Val Thorens

Part of the Three Valleys ski area and the highest ski resort in Europe

Located in: Val Thorens
Featured in: Towns & Villages
Updated: 12 August 2025

Val Thorens is a purpose built resort created over 40 years ago, the original idea thought up by Pierre Schnebelen. The resort began its first season in December 1971 with just three draglifts.

Part of the vast Three Valleys ski area and the highest ski resort in Europe, Val Thorens is a purpose-built resort that has been welcoming skiers for over 40 years. Opening its first season in 1971 with just three drag lifts, it quickly grew in popularity, especially after the Cime Caron lift was installed in 1981. Since then, the resort has gone from strength to strength, attracting everyone from students on group trips to couples and families. Today, you’ll find a huge choice of places to stay, from luxury hotels to ski-in ski-out apartments, cosy chalets and even a youth hostel.

Life in Val Thorens revolves around the slopes, and wherever you stay, you’re never far from the pistes. The resort centre is perfect if you want to be in the thick of it, close to ski schools, bars, restaurants and nightlife. There’s a great mix of places to eat, from casual mountain fare to fine dining, plus a bowling alley and nightclub for when après ski carries on into the early hours.

The resort continues to develop with new hotels opening each season and a good spread of shops and services, including an indoor shopping centre and sports complex at its heart. Cars are kept to a minimum with several large car parks on the edge of town and shuttle buses running day and night. Whether you’re here for first lifts and fresh tracks or for dancing long after the last run of the day, Val Thorens offers everything you need for a full mountain holiday.

Location	Km from Val Thorens	Best for
Val Thorens	0	Being in the heart of the largest ski area
St. Martin de Belleville	12	Charming alpine village with quaint hotels and luxury chalets
Les Menuires	5	affordable ski-in, ski-out accommodation

Villages of Val Thorens

History & Culture in Val Thorens

Val Thorens is a purpose built resort stemming from an original idea of Pierre Schnebelen. The resort began its first season in December 1971 with just three draglifts, gradually developing its offering over the next 10 years putting in the Cime Caron lift in 1981.

See our History Guide

Sights & Attractions in Val Thorens

Being the highest resort in Europe, Val Thorens offers some of the most stunning views in the Three Valleys. At the top of the Cime Caron lift you are offered a fantastic 360 degree panoramic viewing platform with views over to Italy. The Orelle Valley, often known as the Fourth Valley, also offers great views with the highest altitude point at 3,230m. As the third resort in the Belleville area you also have views right down the valley of Les Menuires and St Martin de Belleville.

Dining in Val Thorens

Val Thorens has a huge choice of restaurants with everything from Michelin starred to the traditional local cuisine, pizza or take away. Face West offers a nice variety for families, provides a great service and is located right in the centre of the resort. You can opt for eating at a mountain restaurant in the evening, you just have to walk there first! Steak Club has a really refreshing interior for a mountain restaurant and is located next to the main area of bars for post meal entertainment.

Favela Bar and Restaurant

Located in
Val Thorens

Located on the Val Thorens famous bar street you will find Favela. A venue not to be missed.
La Cave Restaurant

Located in
Val Thorens

Chef Eric Samson revisits some of your favourite traditional mountain dishes.
Les Explorateurs restaurant

Located in
Val Thorens

One of Val Thorens' newest five star hotels has an incredible Michelin starred restaurant within.
Il Gusto Restaurant

Located in
Val Thorens

This Italian restaurant offers gourmet Italian cuisine in the heart of Val Thorens.
2Mille3 Restaurant

Located in
Val Thorens

Stop off for lunch or dinner at this restaurant which is part of the five star Altapura hotel in resort. Enjoy lunch on the large terrace looking over the Caron summit.
La Maison Restaurant

Located in
Val Thorens

With something on the menu to suit everyone and a good range of cocktails, spirits, wines and beers this is a good spot for some lunch, an afternoon coffee, apres drinks and dinner.

Events in Val Thorens

A number of events take place over the winter and summer months in Val Thorens and the Belleville valley in which it sits, from ski cross championships to a mountain bike race that takes place across the whole of the three valleys, you'll find something to keep you entertained during your stay.

European Heritage Days

Event next occurs on
Fri 19 Sep
Located in
Cannes

Exceptional locations around France, including Val Thorens, will be open to visit on the Journées du Patrimoine - a European wide event inspired by by France’s Journées Portes Ouvertes which started in 1984.

Things to do in Val Thorens

As the highest ski resort in Europe VT offers a longer season than most other resorts, being open nearly two months more, from the last week in November until the first week in May. Being part of the Three Valleys, Val Thorens gives you access to the largest ski area in the world with 600km of piste. In Val Thorens itself there are snow parks, ski cross and big air bags, the quality so good that world events are often held here. Away from the slopes you can relax in the sports centre with swimming pool and spa or if you are feeling energetic there is a fitness area. You also have 15 other spas to choose from in rseort.

Back on the snow there are numerous activities including snowmobile outings, paragliding and if you're brave enough you can take part in ice diving. Val Thorens has many claims to fame and boasts the longest toboggan run in the world, at 6km with a 700m vertical drop from an altitude of 3,000m; the highest zip wire in the world taking a descent from 3,200m; and the highest ice racing track in Europe. Once the snow melts in the summer months the pistes turn into walking trails with the lifts open for hikers and mountain biking with graded routes for both in July and August. You can also play squash, badminton, tennis, basketball and table tennis with a varied weekly events programme for both adults and children.

Val Tho Motoneige Activity Company

Located in
Val Thorens

Head out on a snowmobile with a guide and experience the mountains at night time when the lifts have closed and the pistes are quiet.
Bowling

Located in
Val Thorens

Val Thorens Bowling offers a range of activities right in the heart of the resort.
Raquette Nature

Located in
Val Thorens

Discover the beauty of the untouched natural mountains on snow shoes.
Le Lac Blanc Cinema

Located in
Val Thorens

This cinema has two daily screenings and an afternoon screening on bad weather days.

See our Activity Guide

Nightlife in Val Thorens

Val Thorens has a really varied nightlife with everything on offer from on the piste après ski venues such as La Folie Douce and Bar 360 to live jazz music or classical concerts in the church. Children's après is not overlooked in Val Thorens, with a weekly events programme of activities and entertainment. The main area of bars is located at the top of the resort including Snesko, Rhum Box and Snow Café. The main nightclub is Malaysia, which is open until around 04:00. If you want alternative entertainment there is also a large bowling complex and cinema.

Favela Bar and Restaurant

Located in
Val Thorens

Located on the Val Thorens famous bar street you will find Favela. A venue not to be missed.
Café Snesko Bar

Located in
Val Thorens

A Val Thorens institution going from strength to strength with each season. Although a Danish bar through and through, its reputation has steadily grown with all nationalities and it has gained recognition as one of the very best après-ski bars outside Austria.
Saloon Bar

Located in
Val Thorens

Saloon bar is ideally located in the heart of the Val Thorens famous bar street. It's the place to be for fun, music and dancing.
Klub Summit Nightclub

Located in
Val Thorens

Klub Summit in Val Thorens is where the party never stops. Located on the famous bar street, they’re open nightly from 23:00 until 05:00 AM, with DJs spinning the best commercial music - from house to pop to disco - all night long.
The Frog Bar

Located in
Val Thorens

The Frog, Europe’s highest pub, has been a staple in Val Thorens since 2007. Renowned for serving the best British pub food in town, they take pride in hearty dishes that hit the spot, from juicy burgers to loaded nachos.
Downunder Sports Bar

Located in
Val Thorens

Downunder Sports bar is ideally located on the Val Thorens famous bar street. It's the place to be for live sports, drinks and non-stop fun.

See our Nightlife Guide

Chalets in Val Thorens

You'll find a relatively small selection of chalets in the main resort in Val Thorens, as there tends to be more hotels and apartment buildings, however the choice is pretty good.

Petit Sabot Chalet-Apartment

Located in
Val Thorens

Cosy ski-in/ski-out chalet-apartment for up to six guests, right on the piste in central Val Thorens.
Sabot 1 Chalet-Apartment

Located in
Val Thorens

Ski-in, ski-out catered chalet-apartment in central Val Thorens with direct piste access.
Lumiere de Soleil Chalet

Located in
Val Thorens

This chalet is in a great location, just 120 from a green run leading to the lifts and just a 2 minute walk from the centre of town where you will find plenty of bars, restaurants and shops.
Sabot 9 Chalet-Apartment

Located in
Val Thorens

Ski-in, ski-out catered chalet-apartment with a central location in Val Thorens.
Sabot Chalet-Apartment

Located in
Val Thorens

Charming catered chalet-apartment with five bedrooms and piste access in the heart of Val Thorens.
Bonhomme Chalet

Located in
Val Thorens

Spacious chalet in Val Thorens with panoramic views, ensuite rooms and shared wellness facilities.

29 Nov 20257 Nights1-28 peopleCatered
Price: £19,579

Holidays Rentals in Val Thorens

There are literally hundreds of apartments to choose from in Val Thorens, from studios to larger apartments sleeping 14 people or more. They tend to be self catered and some come with access to a spa and swimming pool.

Le Machu Pichu Residence - 1 Bedroom Apartment

Located in
Val Thorens

Residence Le Machu Pichu is a newly refurbished 4* residence at the heart of the 3 Valleys, the highest ski resort in Europe.

29 Nov 20257 Nights1-5 peopleSelf-catered
Price: €656
Le Machu Pichu Residence - 1 Bedroom Apartment

Located in
Val Thorens

Residence Le Machu Pichu is a newly refurbished 4* residence at the heart of the 3 Valleys, the highest ski resort in Europe.

29 Nov 20257 Nights1-6 peopleSelf-catered
Price: €772
Sabot Penthouse

Located in
Val Thorens

Spacious ski-in, ski-out catered penthouse in the heart of Val Thorens.
Lumiere de Soleil Chalet

Located in
Val Thorens

This chalet is in a great location, just 120 from a green run leading to the lifts and just a 2 minute walk from the centre of town where you will find plenty of bars, restaurants and shops.
Le Tikal Residence - 1 Bedroom + Alcove Apartment

Located in
Val Thorens

The Le Tikal Residence at Val Thorens has been entirely refurbished, and offers high quality apartments. It lies at the entrance to the resort close to shops and leisure facilities (including a sports centre with tennis courts, a watersports area with swimming pool and a fitness centre with sauna, hammam and jacuzzis). Slopes can be accessed directly on skis.

29 Nov 20257 Nights1-6 peopleSelf-catered
Price: €970
Petit Sabot Chalet-Apartment

Located in
Val Thorens

Cosy ski-in/ski-out chalet-apartment for up to six guests, right on the piste in central Val Thorens.

Hotels in Val Thorens

There is a wide variety of accommodation on offer in Val Thorens from a fantastic youth hostel in the bottom of the resort to five star hotels in the centre.

Le Machu Pichu Apartment Residence

Located in
Val Thorens

Residence Le Machu Pichu is a newly refurbished 4* residence at the heart of the 3 Valleys, the highest ski resort in Europe.
Le Gypaète Apartment Residence

Located in
Val Thorens

Your residence in the centre of 300 km of marked trails.
Le Tikal Apartment Residence

Located in
Val Thorens

The Pierre & Vacances Le Tikal Residence at Val Thorens has been entirely refurbished, and offers high quality apartments. It lies at the entrance to the resort close to shops and leisure facilities (including a sports centre with tennis courts, a watersports area with swimming pool and a fitness centre with sauna, hammam and jacuzzis). Slopes can be accessed directly on skis.
Les Temples du Soleil Apartment Residence

Located in
Val Thorens

Take a deep breath and let go. The mountain air will fill your lungs. Your eyes will be dazzled by the stunning alpine landscape. As the days go by you'll feel increasingly relaxed.
Fitz Roy Hotel

Located in
Val Thorens

The highest luxury hotel in Europe, situated at 2300m! Spectacular mountain views are guaranteed from this superior elevation.
Des 3 Vallees Hotel

Located in
Val Thorens

Thi hotel exudes Alpine charm and cosiness at the heart of the Val Thorens ski resort. Family-run since 1979, you are sure of a warm welcome and an enjoyable stay.

How to get to Val Thorens

Shared airport transfers

Direct, shared ski transfers to Val Thorens at competitive prices.
Private airport transfers

From the airport to the slopes, they handle the rest. Geneva's most trusted private ski transfers.
Private and shared airport transfers

This company offers a great value shuttle service as well as private transfers from Geneva Airport to Val Thorens. Established and efficient - you can rely on them.
Shared bus airport transfers

A key booking portal for local coach and bus transfers in the French ski resorts. Using this service to coordinate your travel means getting to resort could not be easier.
Private and shared airport transfers

Snowlinx has been helping holidaymakers enjoy seamless airport transfers since 2008. From prompt and professional drivers, to stylish and well-maintained vehicles. A Snowlinx journey is more than just a transfer. Their aim is to ensure all their customers travel in comfort and with confidence.
Private airport transfers

The Loyal Transfers team has been organising airport transfers to ski resorts around France since 2012. Their aim has always been to make independent travel to ski resorts cheaper and easier for everyone.