Today I’m deep-diving into whether Val Thorens is a family friendly ski resort. So if you’re considering taking the kids skiing, this post is for you! Skiing with kids in tow can feel like a military operation – there’s a lot to consider and plan. Some resorts cater better to families than others. So keep reading to find out whether to add Val Thorens to your shortlist!
Is my Child too Young to Enjoy a Ski Holiday?
Personally, I feel that ski holidays are best suited for children aged 7 and over. younger children are likely to become tired and cranky in a cold climate ski resort. So with this in mind, it is my opinion that you should wait a while before taking young kids on a skiing holiday.
All is not lost though – you can practice in the meantime! Dry and indoor ski slopes are a great way to get your kids confident on the snow before you travel!
Is Val Thorens a Family Friendly Ski Resort?
Assuming you have decided that it’s time to take your kids on a proper ski trip, let’s dig into whether or not Val Thorens is a family friendly ski resort. Val Thorens is a fantastic all-round resort with excellent facilities for all abilities. It also boasts plenty of activities and accommodations for all families, party sizes and ages.
Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe, sitting at 2300m above sea level. It boasts a vast selection of restaurants, with over 60 eateries to choose from. This means there’s plenty of family-friendly options.
Family Friendly Accommodation
Val Thorens is a popular choice with families for several reasons. One of the most popular features is the fact that most of the accommodation has ski-in, ski-out access, so you don’t need to transport footwear and skis to the slopes. There are more than a few top quality family friendly accommodation options in Val Thorens, which definitely earns it a place on the child friendly ski resort shortlist.
Beginners Slopes
There are lots of beginner areas around the lower Val thorns slopes. Including an ‘easy rider’ zone, which has two free slopes, four magic carpets and the beginner lift pass includes eight lifts. There are ten green (easy) runs in total, which makes it easy to practice with the kids.
There’s more than just snow sports on offer, too! Alternative activities include mountain biking, hikes, tobogganing, ice driving and many more besides. Not all activities are child friendly though – the 40 bars across the village are definitely not aimed at children or families.
Getting Around
When travelling with kids, short transfers to the resort are a huge bonus. Thankfully, Val Thorens isn’t too far from the main airports. Chambery airport is less than two hours away, whilst Geneva, Grenoble Isère and Lyon are around 2.5 hours away. Airport transfers don’t cost the earth, either.
Getting around the resort is pain-free, thanks to the free shuttle bus which runs around Val Thorens village. It also goes between les Menuires, Reberty and St Martin de Belleville, so you’re not limited with which pistes you can use. The other 3 Valleys resorts can only be reached via the ski lifts, with your skies or snowboard.
Other Things to Consider
Before making a decision on which family friendly ski resort to book, it’s important to consider other factors. Will you want childcare or ski lessons for your child while you’re out there? Also factor in the pro’s and cons of buying vs hiring ski equipment. Kids grow quickly so chances are whatever you buy will be too small by next season. Finally, use the comments section to let us know if you think Val Thorens is a family friendly ski resort.
