Val Thorens, a success story
In the Savoie department of France, tucked into the heart of the Tarentaise Valley, sits the resort of Val Thorens. It is a key piece of the massive Les Trois Vallées ski area.
History
Originally, the Conseil général de la Savoie (Savoie General Council) planned a resort in the Belleville Valley, but local residents overwhelmingly rejected the idea and the project was shelved. That changed once the neighboring resort of Courchevel launched and proved successful. The project was then revived by the mayor at the time, Nicolas Jay.
In October 1969, the Prime Minister approved construction of the resort and the development of the ski area. However, environmental groups and valley residents mobilized against the plans. This pushback led to a more modest project that avoided encroaching on the Vanoise National Park as originally intended.
The resort officially opened at Christmas 1971, and the first local ski school was established there in 1972.
The Val Thorens ski resort
The village of Val Thorens sits at an altitude of 2,300 meters, while its ski slopes reach up to 3,230 meters. Named "World's Best Ski Resort" and "France's Best Ski Resort" in 2013, along with "Europe's Best Ski Resort" on three occasions, it remains one of the most popular destinations for winter travelers.
The resort offers much more than just snow sports. You will find a massive sports and leisure center, plus bars, a bowling alley, nightclubs, rafting, paragliding, rock climbing, and plenty of other activities.
With 300,000 visitors per year, it ranks among the most significant resorts in the world. The Les Trois Vallées ski area, which offers 600km of runs, complements the experience at Val Thorens. It is a primary destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
With slopes at over 3,000m, this is one of the few resorts where you are pretty much guaranteed to find snow every winter.
Well-maintained facilities and a pretty lively atmosphere, with quite a lot to do besides skiing.