Snowsure: 3.8
- Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing
- Is often closed due to a lack of snow
- Occasionally suffers from a lack of snow
- Rarely suffers from a lack of snow
- Valfrejus is snowsure even in the poorest seasons
Visitor reviews for Valfrejus Ski Resort
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(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
Latest
February 22, 2011
Yann from
France
Yann from
France
In Valfrejus right now and decided to write this review :
The situation in this resort, in which we have spent last winter holidays, is deteriorating fast.
It looks like this is a trend judging by the previous posts.
We can confirm that there is very limited ski piste grooming because there is, at the moment, only one Piste Billy machine. The second one we saw was being brought onto a platform for repair. There is a 3rd machine but this is never used.
On that basis, one machine can do only that much (cover the bumps quickly and not do them every night).
Very sad to see a lot of broken bones and people taken on stretchers because the runs are not up to scratch.
Vavfrejus: "wake up and sort your budget quick and before the season ends".
This is the busiest week of the season and it is not on to hear excuses like (avalanche danger or not enough snow)
C'mon it has snowed 3 days ago and the snow is perfect.
Why is one of the highlights every year for my family: Le Jeu closed?
The answer is one: money saving operation from which every skier which has paid for lift pass feels ripped off because the runs are not done properly. Today I ski Le Jeu and it is perfect untracked, unguarded and ok for intermediate skiers and above because of the huge off-piste skiing in there, but for beginners and just intermediates it is carnage.
Excuses are numerous but the main point I want to make is me and my family, as long standing visitors to Valfrejus, may have to move on to better pastures where the management of the resort is thinking about the future and making sure runs are in top condition.
One other thing is that yesterday, because the resort runs on half of the runs for no reason, my family were witnesses to a major accident of at least 10 people. It was like a chain reaction and all because the resort management could not be bothered to prepare the runs and in the morning close the top section all together.
I am already thinking seriously of booking next year in other resort in Maurienne Valley. We tried a few and always there are no complains from the condition of the runs etc.
This is not a silly complaint from a moaner. These are facts, pure and simple.
Let's hope my wife, who is low intermediate skier, will ski at least once on Le Jeu ski piste road and avoid the escargot and Boveniere masacre on the way back to the resort. If I was a manager of this small and well positioned resort, I would sack all the management on the tourist side and most importantly, on the ski preparation and replace them with eager people who want to make this place a good ski resort.
February 04, 2011
Bob Paterson from
United Kingdom
Bob Paterson from
United Kingdom
I was in Valfrejus from 8th to 24th January this year, using Snowyourway, a small but incredibly efficient, friendly and helpful ski company.
Having watched the resort website and snow reports since about October (yes I am keen) I was well aware before arrival that snow was limited, particularly at lower levels.
That said, I found there to be more than enough snow from the mid station (Arrondaz) up. Karl was correct that one of the pistes at the back of the resort no longer appears to function, but it is still accessible as off-piste. Prepared runs are limited and short, with the exception of Jeu, which is strikingly beautiful, although a bit flat.
The village is clean, compact and quiet. The lifts all come back to a central (ish) point at the base, and the lift system is fine.
The speed riders are crazy, but it looks amazing and I would love to give it a try if I could work up the courage.
Valfrejus is not about the km of piste you can bash. It is a small resort, which has not succumbed to the mega infrastructure of some of the larger areas.
There are a plethora of resorts round about, so there is no need to be limited to spending all of your time on a few runs, but there is also a wealth of off-piste to keep you occupied, particularly round the back and in the bowl that contains the Punta Bagna black run.
The locals were generally friendly, particularly if you made the remotest effort to speak French! The scenery is quite stunning, and in a good snow year I think there would be even more off-piste to play on, although it would be advisable to seek out a guide if venturing too far from the resort area.
My best friend from school, who had not been skiing in almost 30 years, accompanied me the first week and had an absolute ball. That, to me, makes all the difference, and says a lot about the place.
I have avoided Europe for years, skiing primarily in Canada and the States (BC and Wyoming): Fernie, Castle, Revelstoke, Whistler, Skismithers, Jackson Hole etc. All steep and fall line skiing with plenty of snow. Although small, Valfrejus affords plenty of opportunity to ski the fall line, chutes, cliffs and the like. You just have to be willing to seek them out and be proficient enough to get down them.
As for comments about piste preparation, well, I didn't really see there were any problems during my stay. I don't expect perfect corduroy (and get a bit bored by it anyway) all the time. The weather was quite warm during most of my stay, and there is not much can be done to provide cover if it aint cold enough to fire up the canons. We did get snow, and it didn't take much to drastically improve the lower pistes.
Sadly the black from mid station to base was closed throughout the fortnight. There is a big drop off over a roller on this, and it was bare over the drop off, and a sheet of ice below, so it was shut for safety, not lack of effort by the resort.
All in all, it was a great wee place, and although limited, is ideal for mixed ability and family groups.
Val Thorens is accessible via Les Orres and Val Cenis isn't far away if you want something bigger and more challenging.
You pays your money.........
January 26, 2011
Mark from
Norway
Mark from
Norway
A friend recommended this resort and we decided to try it out. Just got back and have a duty to post feedback because we all felt that this is one of the very convenient places - more or less 10 min from Autobahn and one of the highest in this valley which is not so busy like Tarentaise or the one below with L2A and Alpe d'Huez in the middle of it.
Valfrejus is a straight forward place with parking buildings around the gondola, little side part with a small and very slow lift and no rests for the legs.
From the middle part upward is brilliant with wide opened spaces and kilometers of untracked surfaces.
In the evenings it is quiet apart from a very rough bar in the middle of the U shape buildings in front of the 6-seater gondola.
Quite noisy until very late. The poor souls are those sleeping just about that spot.
As with the previous people leaving feedback, I agree something is not right with that place: all of my 6 days in Valfrejus we could not ski Jeu ski run starting from the other side of the mountain and finishing in the base. On the map it looks very long. We have asked the locals and they have said sometimes with laughter that that road is closed because there are not enough drivers for the Snow Track machines.
We were left puzzled. Ski season.. in a ski resort..no drivers. Very strange! Even made an enquiry about the number of ski pistes but officially - "no snow, avalanches, too windy" were the answers we got (agree totally with previous posts on this thread).
Who has decided to run this place down? No idea.
Anyway, we already knew that we can enlarge the skiing by simply going to other ski resorts next door. That experience was definitely the right one.
We only managed La Norma and were pleased with the preparation of the ski runs. Definitely better managed place and after skiing we stayed for a drink and got surprised with the after-ski activities on offer there.
Gutted the Le Jeu was closed. This was going to be a nice way to go back to resort for my wife instead of trying to battle it out every afternoon on the green run towards the resort which shouldnot be marked as a run but 'walking path'.
January 19, 2011
Ian from
United Kingdom
Ian from
United Kingdom
Just got back from Valfrejus and what a super place but OH, them pistes. They really need to get to grips with them and do some grooming as it seems to me that they have just been abandoned for the sake of cost cutting but for heavens sake it is us, the paying public, who are buying lift passes for some where reasonable to ski on. So I would say wake up to all the management of V/F and take a leaf out of the books of the resorts near to you as in the end you are going to wreck a super station! Visited Val Cenis during my stay, wonderful, with groomed pistes all over. Valfrejus, please wake up!
January 19, 2011
Karl from
Germany
Karl from
Germany
Last week I was in Valfrejus and have mixed feelings about the place which I want to explain here:
The resort is small and cute without the ugly buildings and offers ski to door in most of the accommodations.
By the second day you more or less have seen all of the skiers for that week. All plus points.
Another plus is that the place (I have been told this is the birthplace for speedriding) is probably the best for that type of activitity. Brilliant to launch from the top and finish at the bottom of the plato. I am thinking about taking this adrenaline sport in the future-best place for this.
Now for the other not so positive points:
The ski machines (I saw only 2 machine which is my experience is not enough for doing the slopes every night) could not cope with the amount of preparation each night and because of that, it was pure lottery everyday which part of the mountain was done and which was not. One other thing which bugged me is this: why do you leave a piste called Combe on the map when I have been told by the locals on numerous occasions that this run has been closed for 3rd season-permanently. So I have an issue with a resort which is listing 67km of ski runs but at least 10%(or even more are never done during the 5 months). Should delete them from the map and should correct the data saying the correct total km pistes which is around 40km. Then the tourists will know that the place is very tiny, probably the smallest in the Maurienne Valley .
The gondola (2 years old) and the 6 seater are fine but all day skiing one, three or four ski runs gets a bit boring.
Very good option is to get the 4 resorts ski lift pass Eskimo and Bypass Valfrejus at least for the 4-5 days on the skiing front.
Went to La Norma ski resort next door:
Perfect ski run preparations with all lifts and pistes open and this is the same size resort more or less.
Aussois on the southern side of the slopes opposite Valfrejus was the same.
Although the lists are a little bit on the slow side all the runs were perfect.
Val Cenis (the last resort included in the Eskimo lift pass ) was on another level; bigger, better ski area, well managed.
Valfrejus management: if you want to run a ski resort, make sure you have money to pay the ski machine drivers and they do their job every single night to the full (and don't give us some strange excuses like: too windy, too foggy, too little snow or too much snow!) We are not stupid!
For the last week, the snow was enough for this resort to function perfectly and tourists to finish on a higher note and mark this place in their diary for future visits.
I think the best part in Valfrejus was the Jeu ski run and the off-piste area on the first part plus the curvy way down on the second part: long and enjoyable. Sadly that run was closed for half of the week - again because of the lack of ski machines and enough drivers.
This place has a potential but going with the flow only and with the competition in the valley, it won't last for long!
December 25, 2010
John from
United Kingdom
John from
United Kingdom
Just visited Valfrejus for pre-Chistmas skiing and to check on the new facilities.
The new lift which was moved from La Ramoure to Valon is fine and makes sense for skiing on that part of the slopes and higher up, of course.
On the 23rd Dec noticed is was closed around lunch time, wondering if this is the beginning of the typical saving exercise of manpower again.
At the beginning of the week experienced the following: ended up down the other side at Pac du Roc end from where the only way up at the moment is by the lift: Col(south side). That lift was not working for about 15-20 minutes with skiers on it and with the prospect of waiting and waiting decided, together with the rest, to cross the fence and ski into Le Jeu ski run-ski road which goes all the way down to Valfrejus. That run/road officially was closed for reasons - not enough snow!! To our amazement we all noticed that there is plenty of snow, even too much. One thing springs into mind - saving exercise and laziness of the dameurs (rat-track machines for grooming the pistes). All the way down to the resort there was non of the grooming done. And with the wind the next day, most likely the good snow has moved and made it more difficult to start doing proper the ski run and ski road. Saw during the night 3 machines working together and going all of them on Escargot ski run and ignoring the other approach back to the resort. Of course, not many tourists for that first week on the slopes but even so that does not excuse the people doing the ski runs not to do their job properly. Lift passes are for skiing on the slopes listed in this resort, not on only some of them. There is no excuse at all. Very disappointed. Just hoping someone will listen and take some action.
Snow is OK and more has fallen so -''avalanche danger'' or ''not enough snow'' messages from the Tourist Office does not wash with me.
Message: this is the main thing which can bring the tourists back or they will never come again. Don't shoot yourselves!
Went to compare the other 3 resorts on the Eskimo lift pass and all of them are preparing the ski pistes totally.
Aussois with less snow but every run was well groomed.
La Norma is with high standard of ski runs.
Val Cenis was done perfectly with all of the interconnections passable and enjoyable.
Valfrejus - take notice and start to work.
April 04, 2010
Rick Paris from
United Kingdom
Rick Paris from
United Kingdom
Valfejus March/April 2010
Snowed so much on arrival (Sat 27th) we could not get up to the resort; had to stay down in hotel in Modane for the night! My car cannot handle snowchains (Volvo v50 with 18inch rims, so had bought the new Snowsocks. They got us halfway up the mountain and into big trouble. Roads were plowed on Sunday am so we went up no trouble. Just €225 worse off.
Stayed at the MMV hotel in resort, this is the 4th MMV we have stayed in: excellent value, full board for under £300 each and very close to lifts too.
We had lots of snow this week, around 30cms Saturday, another 30cms or so during the early part of the week too. The big new chair up to the top was out of action for several days so this limited runs, possibly due to avalance. The resorts runs are graded as little hard IMO. I have skied just about everywhere in the last 30 years so have lots of experience. The blues are steep and not much difference to the reds.
The resort is best for very good intermediattes and off-piste skiers, also guys who like to use parachutes! But for good piste skiers it's a bit limited as there is not enough variety and the runs are mostly very similar . For total beginners it's ok, as nursery areas are good/wide and flat.
We visited La Norma and found that a much better ski area, more interesting and varied, took us 20mins from resort to resort. Parking was a pain as it's not near the lifts. Was going to visit Aussios but it is south facing and looked very bare (you can see it from La Norma, across the valley).
Piste care was hit and miss, some pistes were rebashed and prepared everyday, others did not get looked at the whole week.
Why the lower lifts are closed on Fridays and Saturdays is beyond me as lots of people enjoy the lower tree lines runs and the lower green is a real pain, there is no gradient. It's 15 mins of poling or walking, no fun at all.
Overall, a good week was had by all but we were out at Valmeinier at Xmas. It's just up the road and it's a better ski area of a very similar type. Valfrejus had potental but feels that it's been wasted as the area is beautiful.
Off-piste parachuters need apply only here.
February 20, 2010
james from
United Kingdom
james from
United Kingdom
Got down the mountain tonight from a week in Valfrejus again and have to say that this time the weather was with us. Plenty of snow to last until the end of the season and beyond.
Apart from the good conditions there are some more details maybe you will want to know:
On the Saturday, a week ago, none of the runs were groomed and it looked like, because there are not enough skiers on the slopes, the snow machine operators have decided to make savings and call it a day off. First time I see on a Saturday almost nothing groomed. During the week some mornings the same thing: savings and skipping grooming. Not that this bothers me because Valfrejus has plenty of off-piste skiing but it looks like Valfrejus is becoming less good for beginners.
Another reviewer is correct:- for anything above intermediate Valfrejus is fine, but beginners beware-almost nothing to keep you busy for a week.
We had 2 days of bad weather this half-term topped with closed runs but today, Saturday, it was the best conditions I have seen at Valfrejus. Powder, sun, very low temperatures and almost nobody on the slopes.
That day has made it for me. Just brilliant. Weather though looks a bit foggy, cloudy and windy for the week ahead but don't forget there is plenty of snow to last until the end of April.
February 07, 2010
Chris from
Germany
Chris from
Germany
OK, I have just returned from one week in Valfrejus. All in all, I have to say it was a fantastic holiday, although there were some really minor annoyances.
Weather was fantastic, we had 5 days of clear skies with sun all day, then one day of excessive snow and another day of gloomy snowy nebulous weather. One day was exceptionally cold at the peak, leading to my ears getting minor freezes... of course, due to going the looooooong way down the hill, which is really long (from the peak to bottom - about 18 km) and beautiful. Just some short parts where you had to walk/skate. But the wind at the top..chilling, your tears immediately froze in the eyelids. Special headgear recommended!
Concerning the runs: most of the blue ones are for advanced skiers. Those that I consider for amateurs are the green ones, of course, and the blue one down to La Turra, excluding the one going from middle station to La Turra (boveniers), which has some difficult parts to master for amateurs. The blue run from the peak is considered blue, which is a good laugh - steepness is deep red, although it's quite broad. Same with the rest of the blue ones going parallel to the black one (I think combe?) - difficult and steep parts, far away from a real blue run. The amateurs I taught in that week did not go down there a single run because I considered it too dangerous for them. On the other side, some red runs are as difficult/easy as a blue run, the one at La Turra, for example.
If you need a hard experience, try the black runs - they sure are very difficult, having a lot of disturbances and icy parts. This, and some being extremely steep. I had my fun running down them (I recommend the Nr.8 for those that like working out :-) ). Going off-run is awesome in Valfrejus. You can go almost anywhere, with only trees and stuff under the snow braking you out. All in all, I consider this resort for advanced skiers, which means you at least have mastered the full-stop-slide with parallel skies. If you are a beginner and only go slow speeds at doing plough, you should take lessons or have a very good skier with you, if you plan on doing anything else than the green runs on middle station. If you want to go the long, nice run, be prepared for about 4-5 more difficult hills before reaching the amateur-bearable part. And what I only realized the last day is, you can take the lift from middle area down to the middle of the long run, since this is one lift, not two going to the top but one going from bottom to peak to bottom. This way you can skip the more difficult parts from the peak. I recommend going the long way at least once, but plan some time - took me about 2h to take three amateurs down there, which were at some parts immobilized by fear. Talking about fear, if you're an amateur, take the warning sign on Boveniers seriously. That part is difficult for an amateur.
La Norma: really nice ski resort as well, I recommend the run from left top (blue) to right (small red part) and then the full green run to bottom. Recommended for amateurs, because this one is beautiful and easy to ride, even for amateurs. Runs from peak are nice too, with the black run being far easier than the ones in Valfrejus. Red runs are awesome for carving. Awesome view from the peak. All in all a must-go during your holidays, since one day skiing there is free with the Valfrejus ski pass.
La Turra: really nice resort, we were positively surprised. Had a 6person-apartment with 4 people - and you should plan the same if the 5th and 6th aren't your kids. The space is very small for more than 4. But we had alot of fun. Beautiful view from balcony and equipment of apartment was very adequate. Pool is great to relax, as well as the small sauna (approx. 5 persons, at times we were in there with 9 :-) ). First come first serve. But why having to wear swimsuits in there? Without putting towels underneath? Strange French manners. WLAN is accessible on first and second and third floor (reception); with my notebook I almost had a signal on fourth floor balcony above reception but it kept losing it. They should put up more transmitters. But it's very cozy in the fireplace-room and bar, just sucks that its only open till 10 pm... when you start to have fun, you have to return to your apartment for it.
Roads were kept very well, didn't have to use the snowchains once, even on the day with about 8 cm new snow during the whole day.
Recommend going to the chapelle by foot once - very beautiful walk and great place to put a chapelle, a must-go.
What sucks is that the lifts at La Turra are closed on Sat and Fri, meaning you have to walk to the other lift (300m) and on Fri, have to use the green run which is ridiculour. Half the run you have to walk, even if you head down there full speed from the other run above. Doublejuh-tee-eff?! Not fun to ride. Maybe to walk in summer, but not in winter. Take the lift if you have any chance.
January 29, 2010
james from
United Kingdom
james from
United Kingdom
The situation in mid January is already different from the one in December at Valfrejus.
Snow machines were working everynight, only the Combe was closed but I could see they are getting it ready for opening. No queues whatsoever. Be careful because when the weather is perfect people start skiing above their limits and accidents do happen-2 people died that week I was there and few helicopter's lifts.
Probably the best place to be at night is Blackout near Charmasson end of resort. If you arrive early:
Try to ski if you have your own gear or sledge or use the snowbikes or:
Book a lesson with Segway-new for this season too.
Chris from Germany-
Things are on the up in Valfrejus and the new gondola and lift are great and very fast.
Nearest