Here 4 the Apres

Why Should I go to Val Thorens?

Après Ski

My number one reason I go to Val Thorens is because the après ski! The energy is insane and the parties start at 2:30pm and go on until 4am!

7 days free on full Epic pass

But I’m sure many Americans decide they want to go to Val Thorens because its included in the full Epic Pass (full Epis pass only, is not included in the Local pass). And I know everyone likes to emphasize that European ski passes only cost around 60 Euros a day compared to walk up window cost of Aspen and Vail at $275+ in 2023. But if you already paid for a ski pass, why would you want to spend another $300 to ski for a week in Europe on top of flights and accommodations?

Mostly ski-in ski-out

Most of Val Thorens is ski-in ski-out. If it is not, you won’t be walking any more than 5 minutes to get on the slopes. There are plenty of accommodation options from apartments with kitchens to luxury hotels with spas, fancy bars, restaurants, and other amenities.

Largest connected ski resort on earth!

Val Thorens is part of the Three Valleys resort which is covered by the full Epic Pass and is the largest ski resort on earth, with almost 26,000 skiable acres. As a comparison, Whistler Blackcomb, which is the biggest resort in North America, has 8,171 skiable acres. So don’t worry, it’ll be pretty hard to get bored of the terrain.

Great snow quality

Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe and has very dry fluffy snow. I don’t know how they groom their snow, but even on bad snow years, the snow has been great. In 2022, I stayed in Brides-les-Bain, and skied Meribel and Courchevel, but as soon as I went over Cote Brune lift to Val Thorens, the quality was significantly better. Not sure why the snow in lower Meribel and Courchevel wasn’t that good. I remember in 2020, I went to Val Thorens, and then a couple weeks later I went to Whistler, and the snow felt like cement in Whistler, my legs were so sore after!

High quality ski lessons that are less expensive than USA

If you are new to skiing or just feel like you’ve plateaued and wanted to get better, Europe is a great place to take lessons. It is significantly less expensive than the US for lessons, and the instructor training is pretty rigorous in Europe. You can use CheckYeti to find ski schools. Prices range from as low as 34 Euros for 2.5 hour group lessons and 58 Euros an hour for private lessons in Val Thorens. You can also look into off piste and ski touring depending on your ability.

Michelin star restaurants on resort

Do you like to eat? I mean really, do you LOVE to eat? Because Les 3 Vallées have 20 Michelin Stars among 12 Michelin Starred Restaurants. How often do you get to ski to a Michelin Star restaurant and eat in ski gear?

Where is Val Thorens?

Val Thorens is part of Les 3 Vallées, in the French Alps, about 680 km or 420 miles south of Paris. While it is located in France, if you are coming from the USA, Geneva, Switzerland is the easiest airport to fly into, located about 155 km or 95 miles away. If there is no traffic the bus takes about 3 hours.

What is the altitude of Val Thorens?

Val Thorens is one of the highest ski resorts in Europe. The village is located at approximately 2300 m or 7545 feet above sea level. The highest point accessible by lift is over 3200 m or 10,500 feet, at the top of VT33 Cime Caron Tram.

Will I get altitude sickness in Val Thorens?

This depends on your sensitivity to altitude. I tend to start getting headaches at around 10,000 feet, but around 8000 feet, I’m fine just a little dehydrated. In Val Thorens I am fine, but I get sick in alot of the Colorado resorts because the base of Keystone, Breckenridge, and Vail are all around 10,000 feet, pushing into 12,000 feet. It makes a big difference if I stay hydrated, which is difficult after being on an 8 hour flight, plus at least a 3 hour bus ride without a restroom. If you are sensitive to altitude sickness, I would recommend that you bring pedialyte or other electrolyte packets to keep hydrated, and avoid drinking before and during your flight.

When should I go to Val Thorens?

Since Val Thorens is one of the highest and most snow sure locations in Europe, it also has one of the longest seasons in Europe. Val Thorens usually opens their season in mid November and doesn’t close until early May.

Avoid Christmas to New Years and the French Half Term Ski holiday

The busiest and therefore most expensive times to visit are between Christmas and New Years and then the French Half Term Ski Holiday. After Christmas will not only be expensive for accommodations, but also flights. The French Half Term Ski Holiday starts in early February and ends in early March. And while the resorts are still less crowded than Epic Resorts in the US, because there aren’t usually lines in Val Thorens, there aren’t lines set up, so its just a mob of people pushing in trying to get on the lift. Also, there is a great deal of beginner or very low intermediate skiers and boarders that don’t understand ski etiquette, basically skiing like no one is before or after them or trying to pass them.

MLK Week is great

I hate to give away my secrets, but I love skiing the week of MLK Holiday. Fly in Friday redeye, arrive into Val Thorens Saturday evening, ski from Sunday until the following Saturday, take the last shuttle bus back to Geneva Airport, take the train into Geneva staying at a hotel near the train station, and then flying out on Sunday. Nine days in Val Thorens and Geneva using only 4 vacation days! This time of year is not crowded, but there is usually a good amount of snow coverage, plus MLK is not a holiday in Europe unlike the crowded Epic Resorts in the US.

After French Half Term

In mid March to late April, after the French Half Term, the prices for accommodations should go down again. While there is less of a chance for fresh snow, the days are longer, and the temperatures will be warmer. As we enter into April there will be more music festivals like Festi Val Tho or Dutch Week to get more people to the resort. The snow won’t be as great, but if you come just for the après ski scene, than you won’t be disappointed with the parties.