© SeeValThorens.com
© VT OT
© Patrice Mestari
Despite relatively low snowfalls, we skied all season long
2017 won’t go down in memory as one of the epic seasons. This will be remembered as the season when the snow didn’t fall in any quantity until January, and then only fell a few times.
Or to be more accurate, the snow did arrive in November, but then mostly melted. The Christmas holidays saw fewer pistes open than usual and a drop in visitor numbers. The British press published scare stories about the lack of snow. January brought the first major snow falls. Despite several great snowfalls in February and March, April was slushy and the lower runs started closing earlier than usual.
On the other hand, 2017 saw lots of high points. The 3 Vallées resorts hosted world class competitions (Telemark World Cup, Europa Cup and World Cup races) and the French air display team performed an unforgettable display over Méribel. The pistes also saw lots of welcome improvements: new indoor and outdoor picnic areas, new pistes (JNBee in Meribel, Jerusalem in St Martin), a new lift (Stade in Val Thorens), a new themed toboggan run in Méribel, plus more snow cannons, free WiFi and 3 Vallées selfie spots. The sun shone throughout the season, allowing us to enjoy day after day of bluebird skiing, and apart from one cold snap in January, the temperature was kind to us.
Most of all, 2017 should be remembered as the season that les 3 Vallées provided great skiing despite relatively low snowfalls. Although it wasn’t a great season, it wasn’t a disastrous one either. These snow reports demonstrate we’ve enjoyed good skiing, both on and off-piste, right from the start of the season. All the holiday makers I have spoken to have said how pleasantly surprised they have been by the snow this season.
In a poor snow season like this, les 3 Vallées stands out even more than usual as a fantastic destination, partly because 85% of the ski area is above 1,800m. Many other European resorts were partly closed in December and January, with brown fields instead of snowy runs, while here we enjoyed hundreds of kilometres of open pistes. It’s in the poor seasons that we appreciate how lucky we are to be in a ski area with so much high skiing and such excellent snow-making facilities.
The lift companies deserve huge praise for their extraordinary efforts in opening pistes and keeping them in good shape. Vast quantities of cultured snow were created, hoarded, moved around and reused where most needed, all so we could enjoy our favourite sport. We have been able to ski throughout the season, on mostly good snow, thanks to their tremendous work. Un grand merci!
See you all next winter...
Intersport Les Balcons in Val Thorens offers high-quality ski and snowboard equipment, clothing and accessories for all levels. Their expert team ensures comfort, safety and performance, whether you’re hiring or buying gear for your holiday.
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.
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!
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.
Located on the first floor of Galerie Caron, this ski and snowboard rental service lets you save time and money by booking online. Have your equipment ready to collect on arrival and hit the slopes straight away!
Ski and 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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
A ski school that brings technique and pleasure together throughout the Alps.
This company offer group ski and snowboard lessons throughout the winter season for all ages and abilities.
This company offers a great value shuttle service as well as private transfers from Geneva Airport to Val Thorens. Established and efficient - you can rely on them.
The Loyal Transfers team has been organising airport transfers to ski resorts around France since 2012. Their aim has always been to make independent travel to ski resorts cheaper and easier for everyone.
From the airport to the slopes, they handle the rest. Geneva's most trusted private ski transfers.
This company offers private and shared transfers from Geneva Airport to Val Thorens, nearby areas, and resorts across the Alps. With great value fares on all journeys, it’s an easy way to save money.
Booking with them means your holiday won’t involve the stress of public transport, the cost of private transfers, or the hassle of fitting snow chains on a hire car.
A key booking portal for local coach and bus transfers in the French ski resorts. Using this service to coordinate your travel means getting to resort could not be easier.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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