What's new in Val Thorens this winter 2017-18

Kaluma Travel is now operating the stunning Chalet La Colombe in 1850. It's a beautifully designed 10 person luxury chalet, located moments from the Cospillot piste. What makes this chalet truly unique though its the 5 star spa facilities; very few chalets of this size come with a swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam, sauna and massage room.

La Moraine chair lift will be replaced by a 10 seater gondola, which will speed up connection to the Genepi and Moraine blue pistes. This new lift is going to be especially beneficial for beginners who are looking to progress away from the nursery slopes. The new lift will carry around 2800 people per hour, vastly improving the speed of transporting skiers and snowboarders around resort.

Mountain Express Private Transfers have expanded their fleet every year since they carried out their first transfers 10 years ago. This winter will see them operating the largest fleet of minibuses based in the Val Thorens valley, with 16 new VW Caravelle 8 passenger vehicles to provide Private transfers and 1 new Mercedes-Benz V-Class Executive 6 passenger vehicle to provide Prestige transfers. All the vehicles are 4 wheel drive with automatic tiptronic transmission and the best snow tyres money can buy. All their drivers are trained by a Police Grade 1 instructor so you can be assured of a super smooth, surefooted ride to the top of the mountain.

CoolBus airport transfer company are now offering carbon emission free transfers in not just one, but two fully electric vehicles. The Tesla Model X's are comfortable 7-seater SUV's with substantial luggage space with a range of around 350km. The plan is that the business will keep adding electric vehicles until they've phased out all of their diesel powered vehicles. Electric transfers are available this winter in Val d’Isere, Tignes, Les Arcs, La Plagne, Meribel, Courchevel, Les Menuires, Val Thorens, La Rosiere, Ste. Foy. Read more about CoolBus going electric in their blog.

Alpybus is a well established airport transfer company and this winter they'll be adding Val Thorens to their list of destinations. They will be offering shared transfers from Geneva Airport from Friday to Monday each week stopping at the UCPA and Gare Routiere in the centre of resort. Private transfers are also available.

Simply Transfers have added a scheduled, shared service on Wednesdays from Geneva airport. One way will cost €65 and return €120, allowing you to take the return on one of their shared transfer days; Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Val d’Isère, Tignes and Val Thorens. They've also cut the price of Geneva transfers to €55 one way and €90 return. Grenoble transfers are cheaper too, priced at €59 one way and €99 return.

Gotischel Sport will be launching a new Fusalp boutique within its Peclet store. They'll be stocking a sporty range of clothing and accessories for men and women, offering comfort and performance without compromising style and fit.

Ski touring has massively grown in popularity in the last few years and as such, Val Thorens are keeping up with that demand but adding a new ski touring itinerary. The run, called La Camille, will be located a short distance away from resort and has been named after local ski pioneer Camille Rey.

A new blue piste has been built in the Plein Sud sector to help the flow of skiers back into resort from the top side.

Local resident and former pro-freerider Amélie is opening the Supernova concept store this winter in the Peclet shopping centre. It's a bio cafe serving ready to eat foods with a menu which includes 100% gluten free, vegan light meals and snacks as well as fresh fruit breakfasts.

Italian restaurant Il Gusto will also be opening, this time on the slopes but within easy reach on foot for any non skiers. They'll be offering gourmet Italian cuisine with great mountain views from their large terrace.

The Délir'Park is a new 630m2 area located within the sports centre, with foam pits and trampolines, indoor climbing wall, and parcour sections which you can enjoy once the pistes have closed for the day, or on a bad weather day.

A brand new lift pass, the 3 Valleys 4 hours pass, will be introduced this winter. The four-hour period starts at whatever time you wish. This replaces the previous morning and afternoon passes, giving skiers more flexibility and freedom to ski when they want.

Last year Oxygène Ski & Snowboard School grew and strengthened their offering across the French Alps by bringing Magic (in Motion) into their family. Together they have become one of France’s longest standing and most popular ski schools. Now fully integrated, Magic are adopting the Oxygène name from here on. So look out for your favourite Magic instructors, who will be wearing their new bright blue and orange uniforms and big smiles.

Magic and Oxygène have a shared history; both were founded in 1992 to provide a real alternative to traditional ski instruction for the English speaking market. They continue to encourage the laughter, play and good practice on the slopes Magic and Oxygène have always been famous for. Their Magic Fun Factory kids lessons will now run across all resorts; lessons full of fun, engaging games and activities to encourage a positive learning experience. They are also excited to announce their expansion into Les Menuires meaning you can now book lessons with them in 8 of the best, most snow sure ski resorts in France: Val d’Isère, La Plagne, Belle Plagne, Méribel, La Tania, Courchevel, Val Thorens and Les Menuires.

Action Outdoors will be offering a week exploring the best of the world’s largest ski area, The 3 Valleys this winter. There will be plenty of time with the instructor to work on ski technique, as well as a bit of off piste or sometime in the park depending on what the group wants to work on throughout the week. This course is a great way for people to get the most mileage and ski improvement out of a week in the 3 valleys.

Ski Cool ski school have come up with a few creative ways to enjoy the ski area in a slightly different way this winter. If you're a bit of a foodie and love a fine dining experience, then their new "Ski Gourmet" package sees you being guided around the best of the 3 Valleys restaurants for lunch.

"Share n'Ski" is a new tool they've created, that allows you to search for like-minded people to either share a ski lesson with in a group, or try out a new activity such as mono-skiing or wing jumping. You connect via their new website, pick dates and duration, get the minimum number of people required to make it happen and share the cost of the experience. "Cool Style" freestyle coaching will also be available, helping advanced skiers & snowboarders get some big air and style in the snowpark.

Food & drink delivery company Huski, have expanded their footprint this season, from 6 to 14 resorts: Tignes, Val D'Isere, St Foy, La Rosiere, Les Arcs, La Plagne, Meribel, Courchevel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Avoriaz, Morzine, Les Gets & Chatel. They've also improved their food range and now offer 70 dishes for teatime, to canapés, to dinners and desserts. And it's not just the food that's improved; they've improved their wine list working with boutique supplier Le Verre Gourmand and have added a local craft beer range and pre-mixed cocktails from London's Pontoon Cocktails.

Val Thorens is always one of the first resorts to open in France, thanks to its high altitude and almost guaranteed early snow. This year it's set to open on 18th November 2017 until 8th May 2018. Then the following weekend, the Grande Premiere takes place on 25th & 26th November, where you can enjoy equipment tests from brands all over the world.

See you on the slopes!