Forecast today: Mainly fair
VT has access to a varied 140km of local slopes, the Orelle Valley – often considered the ‘fourth valley’ of the Three Valleys area – and via six passes to Méribel and the rest of the 600km of linked pistes that extend to the far end of Courchevel.
The lively resort sits at the head of the Belleville Valley and completely above the treeline, alongside Les Menuires and St Martin de Belleville. These villages provide the perfect option for those looking to escape the bustle of Val Thorens itself, providing a quieter base from which to ski. On clear days, the location lends itself to a truly spectacular panorama, though it sometimes does present a challenge during whiteouts.
High altitude, wide pistes dominate the Val Thorens ski area. This makes it the ideal resort for cruising around on a sunny day, but it can be a challenge when the weather is bad and the cloud is low. The beginner slopes lie right in the heart of the village, whilst the rest of the local slopes are a network of blues and reds – most of which are a blast first thing in the morning when freshly groomed.
Seen from the slopes, the resort is undoubtedly more attractive than some other French resorts, and it has a really lively ski resort buzz. Buildings are mainly medium-rise and wood-clad, whilst the snow-covered, mostly traffic-free streets add to the atmosphere.
The resort is very convenient for families as the nursery slopes are located right in the heart of the village. There is an excellent sports centre for those bad weather days and the toboggan run is one of the most entertaining in the Alps.
VT has a serious reputation for après and in Bar 360 and the Folie Douce, the resort has two of the Alps’ best on slope bars. The ski down from 360 is much easier – down a green – so bear this in mind if you have a beginner or an unconfident intermediate in your group. Down in town head to the Frog and Roastbeef or Saloon for the liveliest après.
Connections to the rest of the Three Vallees network open on 6 December 2024, and close on 21 April 2025.
// | 1 Day | 3 Days | 6 Days |
---|---|---|---|
Val Thorens & Orelle Only | |||
Adult (Aged 13-64) | €65 | €195 | €320 |
Child (Aged 5-12) | €52 | €156 | €256 |
Senior (65-74) | €58.50 | €175.50 | €288 |
Senior (75+) | €16.20 | €48.70 | €80 |
Three Vallees | |||
Adult (Aged 18-74) | €79 | €237 | €395 |
Child (Aged 5-17) | €64.70 | €194.30 | €323.90 |
Senior (75+) | €19.70 | €59.20 | €98.70 |
The Ski Club uses third party independent assessments and accreditation of ski resorts to determine a resort “environmentally sustainable” – more information can be found here.
As part of the French Flocon Vert (tr. Green Snowflake) scheme, Val Thorens – as part of the wider Belleville commune including St Martin and Les Menuires – has been awarded one snowflake out of a possible three, representing investment in resources to reduce its environmental impact. Flocon Vert is an independent scheme operated by Mountain Riders, which accredits resorts in France who have met twenty criteria based on environmental, social and economic sustainability.
Fri 3 Jan | Sat 4 Jan | Sun 5 Jan | Mon 6 Jan | Tue 7 Jan | Wed 8 Jan | Thu 9 Jan | Fri 10 Jan | Sat 11 Jan | Sun 12 Jan | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | Snow grains |
Generally clear |
Generally clear | Partly cloudy |
Light snow |
Snow | Partly cloudy |
Generally clear |
Generally clear | Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
Snow | Snow shower |
Occasional snow |
Snow grains | Occasional snow |
Snow shower |
Snow shower | Light snow |
Occasional snow |
Occasional snow | Snow shower |
Snow shower |
Snow | Snow |
Snow |
Occasional snow | Partly cloudy |
Snow grains |
Generally clear |
Wind | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Snow expected | 0.9 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.1 cm | 4.6 cm | 9.3 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.6 cm | 0.1 cm | 8.7 cm | 6.5 cm | 2.9 cm | 0.6 cm | 3.3 cm | 13.7 cm | 5.9 cm | 5.8 cm | 3.7 cm | 1.5 cm | 6.9 cm | 7.2 cm | 12.7 cm | 15.4 cm | 13.5 cm | 3.6 cm | 0.2 cm | 0.5 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | -9.2°c | -10.7°c | -12.3°c | -6°c | -4.4°c | -2.4°c | -1°c | -1.1°c | -3.6°c | -4.5°c | -4.6°c | -4.8°c | -7.6°c | -10.1°c | -11.4°c | -5.7°c | -4.2°c | -3.3°c | -3.7°c | -5.1°c | -5.8°c | -6.3°c | -6.2°c | -5.2°c | -5.4°c | -6.8°c | -8.3°c | -8.7°c | -8.7°c | -11.6°c |
Min temp | -10.8°c | -13.8°c | -13.8°c | -11.8°c | -6°c | -4.4°c | -1.2°c | -3.6°c | -4.7°c | -4.7°c | -5.1°c | -5.5°c | -10.1°c | -11.4°c | -12.1°c | -8°c | -5.7°c | -4.2°c | -5.1°c | -6°c | -6.1°c | -7.5°c | -6.7°c | -6.6°c | -6.8°c | -8.3°c | -9.7°c | -10.4°c | -11.6°c | -12°c |
Feels like temp | -15.7°c | -16.2°c | -13.8°c | -11.8°c | -10.6°c | -8.8°c | -4.4°c | -5.2°c | -8.5°c | -10.7°c | -10.6°c | -10°c | -12.1°c | -16.8°c | -17.5°c | -11.9°c | -10°c | -7.9°c | -7.6°c | -9.5°c | -10.1°c | -12.5°c | -11.1°c | -11.2°c | -10.1°c | -12.5°c | -14°c | -16.2°c | -13.8°c | -17.2°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | Snow grains |
Generally clear |
Generally clear |
Wind | |||
Snow expected | 0.9 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | -9.2°c | -10.7°c | -12.3°c |
Min temp | -10.8°c | -13.8°c | -13.8°c |
Feels like temp | -15.7°c | -16.2°c | -13.8°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | Partly cloudy |
Light snow |
Snow |
Wind | |||
Snow expected | 0.1 cm | 4.6 cm | 9.3 cm |
Max temp | -6°c | -4.4°c | -2.4°c |
Min temp | -11.8°c | -6°c | -4.4°c |
Feels like temp | -11.8°c | -10.6°c | -8.8°c |
Fri 3 Jan | Sat 4 Jan | Sun 5 Jan | Mon 6 Jan | Tue 7 Jan | Wed 8 Jan | Thu 9 Jan | Fri 10 Jan | Sat 11 Jan | Sun 12 Jan | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | Mainly fair |
Clear skies |
Clear skies | Generally clear |
Occasional snow |
Light snow | Partly cloudy |
Generally clear |
Generally clear | Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
Light snow | Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
Mainly fair | Occasional snow |
Snow shower |
Snow shower | Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
Occasional snow | Snow shower |
Snow shower |
Snow | Snow |
Snow |
Occasional snow | Partly cloudy |
Occasional snow |
Generally clear |
Wind | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Snow expected | 0.3 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 2.4 cm | 4.2 cm | 0.1 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.6 cm | 1 cm | 3.4 cm | 2.5 cm | 1.6 cm | 0.5 cm | 1.9 cm | 6.9 cm | 5.9 cm | 2.9 cm | 1.4 cm | 1 cm | 4.5 cm | 4.3 cm | 8.8 cm | 12.8 cm | 7.1 cm | 2.2 cm | 0.2 cm | 0.7 cm | 0.9 cm |
Max temp | -6.3°c | -7.4°c | -9.5°c | -4.2°c | -2.9°c | -0.9°c | 2.2°c | 1.9°c | -0.8°c | -2.4°c | -2.7°c | -2.6°c | -3.8°c | -5.6°c | -8.1°c | -3.4°c | -2.5°c | -2.3°c | -1.3°c | -1.9°c | -2.8°c | -2.9°c | -3.1°c | -2.9°c | -2.2°c | -3.2°c | -4.6°c | -4.7°c | -4.9°c | -7.7°c |
Min temp | -8.2°c | -10.1°c | -10.1°c | -8.8°c | -4.2°c | -2.9°c | 1.1°c | -0.8°c | -2.8°c | -3.4°c | -3°c | -3.1°c | -5.6°c | -8.1°c | -9.2°c | -5.9°c | -3.4°c | -2.8°c | -2.6°c | -2.8°c | -3.9°c | -5°c | -4.1°c | -4.1°c | -3.3°c | -4.6°c | -6.4°c | -6.8°c | -7.8°c | -8.3°c |
Feels like temp | -12.2°c | -12.6°c | -14.4°c | -8.6°c | -4.2°c | -2.9°c | 1.5°c | 1.7°c | -4.5°c | -7.8°c | -8.1°c | -7.6°c | -3.8°c | -9.9°c | -12.7°c | -5.8°c | -3.4°c | -2.6°c | -2°c | -4.9°c | -6.1°c | -8.3°c | -6.6°c | -4.1°c | -2.2°c | -7.2°c | -8.7°c | -10.2°c | -8.9°c | -11.7°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | |||
Wind | |||
Snow expected | 0.3 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | -6.3°c | -7.4°c | -9.5°c |
Min temp | -8.2°c | -10.1°c | -10.1°c |
Feels like temp | -12.2°c | -12.6°c | -14.4°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | |||
Wind | |||
Snow expected | 0 cm | 2.4 cm | 4.2 cm |
Max temp | -4.2°c | -2.9°c | -0.9°c |
Min temp | -8.8°c | -4.2°c | -2.9°c |
Feels like temp | -8.6°c | -4.2°c | -2.9°c |
Snowfall | Last Snowfall | 23/12/2024 |
---|---|---|
Next 3 days | 33.1 cm | |
Depths | Upper piste depth | 190 cm |
Lower piste depth | 140 cm | |
Snow conditions | Snow quality | New snow |
Lifts | Lifts open | 153 out of 156 |
Resort opening date | Sat 23 Nov 2024 | |
Resort closing date | Sun 04 May 2025 |
Updated 31/12
The New Year begins fine, dry and bright with high pressure dominating over the French Alps, although unsettled weather that pummels the UK on New Year’s Day will eventually filter across to the continent, bringing plenty of snow with it as it comes. Around 20cm of snowfall will fall across Thursday and into Friday, primarily across high ground as the freezing line remains high – just above the 1,000m mark during the day, dropping just below overnight.
Friday turns bitterly bitterly cold, with the Jetstream changing its angle of attack and sweeping down from the Arctic and Scandinavia. This will plunge temperatures at 2,000m, with daytime highs expected of around -12°C – minus twelve degrees Celcius.
Saturday will see the freezing line begin to rise, but another low pressure system sweeps in bringing snow across the weekend. This see some serious snowfall totals, with at least 80cm expected across Saturday evening, Sunday and into Monday, with snowfall continuing as the new week begins. Temperatures will rise, however, with the freezing line hitting 2,000m and staying there, meaning snowfall will be limited to higher ground.
High pressure and fine, dry and bright conditions are likely to see out the rest of next week, although we will know for certain closer to the time.
Log your upcoming trip to Val Thorens now via the “My Trips” function on the Ski Club App to let your Rep know when you’ll be in resort. View contact details, meeting times & points, and social hour details now.
Meet your Rep using the details below, or reach out to them using the contact number or via the Ski Club App.
Your Ski Club Reps are in resort for one reason only; to help you discover better skiing. They are your personal resort gurus, with years of experience skiing here and around the world, who will bring you and your fellow Members together to conquer the mountain! Stay up to date with everything in resort, find the best spots for an après beer, and ski to your heart’s content.
Our Reps will be in resort between 4 January and 28 March 2025, skiing six days a week – Reps’ day off/changeover day is Saturday in this resort. Log your upcoming trip to Val Thorens now via the “My Trips” function on the Ski Club App to let your Rep know when you’ll be in resort. View contact details, meeting times & points, and social hour details now.
Skiing is so addictive, isn’t it?
The thrill of the descent, the stunning mountain views, the cold fresh air, the crunch of snow underfoot and the vibrant Apres ski. Oh, and memories which last a lifetime! Despite skiing for over 30 yrs in resorts all over the world, and a career in ski media nearly all my working life, my passion for the sport remains unabated.
On planning retirement, the key question was how am I going to continue to feed this love of the mountains and give something back to the sport? Having worked for the Ski Club for many years and skied with its Reps on several occasions, I understood the value of the product and admired it greatly. So there was the solution: join the fold, which I did in 2018! I look forward to meeting you soon and sharing our passion.
I started skiing aged 11 with my parents and so began a lifelong addiction. Back in the 80’s I ran the ski club at Newcastle Poly followed by 2 seasons in Meribel before returning to the world. Since then I’ve squeezed in 2-3 weeks recreational skiing a year. Now the pressure of work is easing I hope to spend longer in the mountains and am looking forward to skiing with fellow club members. Off the slopes I’m a keen downhill mountain biker and also enjoy walking, sailing and getting away in our camper van.
I discovered skiing unexpectedly at the age of 40, and it quickly became my passion, some might even call it an obsession. Since then, I’ve been making up for lost time by exploring many of Europe’s larger ski resorts, as well as some hidden gems, and have made several trips to the incredible Whistler. Over the last few winters, I’ve had the privilege of spending multiple weeks on the slopes, deepening my experience, honing my skills, and expanding my knowledge of the sport.
In December 2022, I completed the Ski Club of Great Britain Rep’s Course in Tignes, and since then, I’ve eagerly embraced the role of Ski Club Rep both in resorts and on Freshtracks Holidays. I can’t wait for the upcoming season, where I look forward to skiing with fellow Ski Club members and sharing my enthusiasm for this incredible sport!
Ski mad, chess playing Bristol Rugby fanatic and father of two. Short and sweet... Much like myself.
I fell in love with skiing after a school ski trip almost 40 years ago and have been skiing ever since. It’s an exhilarating sport with fantastic scenery to go with it. What’s not to like? I was lucky enough to work in Seattle for a few years and skied at every possible opportunity. Whistler became like a second home. I’m UK based again now, but being a Ski Club rep has given me the opportunity to visit resorts around the world and meet great people. On the mountain I’m always on the lookout for some fresh powder, but I’m equally as happy to carve my way down a freshly groomed piste. At the end of the day, discussing the day’s adventures over an après drink is the icing on the cake.
I’ve been skiing, climbing and mountaineering for over 30 years and my enthusiasm for the mountains and wild places continues to grow. It is a great joy to share those special times in the mountains with others so I'm looking forward to an active time as a ski rep with the club this year. I am most looking forward to getting off the pistes in fresh snow in some new resorts.
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