When your family and friends want to go skiing, but it really isn't your cup of tea, don't panic.
Non-skier things to do in Val Thorens
Can't ski, won't ski? It's not all downhill you know
You don't have to be a skier to fall in love with Val Thorens. Whilst the area is famous for its world-class slopes, it's also packed with unforgettable experiences for visitors who'd rather keep their feet off the pistes. From soaring cable cars and scenic mountain vistas to snowshoe walks, indulgent spas and cosy cafés with spectacular views, there's plenty to enjoy at every pace. Whether you're travelling with skiers or simply looking for a different kind of alpine escape, here are the best things for non-skiers to do in Val Thorens.
Hire a guide or go for a tour
Escape the crowds with a snowshoe (raquette) adventure, following marked trails independently or joining a guided half-day, full-day or evening excursion. Routes lead through peaceful alpine scenery, with equipment and transport often included. A pedestrian lift pass gives access to winter walking areas, while good footwear is essential in snowy conditions. Experienced skiers can also try ski touring, exploring the mountains on marked routes with skins and a guide. However you explore, dress for changing weather, stick to marked trails and enjoy the mountains at a slower pace.
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Backcountry ski guides
Private ski or snowboard guiding for up to six people - on and off-piste
A private ski or snowboard session for all ability levels – on and off-piste. It’s all about fun, improvement and discovering new off piste terrain.
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Off piste and mountain guiding
Off-piste adventures with experience English speaking mountain guides
Their mountain guides provide excellent off-piste experiences with safety equipment provided.
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Val Thorens ski guides
Discover the fantastic off-piste areas in the Three Valleys with former French champions
Quentin, Amelia and Jeremy grew up in the Savoie region and have been skiing and snowboarding in Val Thorens since childhood. Due to their continuous training, they have all competed professionally in alpine and freestyle skiing with some podium finished in the World Cup for France!
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ESF mountain guides, Val Thorens
Professional experienced guides offering off-Piste, ski touring, telemarking and more
One of the best ways to discover any ski domain is to hire a local mountain guide who knows the resort inside out. They will be able to guide you to the best and safest areas both off and on piste.
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Women's mountain biking courses and guiding
Two days women specific courses and groups and mountain bike hire
For girls who want to go mountain biking in women's specific groups, or for those who wish to develop their skills with advice from mountain bike guides, Fast Riding People mountain bike school offers guiding and courses.
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Heli-Skiing
High mountain guides, ice climbing, mountaineering and heli skiing
Alpamayo are a group of high mountain guides based in Chamonix all year round as well as in Val d'Isere and Tignes in the winter.
Après-ski with everyone
You don't have to ski to enjoy "après-ski". Meet up with the rest of your group in a local bar and share stories from your day over a beer. Or do something else with your après-time and head to the local ice skating rink located in Place Péclet, for a fun evening set beneath the snow clad mountains. There's a music and light show, and a cosy chalet to enjoy pancakes and hot chocolate once you need a rest - another fun activity you don’t need skis for. Alternatively, head to the top of the Péclet lift and take the sledge ride back down. The whole descent should take around 45 minutes, and whilst you're up there you could try a new style of sledging called 'snake gliss'.
Bars & Clubs in Val Thorens
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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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Igloo de Thorens
Welcome to Igloo de Thorens - an igloo bar/café in Val Thorens
Igloo de Thorens Bar offers one of Val Thorens’ most memorable mountain experiences, combining alpine scenery with a truly quirky setting. Built entirely from snow and ice over the course of ten days, the igloo is crafted by hand, day and night, to create a magical winter hideaway high on the slopes.
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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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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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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.
Nordic skiing
Cross-country skiing is an extremely popular mountain sport, known as 'ski de fond' in France. In Val Thorens itself there is only 4km of cross-country tracks, but head down the valley and between Les Menuires and St Martin de Belleville you'll find 28km of marked pistes. The tracks are all well marked and are free to use. You can hire equipment and arrange lessons locally, and once you've got to grips with the basics, there are many more routes to discover across the Three Valleys.
Ski School Lessons in Val Thorens
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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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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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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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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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Private ski lessons
Teaching a wide range of private snow sports lessons to all levels
This company offer private 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.
Book a table up the mountain
You don't have to ski when you go up the mountain. There are a number of piste-side restaurants that offer some slap up French cuisine with a glass of fine local wine. Many restaurants have well priced lunchtime set menus offering the same cuisine as their main menus, but often with considerable discounts. Some offer wine tasting sessions also.
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L'Adray Telebar Restaurant
Charming mountain restaurant with traditional Savoyard flavours and sunny terrace
Immerse yourself in the warm and authentic world of their restaurant Le Télébar, a true tribute to traditional Savoyard cuisine. Here, they invite you to discover homemade dishes, carefully prepared using local and quality ingredients.
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La Soucoupe Restaurant
Romantically rustic traditional restaurant at the top of the Loze lift
Located at the top of La Loze, this romantically rustic restaurant serves up quality cuisine with meats cooked on the open fire. A very warm and friendly atmosphere.
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Le Chalet de Pierres Restaurant
Indulge in fine, traditional and local cuisine at this piste-side Courchevel institution
This authentic Savoyard restaurant welcomes you with a variety of fine-dining possibilities for your lunch break in the Courchevel Valley.
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Chez Pepe Nicolas Restaurant
Small but cosy mountain restaurant serving local specialities, off the beaten track
Serving typical Savoyard and Bellevilloise food, this is a real little gem of a multi-generational run mountain restaurant. Open for lunch and dinner, you must book in advance.
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Le Blanchot Mountain Restaurant
Charming gourmet restaurant close to the altiport lift, open in summer and winter
Le Blanchot has long been considered one of the finest restaurants in the Méribel valley, with a loyal clientele who return year after year to enjoy superior gastronomy in beautiful surroundings.
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Les Pierres Plates (La Saulire) Restaurant
Popular and funky mountain restaurant with a large terrace at 2738 metres
The main restaurant has a 320 degree view of the mountains and there's a large terrace outside with a pasta bar.
Sights & Sites in Val Thorens
The Vanoise National Park, France's first national park, is a must-visit from Val Thorens. Home to dramatic alpine scenery, frozen lakes and abundant wildlife including ibex and chamois, it offers spectacular winter walking and snowshoeing routes. Guided excursions reveal the park's pristine landscapes, providing a peaceful escape from the ski slopes and a chance to experience the Alps at their wildest.
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Vanoise National Park 
Vanoise National Park
The Vanoise National Park is one of the highlights of the Tarentaise region
The Vanoise National Park is one of the highlights of the Tarentaise region.
Treat yourself
If all of that sounds far too active and you really just want to pamper yourself and read your book, or stare at the view, there are numerous spas and treatment rooms you can enjoy. Many hotels have luxury spas which are open to non-guests, the public pool has relaxation areas and spa treatments, and mobile massage companies will arrange to visit you at your chalet or apartment.
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La Bela Vya Spa, Saint Martin de Belleville
A great mountain spa in the heart of the Alps, located in a traditional alpine hotel
Located at the traditional La Bouitte Hotel, this spa offers massages and beauty treatments using natural and local products such as milk, honey or alpine herbs.
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Fitz Roy Spa
Luxury spa with beauty treatment and massages at the five star Hotel Fitz Roy
The spa of the Hotel Fitz Roy offers a wide variety of specialist massages and beauty treatments to recharge in peace.
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Altapura Spa
Spa by Codage at Altapura is a large luxury spa with a dedication to wellbeing and relaxation
Treatments, relaxation and fitness
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Les Bains du Montana Spa
Spa, swimming pool, treatments and massages at the Residence Montana
This spa offers a heated indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna and hammam which will reinvigorate you after a day on the pistes.
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The Pashmina Spa by L'OCCITANE
One of the highest spas in Europe at the five star Hotel Pashmina
Located in the hotel Pashmina Le Refuge, this 400m2 spa offers visitors a chance to relax and unwind in the highest part of the three valleys ski area.
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Le Val Thorens Spa
Sauna, spa and made-to-measure wellness at this centrally located hotel
Relax at this health spa at Hotel Le Val Thorens. Relaxing massages, sauna, indoor swimming pool with excellent mountain views and a good range of treatments.
Things to do in Val Thorens
Val Thorens offers plenty beyond skiing. The 7,500m² Sports Centre features swimming pools, a spa, gym, sports hall and family-friendly activities, while the local cinema screens the latest films, including English-language showings. Thrill-seekers can enjoy husky sledding, evening skidoo tours, Europe's highest ice driving circuit, ice karting or snow biking. For unforgettable mountain views, choose a tandem paragliding flight, helicopter tour or the exhilarating La Bee zip line, which stretches 1.8km above the pistes and reaches speeds of up to 75km/h.
Things To Do in Val Thorens
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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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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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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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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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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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