Towns & Villages in Val Thorens — 3 of Our Favourites

Les Menuires sits at 1,850m in the heart of the Three Valleys, offering excellent value for money and ski-in ski-out convenience. Built largely in the 1970s, it may not win prizes for looks, but its location and extensive facilities make it a firm favourite with families and those seeking budget-friendly access to the world’s largest ski area. Most of the action centres on La Croisette with its shops, hotels and restaurants, while Reberty and Les Bruyeres offer a quainter feel with chalets, four-star hotels and their own lifts up the mountain. You can also stay in quieter spots like Le Bettaix at 1,400m, where you’ll find easy ski access and a peaceful atmosphere. From lively après to family-friendly fun, Les Menuires offers a practical and affordable base for exploring the Three Valleys.

St Martin de Belleville (1,450m) is often called the hidden gem of the Three Valleys, offering all the charm of a traditional French village with the bonus of direct access to the largest ski area in the world. Once a farming community, it still has a wonderfully authentic feel, from authentic restaurants serving local produce to scenic snowshoe walks leading to working dairies. The St Martin 1 and 2 lifts at the top of the village link you straight into the vast Three Valleys network, so you can enjoy world-class skiing while staying somewhere steeped in Alpine character.

Accommodation here is mostly small-scale and high quality, with a handful of charming hotels, catered chalets and self-catered apartments, many right by the slopes. Catered chalets are especially popular, often offering a luxurious stay with fine dining and excellent wine after a day on the mountain. Life in St Martin is relaxed, with just a few bars, a small selection of shops, tempting patisseries and a local supermarket for essentials. It’s a place for those who want to enjoy exceptional skiing by day and peaceful village life by night.

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.