Val Thorens: Ski Resort, Summer Trails and Mountain Scenery
Accommodation in Val Thorens
Val Thorens in Winter and Summer
Val Thorens lies at an altitude of 2,300 metres, below the eternal snowfields. Its mountain scenery includes high-altitude lakes, rugged ridges and flower-filled valleys. Activities also vary depending on when you travel: in winter, skiing and snow activities take centre stage; in summer, hiking, mountain biking and swimming. When planning your trip, it is therefore worth first considering which season and activities matter most for your stay.
From Val Thorens, you can access the Val Thorens-Orelle ski area as well as Les 3 Vallées. The interconnected Les 3 Vallées ski area has 600 kilometres of pistes, which you can ski from one resort to another. As well as skiing, winter activities in Val Thorens include tobogganing, snowshoeing, swimming, cinema, bowling, snowmobiling and dog sledding.
Winter Sports and Tobogganing
The VT Park snowpark is located in the Plateaux area. Its freestyle features include tables, rails and boxes in various sizes.
Val Thorens has several tobogganing options, including La Piste aux Étoiles: the track is 250 metres long and descends 45 metres. At the bottom, two free covered conveyor belts take you back to Place Caron. Another option is Snake Gliss. Individual sleds are joined together to form a train of up to ten sleds, steered by a professional guide. The descent takes 45 minutes and starts at the top of the Funitel de Péclet. Opening hours for individual winter activities may vary by season; check the latest times before you travel.
Summer Hiking and Mountain Biking
In summer, open mountain lifts take pedestrians and mountain bikers to the valley’s main peaks and high-altitude trails. Check which lifts are open before you travel. There are 50 hiking trails in total, with starting points in Val Thorens, Les Menuires or Saint-Martin-de-Belleville. Hiking trails can also start directly in Val Thorens. As the range of routes may change, it is worth checking the latest trail guide.
The Belleville Bike Park covers Val Thorens, Les Menuires and Saint-Martin-de-Belleville. It offers around 20 downhill and enduro trails for all skill levels, accessible by mountain lifts. One specific route is the green Combe de Thorens trail: it starts at the top of the 2 Lacs gondola and descends for 6.8 kilometres, with a vertical drop of 423 metres. The trail is suitable for beginners to enduro riding. When planning your ride, bear in mind that trail information and lift access are seasonal and should be checked.
Chapel and Unique Experiences
Culture and architecture are also part of the resort’s character. The Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-Neiges was built in 1992 to mark the resort’s 20th anniversary. Architect Chiantello designed the chapel with a forecourt and a canopy supported by stone columns.
ECLIPSO offers a different kind of experience in the Caron 3200 building at the summit of Cime Caron. It features immersive virtual reality experiences about the Colosseum and the Titanic.
Getting Around the Resort
You can walk from one end of Val Thorens to the other in about 20 minutes; you don’t need a car.
Discover more destinations: Les MĂ©nuires
Back to the main travel overview: Saint-Martin-De-Belleville.
