Valmorel ski resort guide Ski area, apres-ski, things to see & do in Valmorel
Valmorel review
The family friendly resort of Valmorel sits at an altitude of 1400m in the Grand Domaine ski area between Tarentaise and Maurienne. It is a charming pedestrianised village that has kept the alpine traditions whereby all the buildings are constructed from stone and wood - you won't find any high rise concrete buildings common in purpose built ski resorts.
Valmorel après-ski
Après-ski in Valmorel is fairly relaxed with a good choice of bars to cater for skiers straight off the slopes.Some favourites include...
- La Source
- Le Petit Savoyard
- Le Petit Prince
- Jimbo Lolo
For late night entertainment, the Sound Pub & Club is open until 5am.
| Key information (whole area) | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 1400m |
| Top lift | 2550m |
| Family | |
| Beginner | |
| Intermediate | |
| Expert | |
| Piste (km) | 165 |
| Longest run | km |
| Off piste | |
| Cross country | 40 km |
| Season | Dec - April |
| Snowboard parks | 2 |
| Heli Skiing | ✔ |
| Summer skiing | ✘ |
| Glacier skiing | ✘ |
| Babysitting | ✘ |
| Creche | ✔ |
| Apres ski | Relaxed |
Valmorel ski area guide
The ski area immediately around Valmorel is a mecca for beginners and intermediates with wide gentle pistes on north and south facing slopes.
If thats not enough, you can buy the Grand Domaine lift pass that covers the lift linked resorts of Doucy Combelouvière, Celliers, and Saint François Longchamp. In total, there are 165kms of pistes to explore across 3600 hectares for all levels of skier and boarder.
Beginners
Beginners and children are very well catered for with 6 beginner areas and 24 green pistes. The Piou-Piou Club operated by ESF provide lessons for young children.
Intermediate
If you’re looking for wide, motorway pistes that aren’t too taxing you’ll love Valmorel. The 19 red pistes across the Grand Domaine take you from Valmorel to Saint Francois Longchamps taking you over the Col de la Madeleine.
Advanced
For the most experienced skiers and boarders, the 8 black pistes and off-piste ski areas will certainly provide a challenge. Heli-skiing is also possible and can be booked with the Mountain Guides.
Cross-Country
There are 40kms of groomed cross-country trails around Valmorel. The valley is also the gateway to the Grand Domaine ski area where there are incredibly beautiful trails that wind through the pine forests.
Things to see & do in Valmorel
- Spa & wellbeing
- Buggy or arapaho (downhill scootering)
- Ice skating
- Winter walking and snowshoeing trails
- Dog sleighs
- Tobogganing
- Parapenting
Children
Located in the village, the ESF ski school runs the Piou-Piou creche for children aged between 18 months and 3 years and a childrens ski school. It operates on Sundays through to Fridays and you can choose between half and full day lessons.
Featured ski chalets
Self catering holiday rentals in Valmorel are a great option for families, friends and groups as they provide the space, freedom and flexibility to do what you want, when you want. As the village is compact, many chalets and apartments are ski-in, ski-out and close to all the apres-ski shops, bars and restaurants.
See all rentals
Our view on Valmorel ski resort
As well as being a fantastic family friendly ski resort, Valmorel will be whatever you want it to be. If you like quaint, relaxing alpine villages then Valmorel ticks all the boxes. If you want to literally ski right to your front door there's plenty of that too. The resort by itself is small but when you add in all the villages around the Grand Domaines, you'll find yourself in one of the largest ski areas in France.
