Winter sports in Val Thorens
Posted on May 6, 2023
In early May 2023, Bianca and Iris went on winter sports in Val Thorens! It was Iris’ first ever winter sports holiday. Accompanied by Bianca, who has been skiing since she was 3, they explored the French slopes. In this blog, we share on ze tips for a splashing winter sports holiday in Val Thorens.
Transport & accommodation
From Rotterdam, it was easiest for us to travel to Val Thorens by car. We left early in the morning and drove in about 12 hours, via Nancy, Dijon and Lyon to Val Thorens.
Tip: do not forget to fill up in Luxembourg, this is considerably cheaper than in the rest of the countries.
Once we arrived in Val Thorens, we soon found our accommodation. We stayed in Vanoise 9. A simple flat which we booked through Booking.com. The flat is located in the centre of Val Thorens and is on the piste that takes you to Plein Sud, from this place many lifts go to other slopes.
Tip: Bring your own simple cleaning utensils, tea towels and bedding when staying in Vanoise.
Explore the area
Val Thorens has something for everyone, whether you are a beginner skier, like Iris or a seasoned pro, like Bianca. The ski area is divided into several sub-areas, including La Folie Douce, Plein Sud and Peclet. Each area has its own characteristics and offers different slopes and activities.
Beginners can enjoy the easy slopes in the valley, while advanced skiers can indulge themselves on the steep slopes of the Cime de Caron or the Col de la Chambre. Snowboarders can have a blast at one of the many snowparks in the area, including the award-winning Val Thorens Snowpark. Download the ‘Les 3 Vallees’ app to get to know the area and see when which slopes are open.
One of the best things about Val Thorens is its snow security. The area is located at an altitude of 2,300 metres and is surrounded by glaciers, which means there is always snow. The season starts in November and runs until May, giving it one of the longest winter sports seasons in Europe. We ourselves visited Val Thorens in May, during Dutchweek Festival.
Ski lesson
If you want to improve your skills on skis or snowboard, private ski lessons are available Skicool in Val Thorens is a good option. On the first morning of our stay, Iris took an hour and a half lesson to get tips on how to ski more confidently. This made the other two days go better for her. Ski equipment can be rented at one of the Intersport locations.
Dutchweek Festival
One of the reasons why we visited Val Thorens at the end of April / beginning of May was the Dutchweek Festival! An annual festival where Dutch artists perform in various clubs and cafés. We opted for a passe-partout at La Folie Douce . A cozy tent at the top of one of the slopes. We were able to enjoy performances and fun for three days! View the options on the website.
Eat Drink
Unfortunately, eating out in Val Thorens is very expensive, both on the mountain and in the village. We definitely recommend visiting Carrefour every now and then for breakfast or lunch. We also had a delicious meal in the following two restaurants, La Petite Fermé and La Face Ouest . Allergic? Make sure you indicate this clearly at the restaurant and, if necessary, take a card with you in which you indicate in French what your allergy is.
