Here's some more great reasons to make that early ski season trip.
Make the most of early season skiing
Enjoy an early season ski break this year
Traditionally the winter ski season begins the last weekend of November or the first weekend in December, and for those of you lucky enough to be there you can count yourselves among the first skiers of the winter.
The start of December can be a great time to ski, the temperatures are usually cold and the snow can be fantastic. The potential downsides are that the snow cover might be poor on the lower slopes and only the main lifts tend to be open.
A lot of your decisions will depend on snow conditions and lift opening. It's important to keep an eye on the forecast, but whether it's sunshine or snow if the temperatures are cold enough, for sure the resorts will have their best snowmaking efforts in operation on the lower slopes.
Whatever the weather, you'll find enough snow to give your legs a good warm up.
Budget Hotels in Val Thorens
For those opening their doors to guests in early December, you may well be offered a lovely discount for being this year's guinea pigs as they try out their new chalet staff. Hotels and apartment rental companies can also be a little bit more flexible on duration of stay at this time of year.
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Le Tikal Apartment Residence
A four star aparthotel 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.
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Les Temples du Soleil Apartment Residence
Well-equipped self-catered apartments 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.
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Le Machu Pichu Apartment Residence
A 4 star aparthotel 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.
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Le Gypaète Apartment Residence
Well-equipped self-catered apartments in Val Thorens
Your residence in the centre of 300 km of marked trails.
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Le Portillo Hotel
3-star ski in-ski out hotel in the centre of Val Thorens
This hotel offers 20 rooms and 40 apartments with ski to the door access. There is also a gourmet restaurant with south-facing terrace and a pleasant lounge bar.
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Le Sherpa Hotel
Charming traditional hotel in Val Thorens
This cosy and warm hotel offers a great spa to relax after a day on the slopes. Located in a traditional wooden chalet.
Nightlife in Val Thorens
Early season temperatures tend to be colder, and the forecast is for snow. So, pop into a cosy mountain restaurant or bar and order a well-deserved mulled wine to warm up, or make your way down to one of the bars and hotels at the foot of the slopes.
At this time of year, resort staff outnumber holidaymakers in the bars. It's opening party season and there is something going on almost every night. News usually travels by word of mouth, so pop into a bar for après ski, get friendly with the staff and find out where the party is later on. With fewer people about than in peak season, you will find some busy bars, some quiet ones and some that are still closed.
Bars & Clubs in Val Thorens
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Favela Bar and Restaurant
Welcome to Favela – Val Thorens' Latin American street food and party spot
Favela is Val Thorens’ go-to destination for Latin American street food and lively après-ski fun. Situated on the resort’s famous bar street, it’s the perfect spot to relax, eat, drink, and soak up the vibrant mountain atmosphere.
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Downunder Sports Bar
Welcome to Downunder Sports Bar – The Ultimate Sports and Party Spot in Val Thorens!
Downunder Sports Bar sits right in the heart of Val Thorens and is a go-to spot for live sport, cold drinks, and a buzzing social atmosphere. Open day and night, it’s the kind of place where ski boots are welcome, the screens are always on, and there’s something happening from the moment you walk in.
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Klub Summit Nightclub
The highest nightclub in Europe, two bars and a VIP lounge, open every night in the winter
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.
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Café Snesko Bar
Popular Danish bar in the party hub of Val Thorens with a reputation for being the best après bar around
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.
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The Frog Bar
The highest pub in Europe! Popular bar with a great après-ski atmosphere
The Frog Bar in Val Thorens, Europe’s highest pub, has been a favourite since 2007, offering a lively mix of great food, drinks, and entertainment. Famous for serving the best British pub food in the resort, it’s the place to enjoy hearty favourites that hit the spot, from juicy burgers to loaded nachos, all made to satisfy even the hungriest skiers.
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Saloon Bar
Welcome to Saloon Bar - The Ultimate Après-Ski and Party Spot in Val Thorens!
Saloon Bar is right at the heart of Val Thorens, nestled on the famous bar street, and is the ultimate spot for fun, music, and dancing. From the moment you step inside, the energy is electric, with top DJs spinning the latest hits that keep the crowd moving well into the night.
Ski Hire in Val Thorens
At this time of year the ski hire shops have just gotten all their new skis and snowboards ready for this winter's customers. This a great opportunity to take some time to chat to the experts, they will unusually have some time, and try something new. And if you don't like it, take it back and swap for something else.
Ski Hire in Val Thorens
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Goitschel Sport 3
Rental shop on Rue de Soleil, close to the ski front and ski school meeting points
You can’t wait for your next ski trip? Everything is already booked except your ski equipment? Don’t worry, we’ll help you find the perfect equipment to fully enjoy your ski holiday in Val Thorens!
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Peclet Ski Service
In the Peclet shopping centre beside the pharmacy, at the top of the resort
Pierre and his team welcome you to their new shop for your ski hire in Val Thorens. They look forward to welcoming you throughout the season so they can share their passion for the mountain with you!
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Les Balcons Haut
Ski hire next to the Plein Sud piste in the Balcons de Val Thorens Residences
Hire skis and snowboards at the beginning of the street Les Balcons, 50 m to the residence Altitude, Val 2400 et Chalets du Soleil. Save time and money by booking online with Intersport. Have your equipment ready to pick up as soon as you arrive and hit the slopes straight away!
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Salomon Corner
Ski hire in The North Face store in Val Thorens
If you’re looking to hire Salomon ski equipment for your holiday in Val Thorens, Salomon Corner offers a convenient option in the centre of the resort. Located in the basement of The North Face shop in Galerie Caron, the rental service gives you access to Salomon equipment without having to commit to buying your own skis.
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Peclet
Save 10% extra: use promo code STWSKI when booking ski hire online
Val Thorens shop can be found in the ‘Place Peclet’ at the foot of the slalom piste. The free shuttle bus stops right by the front door to the shop and everything a skier needs can be found nearby (lift pass office, ski school office, ski lifts, restaurants, bars…) and within walking distance.
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Goitschel Sport II
Ski & snowboard hire at the top of the magic carpet and next to the Tourist Office
You can’t wait for your next ski trip? Everything is already booked except your ski equipment? Don’t worry, we’ll help you find the perfect equipment to fully enjoy your ski holiday in Val Thorens!
Ski Schools in Val Thorens
Not all tour operators are up and running in resort until just before Christmas, so the resorts tend to be quieter, which means it'll just be you, some locals and day trippers. With this in mind the lift pass companies often do special rates for those coming to ski before Christmas, and you can get a private ski lesson booked in to make sure your skills on the slopes are in top condition before the season really gets going.
Ski School Lessons in Val Thorens
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Group ski lessons
Group ski and snowboard lessons for children and adults of all ages and abilities
This ski school offers group ski lessons for both children and adults, catering to all ability levels. Their group lessons provide a great and affordable way to improve your skiing in a safe, social and supportive environment.
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Private ski lessons
British school offering a wide range of private lesson options tailored to all ages and abilities
Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British-run ski schools in France. Their team is known for going the extra mile, offering excellent customer service and delivering outstanding lessons and guiding.
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Private ski lessons
Private skiing and snowboarding lessons with highly rated instructors
This ski school connects snow sports enthusiasts of all abilities with expert ski and snowboard instructors across Europe’s top resorts. With thousands of top-rated, verified instructors to choose from, their private lessons offer a flexible and personalised learning experience.
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Group ski lessons
Small groups for adults and children of all abilities with a well-established and trusted ski school
Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British ski schools in France and is renowned for its fantastic instructors and excellent customer service.
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Group ski lessons
Teaching a wide range of snow sports group lessons to all levels
This company offer group ski and snowboard lessons throughout the winter season for all ages and abilities.
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Private ski lessons
Exceptional private ski and snowboard tuition for all levels
A ski school that brings technique and pleasure together throughout the Alps.
Things to do in Val Thorens
In addition to skiing and opening parties, there's always plenty to do away from the slopes, such as ice skating, husky sledding or some early present shopping at the Christmas market.
Things To Do in Val Thorens
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Hydrospeeding
Half-day white water swimming/hydrospeeding. This is fast, fun and unforgettable
This activity is accessible to those comfortable in water, no need to be a professional diver or swimmer, you just have to be smart at using the water movements, obstacles and waves.
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Childcare & Babysitting
Leading childcare specialists since 2003 for your family ski holiday
Established in 2003, this specialist childcare service has more than twenty years of experience in the Alps. Its carefully selected nannies are qualified, experienced, DBS-checked, reference-checked and first-aid trained. The multilingual team is familiar with the practicalities of family holidays in ski resorts.
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Rafting In The Alps
Half and full day white water rafting for all abilities from eight years-old
White water rafting is accessible to all who love the natural environment and who are in search of a bit of adventure. These excursions will leave you with some unforgettable memories.
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Village Igloo aperitif and dinner
Traditional fondue dinner or aperitif in an Igloo, suitable for all the family
A dining experience like no other! A spectacular and unique 180m2 ice grotto, bar, restaurant and mini hotel in Val Thorens, where you'll enjoy a typical Savoyard cheese fondue or aperitif in a unique setting.
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Heliskiing/boarding
Heliskiing/boarding trip in Valgrisenche, The Courmayeur Valley and the Col de Petit St Bernard Pass.
For backcountry adventures, this independent company operates in and around the following three heliski destinations: Valgrisenche, The Courmayeur Valley and the Col de Petit St Bernard Pass. They have pioneered 32 drop zones within these three broad valley regions giving you a huge choice of terrain, snow conditions and mountain orientation to ensure you have a day best suited to your ability and preferences.
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Helicopter tours
10, 30 or 60 minute private helicopter tours for up to five people
A fantastic way to see the resort with your friends and family and a great way to entertain any non-skiers in your group.
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