What's new in Val Thorens resort and ski area - Winter 2022/2023
This winter, Val Thorens celebrates its 50th anniversary!
It is an opportunity to celebrate together these 50 years and all those to come... because the pioneering spirit of Val Thorens still has many years ahead of it and has not finished to surprise you!
As a proof, a flood of novelties awaits you this winter, to be discovered from 26 November 2022 to 8 May 2023.
The two novelties not to be missed
A new fun zone in space
The fun zones in Val Thorens are the ideal place to ski together as a family. This season they have been redesigned to allow children and beginners to progress their skills in a fun way. Because of its height and closeness to the stars Val Thorens has always been linked with a moon theme, but now beginner skiers can go into space, discovering the cosmos and moon.
This winter you can find Valthy, the Val Thorens mascot, and his friends (Abby the bee, Chamy the chamois and Foxy the fox) on two new slopes and fun zones: the new space slope and the “Expérience spatiale”.
And that’s not all. Your space adventure will continue throughout the resort, with family games on the slopes and in the village.
Put on your space suit and get ready to play all winter.
"La piste de l’espace" VT FUNRIDE
This long fun slope will enchant young and old with its space theme and the presence of Valthy. The goal is to complete Valthy’s mission — to cross space as fast as possible while conquering challenges along the way.
These include slaloming under arches and between the mascots, passing through a snowy tunnel, making music and tackling some moguls.
Once they’ve completed their challenge, children will want only one thing: another go in space.
"L’expérience spatiale" VT FAMILY PARK
This beginner snow park is designed for families and beginners with a host of fun experiences. The goal once again involves Valthy and his friends on a space adventure.
Skiers will enter the slope and start with Abby on a series of rolling jumps, which will make them fly like a bee. Once in the air — and in space — it’s time to slalom between meteorites, stars and planets with Chamy. Lastly, it’s time to land back on earth where Foxy will be there to help with some jumps, ski/space travellers can learn how to land properly.
A new picnic zone
Once all these space adventures are over, astronauts can reward themselves with a well-deserved break in the new chilled picnic zone with lounge chairs, bean bags and tables to eat or sit down for a minute. And of course, there’s a wonderful view of the surrounding mountains.
The opening of the new sports centre, "Le Board", at the beginning of December: 17,000 m² of innovation
The new sports and cultural centre that opens this winter is called Le Board and is so named after the snowboard-shaped roof. That rooftop offers more than 3,205m2 outside space with an unrivalled view of the ski area and that can host up to 3,000 people for all types of events.
13,795m² dedicated to sports, games, waterplay, public events and also business meetings.
Inside you will find:
- More than 1,000m² of aquatic space with three pools, water games and a splash pad. There is also a wellness zone with tea room, sauna, hammam, hot tub, ice wall, cold water plunge pool, sensory showers, baths, a rest room and treatment rooms.
- A 1,385m² multipurpose “arena” that can host sports events, musical shows, cultural events or professional activities. It is also convertible into courts for volleyball, table tennis, and badminton etc.
- A fitness area with a room for classes and stretching. It includes treadmills, rowing machines, bikes, elliptical bikes and much more. Put in your headphones and warm up your muscles for a challenge which — as a bonus — comes with a great view.
- A fun park with trampolines and an adventure course with slides. This is the ideal spot for stormy days, or to stay in shape, jump around and have fun with your children.
- A space is dedicated to seminars and business events, with an auditorium seating 446 people and 12 break-out rooms. There’s also a lounge space and a terrace with sweeping views of the mountains.
- The new bus station will be integrated in the building and have a waiting room, baggage area and welcome point. It will allow a more fluid arrival of holidaymakers, helping them find their way to their accommodation easily. The bag drop will also be useful for people arriving early or leaving late.
What's new in terms of activities
Snowtubing arrives in Val Thorens
Pick up an inflatable ring for an exhilarating descent! The new snowtubing piste next to the Campagnol magic carpet opens this winter. The idea is simple: glide down the bumpy slope for a guaranteed adrenaline-filled run.
Open to anyone over the age of nine years old and the ticket point is located at the departure of Cosmojet, next to the Campagnol magic carpet.
Initiation "draisienne"
Every Tuesday and Thursday during the French school holidays children can join the ESF, French ski school, on Place Caron for a new activity that’s been designed especially for them: little bikes, but on skis!
These clever devices on skis are the perfect way to first experience gliding on snow. The activity is open from children from 18 months to 5 years old.
What's new in terms of events
Val Thorens will host the World Cup Ski Mountaineering on 25 and 27 November
Last season, Val Thorens hosted two stages of the French Cup Ski Mountaineering, for the first time.
That was just an appetizer because this season the best French climbers will meet again in Europe’s highest ski resort, this time for a stage of the World Cup Ski Mountaineering.
What is ski mountaineering? It’s based on ski touring and resembles cross-country skiing where alpine techniques are necessary: crampons, skins and carrying your skis...
It’s a relatively young discipline and still evolving. It has just been designated as an Olympic discipline and will feature at the Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics in 2026.
The LOKO Comedy Club: a comedy show not to be missed
LOKO Comedy Club opened in 2019 in Lille and welcomes comedians from all over the world (Canada, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Lebanon, Belgium...) for stand-up with vibes you’d find in New York City.
This year the comedy club brings up five comedians to Val Thorens (February 5th)!
The new shops
Sun Valley, a new streetwear address in Val Thorens
Located in rue Caron, the new shop, Sun Valley, has a stylish and comfortable streetwear collection, that will help you stay in style all winter, despite the snow.
The company was founded in 1983 in Marseille by Edouard and Gilles Terzibachian who are two fans of skiing moguls. The brand goes back to the basics: a passion for the mountains, a desire for freedom and harmony with the environment. They started out making ski outfits at the back of their garage, but nowadays the creations are a little more advanced and range from everyday wear to technical gear.
Gilles Ayral, the first barber in Val Thorens
Matthieu Garcia has set up camp next to the Tourist Office this winter to tend to your moustache, beard and hair.
Hailing from the Aveyron department, the team will take care of your style. The barber shop opens at the beginning of December.
What's new in terms of restaurants and accommodation
La Maison
The famous brasserie from the Aveyron department has been refitted in time for its tenth anniversary.
The kitchens have been redesigned to streamline the service and allow the creation of a new menu. The result is an authentic French brasserie style with new designs that will be reflected in the plates thanks to the talents of award-winning chef Cyril Attrazic.
La Face Ouest
... Gets a facelift! The restaurant is named after the legendary face, Face Ouest, on the Aiguilles de Péclet — the freeride spot for locals. You can see it from the terrace.
Their new big Italian oven — visible to clients — sets the tone for the menu. You can pair your meal with wines sourced from all over the world, thanks to their exceptional wine cellar and advice from the sommelier.
A warm atmosphere is guaranteed with wood, stone and velvet elements. The interior decoration comes from all over the region so while you wait for your meal, you can take a look at their cabinet of curiosities.
Hotel 3 Vallées****
This mountain boutique hotel has been renovating its rooms one-by-one over the past three years with the goal of offering optimal comfort to its guests, without losing its cocooning atmosphere and mountain vibe. They’ve achieved this by using old wood and thick carpets.
Some of the rooms have been made bigger by integrating the balcony as a veranda. Evidence of such is found in the new duplex suites which are now 45m2 with a views overlooking the mountains. They are the ideal setting for a relaxing stay in a cosy setting. Continue the chilled vibes in the bath tub, hammam shower or sauna (depending on the type of room).
And the cherry on top is the restaurant, which has a new menu and the entire outside of the building has been renovated.
Le Fitz Roy*****
The Fitz Roy has added 14 new rooms and suites this winter.
After last year’s renovations, it brings the total to 72 rooms, ranging from 25m2 to 75m2. The new suites feature a private hot tub for even more comfort.
The hotel is ideally located on Place Caron in the centre of the ski resort and uses its special setting as the inspiration for its mountain interior design — including materials such as velvet, wool and leather — which help transform the place into a warm après-ski hangout.
beaumier.com/en/properties/le-fitz-roy-hotel
Le Fahrenheit 7****
The Fahrenheit 7 hotel is updating the property this winter thanks to the renovation and redecoration of 45 rooms — about half of their current offering. They have also started a new collaboration with Rituals, the wellness cosmetic brand, with their products used in the spa as well as in guest rooms.
Despite the new look, the hotel still embraces its sporty and festive DNA. All winter long the hotel has a great programme of après-ski and live music which guarantee the hotel is the place to be.
L’Altapura*****
The Altapura turned ten and starts a new chapter this season. The hotel first opened in December 2011 and has now been renovated by the new owners, EODEN, in collaboration with Beyond Places.
The five-star hotel already drew a lot of inspiration out of the high mountains of Val Thorens, but now goes even further back to the root of the ski resorts, with the 70s style of Charlotte Perriand.
Pieces of larch wood have been incorporated into the majestic staircase to integrate Savoyard nature in the hotel’s interior design. Arriving in the large living area, you’ll find the walls of restaurants 2.Mille.3, the Italian Casa Alta and the fondue restaurant La Laiterie have been redesigned around a central art deco bar, with velvet curtains and paint in shades of smoked green. You’ll also find a large corner sofa and a suspended fireplace which mixes “Art & Craft” and a modernist style. As you roam the hotel, keep an eye out for Danish ceramics, graphic textiles in brown and ochre shades, as well as iconic 20th century pieces, irregular and unique frames, all contrasted by the straight lines and design lighting, in true Le Corbusier style.
The Breton architect Christophe Bachmann worked together with Trésor Publik (TPK) on the interior design. Together they also renovated the suites, adding new furniture, as well as making some light touches in the other hotel rooms.
So, are you ready to enjoy the 2022-2023 winter season as it should be?
