Ski area in Val Thorens

Resort statistics

Situated in the Tarentaise Valley, within the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, Val Thorens is part of the Three Valleys and one of the ski resorts that makes up La Vallée de Belleville which also includes Les Menuires and Saint Martin de Belleville.

Val Thorens ski area

Val Thorens ski area highlights

• Beginner to Expert: Beginner areas, advanced glacier skiing, and a top-notch snowpark in the Plateau sector cater to all levels.
• Jerusalem Run: A popular blue run with stunning views, ideal for cruising to St Martin de Belleville.
• Pointe de la Masse: Offers sunny slopes, long blues, and challenging blacks like Lac Noir and Dame Blanche.
• Funitel Peclet Glacier: Great for sunset skiing with wide pistes like Lac Blanc and Les Vires.

Tips for optimal skiing

• Avoid the busy Méribel access lifts in the morning and late afternoon; midday is best.
• Explore quieter areas like Orelle’s Glacier de la Pointe Renod, offering serene runs and the challenging Combe de Rosael black.

Off piste and freestyle

• Extensive off-piste opportunities in Val Thorens and Orelle, with notable routes from Boismint and Méribel borders.
• The Plateau snowpark features kickers, rails, and boxes for all levels.

Val Thorens combines world-class snow, diverse terrain and modern amenities, making it a popular ski destination for all skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts.

The Three Valleys ski area

Three Valleys overview

The Three Valleys is a vast ski paradise with 319 pistes (600km total), 200 lifts, and 1,500 snow cannons. Its eight resorts: Courchevel, La Tania, Méribel, Brides-les-Bains, Les Menuires, Val Thorens, Orelle, and St Martin de Belleville offer terrain for all abilities. 

You can buy ski passes for each resort, but to get the most out of a trip here we'd recommend you buy a Three Valleys ski pass which covers the whole area

Key Three Valleys statistics:

• Pistes: 51 green, 132 blue, 106 red, 32 black
• Terrain: Glaciers, tree skiing, powder bowls, beginner zones, and top-tier snowparks
• Lift System: Modern, fast, and efficient

Méribel

• Pistes: 64 total (8 green, 25 blue, 24 red, 7 black) ranging from 1,100m to 2,952m.
• Snowpark: Among Europe's best, with features for all levels, from beginner lines to a superpipe.

Advanced skiing in Meribel

• Face Run: 1992 Olympic downhill course, ideal mid-morning.
• Mont Vallon Reds: Long, steep, and mogul-filled.
• GoPro Couloir: Narrow, steep (37°), and for experts only.

Off-piste in Meribel

• Loze Express to Dent du Burgin: Powder plains and tree runs.
• Côte Brune and Olympic Express: Fresh tracks with some hiking required.
• Roc de Tougne: Powder-filled off-piste options on both sides of the drag lift.

Courchevel

Situated on the northern side, Courchevel has 150km of pistes and stunning views of Mont Blanc. It’s known for challenging terrain and off-piste options.

Advanced skiing in Courchevel

• Couloirs: Grand Couloir and Saulire offer steep, technical runs.
• Chapelets Red: A favourite early morning run freshly groomed run.
• La Tania Area: Includes Dou des Lanches black and the Freeride Face.

Off-piste in Courchevel

• Les Avals Valley: Over 1,000m of powder runs.
• Saulire Couloirs and Roc Merlet: Steep and technical.
• Dou des Lanches Area: Varied terrain with powder, cliffs, and tree skiing.

Snowpark in Courchevel

The Family Park at Courchevel 1850 caters to all freestyle levels with small, gentle features perfect for progression.

The Three Valleys offers something for everyone, from serene beginner areas to advanced pistes and off-piste challenges, all linked by an unparalleled lift system.

Orelle - the fourth valley

Orelle, located on the far side of Val Thorens, is home to the highest point in the ski area at 3,230m. It joined the Three Valleys in 1996 with the introduction of the Three Vallées Express gondola, a 5km link ascending 1,470m in altitude through forests and steep terrain.

Key highlights of Orelle ski area

New lifts:

• Orelle Gondola: Replaces the Three Vallées Express with faster, safer, and more comfortable rides.
• Orelle-Caron Gondola: Climbs 820m over 2.2km to Cime Caron in 7 minutes, featuring fully glazed cabins for panoramic views.

Ski slopes in Orelle:

• 11 green, 33 blue, 29 red, and 9 black runs between 900m and 3,200m.
• Coraia Red Run: The highest in the Three Valleys, starting at 3,230m, offers stunning views and a long, gentle descent.

Off-piste in Orelle:

• Best terrain is around the Bouchet lift, ideal for fresh tracks.

With excellent snow conditions, breath taking vistas, and advanced lift technology, Orelle is a must-visit for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.

When is the ski area open in Val Thorens?

The winter season at this high-altitude resort typically runs from mid-November to mid-May, with early lift openings depending on snow conditions (check the season dates for this winter openings).

• January: Ideal for quiet slopes and fresh snow.
• February: Best for families with school holiday activities.
• March/April: For sunny pistes and relaxing on mountain restaurant terraces

If you're coming early or late in the season

It's a good idea to check which lifts are open in Val Thorens. You might want to check the Val Thorens webcams too, for up to the minute view of the conditions on the pistes.

Advanced areas in Val Thorens

Val Thorens offers a variety of challenging runs across three glaciers and four summits, catering to advanced skiers and snowboarders:

• Jerusalem: A quiet, rolling blue run (formerly red) with excellent snow and gentle off-piste on either side, ideal for first ventures into powder.
• Cime Caron: Features three standout runs. Mogul-heavy black Combe de Rosael leading to Orelle’s fourth valley, the black Combe de Caron and the red Col de l’Audzin returning to Val Thorens.
• Orelle’s Bouchet Lift: Known for fresh powder, quiet slopes, and wide open runs perfect for high speed descents.
• Pointe de la Masse: Home to four challenging blacks (Masse, Lac Noir, Dame Blanche, and Rocher Noir), best in the morning for sunshine and avoiding crowds.
• Funitel Peclet: Accesses the steep Christine run and the red Col at Glacier de Thorens, with scenic, long descents.
• Allamande: A twisting red run from Trois Marches to Les Menuires, featuring varied terrain for all tastes.

Bad weather areas in Val Thorens

When visibility drops, tree-lined runs provide contrast for better skiing or snowboarding. Try lower pistes near the resort, which may sit below the clouds. From the Cascades chairlift, opt for the gentle blue Dalles or challenging black Cascades. Alternatively, take Plein Sud and follow the blue piste to the Cairn bubble.

If clouds settle in the valley, it may be clear higher up. Use a bubble or cable car to check conditions, ensuring an easy route down if needed. Snow in the resort often means fresh snow up top which makes it ideal for quieter, powder filled slopes. Check the webcams in Val Thorens to see the weather in realtime.

Beginner areas in Val Thorens

With many choices for beginners, Les 2Alpes is ideal for learning. Access to the magic carpets is free

You can buy a four hour or one day beginners pass at 50% off the public rate which gives you access to green and blue runs and various lifts, check our ski pass prices page for details.

Ideal for learners:

• Val Thorens has 11 green runs and 29 blues.
• The wider Belleville Valley is home to 20 greens and 60 blues
• Beginner-friendly pistes link different areas, allowing learners to explore the area without repeating runs.

Beginner zones:

Val Thorens: Between the Roc, Cascades, and 2 Lac lifts (includes four free magic carpets).
Les Menuires: Around the Doron lift and nearby areas.

Best pistes in Val Thorens

The ski area is vast and it can be difficult to know where to start, so we have put together some of our favourite runs throughout the Val Thorens ski area, whether you're into moguls, steep and long descents or simply beautiful, quiet pistes with great snow. 

Off-piste areas in Val Thorens

Val Thorens offers some of Europe's most stunning off-piste terrain, surrounded by six glaciers and endless powder fields. Popular routes include:

• Pierre Lory: From the Col chair into the Maurienne Valley.
• Lac du Lou: Accessible from the Combe de Rosael black run or La Masse.
• Vallée des Encombres: A thrilling descent from La Masse.
• Jerusalem to Pramint: Renowned off-piste area near St Martin, popular with local guides.

Highlights:

• Explore iconic descents like the Gebroulaz Glacier towards Méribel or Pralognan.
• Always consider weather and snow conditions due to Val Thorens’ high altitude.

Safety first:

• Check avalanche conditions and read our avalanche safety page for tips on staying safe off-piste.
• It's always advisable to hire an off-piste mountain guide who will have extensive knowledge of the area and the mountains.

Snowparks in Val Thorens

Val Thorens is home to a 70,000m² snowpark on the Plateaux Pistes, accessible via the Moutière chairlift and the Plateaux drag lift. Perfect for freestyle enthusiasts, the park offers a range of jumps, kickers, and technical features that remain in excellent condition throughout the season due to its high-altitude location.

The snowpark includes an 800m-long boardercross, freestyle zones for beginners, intermediates, and experts, and a Jump'Air for practicing tricks with a safe airbag landing. Other features include Whoops (wave-like bumps), big air jumps, wall rides, rails, and a half pipe. Each run is color-coded by difficulty, from easy greens to challenging blacks, ensuring there's something for every skill level.

For the best conditions, visit in the afternoon when the snow has softened in the sun. 

The park also features freestylepark filming, allowing you to record your tricks and perfect your technique.

More inspiration...

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