What is the terrain and weather like in Val Thorens?
Within Val Thorens valley there are 11 green, 29 blue, 51 reds, and 14 blacks. It is one of the highest resorts in Europe so the air can be very dry, and snow is pretty fluffy, not wet and heavy like Whistler. Because it is so high, it is also above the tree line. All you see everywhere you look is white! And while it is one of the most snowsure in Europe, if it does snow, it can be extremely windy. And for some reason they have some microclimates within the resort. I remember I was skiing on one side of the resort which was perfectly clear, and my other friend was at a lesson, and it was windy with snow blowing up. So move around the resort if its too windy in the section you’re skiing in.
Let me tell you my ski ability so you can tell if you can trust me … or just judge me!
Before we I let you know about their beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain, let me tell you about my ski ability, so you can get a bit of perspective. I would classify myself as a strong intermediate. I can ski any intermediate without fear unless its super icy. I can generally ski a groomed not icy advanced with confidence at most Epic resort mountains, for example Vail is fine. On the ice coast, like Hunter Mountain or Stratton, I can ski advanced in perfect conditions, but let’s be honest, have you ever seen perfect conditions on the East? I learned to ski when I was 3 years old in Southern California so you would think I should be better, but we mostly only did a couple day trip each year locally (Mountain High, Baldy, Snow Summit, Big Bear), with an occasional weekend trip to Big Bear or Mammoth. Powder is new to me. At first I hated it because its exhausting and I was on the wrong skis. When I got some playful midfats (Blackcrow Camox Birdie with 97 underfoot), I started liking it more. The floating sensation can be unreal! But I haven’t quite figured out the steep pow so I stick to intermediates when there’s been fresh powder. So keep all this in mind when I review the terrain in Val Thorens.
Wait, the colors of the runs are slightly different in France compared to USA! What do they mean?
Green: Greens are “very easy” or beginner, mostly bunny hill runs, very similar to USA and the rest of North America
Blue: Blues are “easy”, but I would say somewhere between beginner and intermediate. Of course even within the US, blues and greens vary, but compared to Vail, I would say the blues are similar. But if you’re trying to compare to somewhere like Telluride, these blues are easier
Red: Red in Val Thorens is “difficult”. I think these are on the easier side of Blacks in the US, somewhere between intermediate and advanced for North America. If you’re a strong intermediate in the US, you should fine.
Black: I don’t think I tried any blacks while I was in Val Thorens or Les 3 Vallees, but think they’re more difficult than regular Black runs in the US? Maybe closer to double black diamond?
Is Val Thorens good for Beginners?
There are quite a few beginner runs for new skiers at Val Thorens. I do think it is pretty crowded in main bunny hill where people learn. They’re serviced by magic carpets which are less intimidating than trying to dismount from a lift. But luckily the lift exits are very flat, so that should be good for beginners. There are a couple narrow sections within some the beginner runs, so that could be difficult depending on your ability. Also, I don’t think you can ski over to any of the other valleys because you’ll have to at least be able to make it down.
Also be aware, if you’re a true beginner, you probably won’t be able to go to La Folie Douce in Val Thorens. The only way down is an blue run. I would go to 360 Val Thorens instead.
Is Val Thorens good for Intermediates?
Val Thorens is fantastic for Intermediate skiers. There is plenty of runs to choose from. You can ski all the blues, but also try out some of the easier reds. As long as you start early enough in the day, you can ski all the valleys. Orelle and Meribel are connected to Val Thorens. But you’ll need to ski through Meribel to get over to Courchevel. Yes, there are four valleys, even though the resort is names Les 3 Vallees.
Is Val Thorens good for Advanced?
As I mentioned above, I am too much of a wussy to try to ski many Advanced runs. I will ski some because its saves a ton of time on the slopes, for example not having to take an extra lift, but since I’m not the most elegant skier, I usually just cruise on the blues with the occasional red thrown in.
Just looking at the map, there are some black runs in Val Thorens, and you can easily ski over to Orelle which was more options, plus there are off piste options in both of those resorts. I also read there are some colouirs in Courchevel if you want something even more challenging with Grand Couloir being the most difficult with a 38.6 degree pitch or 80% steep.
Does Val Thorens have a good terrain park?
First it appears that Val Thorens (or maybe all of Europe?) calls them Snowparks. I personally have never visited because I’ve never been brave enough. But there is a 70,000 m2 (over 750,000 sq ft) snowpark on the Plateaux Pistes which is all classified by difficulty.
How to get there: Take the Les 2 Lacs lift, turn left when you get off the lift. Take Linotte run (blue) down to Plateaux Pistes.
Here 4 the Apres 
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