Skiing Holidays in Valmorel

Airport

About Valmorel

Although it's a relatively new French resort, the architects that designed Valmorel have created a beautiful traditional alpine town that blends into its environment. The pretty wood-clad buildings, cobbled streets, charming squares and courtyards are spaciously laid out, and create a calm, serene environment. Situated between the Maurienne and Tarentaise valleys in the French Savoie Alps, the resort is a collection of several small hamlets which include: Le Bourg Morel, Crève-Coer, Planchamp, La Forêt and Fontaine. From each hamlet you can walk directly onto the ski runs.

Part of the Grand Domaine, which includes Doucy Combelouvière and Saint François Longchamp, Valmorel offers you the chance to access more than 150 km of pistes with quick, efficient lifts. This is the perfect resort for beginners, as there is a large area reserved for them away from other skiers and borders, as well as gentle tree-lined runs back to the village. Intermediates will love it as well as many of the slopes are graded blue and red, meaning they can pretty much ski the whole domain, including over to Combelouvière and Saint François Longchamp. Experts will find some good black runs to start with, but may get a little bored - the best bet is the numerous big powder-filled bowls off-piste.

The main street is lined with shops, bars and restaurants, where you can find a medium level of après-ski activity. There are some quieter, more chilled out bars as well as more vibrant places to drink that pick up later on - however if you're looking for a raging nightlife, this might not be fore you. The reserved beginner areas, excellent ski school and pedestrianised main street make it a great family destination. The scenic forests, backdrop of the high Alps and natural beauty also add to a wonderful sense of calm.

For beginners

For intermediates

For the advanced

Ski school

Après Ski

Off the Mountain

For beginners

Beginners will love Valmorel. There's a dedicated beginners area away from the rest of the skiers and borders so you can learn in complete confidence and security. There is also a slow-speed chairlift so you can get used to ski lifts at a reasonable pace. As you grow in confidence you can try the gentle tree-lined runs back down to the resort.

For intermediates

This is an intermediates playground, really with every level of blue and red runs on hand. You'll be surprised at how many pistes are available for you to choose from, and the easy progression to harder slopes. The slopes face in different directions so you can follow the sun throughout the day.

For the advanced

For experts, there are some challenging black runs, as well as wicked off-piste powder bowls and a good terrain park. However some especially good skiers and borders may not find the scope of challenge they are after here.

Ski school

Valmorel is well known for its excellent ski school (ESF Valmorel) and independent instructors.

Après Ski

The atmosphere in Valmorel is friendly and relaxed with some quiet bars and restaurant and some more lively. You can have a quiet drink with friends and rehash the days runs, or you can head to a popular bar or club like Les Nuits Blanches to dance the night away. Most evening activity happens on Bourg Morel Street with a fine choice of French country cooking using the local produce. Sample French specialities in informal, relaxed cafés and restaurants in the village.

Off the Mountain

If you want a day without your skis or board, you can cruise the shops in the village, take an evening walk with donkeys carrying saddle packs on snowy trails, go to the movies, heliskiing, parapenting, tobogganing, relax in a sauna or grab a massage. Hiking is popular at the resort and you can either hire a guide from the tourist office or discover the villages on your own on the marked paths. Kids will love it - every Wednesday evening you can walk to the mountain restaurant and jump in a blow up toboggan back down to the village. Take them to visit the Kanata Igloo Village or let loose on the Acro Jungle trampoline.

Off the Mountain

Taking a day off is fun at Livigno, with lots on offer. The resort has 200 shops, with many selling items that usually have hefty tax applied like alcohol, tobacco products, perfumes and consumer electronics. Day trips to fashionable St Moritz just across the border in Switzerland are always popular. For a small fee (arranged easily locally) you people watch to your hearts content as the super rich and famous stroll past, and ski in one of the world's most exclusive resorts. There's also skating, tobogganing, horse riding, sleigh rides, skidoos, dog sledging, paragliding, ice climbing, snow shoe excursions, spa centres, ice driving, swimming pool (at Spöl hotel) and a cinema.

Resort rating and reviews

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Weather and snow report

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About Valmorel