Quiet slopes, great atmosphere and some special events
It's very cold and the days are short, but the skies are blue and the pistes are quiet.
After the Christmas holidays are over, January is the quietest part of the main winter season in Val Thorens. This means you have the slopes to yourselves, rarely have to queue for a lift and can enjoy pistes in great condition.
The quiet conditions on the mountain don’t translate to quiet nights in the village. There are fewer families and more adult visitors, meaning it can be easier to get a table at a restaurant, and the bars are buzzing with plenty of live music and party nights to keep you entertained whilst you warm your hands on a glass of vin chaud.
Read on for a look at what we like to do in resort throughout January.
The snow is often the best at this time of year because there is a regular snowfall - on average 12 days - and the subzero temperatures keep it nice and fresh.
In January the average daytime temperatures generally fall between a high of -3°C and a low of -11ºC, getting around five hours of sunshine. It's very cold here in January, so definitely pack those thermals!
With all those empty pistes, no lift queues and perfect conditions, we like to get out into the mountains on our skis and snowboards as much as possible.
If you visit the resort in January you can buy a lift pass and join one of the local ski schools' many ski or snowboard lessons taking place around the resort.
The resort has more than 40 bars so there is plenty happening for a post-ski boogie. At this time of the season we're looking forward to some live music sessions, whether from local bands or even one of the open mike nights and jam sessions that the local bars often hold. So, whether you fancy yourself an Adele, Bob Dylan or a Billie Eilish, there's definitely somewhere you can 'entertain' the crowds.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There's a fun for children of all ages on the schedule - simply check in with the Tourist Office for the busy schedule of events. And it doesn't just have to be piste based adventures you take part in. Ski-touring and split-boarding have become extremely popular in recent years, and there's nothing that gets the heart pumping like gaining altitude under your own steam. When it's a 'white out' you'll find us changing tack entirely, pulling on some raquettes (snowshoes) and venturing forth into the wilderness on one of the many snowshoeing routes around the valley, all the while dreaming of tomorrow's bluebird powder day.
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.
A fantastic way to see the resort with your friends and family and a great way to entertain any non-skiers in your group.
Head out on a snowmobile with a guide and experience the mountains at night time when the lifts have closed and the pistes are quiet.
Spend an exhilarating trip being pulled in a husky sled. Excursions for 30 minutes or 1 hour are available from the tourist office in St Martin.
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.
With the Christmas and New Year festivities behind us, the sporting and entertainment agenda picks up with some pace - you'll find competitions and events both up the mountain and in the resort. And in Val Thorens, you can experience some cultural Savoyard events like the local market which takes place at the church square. You can pick up cheeses, meats and locally made products like honey and jams.
The market in Val Thorens takes place every Tuesday and Thursday during both winter and summer seasons.
The Dutch have been coming to Val Thorens for nearly 30 years now to ski and party like there's no tomorrow. As you can imagine, they have this week pretty perfected!
Your last chance to wax your skis and have a blast around the slopes of Val Thorens, particpate in ski racing and enjoy great entertainment.
The Fête de la Musique is a celebration that takes place every summer solstice on 21 June in cities, towns and villages across France.
Bastille Day is celebrated across the whole of France with a bang...well, several in fact, fireworks always feature heavily.
Exceptional locations around France, including Val Thorens, will be open to visit on the Journées du Patrimoine - a European wide event inspired by by France’s Journées Portes Ouvertes which started in 1984.
This is only a small selection of the events taking place in Val Thorens during the first month of the year. Take a look at our events calendar for a full rundown and to find some accommodation for your stay.
Find out all about what is happening in the Val Thorens area and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews of fun activities, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and our top choices for things to do, see and experience in the region. Plus, during the winter season, our famous snow reports and dump alerts all in the same place.
See allLatest News & ReviewsA number of events take place over the winter and summer months in Val Thorens and the Belleville valley in which it sits. From ski cross championships and music festivals to a mountain bike race that takes place across the whole of the Three Valleys, the Trois Vallées Addict Tour, and the occasional Tour de France stage, you'll find something to keep you entertained during your stay.
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