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Valmeinier resort snow
Lat Long: 45.18° N 6.48° E
Ski France

Valmeinier Resort Reviews

Weather Forecast for Valmeinier at 2050 m altitude

Issued: 7 pm 29 Apr 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Next snow in Valmeinier: 0.4 cm on Thu 7th  (after 8 AM)

Visitor reviews for Valmeinier Ski Resort

Valmeinier Ratings

Overall: 4.3. Based on 19 votes and 18 reviews.

Rate this resort

Snowsure: 4.7

  • 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
  • Valmeinier is snowsure even in the poorest seasons

Variety of pistes: 4.8

  • The ski runs are featureless and unvaried
  • The ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week
  • Valmeinier has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain

Off-piste: 3.9

  • No off-piste worth mentioning
  • Off piste is out-of-bounds
  • Some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days
  • A vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days

Scenery: 4.1

  • An ugly resort in a bland setting
  • Average mountain views and resort
  • A spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town

Access: 4.8

  • At least one overnight stop
  • Requires a whole day
  • Requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns
  • Arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon
  • There is a main airport within an hour of Valmeinier

Public Transport: 4.2

  • There are no buses or taxis to Valmeinier
  • There are slow or infrequent buses / trains available
  • Getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections

Accommodation: 4.5

  • No places to stay in/near Valmeinier
  • A few places to stay in the resort
  • A wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets

Cheap Rooms: 4.8

  • No budget accommodation available
  • Just one or two hostels so book ahead
  • Several cheap hostels and pensions available

Luxury Hotels: 3.5

  • No luxury accommodation available
  • Just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead
  • Several up-market hotels in Valmeinier

Ski in/Ski out: 5.0

  • The ski area is located far from any accommodation
  • A free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip
  • Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available

Childcare: 4.3

  • There are no child care facilities at Valmeinier
  • The resort has limited child-care facilities
  • the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche

Snowmaking: 4.7

  • Valmeinier relies entirely on natural snow
  • There are just a few snow cannons
  • There are snowmaking facilities on all pistes

Snow Grooming: 4.6

  • There are no snow groomers at Valmeinier
  • Occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state
  • All the runs at Valmeinier are groomed daily

Shelter: 4.0

  • There is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut
  • There are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close
  • Valmeinier is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close

Nearby options: 4.7

  • If snow conditions are poor at Valmeinier, it will be poor everywhere nearby
  • There are good alternatives within an hours drive
  • Other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions

Regional rating: 4.4

  • Valmeinier usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region
  • Has average conditions for the region
  • Usually has the best snow conditions in the region

Lift Staff: 5.0

  • The staff at Valmeinier are rude or unhelpful
  • Lift staff at Valmeinier are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help

Crowds/Queues: 4.7

  • The resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues
  • It is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays
  • It is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare

Ski Schools: 4.9

  • No ski schools available
  • One or two ski schools but local language only
  • A few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors
  • Plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available
  • Excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors

Hire and Repairs: 4.9

  • Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex
  • There are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance
  • Good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible

Beginners: 4.3

  • Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard
  • A few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week
  • Vast areas of gentle terrain

Intermediates: 4.9

  • No intermediate terrain at Valmeinier
  • Intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days
  • Vast areas of cruising runs

Advanced: 4.5

  • Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders
  • Enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste
  • Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week

Snow Park: 4.3

  • Not even a kicker at Valmeinier
  • Average sized park quite well looked after
  • Huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails

Cross-country: 2.6

  • There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Valmeinier
  • There are some cross country trails available
  • The area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails

Luge/Toboggan: 2.3

  • No designated luge or toboggan runs
  • There are toboggan runs that open quite often
  • Valmeinier has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages

Mountain Dining: 3.9

  • Nowhere to buy food by the pistes
  • Some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive
  • There is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets

Eating: 4.4

  • Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop
  • There are a few places to eat in the resort but nothing special
  • A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants

Apres-Ski: 4.8

  • Nothing to do, not even a bar
  • There are a few bars in the resort but nothing special
  • Clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere

Other Sports: 3.4

  • No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts
  • Resort has just a small public swimming pool
  • Resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool

Entertainment: 3.9

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

Winter Walks: 3.5

  • Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails
  • A couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails
  • Extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities

Ski Pass Value: 4.5

  • A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available
  • The ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts
  • Ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area

Value (National): 4.6

  • Overall, Valmeinier is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money
  • Overall represents average value for money
  • Overall offers the best value resort in the country

Value (Global): 4.5

  • Overall, Valmeinier is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world
  • Overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries
  • Internationally the resort offers excellent value for money

Show all 35 ratings

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January 29, 2024
Mike from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Reporting in real time on January 29: the conditions are very icy, and for beginners the resort is not good. The scenery is beautiful, but what little “powder” there is soon swept away, largely by snowboarders (sorry, but it’s true) and even greens are too icy to handle easily.
March 04, 2022
Bartw
Just came back, skied there 2 days and we did almost the full domain Valloire included, so limited for a whole week. Many slopes are sun-oriented, so nice to ski as long as there is enough snow. On the steep parts it was already limited (some black/red slopes were not open, mainly in Valloire and this begin of March) In Valmeinier Villages, limited accommodation, whereas Valmeinier 1800 has enough but the esplanade is a ski-bottleneck. The two have no regular bus connections, so best to park in 1800 for the evening. Secured non-groomed piste is limited, only black Coterieux slope. Nice views.
February 07, 2021
Dave WB from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
I have skied Valmeinier and Valloir at least half a dozen times and can thoroughly recommend it. Combined with Valloir it is certainly large enough and offers lots of varied skiing. My last time there was the week before shut down of the slopes due to Covid. I stay at the Snowcoach Hotel L'Aigle which is right next to the ski lifts. Of the ski firms I have used, Snowcoach has to be my favourite, offering by far the most value for money and providing things that I have not come across with any other firm. The slopes have decent lifts and queues have never been a problem. If you are a beginner there is a very wide slope off of the first chair lift that is ideal for beginners. I wish all the people and workers in Valmeinier and the staff of Snowcoach and Hotel L'Aigle all the best, and here's hoping we all get through this bloody pandemic safely. See you next year!
March 11, 2020
Nick from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Fairly small but nice typically French (not many English speakers around) resort. Links to Valloire to give a decent amount of runs. Stayed with Snowcoach in Hotel L'Aigle which was good for the price and more importantly for me right on the slopes. The runs aren't extreme with lots of greens, blues and reds but there was enough to explore in the four days there. Friendly people and not too busy. I was there for the last week in Feb which was still school holidays over there and it was a little busy first thing, but after a while everyone spread out and the queues were fine. Saturday was changeover day and was very quiet. Overall, a good family resort with something for everyone.
January 02, 2014
Pete Ayres from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Have skied Valmeinier many times amd enjoy the overall ski area. Never too crowded and restaurant prices ok when compared to other French resorts. Only complaint is the poor piste bashing, compared with Valoire, which is always first class.
April 01, 2013
Jane Sault from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Just returned from a great one week holiday in a privately owned appartment which was advertised on the Valmeinier site. Most of the accomodation was near to the slopes and some was virtually ski -in, ski-out. We thought the accomodation (75 euros each) and lift pass (170 euros) were good value but if we had booked through Locasun (e.g. Camille A) or through the Valmeinier Central reservation (for wb 23rd March), we would have got a 50 euro reduction on each person's lift pass. The village is small and everything is within walking distance. The Spar supermarket isn't huge but stocks most things. We had to be out of our accomodation by 10am but our transfer wasn't arriving until 3pm so we used the 'Baggagerie' which was next to the Maison de Valmeinier (lower level - there is a free lift to take you down). They even have a shower room there so you can get an extra morning's ski in. Everyone is very friendly in the resort. Not everyone speaks English which gives it a traditional feel. The nicest runs, I thought, were on the Valloire side but it doesn't take long to get across. Beware, there is no public transport between Valmeinier and Valloire - we had to get a 40 euros taxi back when someone in our group couldn't ski it. I would thoroughly recommend the area for intermediate skiers and boarders. My husband and son took boards and had a great time. Although the resort isn't massive we didn't get to cover the whole resort in a week. The mountain restaurants, as expected, were dear (chips 5 euros). In Valmeinier 1500, a short walk from the Roi and Armera lifts, there is a small restaurant which the locals use. Chips are 3 euros and Plat du Jour 10 euros. (Kir only 1 euro 50!) For a great meal out in 1800, try Estaminet but you will need to book. The only disadvantage is the transfer cost and time - over 2 hours from Lyons or Geneva. Worth it though!
January 20, 2011
Sue T from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
We have just visited Valmienier for the first time (January 2nd) and fell in love. Ok, the runs are not as plentiful as some resorts but it is so friendly, quiet and reasonably priced. We stayed in an apartment in 1800; just a 50m walk you are on the piste and down to the main chair lift. We would not hesitate to go back, and we are looking to book for April, cannot wait. So please do not all rush there and overcrowd the place, but do try it, you may be suprised that smaller can be better!
January 02, 2011
Konstantinos2211 from Ski Greece Greece
The blue run running down from the top of Grand Plateau back to Valmenier (called Combe Orsiere) is very steep and narrow and should not be considered as a return route for the inexperienced. Very icy too, in spring. It should be classified red if you ask me.
April 12, 2010
Chris from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Not long back myself from Valmeinier 1800. I had not heard of the resort before but the cheap coach company made it worth a go for the family. We had a great time and were lucky to get some decent snow for the first few days. Later on in the week typical spring conditions persisted but if you timed it well you could still get some decent runs in. I agree that Valloire has some better runs and found no problem getting over there easily. Some slopes have varying grading accuracy (I guess to look better in the brochure) but no worse than other resorts elsewhere in France. There is a good mixture of slopes from beginer to the advanced intermediate, but for experts you will need to go off- piste and then, only if you get the snow as there are very few challenging pisted runs. Mountain restaurants are pretty poor self service affairs and the apres-ski is quiet. However, for a family it is at its best - there is a bowling alley and a couple of other non ski related activities with a generally welcoming ambience all round. Chair lifts were generally good with the only queues at the base first thing in the morning. Fun parks looked good for those not minding wiping out in full veiw of the chairs! The piste grooming varied a bit. All in all, I was pleasantly suprised with Valmeinier and will go back again with the family without hesitation. As for the lads ski break maybe Konstantinos can recommend a good Greek resort?.
March 21, 2010
Konstantinos 2211 from Ski Greece Greece
I have just come back from a week of skiing in Valmeinier 1800. The runs are good, though you will find the better runs in the middle mountain: Crey du Quart, as they are nice and steep and also broad (not like little thin ones on Gros Crey) and the snow is most stable here and preserves well in warmer weather like I had now. On the other mountains the snow gets slushy or icy. I really liked this ski resort, it is so much better compared to Greek ski resorts. But we had the missfortune that we head warm temperatures and only little snow covering so that bare ground stuck out at some slope places which was dangerous sometimes. The snowboarder fun-parc is cool with a huge half-pipe and nice jumps and rails. Come to Valmeinier and have lots of fun!!!