Val Thorens
Europe's highest resort. Snowsure until your tan lines fade.
Our Take
Val Thorens sits at 2,300 meters -- the highest resort in Europe -- and it shows. Season runs from November to May because when your village is basically in the clouds, snow isn't really a concern. It's the crown jewel of Les 3 Vallées, the world's largest connected ski area at 600 km of pistes. From Val Thorens you can ski all the way to Courchevel and back in a day if your legs can handle it. The terrain above the village climbs to 3,230 meters on the Cime de Caron, where the views are absurd -- you can see Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, and basically all of the French Alps. The skiing is wide-open, above-treeline cruising on top with steeper shots and couloirs on the Cime and Peclet glaciers. The village is purpose-built (read: not the prettiest), but it's gotten way better in recent years with new hotels and restaurants. And honestly, who cares what the buildings look like when the skiing is this good and this reliable?
Nerd Stats
Village Altitude
2,300m
Summit
3,230m
Connected Pistes
600 km
Season
Nov–May
Fun Facts
- Highest resort in Europe at 2,300m. Snow from November to May is basically guaranteed.
- Part of Les 3 Vallées -- 600 km of connected pistes. Largest ski area on the planet.
- The Cime de Caron (3,230m) has a 360° panorama that includes Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.
- Hosts the Andros Trophy ice racing every December -- rally cars on ice at altitude.
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