Family Activities in Val Thorens

The main draw for people coming to Val Thorens in winter is of course the skiing and snowboarding. With the whole of the pisted ski area of the 3 Valleys, Val Thorens has something for every level of experience.

Archery is one of those sports that people all ages love to try. There is a field to practice archery by the Stade de Slalom piste in Val Thorens, as well as two in Les Menuires, at the Croisette and Bruyères (by the lift). There you can become the Robin Hood of the Alps as they will all provide you with bow and arrows.

You can play badminton at one of the sports centres, either in Val Thorens or down in Les Menuires.

Facilities to practice basketball are available at the multi-activity sports hall in the sports centre at Val Thorens

Canoe rafts are an unsinkable, stable type of inflatable canoe that allow you, without too much technique to profit fully from the joys and fun of white water river descent. The descents are taken on by groups of 4 to 5 boats, accompanied by a fully qualified guide. You are equipped with neoprene suits and shoes, a safety jacket and a helmet. The course which you take is chosen according to the water levels and experience of the participants.

A not-so-gentle but extremely refreshing summer activity is one way to describe canyoning! Plunge yourself into the mountain streams via a series of abseil descents, jumps and natural water slides – just make sure you choose a warm day! You will make your way along rivers and rapids, using the river bed as a natural obstacle course.

Not suitable for very young children, but anyone over the age of about 8 can take the (very cold) plunge and try canyoning. With the safety of a guide everyone can abseil down cascades, splash into pools and ride the river rapids. You can choose from short beginners’ routes or longer ones for the more adventurous. Different companies will have their own policies on age limits but usually, unless they are booked onto a children's activity course, anyone under the age of about 14 years old will have to be accompanied by an adult. A basic level of swimming ability is required for safety reasons. There are a number of adventure companies that offer guided descents down the local waterways.

Depending on the age of your child there are a number of childcare options available in Val Thorens. There are also numerous babysitting and nursery facilities available in the area.

The main winter establishments are the ski schools which offer a combination of tuition and childcare for children 3 years and older. You can book your child in for full or half day programmes and lunch can also be provided for an extra charge.

You may find that the main sports centre of each town host a kidsclub during the summer holidays, normally from 1st July to 30th August, with activities such as swimming, climbing, tennis, basketball, ice-skating, etc. and organised hikes & picnics.

Catch the latest films and releases in Val Thorens on your winter or summer holiday. Some cinemas open their doors early on a bad weather day, otherwise you'll find most screenings in the evenings. Look out for VOST for English speaking films.

Enjoy a traditional meal with family in a mountain yurt. Situated at the top of the Cascades chairlift when the lifts have closed and the pistes are quiet you can enjoy an evening in a yurt. Part of the Chalet de la Marine, you can enjoy a family meal in this traditionally built yurt. A fun experience for everyone the yurt can hold up to 16 people maximum. The evening is open for pedestrians as well as skiers, access is via the cascade chairlift , via snow shoes or you can contact the restaurant for alternative modes of transport.

Enjoy a number of cycling trails and routes in Val Thorens and what better way to explore Val Thorens than on a bike when you can enjoy the beautiful scenery. Have a look at our cycling guide for more information and explore the cycling routes that are in the area. If you are in Val Thorens without your biking gear there are a number of cycle hire shops in who rent and sell bikes, gear and more.

There are lots of lovely walks and treks that you can do in Val Thorens and now you can do them with the friendly company of a donkey. Head off on a trail with the donkey to keep you and your family company. These intelligent, funny, happy and sometimes stubborn donkeys will join you on your trail or walk either for the full day or just for a half day. They will happily carry your picnic and your children! It can be great fun for everyone. These lovely animals are the perfect family companion to help you discover the lovely trails and views that the mountains have to offer. Every day by the Croisette in Les Menuires 10:00-12:00 and 13:30-17:00.

A great day out for the family where your children will become the farmers apprentice, helping feed the animals, make cheese and look after the pigs, cows and other farmyard animals. There are various farms around Val Thorens where you can learn all about the animals and the way the farm works whilst having some petting and feeding time of the animals or watching how the famous cheese "Tomme de Savoie" is made, like Chez Pépé Nicolas.

There are over 2.5 million people doing geocaching around the world and some of them (perhaps surprisingly) are right here in Val Thorens! It’s a relatively new craze that started taking the world by storm in May 2000 after a computer geek decided that GPS could be “really exciting”. He hid some treasure at his home in Portland, America, for people to find, broadcast the GPS coordinates and said, “Come and get it”. His only rule: “Take some stuff, leave some stuff”. And that’s exactly what Geocaching is…you go in search of treasure by using the GPS system on your mobile device – once you’ve found it, you write your name in a logbook and replace the treasure you decide to take. It’s pretty simple really and means, as a family, you can be adventurers together. You won’t usually find anything quite as precious as gold, silver and diamonds but nevertheless it’s quite exciting!

Hot air ballooning looks serene, but there are moments of excitement. Once the creaking wicker basket rises off the ground you are uncomfortably reminded that you are suspended hundreds of metres above the ground in a small twig structure! The views are stunning, and as you glide over the forests you may see deer and other animals that are normally hidden from view. The pilot controls the height but the wind determines which direction you take, so the flight can take anything from one to two hours, depending on when a suitable landing site comes into view. Remember to wear warm clothing and bring your binoculars.

Be in charge of your own sled and team of excitable husky dogs, driving them along forest paths in winter. After a brief explanation of how to make your team stop and start, you set off following the guide’s team. If this all sounds a bit much you can opt for a less physical outing where you sit in the sled and the guide does all the hard work! It's a very popular winter activity, so booking at least 48 hours in advance is a must. They run from early December to the end of April (snow-permitting).

The bowling alley in Val Thorens has 8 lanes, all of which can be equipped with bumpers for children. The lanes come to life at night when they are lit up in neon! There is also a games room with billiard, pool and snooker tables as well as video games, table football and airhockey.

A great activity for the whole family, if you want to give climbing a go in an indoor centre, then Val Thorens has somewhere for you to go. Climbing equipment is normally provided, or you can bring your own and insurance is normally needed before you hit the climbing wall.

Val Thorens is a mecca for mountain biking, with varying terrain and fantastic views it is perfect for mountain biking enthusiasts. With the whole of the mountain area to explore, the different and varied terrains suit bikers of all levels. So you can enjoy a leisurely cycle around some of the lower level trails with the whole family.

Challenge your family to a game of paintball! This exciting activity offers fun for groups of all ages. In most cases you're split into teams and a variety of scenarios and courses are offered at the beginning of all games, with each game lasting approximately 2 hours; the ultimate aim is to shoot your opponents with paint pellets and capture their flag before they get hold of yours. There are a number of adventure companies and courses that offer you paintballing fun in Val Thorens.

There's a soft play area at the sports centre in the centre of Val Thorens which also has trampolines to keep the kids entertained.

Tobogganing in Val Thorens is something you do not want to miss out on. It provides a day or evening of fun for everyone, ranging from the youngest member of your family or group to the oldest! Everybody loves tobogganing down the mountain! Enjoy this adrenaline filled experience on the 6km long run which is accessible from the Funitel Peclet and starts at the bottom of the Glacier de Peclet. The run is open everyday from 10:00 to 15:00 and on every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings, adding the extra thrill of that night time brings. With turns, slopes and hills the run is fun, fast and safe as it is patrolled and groomed everyday. It costs around €13.60, including the sledge and a helmet, for those with a ski pass and €20.40 for those without. In the evening the cost of the experience is €21. You can grab your tickets at the Chalet Toboggan above the Cascades chairlift. Check at the chalet for this years prices.

Raquette à Neige or Snow-shoeing in and around Val Thorens is a perfect activity for bad weather conditions or for non-skiers. Don't forget to wear comfortable and waterproof boots. Either set out on your own, or join a group led by a knowledgeable local guide and explore the hidden parts of the ski area. Snowshoes and ski poles are provided by most companies offering this as an experience, or you can hire snowshoes from most Sports Shops or Ski Hire Shops, grab a trail map from the Tourist Office and head off on your own adventure. Be sure to check the weather forecast before you go.

Sledging or luge takes place on the hillside close to the Bruyères gondola in Les Menuires. Take the lift up and sledge down 1000 metres to the bottom challenging Boukty, the resort's mascot. The lift runs from early July to late August each year, from 10:00 to 19:00, non stop.

Whether you like to take a dip indoors or outdoors, you'll be able to find somewhere to go for a swim in Val Thorens. Most hotels, lots of chalets and apartments have their own swimming facilities, however there are also municipal swimming baths that you can visit, which often come free with your lift pass purchase. In summer and winter you should be able to find somewhere to take a dip, so don't forget your towel and your swimming costume or shorts.

Tennis is a great way to get the legs moving and to enjoy the sunny summertime weather. You can play a friendly game or have a lesson, whatever you choose to do it is a great way to have fun with friends and family. The sports centres at Val Thorens and Les Menuires have 9 and 13 outdoor tennis courts each. You can also rent all your equipment there.

Fly through the air on the longest zip wire for miles around! Possibly the best, and certainly one of the most fun, ways to get from A to B with your ski's or snowboard! If you are in the resort of Val Thorens this winter then this is one experience not to miss out on. The world's highest zip wire goes from a starting point 3230 metres up, and is only accessible by skiers and boarders. It takes 105 seconds to descend the 1.3km wire to the 3000 metres finishing point. Reaching speeds of up to 100km/h and at the highest point "fly" 250m above the snow and ice below. It costs 50 euros and can only be paid for on site.

La Foret des Aventuriers is an adventure park in Saint Martin de Belleville. Adventure parks are designed for children and adults to play, explore, exercise and have fun in the natural mountain surroundings. Enjoy the thrills of adventure courses created in the forest in the mountains. The ropes, swings, tunnels, trees and activities will be a great day for children and adults alike. With all the protective gear provided and safety information given you can head out and enjoy the trees and wilderness. Qualified guides will be around the course throughout to make sure you are safe and having as much fun as possible. Different courses and tracks can be tried and tested, each one with a varying level of difficulty. There are courses designed for children only and tracks for juniors and adults to enjoy.

Via Ferrata climbing offers an element of security that still allows beginners to enjoy the achievement of having scaled a mountain!

This form of climbing was invented by Italian soldiers in the Dolomites who used it to enable them to scale vertiginous faces easily and quickly. These days it is a popular sport that makes the thrill of mountain climbing more accessible to children, beginners and those who want a bit more security when they climb.

Following marked routes through the mountains you are helped along by steps, bridges and ladders whilst being roped up for extra safety. Suitable for adults and children over the age of 8. Guides can be arranged on request and there are a number of adventure companies who can organise your via ferrata experience.

In the summer months Val Thorens is a mecca for walking and hiking in the beautiful alpine mountains. As the snow melts and the sun begins to shine, the mountains make an excellent place to head out on a hike or walk. Walking is the perfect activity for groups, families and friends, and you can pick from a number of routes ranging in difficulty including easy child friendly walks. Along the way, enjoy the fantastic mountain views, beautiful scenery and wildlife that is normally hidden in the winter months.

If you haven't experienced white water rafting before then this is a definite 'must try' on your list of activities to do! There are a number of trained guides in resort who will let you experience some of the best white water rafting available in the Alps. From the middle of May until September, the mountain rivers flow furiously as they are fed from the melt waters running off the glaciers high above the town. There are various options available from a three hour adrenaline rush to a full days excursion - this activity is guaranteed not to disappoint. Take a look at the adventure companies in the area and watersports centres who offer these activities.

If you haven't experienced white water rafting before then this is a definite 'must try' on your list of activities to do! There are a number of trained guides in resort who will let you experience some of the best white water rafting available in the Alps. From the middle of May until September, the mountain rivers flow furiously as they are fed from the melt waters running off the glaciers high above the town. There are various options available from a three hour adrenaline rush to a full days excursion - this activity is guaranteed not to disappoint. Take a look at the adventure companies in the area and watersports centres who offer these activities.