The highest ski resort in Europe offers fantastic experiences for both skiers and snowboarders. Beginners can get plenty of practice on easy slopes located in the centre of the resort where ski lifts are free for all users. Meanwhile, the more competent skiers can enjoy speed or more technically challenging runs at a higher altitude and snowboarders can try their luck in the snowpark where jumps of all sizes are available. To add to this, the views from "Cime Caron" are stunning: at a height of 3,200 metres, you literally feel on top of the world.
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For slopeside budget eats:
It's more about what you choose - not where to go. Head into the main town of your resort for sandwich bars/savory crepes to eat on the street (around €3-5 each but bagettes are generally big so you could share). You can also go to the supermarket to make your own. If you want to eat on the mountain, opt for soup which is cheap (around €5.50), and will fill you up as you get bread too. Choose table water and a caraffe of wine if you really want to drink. Share dishes, a pizza for €17 is a lot, but between two, you'll be full for €8.50 each. Same goes for local dishes, like tartiflette in France, or the plat du jour, which will always be cheaper than regular main courses, if halved they're much more reasonable. Also, take snacks to keep you going mid morning/afternoon and easily fit into a jacket pocket.
Having said all that, if it's snowing a blizzard and -18, it's worth €3 on a hot chocolate to get the feeling back in your fingers.
Any ski resort in France will have these options
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Val Thorens basics
- Population:
- 2,500
- Currency:
- Euro
- Time zone:
- GMT+1
- Dialling code:
- 33 (0) 4