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What's new this winter in Val Thorens

From the ski area to what's fresh in the resort

featured in News & reviews Author Caro Blackwell, Ski Editor Updated

As winter begins to take hold we take a look at all that's new in town and on the slopes.

Early signs of snowfall here in The Alps is creating much excitement for the upcoming winter season. The ski industry here is raring to go and this winter looks like being an exceptionally busy one. Val Thorens ski area will now open a week earlier than planned on the 18 November, due to the huge amounts of early snowfall and ski passes are on sale.

The rising cost of energy has given the resort an opportunity to fast track many of their eco/environmental sustainable initiatives for example LED lighting, optimising the speed of ski lifts, the addition of GPS systems in the snow groomers for added efficiency. Val Thorens uses Snow Sat technology to allow the piste bashers to groom the slopes intelligently and efficiently. This reduces fuel consumption and artificial snow production. A cartography system is in place in the resort to monitor snow depths which helps the snow grooming teams to know where to work.

Efficient ski patrol
Every ski patroller has a GPS in his vest to allow mountain operations to send the closest person to an incident. Val Thorens is the first in Europe to introduce drone surveillance too!

Best ski resort?
The highest ski resort in Europe nestled in the Three Valleys and youngest of the big ski resorts celebrated its 50th Anniversary last year. Also an amazing achievement to have won the ‘Best Ski Resort in the World’  eight times now including for 2023.

Winter tyres
A reminder that it is now mandatory from 1 November to 31 March to have winter tyres (M&S marking, or all weather (four season) tyres), OR at least two snow chains/socks in the vehicle when driving in the mountain regions in France, following a law introduced from November 2021.

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What's new this winter 2022/23 in Val Thorens

On the slopes

The longest sledging slope in France
Cosmojet slope is 6km long and starts at the foot of the Péclet glacier at 3000m above sea level. Take a thrilling 45 minute descent wild ride that you won't forget in a hurry!

The highest zipline in Europe
The Tyrolienne du Bouchet offers the chance to glide through the air on a 1300 metre zipline ride taking in the stunning panoramic valley views up at 3230 metres.

New link from Orelle
For the first time last year, the top of Cime Caron at an altitude of 3,200 metres is directly accessible from Orelle and La Maurienne due to two new cable cars, the Orelle and Orelle-Caron that can both take 150 people. Travel time is under 45 minutes and you can take luggage. This new link is now accessible for those on skis and on foot and allows visitors to reach Val Thorens via the Maurienne valley without skis.

Snowtubing
New last winter, a piste next to the Campagnol magic carpet dedicated to snowtubing. Enjoy an adrenaline filled fun ride on this bumpy slope for all ages!

What's new this winter 2022/23 in Val Thorens

In the resort

Val Thorens makeover
A brand new amazing looking sports, wellness and cultural centre ‘Le Board’ opened last winter in the heart of the resort and is proving popular. A huge area for sports, games, public and sports events and business meetings and a huge aquatic space with three pools. The wellness zone features a fitness area, fun park, sauna, hammam, hot tub, ice wall, cold water plunge pool, sensory showers, baths and treatment rooms. The new bus station will be integrated with a waiting room, baggage area and welcome point. This new hot spot will have something for everyone. Even more reasons to visit Val Thorens.

Nightclub facelift
The legendary Malaysia night club is undergoing a total transformation. Hailed as the world's biggest resort night club with a 1500sqm dance floor, Le Malaysia will have a new layout, concept and new sounds and image technology. The entrance is moving to the bottom of Place Caron, so if you need to queue to get in, you can do it in the warmth of an underground passageway.

What's new this winter in Val Thorens

Kid and families

Redesigned fun zones
The kids can now enjoy a fun zone in space, discover the cosmos and the moon. And if you are hunting for Val Thorens mascot Valthy and his friends, you’ll likely find them on two new slopes and fun zones, the new Space slope (piste de L’Espace) is a VT fun ride with arches, a tunnel, music and moguls. The ‘Experience spatiale’ is a VT family park designed for families and beginners with great fun experiences including rolling jumps and slalom. You’ll also find a new chilled picnic zone to rest in after all the space adventures.
New fun park
The brand new fun park at the huge new ‘Le Board’ sports, wellness and culture centre will be après-ski kids style! Various activities in different zones including trampolines, ninja warrior course, ball pool and an education area for the one to five year olds.

Marielle hotel Reception val thorens

Hotels

Koh-I-Nor Hotel has been taken over by Les Etincelles Group and will become a VoulezVous hotel this winter. This iconic hotel is getting a facelift as well as a new name, ready for this winter. The three existing restaurants will change in style too.

Marielle Hotel has new features for their guests this winter. A new XXL games room with pool, table tennis, table football and video games, even a bouncy castle outside! For a fun après-ski session why not challenge your friends to boules on the newly created boules pitch on the terrace.

Le Fahrenheit 7, 4 star hotel renovations continue but the sporting and party atmosphere remains constant. the quirkiness of Le ºF7 is reflected in their new decoration, staff uniforms, menu and music. Their spa will now offer and use Rituals products in the spa. Check out their great après-ski and live music programme too!

What's new this winter 2022/23 in La Plagne

Travel

Snow Train reboot
This direct rail service between London and the Tarentaise Valley has been relaunched (yes, again) for winter 2023/24 and renamed the Eurostar snow train.
The service will hopefully encourage British skiers to travel in an eco-friendly way, departing from London on a Saturday morning and returning Sunday morning. It’s only a 45 minute ride to Val Thorens from Moutiers and there are shuttles linking the resort and bus station. Or you can get a transfer or taxi up to the resort. Watch out for package offers including rail travel.
Check out our guide on travelling to resort for more info.

Find the best fondues in Val Thorens in 2018

Restaurants

New Carvery
Le Val Thorens hotel is adding carvery meals to their lunch menu this winter and a buffet option in the evenings. Open to all for lunch and dinner, not just hotel residents.

La Maison 
Although not a new restaurant, has been refitted and the kitchens redesigned to create an authentic French brasserie style. The award winning chef Cyril Attrazic has developed a creative new menu, all this to celebrate their 10th anniversary.

pool area at Altapura hotel, Val Thorens

Spas

New day spa at the Altapura
The Pure Altitude Spa is now a Codage Spa at the five star Altapura Hotel will immerse you into a world of snow and ice, ideal for relieving muscle tension, physical training or recovery after exercise. The day spa option offers access to a 1000sqm wellbeing space with a fabulous indoor/outdoor pool, the only one in the resort of Val Thorens. Also included in your day spa pass is a one hour treatment and a gourmet two course lunch at the 2mille3.

Oxalys Spa
The four star Oxalys apartment residence is renovating its wellbeing facility and opening a new spa. This spa will be a haven of tranquillity with modern and calming decor. Offering a pool, hammam, sauna and body care area. Face and body treatment packages and massages will be offered.

The Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup, Val Thorens

Events

There’s a diverse range of events to suit everyone in Val Thorens this winter, Ice driving racing, FIS Ski Cross World cup, Freeride Junior qualifying, Enduro competition, electronic music festival and more all on our events calendar.