Please keep reading, it should be useful!
I have just returned from a one week holiday in Val Thorens, and I thought I should write this review while it is fresh in my memory…
Val Thorens prides itself upon being the highest skiing resort in Europe, at an altitude of 2300m. This means ... Read review
Chalet located in Les Balcons district, at about 100 m from the ski slopes. You can arrive ... more
on skis to the chalet. At your disposal, on the spot : Pub, ski shop, covered garage, ski locker... All the apartments are equipped of austrian stove with a basket wood furnished and satellite TV.
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Advantages: Great snow. Huge pistes. Great apres ski Disadvantages: You have to leave... (read on for a few more
...a one week holiday in Val Thorens, and I thought I should write this review while it is fresh in my memory…
Val Thorens prides itself upon being the highest skiing resort in Europe, at an altitude of 2300m. This means almost guaranteed snow; The only real drawback of this tremendous height is that sometimes you really are in the clouds, which can make visibility incredibly difficult, and it can be bittery cold.
If you ... ...certain advantages and disadvantages to Val Thorens. Let’s look on the bright side of life and look at the advantages first…
•Most of the runs are motorways, promising easy skiing. And there is no real lack of blue or green runs.
•Also, the ski schools are of top quality. Whether you want to ski or snowboard the instructors will help you all the way.
•Very rarely are there bare patches of ice, or lumps of slush to tip ... more
Please keep reading, it should be useful!
I have just returned from a one week holiday in Val Thorens, and I thought I should write this review while it is fresh in my memory…
Val Thorens prides itself upon being the highest skiing resort in Europe, at an altitude of 2300m. This means almost guaranteed snow; The only real drawback of this tremendous height is that sometimes you really are in the clouds, which can make visibility incredibly difficult, and it can be bittery cold.
If you do find yourself in Val Thorens on a sunny and clear day you must go up to the “Cime de Caron”, where you get the most incredible 360° views of the Alps: Mont Blanc, the three valleys, everything… it really will take your breath away. (quite a tricky ski down though!)
If you really are hooked on skiing/snowboarding though, this really is the place to go… the piste area is huge, and if by some miracle you cover the whole area, you can buy a “three valleys lift pass” and ski/snowboard down to the other resorts. There are also some real off piste opportunities if you are brave enough to tackle them. This holiday really did produce for me some of the best skiing of my life.
If you are a learner, there are certain advantages and disadvantages to Val Thorens. Let’s look on the bright side of life and look at the advantages first…
•Most of the runs are motorways, promising easy skiing. And there is no real lack of blue or green runs. •Also, the ski schools are of top quality. Whether you want to ski or snowboard the instructors will help you all the way. •Very rarely are there bare patches of ice, or lumps of slush to tip you over, you will find some of the best skiing in the world at Val Thorens.
There are, however some disadvantages…
• Before you book, find out where your hotel is in relation to the slopes. This is because to get to the beginners slope you initially have to ski down another which the inexperienced may find challenging. •The other disadvantage is that there are so many good skiers/snowboarders in Val Thorens, you might feel a bit out of place snowploughing down the mountainside.
But what about eating out etc..
There are not many places to eat when up the mountain, in fact I think there are only three, and these are quite expensive.
Down in the resort though you will have no problem eating. The main food is pizza, salad steak hache, etc and the prices are really what is expected of a skiing resort: about 9euros for a pizza, 3 for a drink. If stuck up the mountain I recommend the chocolat chantilly, hot chocolate with cream on top…not great for your weight but nonetheless delicious.
Accomodation
The resort is really made up of hotels, mainly big ugly ones! It is purpose built, so I suppose this is expected. I stayeed in the Three Valleys Hotel which was pretty good… good value, spectacular food, friendly staff and only a short walk from the piste. The only real downside were the rooms which were not beautiful, and the beds were quite hard!
If it is positioning you are looking for then go to the Val Thorens hotel which, though expensive is on the slopes. I had a mate there so I can tell you a bit about it… the rooms are perfect, most looking onto the mountains (big TV etc, everything you expect). Also the whirlpool and sauna are just whats needed after a hard day! The only problem with this hotel is the food which is not great.
Apres Ski
This is not to bad, there are many pubs & clubs most of which are all next to each other. • The Frog and Roast Beef has live music and a really friendly atmosphere, it is run by English people, and boasts to be the highest pub in Europe! • Malaysia is also great for live music, and has a real atmosphere. Don’t be put off by the entrance (youll see what I mean) it turned out to be my favourite place to go. • Le Monde was packed with people, many of whom were middle aged men, but if you don’t mind that its another good place to be.
Val Thorens does not have the prestige of places like Courchevel, but it has the skiing unlike anywhere else on earth!
Advantages: Some really good green runs for the novice boarder. Disadvantages: Expensive
...of have never ventured to Val Thorens then this is the review for you. I went for a week over new years this year. Best new years i have ever had.
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Val Thorens is boasted as being the highest ski resort in Europe at 2300 m altitude and is also the summit of the 3 Vallées, the largest ski area in the world.
I stayed at Le Portillo, located towards the top end of the ... ...adult half day pass for Val Thorens slopes costs 27 Euros with a full day costing 34 Euros. Make sure that you ask for insurance with these at an additional 2.50 Euro a day. This covers you if you need to be taken off the mountain by blood wagon. Dependant on driver some of them won't touch you unless you have this or give them money before taken off the slopes. Can be a pricey ride. They have a new system now which means you don't have to show your ...
rachelreece32 31.01.2006 (01.02.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Val Thorens
Advantages: Likely snow, Lots of slopes, Quality Resort. Disadvantages: First day madness!
I have visited Val Thorens once with a few friends and we had a great time! It is a nice big resort in the French Alps so it is not the closest resort to the UK but it is worth the journey.
You are told that it is a nice high resort (good for snow) and you really begin to believe it on the drive up the mountain. Once you eventually get there you might have to queue for the key to your hotel room because all the package groups arrive on the same ... ...will proabably be going to Val Thorens as part of a package holiday. This is good because you get a lot of things sorted before arrival (such as accommadation, equipment hire and lessons). I would not reccommend going independantly unless you have experience doing so. Although i have not been to any other resorts I can say that Val Thorens is excellent. I will be going again and I strongly reccommend it. Have fun!
A FEW TIPS!
If the hired equipment ...
tendril- 06.06.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Val Thorens
Advantages: Lots of off piste. Quality, guaranteed snow Disadvantages: Not the best place to learn.
So far I've visited Val Thorens (VT) twice. Both times I have driven over with mates and both times we've stayed with a friend in VT. This means that we have been able to drastically reduce our outlay, please ourselves when we go and (most importantly) to bring back vast quantities of booze bought cheaply just before getting on the ferry! VT is the highest resort in Europe at 2300m+ (I think the height is right) It was purpose built about 25 years ... ...how we had access to our own snowmobile and were too busy tearing around having fun, we didn't bother with the guided tours....
Val Thorens: Guaranteed snow, guaranteed fun!
PS If you like this op, please have a look at my others on Chamonix and Steamboat Springs. Tx. ...
noyzboyz 13.03.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Val Thorens
Advantages: Great snow, glacier provides year round skking Disadvantages: Can get very cold!
...every resort, until last stop Val Thorens. At 2300 feet it is a very high altitude resort. This is excellent for guaranteeing snow, and fresh snow at that, but it can feel significantly colder than other resorts that are not as high.
There is the glacier which does year round skiing, literally and is worth a trip for the amazing views.
There are runs for everyone, although probably more so for the intermediate skiier than the total beginner.
There ... ...(about £60 more than a Val Thorens only pass for the week) will see you able to ski one of the biggest ski areas in the world. The apres ski is also good, with a cinema, restaurans and bars, computer games and organised quizzes.
The hotel we stayed in was also very good, the Val Chavier, our room was pleasant with a balcony. The only one downside to the whole trip (but a significant one) was the hotel food in the evening(we were half board which ...
thomas007 03.08.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Val Thorens
Advantages: Large piste area. Disadvantages: Limited beginner areas
...I've no been to Val thornes 2 times, the last one being two years ago, This followed on from the pervious year.
2000 was the first time i've been to Val thornes, this was on a student break with my university ski club. So the holiday was started with a typical, 25 hour coach trip. ( I suggest flying out)
Being a big fan of skiing i'd checked the snow everday for a good 2 months before i went. I the was a ton of it.
This really made the holiday, ... ...One thing that makes Val thorens one of the best resorts in Europe is the huge amount of different pistes avaiable. Thou if your a begineer i would recommend staying in one of the other resorts, probably the middle of the 3, as they have more begineer slopes.
With the ample snow avaiable i was able to ski a different run each day, and my hotel was located so that i could ski to and from the front or back door. I suggest looking at this when booking ...
tomgrahamehewitt 06.12.2003 (14.12.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Val Thorens
Value for Money
Sightseeing
Shopping
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Advantages: Cheap, Location, All you really need Disadvantages: Random Choices of kitchen equipment...
We visited the Olympiades apartments as part of a univeristy ski trip to ValThorens in December 2006. Paying a mere £269 as a base price for the holiday, I have to say I was a little sceptical about the accommodation that we were set to be recieving. On reflection, however, it was more than we could have hoped for.
Location: The hotel is towards the southern end of the ValThorens resort, but less than 75 metres to the top of the "Retour" run leading to all the lifts. We had a room at the front of the Hotel, which had lovely views looking over the resort and the mountains, though those at the back's panorama over a road and less spectacular hill might not have been quite as appealing. For those interested in the Apres Ski, les Olympiades is 20 seconds walk from Malaysia nightclub. Those more appealed by practicality, there are two ...
: cheese fondue is a perennial favourite, as is pierrade (cooking pieces of meat, vegetables and chicken yourself at your table on a hot stone), raclette (hunks of cheese which you melt on a special table-mounted grill and eat with boiled potatoes and charcuterie), and tartiflette (a delicious mixture of potatoes, lardons and cheese).
Skiing facilities are superb. The modern lift system whisks you to all areas of the Meribel valley, as well as providing easy links over the top of the mountains into Courchevel on one side and ValThorens/St. Martin de Belleville on the other.
Even late risers like me can get to the Bel Air restaurant above Courchevel 1650 in plenty of time for lunch. Surely one of life?s great pleasures must be sitting on the restaurant terrace, in the warm winter sunshine, downing a steak-frites accompanies by a bottle ...
SuzanneW 11.06.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Méribel
Advantages: Cheaper skiing than ever before Disadvantages: If you can find any snow
also have never looked better. There are some who feel that the world will end if they don't spend at least a week a year brushing up their skills and techniques and many have abandoned their annual break in the mountains and opted for a few weekends indoors instead. I presume in the hope that better snow will fall next season. For many, however next season is just too far away and I, for one, need my fix of mountain air.
My tip: A great week can still be had in France. Any resort above 2000 meters is still skiable. The pistes are hard but well covered and holidays are cheaper than ever before. Another bonus of the unusually warm weather, is that it is also keeping European nationals away and even though the range of skiing is less there are many fewer skiers and the queues are not too bad.
Last week I was in ValThorens in the French ...
cabletow 02.02.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: France
