 Val Thorens in winter | ||
| Val Thorens | ||
| department | Savoie | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | unknown | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| height | 2,300 m | |
| Tourist info | 33 (0) 4 79 00 08 08 valthorens.com | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Val Thorens is a ski resort in the French Alps and with an altitude of 2300 m one of the highest ski resorts in Europe.
background
A cluster of small huts turned into a tourist destination in the early 1970s, the architecture of which is described as either modern or ugly. Val Thorens is one of the Trois Valléesin which too Meribel and Courchevel lie.
Some of the competitions of the 1992 Winter Olympics were held in Val Thorens. The village was also the destination of a stage in the Tour de France in 1994. The racing drivers started in Moûtiers (481 m) and drove up the mountain road to the winter sports resort at 2275 m. The ascent was in the highest category of the mountain stages.
The ski area has the world's highest density of funitels (gondolas that hang on two ropes and are uncoupled in the stations).
getting there
By plane
Small airfield with snow runway available, otherwise up to Aix les Bains, Geneva or Lyon. From there on by train, bus or taxi.
By train
In the nearby Moûtiers Mainly TGVs, InterCités and regional trains (TER) stop at the station "Gare de Moûtiers - Salins - Brides-les-Bains". In winter, Eurostars and Thalys trains from abroad also stop.
From the train station you can continue by bus or taxi.
By bus
Regular traffic off Moûtiers.
In the street
The almost 35 kilometer long road (D117) from Moûtiers in the valley above St. Martin-de-Belleville and Les Ménuires is the only way to get there. This is often clogged and / or blocked. Snow chains are compulsory and the police are happy to check.
On boards
With lifts from Les Ménuires, Méribel or Orelle.
mobility
In winter, snow chains are inevitable in the village. If you are lucky, the police will help an inexperienced tourist to put on the unfamiliar snow chains. Parking is prohibited in the village! The police are rigorous here. The expensive ValThoParc parking spaces must be used if there is no possibility from the accommodation. These can be found a little below the town.
The ski slopes lead into Val Thorens, so that you can often get on your skis right in front of the accommodation.
Tourist Attractions
- The Panorama on the Cime de Caron. From here, depending on the weather, the highest mountain in Europe, the Mont Blanc, be seen. The mountain can be reached by skiers and snowboarders as well as pedestrians. These are the gondolas Cairn, Caron and Cime de Caron used. In addition to the mountain station, there is also a restaurant at the top.
activities
to ski
From the lowest point that can be reached with a simple ski pass at 1800 m to the highest at 3230 m, the Val Thorens ski area offers over 150 kilometers of slopes in winter. With the extended Trois Vallée Pass can be driven much further. So it is that Val Thorens and the Trois Vallées (a total of over 600 km) is one of the largest ski areas in the world and is the highest ski area in Europe. In most years, lift operations are guaranteed until the beginning of May.
There are 11 green, 30 blue, 31 red and eight black slopes. A day ski pass costs around 41 €, the 6-day ski pass around 190 €.
In some summers, additional drag lifts are set up on the high mountains or used from the winter season. However, due to global climate change, this happens less and less.
hike
In summer the area is perfect for hiking. If you want to bridge the first few meters, you don't have to worry that after the end of the winter season only an expensive helicopter can do it. Some lifts are converted for hikers and mountain bikers in summer.
Snow hikers will find enough tours even in winter, including guided tours.
swim
In addition to the many pools in the more expensive hotels, there is also a public swimming pool with a recreational paint in the center of the village. One looks in vain for sporty tracks.
additional
Tobogganing on the six-kilometer-long Toboggan slope.
Mountain biking, paragliding, fishing and quad biking are all offered in summer.
Regular events
- Since 1995 always in December: The Boarderweek with many competitions and parties.
shop
Those who do not have the opportunity to arrive by car have to get everything in town for better or worse. It is very expensive! However, should the coach make a stop in Annecy, Albertville or another town in the valley, as much as possible should be bought in supermarkets. In the following 2-3 hours of travel (with good traffic conditions) it is not very dangerous for the freshness of food. The same applies to those arriving by car, who usually get on a little faster unless they have to drive behind a bus.
kitchen
It is well known that it is a bit more expensive in ski resorts. In and around Val Thorens you should compare the prices well, because the pizza costs 21 € at ski huts, but you can also find cheaper offers. From takeaways to restaurants l'Oxalys with 2 Michelin stars there is everything your heart desires.
nightlife
Clubs in ValTho, as the party community likes to call the place, have international fame, not only thanks to the appearances of greats like David Guetta.
accommodation
From the simple holiday apartment in the apartment house to smaller hotels to large hotel complexes, there are around 24,000 guest beds. There are hardly any alternative forms of overnight accommodation, at least in winter. There is caravanning in summer.
health
Due to the altitude, you may initially experience nausea and headaches. Doctors from many specialties are on site, but it must be expected that health insurance cards will still not be accepted. Patients then have to pay in advance.
Practical advice
The tourist information is in the middle of the village in a shopping street with a connection to the slopes.
- 1 Office de Tourisme, Maison de Val Thorens. Tel.: 33 (0) 4 79 00 08 08, Fax: 33 (0) 4 79 00 00 04, Email: [email protected]. Open: daily from half past eight to seven in the evening.
Postcards sometimes reach Germany after just two days. Cell phone reception is very good in almost the entire area. There are internet cafes.
trips
Ski touring with the Trois Vallée Pass to Meribel and Courchevel, as Les Menuires.
Organized day trips by bus to other ski resorts include:
- Chamonix. Departure very early, arrival very late.
In summer: Sailing, cycling or swimming in and around the Lac d 'Annecy and then admire the old town of Venice in the Alps.
