A resort to suit all budgets and tastes
Had enough of the grind and need to get away for the weekend? Do you need to breathe some cool fresh mountain air and revitalise? Do you feel the need for a full body workout or an injection of adrenaline? Then read on. Book a Friday (and perhaps an extra Monday) off work and follow us to Val Thorens, the ideal location for a break from reality. Here, they have the answers whether you’re looking for fun, relaxation, snowsports or something more exciting. And the good news is you don’t have to be made of money to have a great time and come back refreshed and full of great memories.
1 – ADRENALINE JUNKIES LOOK NO FURTHER: Quirky atmosphere and excitement guaranteed, no holds barred
€€€ Offbeat charm at Farenheit 7
7 degrees Fahrenheit (or -13.89 degrees celsius) is the best temperature for a perfect snowflake.
Tastefully decorated with a smidgen of eccentricity, this 4 star hotel is THE place to be. Each bedroom is unique with well thought out whimsical and retro touches. It was founded by Dominique Tournier, the creator of the Folie Douce party bars on the slopes. In the mornings, get your kit on in the ‘ski room’ where you can enjoy a coffee (on the house) and watch the TV, have a drink at the bar and play a game of table football before you hit the slopes for the day.
Get your skis on and Oxygenate yourself.
Are you a sporty type who misses the powder when you’re away from the slopes? Then it’s time to get on it. Ski, snowboard, freestyle or off-piste; anything is possible in a private lesson with Oxygene. Book an instructor for yourself or you and your friends and get acquainted with the best that Val Thorens has to offer.
€€ Coffee or lunch with an uninterrupted view at 2.MILLE.3
Take a seat on the terrace of the 2.MILLE.3 restaurant with a view over the Cime de Caron. Feast on traditional dishes and tasty offerings from their grill at lunchtime and metaphorically cross the oceans for their asian inspired menu in the evenings.
Zip across the skyline
If skiing and snowboarding doesn’t provide the adrenaline hit you’ve been searching for then glide 1300m across the skies of Val Thorens on their high altitude zip wire. It’s just under 2 minutes of pure thrill and pleasure at over 3,000m altitude. It will set you back €52 but will be worth it for the views and inevitable buzz you will get from the experience.
€€€ Les Enfants Terribles for a refined dining experience
Savour classic French dishes surrounded by stars and fir trees in this alpine chalet themed restaurant.
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2 – A MINI-BREAK FULL OF ADVENTURE AND AUTHENTICITY
Refuge Lac du Lou – the peak of authenticity
This refuge is best accessed by touring skis (or splitboard) as it is located in the heart of the most beautiful freeride area in the Three Valleys. Your host, Alexandrine, offers charming yet affordable half-board accommodation where you can dine on healthy homemade food with vegetarian options. No need to take your mobile phone to the refuge for entertainment, the evenings involve a programme of relaxation and meditation. And if that’s not your cup of tea why not step outside to gaze at the stars and listen to the silence? It may surprise you to know, but Val Thorens really can offer moments of true serenity.
Take a break at Chez Pepe Nicolas, sheepskin and champagne
For a glass of bubbly in the sun, a cup of tea or a traditional meal with a modern spin in the authentic atmosphere of a high altitude refuge, look no further. Pepe Nicolas will welcome you with open arms. Their terrace with its view over the Lac du Lou will only serve to reinforce your sense of well-being. Savour it.
Learn a new skill on the slopes
Are you keen to discover new skills and boost your adrenaline levels? Oxygene can introduce you to skiing or snowboarding or more specific disciplines like freestyle or off-piste with our Steep & Deep lessons.
Wax on, wax off
Get stuck in with the guys and girls at the Wax Room at Fahrenheit 7. From now on you won’t need to rely on anyone else to wax your skis or snowboard. Here, you will learn to do it yourself. This is a new experience which is free for guests of the hotel and members of Club Val Tho (which is free to join online).
Club 72, born to be Val Tho
Its name comes from the year Val Thorens came into existence, 1972. After a good day on the slopes, a burger or a perfectly cooked slab of meat in this steak house will do you good. And to tantalise your ears as well as your taste buds, Club 72 puts on a concert each evening from 4-11.30pm.
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If you’re looking for more, look no further. More ski, snowboard and off-piste options can be found on our website.
3 – SKIING ON A BUDGET: a quick getaway doesn’t have to cost the earth
Tight budget? No problem, here are our best deals for a fun weekend in Val Thorens. Think minimum fuss, maximum fun!
Our fave – a mountain top breakfast with Oxygene
Whilst the rest of the resort is still in bed why not start the day watching the sun rise over the resort? Relax and enjoy the dawning of the day with a breakfast at the top of the mountain at the Aiguilles de Peclet and a gentle ski down to get the legs moving with some personalised tips from our instructors.
Enjoy some sunset sounds at the Folie Douce
Yes, ok, there are cheaper places to have a beer than at the Folie Douce but if you like to party, this is the place to be. This open air bar with gigantic terrace and even larger soundsystem is all about celebrating on the snow. With well-known DJs, musicians and artistic dancers, it’s perfect for partying with friends, even if you do have to eat nothing but pasta for 2 days to finance it.
Chill out for free
There is more than just skiing in Val Thorens. Walking on foot or snowshoeing along the groomed and well-marked paths is a great activity allowing you to catch a breath of fresh air in stunning surroundings. You can go from the resort itself or take a pedestrian lift pass and admire the panoramic view from the top of the resort. It’s the perfect way to re-energise yourself on your own, or with friends and to make the most of the mountains. And what’s great is that you don’t need a map and there is no limit to the amount of time you can spend meandering (particularly beneficial if you’ve made the most of apres-ski the evening before).
A high altitude snack at Aiguilles de Peclet
This self-service restaurant offers an uninterrupted view. Perched at 3,000m altitude at the summit of the Peclet gondola, it’s the ideal spot for a quick lunch break that’s easy on your wallet too. A quick tartiflette and off you go.
Enjoy a healthy dinner at Super Nova
Super Nova is perfect for a reasonably priced restaurant meal. It’s part concept store, part cafe/bistro with a menu of homemade delights including vegetarian and vegan options.
Free events you need to know about
If you’ve reached the limits of your budget (despite following our advice) keep your eyes peeled for events both on and off the slopes run by the tourist office. Do your research in advance to know what is going on during your stay. Events can include ski tests, festivals, ski and snowboard competitions and more.
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4 – VAL THORENS GOLD EDITION
We have saved the best for last. The best of the best of all things relaxing, opulent and enjoyable. Think champagne and canapes, nothing is too much. If there is no limit to your budget for a stay in Val Thorens why not take a ‘world tour’. From Norway to Asia, prepare your eyes and your tastebuds and get ready for a relaxing weekend limited only by your imagination.
Altapura Hotel, scandinavian chic
This 5* boutique hotel is luxurious, relaxing and calming and is ideal for unwinding in chic, norwegian inspired surroundings. Its Pure Altitude spa is the cherry on the cake with its scandi style treatments and well-being therapies. “There all is order and beauty, Luxury, peace, and pleasure.” says the French poet, Charles Baudelaire.
Book an instructor just for you
Why be happy with an hour of skiing when you could have your own instructor, a personal guide and personalised coaching for a whole day. Choose your own agenda for the day and off you go. Why not embark on a tour of the highest and most beautiful summits of the Three Valleys? And at lunchtime why not stop off at…
…the rotisserie restaurant in Fahrenheit7. Lunch with your skis still on your feet
The menu might not be ground breaking: pizzas, meat dishes, burgers and daily specials but the quality of the dishes is second to none. Situated on the snow front this restaurant is ideal for skiers and non-skiers alike for its easy access from the slopes and the resort and tasty menu with something for everyone.
Around the world in 80 flavours at the Explorateurs restaurant
Embark on an epic cosmopolitan and culinary journey during your stay in Val Thorens. This Michelin starred restaurant offers traditionally French dishes with a twist of flavours from around the world. Each table is decorated in its own style to provide each group of diners with their own unique experience.
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HAVE YOU HAD YOUR HEAD TURNED? YES? TIME TO GO
Train, plane, automobile…
Val Thorens is only 2.5 hours by car from Geneva and Lyon, just 1 hour by car from Moutiers train station and less than 6 hours by train and taxi from Paris. Make the most of your journey by learning all about the 3 Valleys, its history and what to do and see.
From head to toe
For a trip to Val Tho, you can pack light. Simply book your equipment and ski clothing online before you arrive. Your equipment will be waiting for you in our partner shop Intersport Le Cheval Blanc in the centre of Val Thorens, 2 minutes from the slopes. You ski clothing, once booked*, will be delivered to your ski accommodation for your arrival.
*book on our website for week-long stays. For short stays contact us directly.