What has happened to the weather this winter? It has snowed, bucketed it down, blizzarded, sleeted, flurried, snowed, rained and snowed some more. I can’t remember a season when so much fell from the sky. Snow clearing is a constant occupation.
A sunny break between snowfalls in The Three Valleys
The sun has come out after so much snow
This weekend we enjoyed a few days' respite from the snowfalls and had a chance to make the most of exceptional skiing conditions. The slopes are in near perfect condition with soft snow absolutely everywhere. They are so soft and smooth they make you feel as if you are a really talented skier. “Hero snow”, I’ve heard it called. The only tougher snow is on the low pistes through the resort where rain last week resulted in some harder areas.
The snow depths are excellent: 100cm in the resort and a vast 244cm on the summits (that's 8 feet of snow in old money). It's even been possible to ski all the way down to Brides-les-Bains at 600m. Now that the holidays are over, the slopes are quieter and there are virtually no queues anywhere. The sun came out briefly this weekend and the temperatures were normal for this time of year, around -5ºC at La Chaudanne and -10ºC on the summits.
We decided to ski over to Val Thorens to make the most of these relatively kind weather conditions (to my mind, VT is best avoided during windy/cold/flat light conditions as it's high and exposed). En route, we decided to check out some of the new lifts and pistes that have appeared this winter.
First, we took the new, blue La Corniche piste into Val Thorens. It starts from La Folie Douce restaurant/bar and gently winds to skier's left, arriving above the top of VT. It's a little bit flat so probably best avoided by boarders but it does offer beautiful views over the resort. It will come into its own during busy periods when it will offer a much quieter route into Val Thorens than the busy Plein Sud run.
More exciting is the new Moraine gondola lift which replaces the old chairlift of the same name. This long and exposed chairlift was nicknamed ‘the fridge’ as it was so cold (and the short, even chillier Col chairlift above it is known as “the freezer”). The new gondola is a huge improvement, offering a fast and comfortable ride to the foot of the Glacier de Thorens in spacious cabins for ten. It serves two excellent, long, wide, cruisey blues, Moraine and Genepi, which are known for their good snow and are a great place to practise carving turns.
I had intended to ski into Orelle to try out the new Croix d’Antide run but the lure of a good lunch at my favourite VT restaurant, Chalet de la Marine, was too strong so this new blue run will have to wait for another day…
On our way back to Méribel from Val Thorens, we took the new blue Lac de la Chambre piste. As I'm sure you know, this run forms a major route between the two valleys and had a tricky steep first section which is mostly in deep shade. This section is still graded red and has been allowed to form big moguls. The new blue alternative (on skier's right) is a much easier and more pleasant way back towards Méribel. In addition, the lower, narrower part of this run has been reshaped and widened, making it a much nicer route home than before.
Thank you to Eliot, SeeCourchevel's snow reporter, who provided the last report while I was off with the ‘flu. My top tip for this winter – do have the ‘flu jab, it really wasn’t very nice…
The forecast is for a return to yet more snowy weather. We are expecting a whole week of heavy snow from Tuesday onwards. Back to snow clearing again…
Airport Transfers in Val Thorens
Transfers for Val Thorens
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Shared Airport Transfers
Low-cost and professional shuttle bus transfer service to Val Thorens
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.Â
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Private Airport Transfers
Reliable door-to-door transfers in the French Alps, making independent travel easier and affordable
The 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.
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Shared Airport Transfers
Geneva Airport to Val Thorens from €85 per person one-way (weekend rate)
Run by a long-established Three Valleys transfer specialist, the service combines the lower cost of sharing your journey with many of the things you would normally associate with a private transfer: small vehicles, experienced drivers and, importantly, a door-to-door journey between Geneva Airport and your accommodation in Val Thorens.
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Scheduled/Shuttle Coach Airport Transfers
Quick and secure way to organise transfers from local airports and stations
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.
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Private & Shared Airport Transfers
Great value shared and private transfer shuttle service from Geneva Airport
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.
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Private & Shared Airport Transfers
Easy transfers from Geneva Airport to Val Thorens and nearby resorts
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.
Visit websiteSave an extra 5%. Use Alpine Fleet discount promocode: STWSKI
Ski Hire in Val Thorens
Ski Hire in Val Thorens
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Goitschel Sport IV
Ski & snowboard rental shop at the entrance to resort
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!
Visit websiteSave an extra 5%. Skiset ski hire discount applied automatically on website visit
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Black Ski Maverick Soleil
Ski hire shop on Rue du Soleil with easy access to the Cascade lift
Getting the right equipment can make a big difference to your time on the slopes, whether you’re skiing for the first time or looking for a higher-performance set-up. This ski hire shop on Rue du Soleil offers a convenient place to arrange your equipment, with a team of experienced staff on hand to help you choose the right skis for your ability and the conditions.
Visit websiteSave an extra 5%. Use discount code: STWSKI
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Top Sports
One stop shop for all your ski and snowboard equipment hire 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.Â
Visit websiteSave 5% automatically when you click here to book
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Peclet
Save 10% extra: use promo code STWSKI when booking ski hire online
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.
Visit websiteSave an extra 10%. Click website button and use code: STWSKI
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Les Balcons Bas
Ski hire next to the Plein Sud piste in the Balcons de Val Thorens Residences
Hire skis and snowboards at the beginning of the street Les Balcons, 50 m to the residence Altitude, Val 2400 et Chalets du Soleil. 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!
Visit websiteSave an extra 5%. Use Intersport ski hire discount code: STWSKI
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Goitschel Sport 3
Rental shop on Rue de Soleil, close to the ski front and ski school meeting points
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!
Visit websiteSave an extra 5%. Skiset ski hire discount applied automatically on website visit
Ski Schools in Val Thorens
Ski School Lessons in Val Thorens
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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
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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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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Private ski lessons
Teaching a wide range of private snow sports lessons to all levels
This company offer private ski and snowboard lessons throughout the winter season for all ages and abilities.
Winter Things To Do in Val Thorens
Wintersport Things To Do in Val Thorens
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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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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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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
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.
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