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Val Thorens Lift System - Winter
| Lift System & Status in Val Thorens |
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Val Thorens forms part of the Three Valleys lift system, which is considered to be the most efficient overall lift system in France (200 ski lifts transport 260,000 skiers hourly!). During the winter season Val Thorens itself offers four high capacity gondola and cable car lifts, 15 chair-lifts, 5 drag-lifts, and three funitels. Throughout the summer months there is a selected number of lifts in operation, giving access to hiking trails, mountain biking tracks, climbing sites and paragliding take-off sites. Regular refurbishments and new technologies ensure that the lifts are kept in tip-top condition for the many visitors that use them season after season. In this section we aim to keep you up to date with lift timetables, openings and other useful information. |
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| Lift System in Val Thorens |
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Val Thorens and the Three Valleys are linked by a variety of different lifts. The lifts marked on the piste map using straight black lines are of four types; button tow/drag, chair, telecabine and telepherique. They have the corresponding abbreviations:
- TK - téléski (drag)
- TS - télésiege (chair)
- TC - télécabine (gondola)
- TPH - téléphérique (cable car)
For télécabine think bubble car and for téléphérique think cable car. Anything prefixed/suffixed with “Express” means a 6 person modern fast chair lift.
Val Thorens also has 3 funitels; the Bouquetin, Péclet and Grand Fond. These are gondola-type cabins that are attached to two parallel cables, making them more stable in high winds. The word funitel is a combination of the French words funiculaire (meaning inclined railway) and telepherique (meaning cable car). A funitel travels faster than most gondolas and therefore has a mechanism to slow it down at either end so that passengers can get on and off while it is still moving. The Péclet Funitel was built in 1990 and was the first in Europe.
Lift System in Winter
Lift System in Summer
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last updated 24-Oct-2008 |
| LIVE Piste & Lift Status in Val Thorens |
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Below is our speedy overview of what the current lift status is in the valley. The list summary is probably most useful if you already know the valley and the lift names. If you don't, you may also find the piste & lift map handy if you are less familiar with the area.
REAL TIME Val Thorens Piste & Lift Status
Val Thorens Piste Map
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last updated 7-Oct-2008 |
| Opening & Closing Dates for Val Thorens Lifts - Winter 2008/2009 |
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Due to its altitude, the Val Thorens ski area has one of the longest seasons in the Alps and it is even possible to get some autumnal skiing in on the Péclet glacier during November. Subject to snow conditions, for winter 2008/2009 the lifts will be operating during the following dates:
- Val Thorens - Skiing on the Péclet glacier from Saturday 22nd November 2008 to Sunday 3rd May 2009. The rest of the ski area is expected to open in early December.
- Courchevel 1850 - Saturday 6th December 2008 to Sunday 26th April 2009 inc.
- Courchevel 1650 - Friday 19th December 2008 to Sunday 19th April 2009 inc.
- Courchevel 1550 & 1300 (Le Praz) - Saturday 13th December 2008 to Monday 20th April 2009 inc.
- La Tania - Saturday 13th December 2008 to Sunday 19th April 2009 inc.
- Meribel - Mottaret - Saturday 6th December 2008 to Sunday 26th April 2009 inc.
As is normal during early/late season, a reduced ski area will be in operation between 6th-19th December 2008 and 18th-26th April 2009 depending on snow cover. Lift pass prices usually reflect this reduction in the skiable area.
The lifts open at 9.00am, and start to close around 4.20 (the time varies for each lift). From February onwards the lifts stay open for a further half hour. You can find the exact closing times for each main lift at the lift stations. The lifts open every day of the week, even on Christmas and New Year's day.
For summer lift pass info and season dates, click here
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last updated 7-Oct-2008 |
| Lift Access & Restrictions for Val Thorens Lift System - Winter |
| VAL THORENS LIFT ACCESS & RESTRICTIONS |
| Rather than list all the winter lifts individually, here we have given an overview of the access and facilities for the lift system in general. |
| Wheelchair Access |
Wheelchair users can access all cable cars and gondolas and most chairlifts. Recent refurbishments have been carried on 10% of the gondolas in the ski area and many of the chairlifts to improve access and facilities for wheelchair users. To read more about disabled skiiing in Val Thorens please scroll down to our section on Handiski. |
| Paragliders / Parapente |
Winter parapente sites can be found at Glacier de Peclet (access via Funitel Peclet), Cime de Caron (access via Caron gondola and cable car) and at the side of the Blanchot piste (access via Boismint chairlift). The landing and meeting point is at the Chalet du Caron at the foot of the green and blue Cairn pistes. Take a look at Val Thorens for Paragliding to find out more. |
| Pedestrians |
For reasons of safety pedestrians are only permitted to use 4 lifts during the winter season; Caron gondola, Caron cable car, Cairn gondola and Funitel Peclet. However, the pedestrian pass also gives access to other lifts throughout the Three Valleys. To find out this season's tariffs please go to Val Thorens Lift Pass Prices - Winter and scroll down to the relevant price grid. |
| Babies |
Babies and children under the age of 5 can access the lifts free of charge. However, it is not recommended to expose babies to sudden changes in altitude or temperature - if lift staff consider your child too young to travel on certain lifts they reserve the right to refuse you entry. Please see our Tips for Families & Kids section for advice. The Caron cable car climbs to an altitude of 3195m, you are advised not to take children under 3 years old on this lift. |
| Dogs |
Dogs are not allowed on any lifts during the winter. This rule is relaxed during the summer, providing dogs are kept on a lead. |
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| NB Val Thorens is a high altitude resort and the lifts can take you as high as 3195m. Please consult your doctor before arriving in resort if you have heart problems or any other medical condition that may be exacerbated by a change in altitude. |
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last updated 7-Oct-2008 |
| Lift & Piste Maps for Val Thorens |
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The Val Thorens piste map gives good detail of the local area, whereas the 3 valleys piste map gives you a broad picture of how everything is connected. We've added in piste maps for Courchevel and Val Thorens so you can get a better idea of actually how much there is to ski in the whole 3 Valleys area! For a more detailed map when you get on the mountain, pick up a paper copy of the piste maps from the lift company when you buy your pass.
Val Thorens Piste Map
3 Valleys Piste Map (pdf)
Meribel Piste Map
Courchevel Piste Map (pdf)
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last updated 22-Oct-2008 |
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