Val Thorens — Attraction in Albertville

Beautiful ski resort. Best place in 3 valleys.

Purpose-built Val Thorens is not only the highest resort in the giant Trois Vallées ski area, which also includes Courchevel, Méribel and Les Menuires, but the highest in Europe. Its lofty altitude means that doorstep skiing and snowboarding with guaranteed snow cover is possible from November to May.

At 2,300m it has 200m on its nearest pretender, Tignes, part of the Espace Killy ski area, also in France. However, VT's rivals used to argue that, without a church, it wasn’t a proper village. So, in 1991 – to put an end to the argument – the village built one.

The resort's position at the head of the Belleville Valley, surrounded by a horseshoe of dramatic peaks, is truly spectacular. On a fine day this offers a world class winter panorama. But when the weather closes in on the village, way above the treeline, it can feel a little like an Antarctic expedition.

In 1971, when the first ugly apartment blocks rose from this white wasteland, French Olympic ski champion Christine Goitschel described it as ‘like living in the Wild West’. But Val Thorens has since developed into an almost attractive, sophisticated resort.

The concrete edifices of the early years have largely been reclad with more favourable materials and all modern construction is in a more sympathetic Savoyard style. Its increasingly wealthy and discerning clientele demands – and receives – a clutch of some of the smartest hotels and gastro restaurants in the French Alps. But the resort has also managed to maintain its appeal to 20-somethings without a platinum level of disposable income who revel in the range of skiing and snowboarding.

Val Thorens's terrain suits everyone from beginners to experts. The resort is not only linked into the vast network of trails across the across the well-known Méribel and Courchevel valleys in the Trois, but also into the neighbouring fourth valley, the Maurienne.

Val Thorens makes a great base from which to explore as much as you can of the ski area's 600km of linked pistes. However, bear in mind that a journey from Val Thorens to the far corners of the Trois Vallées, say to Courchevel, is a full day out, with more time spent on lifts and paths than on the pistes. It makes sense to concentrate on and enjoy the myriad slopes...

Situated right at the very top of the 3 Valleys Ski Area, Val Thorens is my favourite resort in Europe by far, It sports a great variety of pistes and truly has something for everyone, from those first starting out on a Snowboard to the more experienced riders looking for heart thumping excitement, on or off piste. It is one of the few resorts that I truly struggle to find any fault in. The people there are extremely friendly and despite my poor french I am always greeted warmly and made to feel welcome. There is a wonderful little complex with a great selection of shops built into the resort and it very much has the feel of being a part of the mountain. The prices in stores are much more reasonable than is usual in resort and they have a good selection of the top brands. Of particular note are the guys over at Ride N Style at the top of the complex. Whilst VT is a relatively small village there is an excellent selection of restaurants and bars available, Truly something to suit every taste. From authentic French Mountain food to American Tex-Mex. Of particular note are John's Restaurant, The Frog and Roast Beef and for those that like to party late into the evening, don't miss Klub Summit. One of the best things about Val Thorens is the length of its season. With the village at around 2300m you can be guaranteed of a ride there from Late November till early May (Sometimes later!) If you are seeking somewhere snow sure early or late in the season then you are unlikely to be disappointed. Both VT and Orelle offer a great variety of runs that I can never imagine becoming bored of, but as part of the huge 3 Valley's ski area you can enjoy the resorts of Meribel, Courchevel, La Tania, Les Menuires and St Martin De Bellville when you purchase the 3...

No getting away from it Val Thorens is a very good ski resort. But having recently skied in Val Gardena in Italy which is so much better. Wider slopes, ski lifts with heated seats, not nearly so crowded, much much cheaper, good snow and the roads remain open! We took seven hours longer than expected to get to Val Thorens due to road closures. This resort has far too many beginners and the slopes are not that kind to them. Some of the blues are distinctly maroon and by mid afternoon quite tricky for anyone not experienced. The three valleys sells itself as novice friendly but I found the crowds and the moguls hard to negotiate at times. Amongst the worst are the blue runs back to resort. I have skied once or twice yearly for over 25 years including several times in other three valley resorts. Piste maintenance is generally very good but essential blue runs that are still heavily mogulled at 9.30 is surprising. Queues for the lifts range from get straight on to queue for 20 minutes. It is school half term in France though now Having said that the apartments, mountain restaurants and the service of the staff are top notch. Tip: Order ski passes on line and collect from machines by several lifts works well once you have negotiated the confusing and uncooperative web site. Tip2: order ski rental on line and Skiset move you to the front of the massive queue of people who did not. It is generally cheaper as well. The connections with the other valleys are what makes it worthwhile. But we will not be returning which is a shame but elsewhere is more relaxed, has less crowds, is cheaper and has better lifts. One review will not change most people's views but val Thorens needs to...