Well of course, you are always going to have the ubiquitous skiing and snowboarding, but whilst you’re in Val Thorens, you may want to try your hand at one of the many other winter activities available in this town. Below are a few suggestions to tickle your imagination!
Airboarding
This relatively new twist on snow sports is a bit like body boarding down the piste. Lying stomach down on an inflatable sled-like cushion you slide head-first down the mountain, picking up speed and using your bodyweight to shift direction. The underside of the air board is grooved, so that you can steer and brake by leaning from side to side. Many resorts are reluctant to allow airboarding as they could be a hazard to skiers and boarders; so ensure that you have had training, are wearing safety gear and know how to control your board before setting off. Many resorts enforce age restrictions and only allow airboarding within certain areas, so don’t go plummeting down your favourite black run before checking the rules first!
In Val Thorens you can hire the gear from a number of sport shops in resort and take to the luge piste vis the Funitel de Péclet where you will find 6km of downhill descent!
Cross-Country Skiing (Ski de Fond)
'Classic' Style
Get back to nature and explore tranquil cross-country trails at your own pace. There are two different techniques – classic and skating. Classic is the easiest for beginners; you simply place your skis in two parallel groves, push off and glide around the trails. Skating is more energetic and a slightly harder skill to grasp; you push your feet out to either side as though you are ice skating and use your poles simultaneously to gain momentum. You can hire the comfortable boots and lightweight skis and poles fairly inexpensively from most sports shops and book a group or private lesson to learn the basics from most ski schools or private instructors. For those used to downhill skis, at first you feel precariously balanced and downhill sections are definitely more exciting on narrow skis with no edges! The skis are lighter and slimmer than downhill skis and the boots are much softer and more comfortable. The tranquility of cross country (also known as Nordic) skiing is perfect for anyone who enjoys peace and quiet, or finds the downhill pistes too crowded or too steep. It is a great form of aerobic exercise and one can be as energetic or slow as one likes, while the relaxed pace makes it a more tranquil way to enjoy the surroundings!.
'Skating' Style
Val Thorens only has 4km of prepared cross country trails, but they accommodate both classic and skating styles and are perfect for beginners or those who just want to spend a few hours trying something a bit different. Best of all, the trails are free to use! You can pick up a guide book and trail map from the Tourist Office. Go further down the valley to Meribel to find 33km of prepared cross country trails, situated at the Lac de Tueda in Mottaret and around the Altiport area of Méribel. A total of 90km of trails are available in Meribel, Courchevel and La Tania.
For a truly unique experience, clamp on your crampons and go hiking on one of the many glaciers in the Three Valleys area. The breathtaking views and spectacular crevasses make this an incredible adventure. There are a number of glacial hikes, of varying difficulty, in this region of the Alps. Most mountain guiding companies will run organised excursions to the most accessible. To read more about glaciers and the environment please go to our Glacier Meltdown article.
Helicopter Tours & Heli-Skiing
Sit back and admire the mountains from even higher up! Daily panoramic helicopter flights are available (weather permitting) with a number of local flight companies or some mountain guide companies. Relax and enjoy the stunning views as you fly over the snow-capped mountain tops, glaciers and alpine forests of the Three Valleys.
Unfortunately, heli-skiing is not permitted in France, however some of the ski schools and mountain guide companies will offer a pick-up/drop-off heli skiing service for you where you will be taken over the border into Italy or Switzerland. It is expensive, but definitely a once in a lifetime experience!
Ice Climbing
For the true mountain enthusiast, why not scale an amazing frozen waterfall or glacier? This is a fantastic sport, not just for experienced mountaineers. The ice climbing season peaks between December and March.
Although it sounds like a very specialised sport, ice climbing is suitable for everyone - from complete beginners to experienced climbers. Some knowledge of ropes and basic climbing skills will give you a head start, but if you are a complete novice then your guide should be able to teach you from scratch.
Safety is important, so it is advisable to take an experienced mountain guide to instruct you on the use of crampons, ropes and ice picks.
Ice Driving
Fancy being the next 'Schumacher on snow'? For an high speed adrenaline rush, try testing your driving skills on the Ice Driving Circuit in Val Thorens. Throughout the winter from December until April, you can experience driving the school's Mitsubishi Evo 6 and 4WD Fiat Pandas, Cross Cars and quad bikes, under the supervision of experienced instructors.
Val Thorens is also one of the circuits on the famous Andros Trophy ice driving tour, to see our video report on this spectacular event please click on the link below.
Paragliding is a truly amazing experience and what better place to try it than in the stunning surroundings of the Belleville Valley with Mont Blanc in the distance.
There are a number of paragliding schools in the area that offer tandem flights with qualified instructors, where you take to the skies accompanied by an instructor.
... see "Val Thorens for Paragliding" for more
Piste Basher Driving
Fancy a unique mode of transport while you’re in Val Thorens? Piste basher driving is not just confined to the pisteurs; after a short briefing you can take your place behind the controls and guide your vehicle over the snow on its enormous caterpillar tracks. Sessions can be arranged through some Tour Operators or activity companies such as AOB Leisure.
Snow-Mobile (Moto-Neige)
Photo Credit: Snow-Biker.Com
Those who enjoy speed will love riding a powerful snow-mobile (like a motorbike with caterpillar tracks). Seated either one or two per bike, one follows the guide up the pistes, around a specially prepared circuit, over jumps and bumps, and sometimes off-piste through the powder. Half way through the hour-long outing driver and passenger swap places, and off you speed again. More experienced snow-mobilers can take a more advanced outing.
Val Tho Motoneige is situated on Place de Caron and they take clients out every evening after 5pm. They can be contacted on +33 (0) 479 00 21 46; book in advance for this popular activity.
Remember to wrap up warmly especially if you go after dark, and bring goggles if there is fresh powder. This is excellent fun for speed lovers, but perhaps not for the timid!
Snowshoe Walking ('Raquette à Neige')
Strap lightweight plastic snowshoes to your feet, and walk effortlessly through deep snow. Either set out on your own, or join a group led by a knowledgeable local guide and explore the hidden parts of the valley. On these half day group outings you will get off the beaten track to follow animal footprints, discover mountain flora and fauna and learn the history of the valley. Snowshoes and ski poles are usually provided. See Action, Fun & Sports for details of guiding companies.
You can also hire snowshoes from most Sports Shops, grab a trail map and head off on your own adventure. Be sure to check the weather forecast before you go. The trails around Lac du Lou and Col de Tempêtes are particularly nice.
This is a perfect activity for bad weather conditions, or for non-skiers; walkers and nature lovers will love these outings. Don't forget to take energy bars and wear comfortable boots.
The Val Thorens toboggan run is a mammoth six kilometres long, 5m wide and has an altitude drop of more than 700 metres. As it snakes down the mountain, it has a number of banked turns and angled pitches that are patrolled and groomed regularly throughout the day. Anyone over the age of 8 can enjoy the run, although children between 8 and 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
Open daily, you must use the equipment (toboggan & helmet) supplied by the SETAM (Val Thorens ski lift company). The sledges seat one or two people and are equipped with steering and brakes and it takes you about 45 minutes to go down the run. It is also possible to toboggan at night, 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday & Friday) for which you will be provided with a helmet lamp to light your way down.
You can find the toboggan run in the Tête Ronde sector, next to the imposing Péclet Glacier, and access is easy via the Peclet Funitel. Be sure to wear warm clothes, sunglasses, gloves and mountain shoes as the departure of the run is situated at 3000 metres altitude.
It costs 11€ for sledge rental and descent for those in possession of a valid ski pass, and 17€ for those without. A 50€ deposit or a passport must be left for the hire of the equipment. Please note that the toboggan piste may be closed in case of bad weather conditions.
Just for the kids is the new toboggan area at Place Caron. Specially designed for little speed demons over the age of 2, the area is safe and reserved only for children. Parents can keep an eye on them from the nearby terrace.
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