Voltaren France ski resort. Val Thorens ski map. Skiing at the resort

Val Thorens- the most famous French resort, deservedly holding the title of the highest mountain resort in Europe, because resort village is located at an altitude of 2300 m above sea level.

Geographically, Val Thorens belongs to the department of Savoie and borders the Vanoise National Park. Val Thorens is part of one of the largest ski areas, called Le Trois Vallées (The Three Valleys) and includes resorts, and.

Description

Val Thorens – beautiful place not only for family, but also for party holidays. A variety of pistes, guaranteed absence of problems with snow, as well as a large number of budget accommodation options have made Val Thorens one of the most popular options for winter holidays. The residential area of Val Thorens is designed according to the ski-in/ski-out principle, so moving from the hotel to the ski lifts takes a minimum of time.

The local trails are conducive to a relaxed skiing style. They are ideal for learning and reinforcing skills. There are no forests here, but the extraordinary snowy landscapes and magnificent panoramas opening from the tops of the resort can fascinate even the most notorious pragmatic urbanist.

Freeride lovers will certainly appreciate the virgin slopes of Val Thorens, and extreme sports enthusiasts will appreciate the glaciers De Peclet, De Chaviere, Du Bouchet and De La Pointe Renod.

Val Thorens occupied the slopes of four ridges: Mont Du Borgne, Aigulle De Peclet (3562), Pointe De Thorens(3266) and Pointe Du Bouchet(3420). At the same time, the area is not isolated and allows you to get to any of the neighboring ski areas without leaving the ski slopes. The furthest resort from Val Thorens is Courchevel, located 1.5 hours away. Time flies by unnoticed, because... awaits you unforgettable journey, including interesting trails and ski lifts surrounded by the magnificent nature of the French Alps. Val Thorens, like the entire Le 3 Vallées area, has a single, well-developed transport network. They run between resorts ski bass.

The ski season in Val Thorens lasts from late November to mid-May. You can ski on glaciers in the summer. average temperature– - 5 - - 15°C. The thickness of the snow cover on the slopes of the resort is 150 cm (in the valley) and more than 300 cm in the upper part of the slopes. Guarantee of 100% snowmaking on slopes during ski season– a kind of sign of the quality of the resort.

Within ski area Le Trois Vallées is active single ski pass. However, riders are given the opportunity to choose their ski area. In the 2012-2013 season, the cost of a six-day ski pass was:

Val Thorens zone – 192 euros(150 km of trails);
Belleville valley area (Val Thorens-Orelle, Sant Martin de Belleville, Menuires) – 231 euros(300 km of trails);
all Le Trois Vallées resorts (600 km of pistes!) – 245 euros.

Skiing at the resort

In Val Thorens 80 routes were laid at altitudes from 1800 to 3230 m, including 11 green, 30 blue, 31 red and 8 black tracks. The total elevation difference in the area is 1430 m. The longest route is 2.25 km. The slopes are served by 30 modern lifts: 1 pendulum, 6 gondola, 16 chairlifts (including 9 high-speed) and 7 rope tows.

Val Thorens. Resort Overview

The trails are divided into 4 ski areas: Borgne, Peclet, Thorens, Bouchet.

Borgne zone With highest point Col De La Chambre(2850) – ascent is carried out by chairlifts and gondola lifts. From this zone along the extended red track LAC DE LA CHAMBRE you can go down to the neighboring resort of Meribel. Mostly blue trails are laid in this area, among which two short black trails are lost.

Peclet zone with the highest point of 3101 m - the ascent is carried out by chairlift and gondola lift. At the top of the zone is the eponymous glacier. The trails in this area are predominantly red. There are only two short black tracks. At the bottom of the zone there are several green and blue trails. A separate area is allocated for training novice riders. Here is located red slalom track, as well as at the Cascades chairlift – snowpark with total area 70000 sq. m with springboards, boxes and rails of varying difficulty levels. There is a shock-absorbing mattress that allows you to perform tricks in safe conditions (Jump’ Air).

Thorens Zone with the highest point in the area Cime De Caron(3200) – ascent is carried out by chairlifts and gondola lifts. The funicular is functioning. Eat De Chaviere Glacier. In this area, the largest number of slopes are located on the Val Thorens side and only three slopes descend to a small area from which the longest gondola lift in the area departs, descending to Orelle. Thorens stands out as the longest in the area and steep black piste COMBE DE CARON. From this area, through a series of blue and red pistes, you can descend to the underlying resort of Les Menuires.

Bouchet– the most remote ski area from Val Thorens. The ascent is carried out using chair lifts. The zone is located 2 glaciers– Du Bouchet and De La Pointe Renod. The highlight of the zone is border cross track.

In Val Thorens there is a France's longest toboggan run LE TOBOGGAN length 6 km (elevation difference 700 m). For pedestrians and people who prefer cross-country skiing, individual routes are highlighted.

In general, the trails are prepared at a decent level. They are made in the French style: wide with comfortable rollouts. Ice crusts and pebbles on the slopes - a rare event. Of course, especially popular trails break up closer to two o'clock in the afternoon, but you can always find an equally interesting alternative for skiing. An undeniable advantage of the resort is the opportunity to travel skiing and snowboarding throughout the region.

They work on the slopes snowcats. Installed artificial snow making system. Some trails are illuminated.

Nutrition on the slopes of Val Thorens is far from its strong point. There are not food points on all slopes, and the cost of food is not easy on the wallet. However, there are also pleasant moments. Some restaurants practice so-called “happy hours”, when drinks are sold at a fairly decent discount. And, for example, in the Bar 360 bar, located near the Moraine highway, there are sun loungers where you can soak up the soft rays of the winter sun.

Safety

Performed in Val Thorens full complex measures to ensure the safety of riders on the slopes. Dangerous areas are being monitored, a rescue service is operating, and an expanded network of first-aid posts has been created. A set of anti-avalanche measures is being carried out, incl. Avalanche barriers were installed on particularly dangerous slopes. The trails are carefully marked. Catching nets have been installed.

Services

Val Thorens offers a standard package of services:

parking;
shops and equipment rental;
repair of ski and snowboard equipment;
ski schools;
kindergartens;
extreme driving courses, etc.

Après-Ski

Val Thorens has a special atmosphere that sets it apart from many French resorts that prefer tranquility to wild fun. Probably because of the contingent of riders, who are mostly young people and students, it is always noisy and relaxed here. But this does not mean that you need to abandon the resort if you are a supporter of silence. There are also less noisy areas in Val Thorens, you just need to be more careful when choosing your location.

In your free time from skiing, you will find numerous cafes and restaurants, nightclubs, a sports and entertainment complex with swimming pools, saunas, a solarium, a children's fan park, a fitness center, a court, a Wellness center, as well as a bowling alley and a library with free book rental. And another highlight of the resort - underground dance floor, located under central area. For adrenaline junkies, a bike ride is held several times a week (the Tete Ronde red track), snowshoeing, sledding, snowmobiling and ATV riding, ice-driving and much more are also available.

Accommodation at the resort

Accommodation in Val Thorens is the cheapest in the area. There are many offers here from budget apartments to more expensive options. The average cost of hotel accommodation starts at from 300 euros per day, and in apartments – from 1000 euros for 7 nights.

The highest mountain resort in Europe is Val Thorens, located at an altitude of 2300 meters above sea level. It is one of the largest ski resorts in the world - and is considered one of the most affordable for vacationers in the area. Inexpensive prices, Fine developed infrastructure and magnificent slopes make it one of the most popular places from tourists.

The resort opened its slopes to the general public for the first time in 1971, at which time the first mechanical lifts were built. Val Thorens is very different from its counterparts due to the fact that the entire tourist infrastructure was built in the seventies, when high-rise buildings and dense buildings were fashionable. There are no Alpine chalets here, but the resort is rich beautiful landscapes: majestic mountains and snowy hills.

How to get there

By plane

Prices for ski lifts 3 Vallees (season 12/20/14-04/17/2015)

Ski-pass 3 Vallees includes use of the ski lifts of all resorts in the Three Valleys.

Amount of days	Adults (13-65 years), €	Children (5-13 years old), €	Pensioners (65-75 years old), €

Prices for ski lifts Val Thorens-Oriel (season 12/20/14-04/17/2015)

The ski pass includes use of the ski lifts at Val Thorens and Oriel.

Amount of days	Adults (12-65 years), €	Children (6-12 years old), €	Pensioners (65-74 years old), €

Ski school and equipment rental

Vacationers have more than 30 sports shops where they can rent and book all the necessary equipment. The entire list of stores, addresses and telephone numbers can be found on the website.

Also in Val Thorens there are 4 ski schools for children and adults:

Ski Cool Phone
Ecole Du Ski Francais
Valthrens Ski Instructor
Free School Attitude

Equipment rental cost

Hotels and cottages

Accommodation in Val Thorens is the most affordable of the towns in the Three Valleys region. Here, vacationers are offered a wide variety of offers from budget apartments to more expensive options. The cost of accommodation in hotels on average starts from 150 € per day, and in apartments - from 1000 € for 7 nights.

The most the best hotel Val Thorens is considered a five-star Altapura, where the swimming pool and spa are located. All wood-panelled rooms offer panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

Restaurants and cafes

The resort has more than 50 different restaurants, cafes and bars. One of best restaurants La Table du Roy, located in the Fitz Roy Hotel, is considered. The establishment offers exquisite French dishes. The average bill per person will be 80 €. During high season, it is better to reserve tables in this restaurant in advance.

Young people should check out the authentic Irish pub O’Connells bar, which is open until the morning. The most budget establishments where you can have a meal within 20-30 € are: Le Galoubet, Le Chalet des Deux Ours, Le Chamois d'Or.

Entertainment

Val Thorens is considered one of the most party resorts, where a special atmosphere of wild fun is created. Therefore, it is mainly young people and students who relax here. There are 150 shops, nightclubs, sports and entertainment complexes with swimming pools, and a library with free book rentals. The highlight of the resort is the open air La Folie Douce, located at an altitude of 2600 meters. Popular DJs perform here, and young people relax on the huge dance floor, covering an area of 700 square meters.

By the way. Every Tuesday at 18:30, the Val Thorens church hosts classical or jazz concerts.

For lovers active rest There is a Sogevab Sports Center located in the center of the village. On its vast territory of 9000 square meters there is an aqua club, two swimming pools, a spa, a jacuzzi, a Turkish bath, a sauna, a solarium, a sun terrace, an indoor tennis court, Gym, roller skating center and a large playground (for children from 2-6 years old). This is one of the largest sports complexes in the ski resorts of France.

Val Thorens is a Christmas gift to the French. It was at Christmas 1971 that the station opened its arms to the general public. Initially, only a few lifts were launched here.
The first one appeared here in 1972 ski school, Sports Club and Tourism Authority.

Today we can enjoy the result of the work carried out during this period - Val Thorens has one of the best lift systems in the Three Valleys region.

The station is equipped with the longest toboggan run in France (6 km, with a drop of 700 m from 3,000 to 2,300 m above sea level), a huge snow park, and an ice racetrack. We offer a large selection of different winter and summer options active leisure.

Val Thorens is a semi-pedestrian resort where cars are allowed to travel, but parking is only permitted in designated areas.
Eleven hotels, two of which are 5 stars, and numerous residences and club hotels make up the main accommodation base.

Fifty restaurants are available to holidaymakers, including two with Michelin stars.
Bowling alleys, bars, pubs, clubs, cafes, game rooms and other events - this is just a small list of leisure options.

Val Thorens is one of largest resorts in the world, every winter it is visited by more than 300 thousand vacationers, of which more than 70% are foreigners.

Resort motto: Val Thorens, the resort that combines the best of skiing with the best of atmospheres.

Railroad station- Moutiers (37 km), then by bus.
Distance from Lyon airport - 195 km,
from Grenoble airport - 185 km.

If you want to get real pleasure from skiing, visit the highest resort in Europe, Val Thorens (2300 m), located in a magnificent natural bowl surrounded by mountains. This is a real kingdom of snow and ice. Powerful cable car will lift you up the most beautiful peak Cime de Caron (3200 m), from where Mont Blanc (4807 m) is visible in clear weather.
This is a resort for real skiers, hundreds of kilometers of “wild” and difficult skiing, including on glaciers.

The resort of Val Thorens is the youngest in the Three Valleys. Hotels and ski lifts are located in such a way that almost all hotels can be accessed on skis. After skiing, you can enjoy your time in the resort's many bars and restaurants. One of the best restaurants in Val Thorens, La Table du Roy (Fitz Roy Hotel), offers gourmet French dishes; for young people, we recommend checking out the authentic Irish pub O`Connells bar, open all night.

Historical reference:

Project ski resort Val Thorens was designed in 1968 by the architect Pierre Schnebelen, who directed the Tignes ski lifts in the sixties. The secret of his success in Tignes was the organization of summer skiing on the Grande Motte glacier, which allowed Val D'Isère with its Pissalais glacier and Tignes not to stand idle in the summer. There were also excellent glaciers, Peclet and Chaviere. Locals were mainly busy developing the resort of Les Menuires, which They dreamed of making it similar to Courchevel. The resort of Les Menuires was founded in 1964, and by the end of the sixties it was connected by ski lifts to the Meribel valley. Initially, Schnebelen planned to use the Chaviere glacier, but the residents of the Maurienne valley, whose lands the glacier belonged to, wanted to build a resort on their own, so Schnebelen changed it. plans, and began to develop the concept of the Val Thorens resort, with skiing on the Peclet glacier, and integration into the Three Valleys ski area, which was more profitable. In 1971-72, the first ski lifts and buildings were built, the construction was carried out by the SETAM company. In 1973, they were built. ski lifts to Peclet and the Meribel valley. Meanwhile, the Braman resort in the Maurienne valley and skiing on the Chaviere glacier were developing, and Schnebelen decided to build ski lifts to this glacier from Val Thorens. In 1975, Val Thorens became the only resort with summer skiing on two glaciers. However, in the eighties, Braman was forced to close after a series of mass protests from environmentalists associated with the rapid disappearance of the Chaviere glacier. Now there is only a small ice field there. All surface lifts to the glacier were dismantled by 2002, leaving only the Col chairlift, and in 2003 the Peclet lift was dismantled. There is no summer glacier skiing here anymore.

A single ski pass for the Three Valleys resorts appeared in 1973. This created one of the most impressive ski areas, with access to six hundred kilometers of pistes, although ski lifts connected all three valleys back in 1960.

The ski resort Val Thorens (2300 m) is located at the highest altitude in Europe; it is not for nothing that it is called the “roof of the Three Valleys”. A powerful cable car will take you to the beautiful peak of Cime de Caron (3200 m), from where in clear weather you can see Mont Blanc (4807 m). The winter resort of Val Thorens is one of three resorts in the Belleville valley (300 km of slopes, 75 lifts), just below Menuir (1800 m) and San Martin de Belleville (1400 m) are located. Val Trans is the youngest in the Three Valleys.

The Val Thorens ski resort was specially designed for skiers and is divided into 2 parts: quiet Caron and lively Pecles. A large number of wide tracks, slopes of varying difficulty, where there is no crowding of skiers, allows you to feel the “flight-gliding” at speed, avoiding the danger of collision. The trails are here for all categories of skiers.

For professionals: the black and red slopes in the Cime de Caron area (3200 m) are quite consistent with their labeling, some of them are even unfairly underrated, and the Lac du Lou area and the La La Masse will delight skiers with off-piste skiing, but before the start it is better to take an accompanying person. There are many black and difficult red slopes on the Menuires slopes, but they are not very long.

For intermediate level: the Combe du Caron and Col slopes, as well as the slopes descending from Meribel, are very popular among skiers improving their skills. But you can also try your hand at more difficult trails, since the snow cover here is of very high quality.

For beginners: Val Thorens is not very suitable for "dummies", but there are well-prepared green and blue slopes at the base of the mountain.

Ski holidays in Val Trans are thought out to the smallest nuances. Hotels and ski lifts are located in such a way that almost all hotels can be reached by skis. One of the distinctive aspects of the resort is the small number of cars on the streets. Ski tours in Val Thorens they begin at the end of October and last until mid-May; the snow cover is stable throughout the ski season.

Specifications

Resort altitude: 2300m.

Ski area: 2300m. – 3200m.

Length routes: total - 140 km.

– Green – 16 km
– Blue – 39 km
– Reds – 70
– Black – 15 km

Quantity lifts: 30

Ski pass

Apress-ski

The ski resort of Val Thorens has sports complex with indoor tennis courts, volleyball and basketball courts, fitness center, swimming pool. There are 50 restaurants at your disposal where you can taste original French cuisine. For those craving a vibrant nightlife, nightclubs and bars with live music are open until 4 am.

Transfer

From the resort of Val Thorens to Geneva airport – 159 km, to Lyon – 193 km.

Webcams

Official resort websites

Specialist assessment

Altitude above sea level – 2300 meters

– The need for acclimatization. Not recommended for holidays with small children.
– Complete absence of forest zone. Snow and ice landscape.
- Not good comfortable conditions for skiing and relaxation during the “cold” months of the winter season.
– There is a high probability of traffic jams due to snowfalls; therefore, the transfer time may increase indefinitely.

Trails and slopes

The trails are maximally adapted for intermediate and slightly higher skiers.

Resort

The construction of the resort allows you to ski “from the door” (ski-in, ski-out) from almost any hotel or apartment.
+ The level of service of 3-4 star hotels is high.
+ A large number of economical level residences.

– Prices are 10-30% higher than the average for French resorts.
– Lack of pedestrian zones.
– Limited number of bars and restaurants.