Visitor reviews for Valloire Ski Resort

Valloire Ratings

Overall: 4.1. Based on 23 votes and 10 reviews. Vote

Snowsure: 4.3

(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) Valloire is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.

Variety of pistes: 4.4

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

Off-piste: 4.1

(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: 4.5

(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: 3.5

(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 Valloire.

Public Transport: 4.2

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

Accommodation: 4.6

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

Cheap Rooms: 4.3

(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 Valloire.

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: 3.8

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

Snowmaking: 4.2

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

Snow Grooming: 4.6

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

Shelter: 3.6

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

Nearby options: 3.9

(1) If snow conditions are poor at Valloire, 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: 4.0

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

Crowds/Queues: 4.0

(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: 4.4

(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: 4.5

(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 Valloire, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.

Advanced: 3.9

(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: 4.4

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

Cross-country: 3.5

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

Luge/Toboggan: 2.7

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

Mountain Dining: 3.5

(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: 3.6

(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: 3.4

(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: 3.9

(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: 4.1

(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): 4.5

(1) Overall, Valloire 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): 4.3

(1) Overall, Valloire 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

February 20, 2012
Rob Field from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Just returned from a week in Valloire. Great skiing thanks to good snow. Restaurants are good and plenty of variety. We have been several times and enjoy going back. Good variety of terrain but not enough to entertain experts for a week. The village could use a pool but apart form that, recommend it.
January 02, 2010
Chris Woods from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
I went to Valloire in March 2009 with 2 other mates. Great skiing thanks to good snow. Restaurants are good but nightlife is limited if you're after that. I liked it at Valloire so much though, myself and seven others are going this year (2010).
March 08, 2006
Olaf from Ski Netherlands Netherlands
We went to Valloire from 18-25 February 2006. We were lucky with the weather, because on Saturday and Sunday there was a lot of snowfall, so the remainder of the week we had fantastic fresh snow (and a lot of sunshine as well). The runs in the resort are great, especially in Valmenier where we spent four days, because the slopes weren't that busy (despite the spring break)in comparison to Valloire. Only when you return to Valloire there is a drag lift which is very slow (especially at the end of the day...). We spent our days in Les Valmonts (apartments), which is directly at the slope, so you can ski to the front door of your apartment :-). I found it a place where I surely will go back sometime!
January 26, 2006
Tufty Bear from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Have spent 3 family holidays in Valloire over the past few years and would recommend this resort to both younger and older families. This traditional village is very friendly and is very much a real village rather than just a ski resort in the winter. Plenty of traditional restaurants / bars but very much a family resort rather than a lively one. I can strongly recommend the Christiania Hotel which is a stone's throw from the main lift. The food is great - traditional French cooking and prices are very reasonable. Rooms are clean and spacious and represent excellent value for this 2* Logis de France hotel. Whilst the skiing terrain is varied, it is mainly intermediate standard. The resort is linked with Valmeinier which is very much a purpose built satellite resort. However, the ski-ing on this side is extensive. Just be aware of the time to get back on skis to Valloire at lunchtime as the only connection is a slow drag lift. However, a regular shuttle bus is the easy alternative.
January 19, 2006
Jason Young from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Went to Valloire for xmas 04 and had the best holiday ever :P. Took my two daughters and this was our first go at skiing, I cannot think of anything to complain about there. A very traditional resort, with plenty of natural scenery and not a tower block hotel in site. This resort covers everything for most skiing , only the adrenaline freaks and people who would rather drink than ski....would not like this resort. Perfect for your first or family holiday, but as it's not to high up check out the weather reports or book late.
November 14, 2005
Cees from Ski Netherlands Netherlands
My family went to to Valmeinier for the first time 6 years ago. We did have a wonderful time with all kinds of weather: blue sky and 48 hours heavy snowfall. This winter we will go back again. It's a good place to sky for all kinds of expieriences. No lift queues. A good and small place to stay.
January 07, 2005
robdavies from Ski France France
Just had an excellent week staying in Valmeinier so we could ski all Valloire also. Stayed in a brilliant hotel where could ski in and out. Need to go back cos a week was not long enough to do all the runs. I found a small company www.sudsnowsports.com who arranged everything.
November 28, 2004
Rob Hawkins from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Having skied in Valmeinier last season for the first time we loved it so much we deccided to buy an apartment there to ensure we could enjoy the experience of Valeminer/Valloire all next season! Plenty of different skiing for all with really friendly locals.
February 20, 2004
Nicky from Ski Switzerland Switzerland
I had a wonderful week in Valmeinier in the middle of January. It snowed most days and the whole area offered some of the most accessable and enjoyable off-piste skiing I've ever experienced. One of the nice things about Valmeinier is the fact that it's not very high, and this means you can ski in trees :). We found lots of untracked powder even a couple of days after the big snow falls and never had to wait in a queue. Definitely a great place to ski if there's lots of snow.
January 28, 2004
Mrs Hudson from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
I went to the Hotel L'aigle in Valmeinier with Snowcoach Holidays. It was a lovely holiday, the staff were very dedicated to our needs and our children haven't stopeed talking about it! The skiing available in Valloire catered for all our abilities and with easy access to the slopes this meant we could return to the Hotel when we wished, but relaxing in the hot-tub after a hard days skiing is definetly the best bit about the holiday!www.snowcoach.co.uk