Val Thorens
Val Thorens is home to some varied and exciting skiing. With its phenomenally high altitude of 2,300m, it is the highest and one of the most snowsure resorts in Europe. The resort is part of the famous Three Valleys ski area which is the largest ski area in the world
Best for
Large quantities of snow & a huge resort
Fun fact
It is the highest resort in Europe and the largest ski area in the world
Nearest airport
Grenoble (144km)
Centre comfort
Resort charm
Snow sure rating
At a height of 2300m Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe and combined with the Glacier de Peclet offers some of the most snow sure conditions of any resort. The village is located in the heart of the ski area making it truly ski in ski out, there is even a piste and 'carpet' lift running right through the centre of the resort. Val Thorens is part of the Three Valleys ski area which is the largest in the world but even just the Val Thorens ski area is enormous, boasting over 140km of piste with an excellent distribution across all levels.
Nearly all of the ski area is above 2000m and largely north facing which means conditions are typically very good even during challenging snowfall. There are a number of good quality nursery and beginner slopes, but the quality and sheer quantity of the red runs in Val Thorens is what makes it exceptional for all.
There is a huge amount of accessible off piste in Val Thorens with an abundance of varied terrain in the bowl surrounding the resort. The Cime de Caron chairlift gives access to some particularly good off piste including the infamous ‘fourth valley’ which has some amazing lines.
Val Thorens has an excellent snow park in the Plateau sector which, following suit, is huge! The park is well thought out with beginner, intermediate and advanced sections making it an excellent place to learn and progress. Val Thorens also has an air bag at the snowpark allowing you to try out new tricks with a safe landing. On the side of the park is an impressive half pipe and a well made boardercross track.
Val Thorens truly is a ski-in-ski-out resort with a piste and lift running straight through the middle of the village. The resort is purpose built and thus lacks some alpine charm present at some other ski villages but the skiing and the views more than make up for this. Much of the development has been tastefully built and attractively clad in wood.
The town is typically south facing with superb views, making it a pleasant place to relax and enjoy the après after a hard days skiing. The après and nightlife in Val Thorens is something not to be missed with so many options to keep even the most ardent party goer entertained!
One of the best UCPA centres by far. The Val Thorens UCPA centre is a ski in ski out location built right in the middle of the pistes. The centre has an attractive circular design with 360 degree panorama of the Alps. If you don't fancy the 15 minute walk to town, there is also a free shuttle bus to town where there are a huge variety of shops, restaurants and bars to choose from as well as an indoor sports centre with swimming pool, sauna, hammam and bowling.
Rooms
- 4 person rooms with shared bathrooms
- Ensuite twin rooms available
Facilities
- Well priced bar
- Buffet style restaurant with an incredible sun terrace
- Games rooms with table tennis and table football
- Ski equipment and storage all on site
- Lift passes provided at the centre
- WiFi in the bar area. Please note the WiFi is not good enough for working on data intensive activities
All UCPA meals are buffet style and with multiple servings the norm; you won't go hungry.
Breakfast is normally yogurts, cereals, fruit juice, coffee and bread - don't be surprised to see that the coffee and tea is taken in a bowl!
It is possible to return to the centre for lunch everyday where you will find 1 or 2 hot options available. As with all meals there will be a salad bar, plenty of bread, cheese, meat and of course desert. If you prefer you can make a packed lunch at breakfast time and eat on the mountain. Either way you will save a fortune avoiding the piste side restaurants.
Dinner is a 3/4 course buffet - typically a salad bar style starter, a choice of 3 hot main courses, a cheese and cold meat platter and ice cream/dessert.
Due to the cost focussed nature of UCPA and the wide range of dietary requirements, it is impossible to accommodate everyone as standard. If you have any severe dietary requirements please contact the centre two weeks before to let them know. Generally speaking vegetarians will find plenty of options, with vegan options being a little more scarce but improving year on year.
By Air
The nearest airports to Val Thorens are Grenoble (144km) and Geneva (150km). Geneva is typically the most popular, due to the wider range of flights and transfers to resorts.
Airport Transfers
We provide shared transfers which go directly to Val Thorens from Geneva, Lyon and Grenoble with our local partner, Ben's Bus. Transfers usually run on Saturdays only, with a few exceptions. The journey from all three airports takes around 3h30 but timings can vary according to weather and traffic. Geneva offers the most transfer buses during a Saturday, with fewer buses operating from Grenoble and Lyon.
Geneva
We provide Geneva airport transfers through our local transfer partner, Ben's Bus. Transfers mainly run on Saturdays with very limited Sunday transfers available.
Dates 30/11/24 - 26/4/25 | Latest flight arrival | Earliest flight departure |
---|---|---|
All Saturdays (except for those below) | 20:15 | 09:20 (09:40 in April) |
Saturday 30 Nov 24 | 15:30 | N/A |
Saturday 7 Dec 24 | 18:00 | 09:20 |
Saturday 21 Dec 24 | 18:30 | 09:20 |
Saturday 15 Feb 25 | 19:50 | 09:20 |
Saturday 22 Feb 25 | 18:30 | 09:20 |
Saturday 19 Apr 25 | 15:45 | 09:40 |
Sundays (15/12/24 - 6/4/25) | 15:50 (14:10 on 22 & 29 Dec & 16 & 23 Feb) | 10:45 (09:50 on 30 Mar & 6 Apr) |
Typically the transfer time is 3h30, but this can vary due to weather and traffic. As this is a shared transfer service there are likely to be several stops en route and you may need to wait in the airport so that your journey can be combined with other passengers.
There is not a timetable as such, as the transfers are arranged to meet with popular flights.
If you give us your flight details as soon as your booking is confirmed and your flights booked, then we can book you onto the best possible transfer times. If you are making a booking (or providing your flight details) just a few weeks before travel, then you can expect that a lot of the buses will already be booked up and you may have longer to wait at the airport.
Note that transfers will be subject to availability at the time that you enter your flight details and book your bus.
For midweek transfers and flights outside of our times, have a look at Altibus or Alpybus.
Grenoble
Transfers mainly run on Saturdays with our partner Ben's Bus with limited availability on Sundays.
Dates 14/12/2024 - 5/4/25 | Latest flight arrival | Earliest flight departure |
---|---|---|
All Saturdays (except for those below) | 15:20 | All flights (except 08:45) |
Sundays from 22/12/24 - 23/03/25 (except on days below) | 11:00 | All flights (only one early morning bus from the resorts) |
Sundays from 12/01/25 to 2/02/25 | 09:45 | All flights (only one early morning bus from the resorts) |
Typically the transfer time is 3h30, but this can vary due to weather and traffic. As this is a shared transfer service there are likely to be several stops en route and you may need to wait in the airport so that your journey can be combined with other passengers.
Please log in to your dashboard to enter your flight details as soon as your booking is confirmed in order that we can book you onto the best possible transfer times, please note that transfers will be subject to availability at the time that we receive your flight details.
Lyon
Transfers run on Saturdays only, with our partner Ben's Bus.
There are usually just 2 transfers each Saturday. On busy holiday dates (28 Dec, 4 Jan, 22 Feb and 1 & 8 Mar) the buses leave resort early in the morning, even for later flights (to avoid a 7+ hour transfer journey)
Dates 14/12/2024 -29/3/2025 | Latest flight arrival | Earliest flight departure |
---|---|---|
All Saturdays (except for those below) | 16:45 | 09:20 |
28 Dec, 4 Jan & 8 Mar | 16:45 |
09:20 (all buses leave resort early morning even for later flights) |
15, 22 Feb & 1 Mar | 10:55 (there is a later transfer for a 15:50 flight, but it only goes to Moutiers) | 09:20 (all buses leave resort early morning even for later flights) |
Saturday 14 Dec | 15:55 | 09:20 |
Typically the transfer time is 3h30, but this can vary due to weather and traffic. As this is a shared transfer service there are likely to be several stops en route and you may need to wait in the airport because there are usually just 2 transfers a day.
By Coach
Our partner company Snowexpress offers affordable and environmentally friendly travel to the alps. All hold bags and ski bags are included in the price. The coaches travel through the night from London Victoria to resort, arriving typically after lunchtime directly at the centre.
By Train
The nearest train station to Val Thorens is Moutiers (37km away), from there you would need to take a taxi or a public bus. Please check out Rome2Rio for information on the transport options from Gare Routiere Moutiers.
By Car
It is possible to drive to Val Thorens, but it is important to note that driving can become challenging if the conditions turn significantly wintery - snow tires and chains are highly advisable. There is some parking at the centre which is uncovered next to the centre, costing around 50eur for the week. It is not possible to book it in advance.
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