Val Thorens, France

* Highest resort in the Alps with exceptional snow record...

* Extensive, varied slopes suitable for all levels...

* Easy access to the whole 3 Valleys...

* Ultra-convenient, ski-in, ski-out resort...

At 2300m, Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe as well as one of the most snow-sure, with a season that spans nearly six months. Its slopes are excellent for all abilities and convenient to all the accommodation – you can ski above, below and beside the village, and you can even ski through the streets.

Val Thorens is purpose-built, but much more animated than many such resorts with a surprisingly lively nightlife.

Val Thorens at a glance...

Resort height:	2300m
Slopes:	1800-3230m	(1260-3230m - 3 Valleys)
Pistes:	150km	(600km - 3 Valleys)
Snow rating:	☆☆☆☆☆

Suitability			Skiing
Beginners	☆☆☆☆☆		Green runs	●	12%
Intermediate	☆☆☆☆☆		Blue runs	●	38%
Advanced	☆☆☆☆☆		Red runs	●	39%
			Black runs	●	1%

Resort			Transfer time
Charm	☆☆☆☆☆		Chambéry	2hr
Convenience	☆☆☆☆☆		Geneva	2hr45
Après-ski	☆☆☆☆☆		Lyon	2hr45
Family	☆☆☆☆☆		Grenoble	2hr45
Non-skiers	☆☆☆☆☆

Snow reliability

General snow cover	5/5
Snow quality – upper	5/5
Snow quality – lower	4/5
Resort level snow	5/5
Powder potential	4/5

The skiing

Val Thorens is the highest resort of the famous 3 Valleys network, the largest fully integrated ski area in the world. The local slopes are spread around a vast horseshoe of mountains that are entirely above the tree-line and offer plenty to amuse all levels of skier/boarder, including some serious off-piste.

The slopes link seamlessly to Les Menuires and Méribel, and beyond to Courchevel, offering a staggering 650km of pistes. Val Thorens also caters superbly for beginners with wide gentle nursery slopes right at the foot of the resort.

The resort

Val Thorens sits in a vast snowy bowl high above the treeline at the head of the Belleville valley (that it shares with Les Menuires and St Martin de Belleville). At 2300m, it is the highest ski resort in Europe.

Val Thorens has been moving upmarket in recent years and is smarter than most classic purpose-built resorts, with an ever expanding range of stylish accommodation to chose from. It is also surprisingly lively with plenty of après-ski options both up the mountain and in the resort.