Here 4 the Apres

I absolutely adore planning ski vacations; it’s the thrill of researching and organizing that adds to the excitement of my upcoming trips. Surprisingly, many people find booking a ski vacation, especially to Europe, daunting. I’ve even had friends offer to pay me for helping them plan their trips. European ski culture is unique, presenting challenges that may catch you off guard, such as fewer buses to Val Thorens on days other than Saturday – a scenario uncommon in places like Breckenridge. Plus, some apartments don’t provide essentials like linens and toilet paper. To ensure a seamless Val Thorens ski trip, I’ve put together this post to guide you through the process.

Before you dive into planning, consider the following steps:

Assess the Cost: How much would a Val Thorens ski trip cost? I’ve detailed the potential costs of a Val Thorens trip in this article. While expenses vary based on your budget, my article provides an in-depth breakdown.

Check Passport Validity: Do you have a valid passport? Ensure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay in France. As an American citizen, no visa is required for travel to Switzerland or France if you’re landing in Geneva. For other citizenships, check online for specific passport and visa requirements.

Assemble Your Crew: Gather the Troops! Val Thorens is a blast, especially when shared with close friends. The more, the merrier – but choose your ski trip companions wisely! Consider factors such as:

• Ski Levels: Most importantly, can they ski down from La Folie Douce (intermediate run) while drunk? But seriously, if you want to check out all the valleys, you’ll need to at least be an intermediate skier.
• Apres Ski: But they want to go to Val Thorens to apres right? The question is, are they the just have a drink sitting down by a fireplace type of person? Or more like they want to be dancing on tables in ski boots wearing butterfly wings? Do they want to be done with apres at 5pm or 4am?
• Financials: Because of the price range of accommodations and food, you’ll want to make sure to align.
• Sleep Schedules/Noise Levels: Be mindful of differing sleep patterns and noise sensitivity, if you have a large enough group, you can split people up into multiple rooms or apartments.
• General Consideration: Select friends who are considerate in small shared space, won’t hog the bathroom, help cook or clean.

Start at least 4-6 months in advanced:

Start planning as early as possible to secure the best options. Last-minute planning is doable, but expect higher flight prices, limited accommodations, and difficulty booking a bus leaving the airport at an optimal time to the resort. For peace of mind, book fully refundable accommodations 4-6 months in advance, noting the cancellation deadlines in your calendar. I have another friend who goes to Europe every year and he books accommodation 9 months in advanced, if he’s booking only 7 months before he said that’s late. He confirms inventory is significantly lower and prices are higher when he waits.

Pro Tip: Use Google Flights to track prices and set up alerts for timely bookings.

Choosing the Right Time to Go:

• Christmas to New Years: Expensive, with limited snow.
• January: Less crowded and more affordable, but snow may be limited.
• Early to Mid-February to Early Mid-March: Better snow chances, but during French school holidays, leading to higher prices and lower inventory.
• Mid-March Onward: Prices drop, still good snow conditions but less fresh snow
• April: Variable snow, but perfect for enjoying apres ski in spring-like conditions.

Booking Flights: Optimize Your Arrival

I highly recommend choosing Geneva as your arrival airport since it offers the most buses to Val Thorens. In a previous blog post, I discussed various airport options, and it’s essential to note that my perspective is based on being an American from New York City. If you’re coming from the UK, where I’ve noticed a significant readership, you’ll likely have more low-cost carrier options than I do.

One crucial tip is to plan a Saturday-to-Saturday vacation. Consider adding a day in either direction if you plan to stay in Geneva. The majority of accommodations in Val Thorens typically rent out their apartments or hotels for a Saturday-to-Saturday stay. Opting for a shorter timeframe might result in limited inventory and higher prices for the same place. This consideration is especially vital if you’re taking one of the buses from Geneva to Val Thorens. Personally, I prefer booking my flights to arrive on a Saturday redeye and taking the last bus out on Saturday for the return. I then spend an overnight in Geneva and fly out on Sunday.

As mentioned earlier, setting up a Google price alert is a savvy move to gauge a good price and book when it drops. The best price can vary from year to year, and I can’t provide a fixed amount. For instance, pre-pandemic, I’ve seen flights from NYC as low as $300, but in 2024, it’s around $720. Planning 6-8 months in advance allows you to monitor price fluctuations. Google will also indicate whether the current price is considered good or higher than normal. Additionally, booking a main cabin (not basic economy) ahead of time gives you the flexibility to adjust the price if it drops. This way, you can ensure a budget-friendly and well-planned journey to Val Thorens.

Booking Accommodations: Choosing the Right Spot

Val Thorens, although a fairly small and walkable town, ensures you’re never too far from an apres-ski venue. However, given its predominantly ski-in, ski-out nature, built into the side of the mountain, there are certain locations that may require a bit of a hike. While this might not be an issue elsewhere, navigating icy roads with 50 pounds of ski gear or strolling in ski boots after a few drinks poses potential hazards. In a detailed post, I’ve delved into each area within Val Thorens, but I recommend staying near the bus stop (Allores, Caron), just below the bus stop (Soleil), or close to rue de la soif/thirsty street (Peclet).

Consider factors like budget, choosing between an apartment and a hotel, and the number of people in your group. Additionally, weigh amenities such as wifi (this is not always included), linens (will they provide or can they do so for a fee), spa services, or bag check facilities. Selecting a strategic location that aligns with your preferences and needs ensures a more enjoyable stay in Val Thorens.

Pro Tip: Utilize the bag check at the bus depot for convenience.
Another Pro Tip: If your accommodations don’t provide linens, ask them if they will arrange it for a fee, usually they’ll deliver and pick up your linens for you that way.

At least 1 month prior:

Book Bus Transportation from Geneva Airport to Val Thorens

Securing your bus tickets to Val Thorens is a priority once you’re certain about your trip. Buses tend to fill up quickly, especially during peak times, so early booking is advisable. Two prominent bus options are Ben’s Bus and Altibus, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, as elaborated in this post. It’s worth noting that in case of flight delays, both companies will accommodate you on the next available bus, underscoring the importance of booking in advance.

Car Rental and Parking

Opting for a rental car comes with its perks, although I can’t provide extensive advice since I personally don’t drive to Val Thorens. However, if you choose this route, ensure you pre-book your parking garage before arrival. Val Thorens operates as a car-free town, allowing only temporary stops for unloading. Throughout your stay, you must park your car in designated lots, as parking on the streets can result in tickets from vigilant police. Delve into the details of parking costs and town shuttles if you find yourself parked a bit further away.

Dining Reservation in Val Thorens and Les 3 Vallees

Depending on whether you plan to visit Val Thorens during peak periods, such as the French School Holidays, and if you have your sights set on indulging in a meal at one of the many Michelin Star Restaurants, it’s advisable to consider making reservations ahead of your arrival. In 2022, I had the pleasure of dining at Azimut, a one-star Michelin restaurant in Courchevel La Praz. I highly recommend it for its delectable cuisine and the unique experience of enjoying Michelin-starred dining in ski gear. We were fortunate to secure a reservation within a week of our arrival, but I can envision the challenge of doing so during a bustling week. To ensure you don’t miss out on these exceptional dining experiences, it’s wise to plan and make reservations in advance, especially during peak times.

At least 1 week prior:

Here are some helpful tips so you are prepared for your trip, you should try to at least do one week in advanced, but can also just do way in advanced.

Plan for Wifi or International Phone Data

I’ve covered the topic of WiFi and international cell data here. However, as mentioned earlier, it’s crucial to note that many places lack inclusive WiFi. Even when I secured an apartment with WiFi, the speed was so sluggish that basic web searches became a challenge. Forget about watching videos – engaging in a Zoom video chat was completely out of the question. In such cases, relying on a hotspot using international data from your phone may be your best bet to ensure you have sufficient connectivity for your work requirements.

Buy Travel Insurance

Securing travel insurance is essential for various reasons, encompassing crucial aspects such as medical coverage abroad, protection against lost or delayed baggage, dealing with unforeseen delays or cancellations that might leave you stranded in a city, and safeguarding yourself in case of illness or injury before your trip. While many credit cards offer insurance as a perk, it’s crucial to note that international medical coverage is often not included. Personally, whenever I embark on international ski trips, I never hesitate to invest in travel insurance—it’s a nominal cost of around $100 that brings peace of mind. Given my less-than-stellar travel luck, I’ve found it to be a worthwhile investment, often ensuring a return on my money. Among the various options available, I’ve opted for World Nomad Travel Insurance. Their coverage specifically caters to medical needs for skiers and offers two levels – one for on-piste skiing and another for those adventurous souls hitting the terrain park and skiing off-piste. It’s a prudent choice to guarantee a worry-free and well-covered travel experience.

Ski Rentals

While you can find more information here on booking your rentals in advance for discounts and quicker service, I strongly advise joining the queue for rental pickup as soon as the shop opens. I’ve observed lengthy lines for rentals on Sundays, especially if you don’t plan on starting your day late. It’s crucial to be mindful of the rental shop’s operating hours. While less common on Sundays, some shops may close for a lunch break. Planning accordingly will ensure a smoother and more efficient experience in getting your ski rentals.

Other Useful Things for Your Trip

Most things you can find within the resort if you forget it, but some might be a bit harder to find. The below list are some things I’ve found helpful to have, so you might want to order before you leave:

• Power outlet converter
• Prescription medications e.g. birth control pills, asthma inhaler, lactaid
• Pedialyte – high altitude combined with lots drinking at apres ski
• Apple watch charger – regular firewire and type c cords are easy to find, but Apple watch are harder
• Phone lanyard – secure picture-taking especially while on the lifts
• Magnetic charger for the phone – useful if your phone gets wet and won’t charge via firewire
• Airtags – luggage tracking
• Cash in euros – some apres-ski parties charge 0.50 euros for restroom use
• SIM card or ensure your phone is eSIM capable – contact your phone company if needed
• Laundry detergent pods or sheets
• Toilet paper – especially if you arrive after 10 pm when grocery stores may be closed

T-0 days!

Arriving into Geneva Airport

The first time I flew through Geneva, I found myself perplexed by the layout. There’s a distinct French sector where your bags circulate around the carousel only once. This arrangement is applicable if you arrived from France (as in my case, with a connection through Paris) and wish to depart from the French side without going through customs. Simply walk past this area into the Swiss sector, where you’ll spot your regular bags on the carousel and ski bags on the oversized belt. Additionally, you can locate the counters for the ski buses within the Swiss sector.

Linen rentals

Due to the prevalence of apartment rentals catering to French clientele who often arrive by car or perhaps due to recent changes amid the pandemic, you may find the need to bring your own linens, including sheets, bath towels, and kitchen towels. If the requirement is specified in your apartment rental details, consider reaching out to inquire whether they can provide the linens for an additional fee or if they can suggest a local rental service. While researching, I came across a linen rental place in Val Thorens named Loc’Linge, which you can find on Google Maps. However, be mindful that they close at 7 pm on Saturdays. In case of late arrival or flight delays, securing linen rentals before their closing time may pose a challenge.

Getting Epic Ski Pass Covered or Purchasing a Les 3 Vallees Ski Pass

Check out the article here on how to utilize your Epic Pass to obtain the Les 3 Vallées pass. If you don’t possess an Epic Pass, you can make the payment at the same location. Numerous options will be available, including but not limited to choices like only Val Thorens or access to all the valleys.

Getting around Les 3 Vallees

I’ve written an article detailing how to reach the other valleys from Val Thorens. Ensure you return to Val Thorens before the lifts shut down to avoid costly taxi rides. This way, you won’t miss out on La Folie Douce, conveniently situated on the way back from Meribel and Courchevel.

Apres Ski Schedule

Europeans typically adhere to fairly predictable schedules, so it’s crucial to time your visits to the right parties for the best apres-ski experience in Val Thorens. Check out this Apres Ski Schedule for the timings of popular apres-ski parties. The schedule also includes links to individual posts for each apres-ski party, providing details on locations, drink costs, and useful tips. This way, you can ensure you hit all the right spots at the right times and fully enjoy the vibrant apres-ski scene in Val Thorens!