Val Thorens among snowy mountains in the morning, Les 3 Vallées

France · Les 3 Vallées · Cime Caron · Les Menuires

Where to stay in Val Thorens: skiing in Les 3 Vallées

Where to stay in Val Thorens, Europe's highest ski resort in Les 3 Vallées: ski-in/ski-out apartments, or Les Menuires and Saint-Martin to save money.

Photo: DimiTalen · CC0

In short: where to stay in Val Thorens

By Martín Bastias· Reviewed:

Tight budget
Les Menuires — self-catering apartment
Mid-range
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville — chalet or apartment
Treat yourself
Val Thorens — ski-in/ski-out apartment or hotel
Best time
Winter (late November to early May): Thanks to its altitude, Val Thorens usually has one of the longest, most reliable seasons in the Alps.
Getting there
The nearest train station is Moûtiers, about 37 km away (around 50 minutes by bus or transfer).

Key facts

Les 3 Vallées
≈ 600 km of linked pistessource
Village altitude
≈ 2,300 m, Europe's highest resortsource
By car from Geneva
≈ 2 h 30 min
By car from Zurich
≈ 5 h 40 min

Drive times calculated with real OpenStreetMap routes, without traffic or stops.

Worth it

Why go to Val Thorens

1

The world's largest linked ski area

Les 3 Vallées add up to about 600 km of slopes across several linked resorts.

2

Snow you can count on

At about 2,300 m, Val Thorens usually has snow from December to early May.

3

Ski from your door

Almost all accommodation is ski-in/ski-out: put your skis on at the door.

Got dates? See what is available:

Decide in 30 seconds

Where to stay in Val Thorens by budget

The scores you will see come from guests who booked and stayed there. We take you to the search for each area; once there, sort by "Price (lowest first)" or "Guest review score" to compare with real data.

Les Menuires · Val Thorens among snowy mountains in the morning, Les 3 Vallées
Les Menuires
Tight budget

Les Menuires

self-catering apartment

The same ski area at a lower price.

Saint-Martin-de-Belleville · Val Thorens among snowy mountains in the morning, Les 3 Vallées
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
Best balance
Mid-range

Saint-Martin-de-Belleville

chalet or apartment

A charming village with lift access to the ski area.

Val Thorens · Val Thorens among snowy mountains in the morning, Les 3 Vallées
Val Thorens
Treat yourself

Val Thorens

ski-in/ski-out apartment or hotel

Ski from your door at Europe's highest resort.

  • Reviews from guests who actually stayed
  • No extra cost for booking through us
  • Book and pay on the official platform

Live prices

Map of places to stay in Val Thorens

Tap a price to see photos and reviews. Pick your dates in the map calendar to see the exact price.

  • Live price per night
  • Real photos and reviews
  • Only rated 7/10 or higher

Prices in EUR (you can change currency in the map). Real-time prices and availability from each platform via Stay22: affiliate link, no extra cost to you.

Why Val Thorens

Val Thorens is Europe’s highest ski resort and one of the gateways to Les 3 Vallées, one of the largest linked ski areas in the world. Its altitude usually guarantees snow from December to April, and almost all accommodation is ski-in/ski-out.

How to choose

  • Ski from your door: Val Thorens.
  • Family and budget: Les Menuires.
  • Village charm: Saint-Martin-de-Belleville.

When to go

JanSave❄
FebPeak❄
Mar❄
AprSave
May
Jun
JulPeak
AugPeak
Sep
Oct
NovNow
DecSave❄
  • Good time to save
  • Peak season: pricier and busier
  • ❄ Usual snow season
  • A guide only: varies each year.

Best months to save: Jan, Apr, Dec

Check availability for those dates →

Winter (late November to early May)

Thanks to its altitude, Val Thorens usually has one of the longest, most reliable seasons in the Alps. Christmas and the February school holidays are the busiest and most expensive.

Spring (March and April)

Sunshine, long days and still good snow up high: a great time to ski.

Getting there

  • The nearest train station is Moûtiers, about 37 km away (around 50 minutes by bus or transfer).
  • The most used airports are Geneva, Lyon and Chambéry, 2 to 3 hours by road depending on traffic.
  • Inside the resort almost everything is on foot or on skis; carry chains if you drive up in winter.

Which area to choose

Val Thorens

Best for: skiing from your door

A high-altitude resort, almost all ski-in/ski-out, with apartments, hotels and plenty of après-ski.

Les Menuires

Best for: families and tighter budgets

A lower resort in the same valley, linked to Val Thorens by the slopes, with lower prices.

Saint-Martin-de-Belleville

Best for: a charming village

A traditional Savoyard village lower down, with chalets and lift access to Les 3 Vallées.

Where to stay

Chalets

Chalets for groups, especially in Saint-Martin-de-Belleville and Les Menuires.

Ski-in/ski-out apartments

The typical stay: self-catering apartments right by the slopes.

Apartments and houses in Les Menuires

More choice and lower prices in the neighbouring resort.

Tip: in the search, use the "Property type" filter to see only cabins, chalets or apartments, and sort by price if you want the cheapest options.

On a budget

Val Thorens on a budget

Les 3 Vallées has a pricey reputation, but there are ways to cut the bill.

  1. 1Avoid Christmas and the French February school holidays.
  2. 2Stay in Les Menuires or Saint-Martin and ski the same area.
  3. 3Share a self-catering apartment; shop in the valley before heading up.
  4. 4If you will not ski all three valleys, a Belleville-valley-only pass is usually cheaper.

Sources and how we made this guide

A researched guide, not visited in person: we use official sources (parks, ski areas, local tourism), maps and real routes. We do not publish our own prices or reviews: prices and reviews come live from the booking platforms. Who writes

FAQ

Where to stay in Val Thorens on a tight budget?

In Les Menuires: self-catering apartment. The same ski area at a lower price.

Where to stay in Val Thorens on a mid-range budget?

In Saint-Martin-de-Belleville: chalet or apartment. A charming village with lift access to the ski area.

Where to stay in Val Thorens for a treat?

In Val Thorens: ski-in/ski-out apartment or hotel. Ski from your door at Europe's highest resort.

Is Val Thorens the highest ski resort in Europe?

Yes, it is known as Europe's highest ski resort, at about 2,300 m, and is part of Les 3 Vallées.

Where should I stay to save money?

In Les Menuires or Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, linked to Val Thorens by the slopes.

How do I get to Val Thorens?

By train to Moûtiers then bus or transfer, or fly to Geneva, Lyon or Chambéry and drive 2 to 3 hours.

Is it good for beginners?

There are learning areas, but the altitude and cold make it more demanding. For families, Les Menuires is often more comfortable.