd visit to Val Thorens. As some other people have pointed out, you don't go to Val Thorens to admire the place. It serves a purpose and that is to hit the slopes hard. Some areas are quite picturesque within the town, but the real views come into their element when you are standing at the top of '3 vallees 2', 'Col' or 'Cime Caron'. If it dumps snow which it has done both times I have been there, then there is no end to the possibilities. When all the lifts are running you can steam across to Meribel and take advantage of its beauty and tree lined runs. So if you are there next week keep an eye out for me on the slopes you won't see me because I am too fast. But at night you will find me in the bars and Val Thorens' famous 'Malaysia Club'. Regards.
April 12, 2009
RickParis from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
12th April 09, Just back from VT (Val Thorens). Had no choice of weeks because of the kids school holidays. There were very bad crowds on the pistes and lifts, poor snow at base (2300mtrs) and nearly everywhere higher too. Real spring snow conditions (15 degrees C at 2300mtrs). I would have expected that in lower resorts but not at this height; very suprised. Worst conditions I have seen in 5 years at Easter (been to Flaine in 08 & 07, Alpe D'Huez in 06 & 05). Maybe because of the crowds, poor snow and lift queues, I did not see the resort at its best. I could see the potential but was unable to exploit and enjoy the area to its fullest. Suprisingly, the best snow and lack of crowds was in the '4th' valley. It was very nice. Shame it was not a larger area or that the off-piste wasn't crusty/tracked out. Looked like the area had not had any significant snow in 3-4 weeks. All in all, I had a good time but it was not the great time I was expecting; shame. I will try to visit Val Thorens outside peak holiday time, if I visit again. Rick
April 13, 2009
martin mandel from Ski Switzerland Switzerland
I spent a super three days here at Val Thorens on the 5th, 6th and 7th of April 2009. The snow was excellent first thing but in some places was wet by lunchtime. Other areas were good all day despite the warm temps affecting all alpine regions. Still, it was probably better snow than most other French resorts as it is so much higher. Worst queue was at Orelle first thing in the morning. No other queuing problems at all. Usually had to wait 5 mins for the Caron cable car but that is not bad. Caught the last lift down to Orelle every day so conditions must have been ok. I will be at VT (Val Thorens) again for the next two weekends - and there is more cold weather and snow forecasted - yippee.
December 07, 2010
Deyan from Ski Bulgaria Bulgaria
I am often amazed by comments putting a lot of importance on the looks of a resort. Granted, a little traditional village always looks better than a purpose-built monster but the latter has many advantages: less distractions, incomparable practicality, closeness to the pistes, price... If you are like me - crazy about skiing and not about the "accessories" around it, you will love Val Thorens. The pistes are open, wide, long, not too busy and incredibly well groomed - perfect for long carving turns that will put a smile on your face for a very long time. The views are amazing. The snow is reliable. The off-piste is everywhere. And this is pretty much all a skier needs. Bottom line is this - if you go there for the skiing itself Val Thorens/Orelle/Menuires is truly amazing. If you go skiing because you want to show off that nice brand new jacket or because you want to experience traditional French culture then go somewhere else.