Route 7 - Val Thorens to Courchevel
Courchevel and back in a day
Courchevel and back in a day from Val Thorens is much easier (and quicker) than you might think. An intermediate skier ought to be able to get there in just over an hour on the most direct route, although you can branch out if you wish to make a day of it.
The obvious route is to ski into the Méribel Valley from the top of the 3 VALLEES FUNITEL at Mont de la Chambre. Taking the PLAN DES MAINS chairlift gains height and avoids the flattish route into Mottaret, which is to be avoided at all costs if on a snowboard! An alternative is to ski Route du Soleil down to ROC DES 3 MARCHES 2, then down the long Grand Lac blue run to either the TEPPES drag or ST MARTIN 2 (should take about 40mins). The Grand Lac is a fabulous run! Mottaret can also be reached from the top of either of these lifts.
Our intrepid Val Thorens Snow Reporter describes one of her favourite circular routes...
- From Mottaret, take the PAS DU LAC bubble to La Saulire.
- Head down the Creux (red), keeping right and carrying on down to the CHANROSSA chair. Take the CHANROSSA and ski down the back of Roc Merlet. Stay right and cross the double drag, PYRAMIDES 1 & 2. Head down to Resaturant le Casserole and take the fast SIGNAL chair to the top of Chapelets - this is a lovely fast red and generally not busy. Take the CHAPELETS chairlift back up and, if having a fast day, do Rochers back to the bottom and then the same CHAPELETS chairlift back up again.
- From here you can go back to the bottom of SIGNAL along Ariondaz, but this time take the PETITE BOSSE. Take AIGUILLE DU FRUIT and head on down past the Altiport down the Bellecôte Piste to Courchevel 1850. This is a good point to stop for lunch or a drink at Tovets restaurant.
- Once in Courchevel 1850 make for the left of the central lift system and ski through the tunnel and round to the left for the PLANTREY chair. From there, you can ski down the Bouc Blanc to the DOU DES LANCHES chairlift. Just before you arrive you will pass the restaurant Bouc Blanc, another nice refreshment stop. DOU DES LANCHES arrives at Col de la Loze; track straight on then down to La Chaudanne, or turn right for a red or black down to Meribel Altiport. Then it's the ALTIPORT chair or a horizontal draglift to get back to the Rond Point sector for a return to La Chaudanne. (NB most skiers returning to Val Thorens take PLATTIERES from Mottaret followed by COTE BRUNE and in low season this would be OK, in high season it's a nightmare).
- From Chaudanne, take PLAN DE L'HOMME and then the blue Grive piste followed by TOUGNETE 2. Ski down into Belleville Valley along the blue Gros Tougne for LES GRANGES, arriving at Roc des Trois Marches (top of PLATTIERES 3). Depending on time, you can then ski down Alouettes (Méribel Valley) for the COTE BRUNE back to Val Thorens, or towards Les Menuires for the MONT DE LA CHAMBRE chair).
Top Tips:
- The 3 Valleys Piste Map shows each valley on a single page. Spend an evening looking at the crossover points between the Belleville Valley and the Méribel Valley and the runs and lifts which connect them. There are five, and crossing back and forth makes interesting skiing, especially above St Martin and Les Teppes. Between Courchevel and Méribel, there are only two: La Saulire and La Loze.
- Be aware of lift closing times, they are strictly adhered to.
- If running short of time, make sure you are in the right Valley. From top of Tougnete 2 (Méribel), you can ski all the way back to Les Menuires.
- Pick up a Belleville Valley local bus timetable, just as a back-up plan for getting home!
- Take a quick peek at our Mountain Restaurants Guide; the two mentioned above are included in the Courchevel section and are highly rated as well as not breaking the bank!
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Advanced areas in [locality]
Private Ski Lessons & Instructors in Val Thorens
See all Private Ski Lessons & Instructors in Val Thorens-
Private ski lessons
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
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.
-
Private ski lessons
A ski school that brings technique and pleasure together throughout the Alps.
-
Private ski lessons
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.
-
Private ski lessons
This company offer private ski and snowboard lessons throughout the winter season for all ages and abilities.
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Private ski lessons
Discover the Val Thorens and the Three Valleys ski domain with one of the most renowned ski schools in the world.
Beginner areas in [locality]
Ski School Lessons in Val Thorens
See all Ski School Lessons in Val Thorens-
Private ski lessons
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.
-
Group ski lessons
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.
-
Private ski lessons
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.
-
Group ski lessons
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.
-
Private ski lessons
A ski school that brings technique and pleasure together throughout the Alps.
-
Group ski lessons
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.
Beginner ski hire
Ski Hire in Val Thorens
See all Ski Hire in Val Thorens-
Le Cheval Blanc
Welcome to Intersport Soleil Le Cheval Blanc! The shop focuses on quality, safety and comfort to give you an exceptional experience on the slopes. Their team of experts is on hand to meet all your equipment needs, whether for hire or purchase.
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Goitschel Sport I
You can’t wait for your next ski trip? Everything is already booked except your ski equipment? Don’t worry, we’ll help you find the perfect equipment to fully enjoy your ski holiday in Val Thorens!
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Peclet
Ski & Snowboard Hire located place Péclet, on the upper part of Val Thorens, near the competition slalom piste. Save time and money by booking online with Intersport. Have your equipment ready to pick up as soon as you arrive and hit the slopes straight away!
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Top Sports
No need to carry your ski equipment around with you! Simply pick it up from the ski shop in resort. You can collect your equipment from at least 5pm the day before your 1st skiing day.
-
Skiloc 2300
This ski and snowboard hire shop is situated just a short distance from the main lift hub on the Rue du Soleil. Pierre and his team will welcome you and assist you in the store.
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Peclet
Val Thorens shop can be found in the ‘Place Peclet’ at the foot of the slalom piste. The free shuttle bus stops right by the front door to the shop and everything a skier needs can be found nearby (lift pass office, ski school office, ski lifts, restaurants, bars…) and within walking distance.
Beginner ski lessons
Ski School Lessons in Val Thorens
See all Ski School Lessons in Val Thorens-
Private ski lessons
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.
-
Group ski lessons
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.
-
Private ski lessons
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.
-
Group ski lessons
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.
-
Private ski lessons
A ski school that brings technique and pleasure together throughout the Alps.
-
Group ski lessons
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.
Off-piste areas in [locality]
Mountain Guides Val Thorens
See all Mountain Guides Val Thorens-
Oxygene off piste and mountain guiding
Their mountain guides provide excellent off-piste experiences with safety equipment provided.
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Back country ski guides
A private ski or snowboard session for all ability levels – on and off-piste. It’s all about fun, improvement and discovering new off piste terrain.
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Office de la Montagne high mountain guides
This company specialise in all things high mountain for those that are looking for unique challenges, taking their skiing and snowboarding to the next level.
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ESF mountain guides, Val Thorens
One of the best ways to discover any ski domain is to hire a local mountain guide who knows the resort inside out. They will be able to guide you to the best and safest areas both off and on piste.
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Women's mountain biking courses and guiding
For girls who want to go mountain biking in women's specific groups, or for those who wish to develop their skills with advice from mountain bike guides, Fast Riding People mountain bike school offers guiding and courses.
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Val Thorens ski guides
Quentin, Amelia and Jeremy grew up in the Savoie region and have been skiing and snowboarding in Val Thorens since childhood. Due to their continuous training, they have all competed professionally in alpine and freestyle skiing with some podium finished in the World Cup for France!
What should I wear when skiing or snowboarding?
Ski Hire in Val Thorens
See all Ski Hire in Val Thorens-
Le Cheval Blanc
Welcome to Intersport Soleil Le Cheval Blanc! The shop focuses on quality, safety and comfort to give you an exceptional experience on the slopes. Their team of experts is on hand to meet all your equipment needs, whether for hire or purchase.
-
Goitschel Sport I
You can’t wait for your next ski trip? Everything is already booked except your ski equipment? Don’t worry, we’ll help you find the perfect equipment to fully enjoy your ski holiday in Val Thorens!
-
Peclet
Ski & Snowboard Hire located place Péclet, on the upper part of Val Thorens, near the competition slalom piste. Save time and money by booking online with Intersport. Have your equipment ready to pick up as soon as you arrive and hit the slopes straight away!
-
Top Sports
No need to carry your ski equipment around with you! Simply pick it up from the ski shop in resort. You can collect your equipment from at least 5pm the day before your 1st skiing day.
-
Skiloc 2300
This ski and snowboard hire shop is situated just a short distance from the main lift hub on the Rue du Soleil. Pierre and his team will welcome you and assist you in the store.
-
Peclet
Val Thorens shop can be found in the ‘Place Peclet’ at the foot of the slalom piste. The free shuttle bus stops right by the front door to the shop and everything a skier needs can be found nearby (lift pass office, ski school office, ski lifts, restaurants, bars…) and within walking distance.
More inspiration...
Find your way around with Piste Maps for Val Thorens.
Take a look at this year's Ski Lift Pass Prices and if you're not sure which one to buy, read our Guide for more information.
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