It's very cold and the days are short, but the skies are blue and the pistes are quiet.
January in Val Thorens: What's on and weather
Quiet slopes, great atmosphere and some special events
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.
What are the weather and snow conditions like
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!
Nightlife in Val Thorens
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.
Bars & Clubs in Val Thorens
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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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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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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 Schools in Val Thorens
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.
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
Exceptional group ski and snowboard tuition for all abilities
Their children group lessons are based on making learning to ski fun and are limited to six children per group for the best learning experience.
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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.
Winter Things To Do in Val Thorens
Fun for all ages
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.
Wintersport Things To Do in Val Thorens
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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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Husky Sledding, St Martin de Belleville
Experience a husky dog sled ride in the Belleville Valley
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.
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Val Tho Motoneige Activity Company 
Val Tho Motoneige Activity Company
Snowmobiling in and around the Val Thorens area
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.
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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.
January events in Val Thorens
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.
Events in Val Thorens
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Beaujolais Nouveau 
Beaujolais Nouveau
The new Beaujolais has arrived!
The third Thursday in November is when this year's Beaujolais hits the shelves and is cause for celebration across France.
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Val Thorens winter season opening
La Grande Première is the celebration of the opening of the winter season in Val Thorens
The opening weekend celebrations of the official winter season in Val Thorens. The lifts are set to whirl into action signalling the start of what we hope will be an epic ski season in the Three Valleys.
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The FIS Ski Cross World Cup
Watch the world's best ski cross racers battle it out on the course
Skiers compete simultaneously in groups of four and hurtle down the specially prepared track as quickly as possible. Only the first two of each run are qualified for the next stage until the grand finale.
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Ski and Boarder Week
Parties, live music, demos, ski and snowboard competitions
Enjoy kit tests, professional coaching, live music and parties, on and off the hill.
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Christmas in Val Thorens
Celebrate Christmas in style at altitude with Father Christmas
A magical week of festivities in Val Thorens including a sound and light show, winter concert, craft workshops and children's shows.
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New Year in Val Thorens
See in the new year with a bang!
Celebrate the end of the year in style with a colourful programme of entertainment and activities throughout the new year week.
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