Valmorel ski holidays
Established in 1976 the French ski resort Valmorel lies at 1400 metres altitude in the Savoie region of the French Alps / Alpes. With the highest lifts and ski slopes at 2550m the area is snow sure. Over 153 snow cannons ensure artificial snow making covers 6km of trails, which equates to around 12 of the slopes. The nearest airport transfer to Valmorel is Chambery at a distance of 90km or approximately 60 minutes driving time. Their season runs from December to April.
SNO-man says
Valmorel is 30 years old, and very tastefully designed, gaining widespread admiration for having the advantages of a purpose-built resort without looking like one. The ski area is linked to that of St François Longchamp giving over 150km of terrain. An 'ideal family resort'
Alpine Downhill Runs
Beginner Trails
 14 runs 17km |
25% |
Intermediate Trails
 25 runs 48km |
45% |
Advanced Trails
 11 runs 19km |
20% |
Expert Trails
 5 runs 5km |
9% |
Resort and Holiday Stats
| Beginners |  |
| Intermediate | |
| Advanced/Expert | |
| Snowboarders | |
| Apres Ski | |
| Family/child Friendly | |
| Snow-Sure | |
| Ambience | |
| Value for money | |
| Lift Pass Prices (adult 6 day) | €201.1 - €201.1 |
Traditional Ski Village / Purpose Built Ski Resort |
| Resort Opens | Dec 2013 |
| Resort Closes | Apr 2014 |
| (snow conditions often influence opening/closing) |
Mountain and Slopes
| Downhill Runs | 93km |
| total length of Valmorel trails |
| Longest Lift-Served Run | 4km |
| longest piste or trail reachable by lift |
| Slope Orientation | N NE NW |
| direction Valmorel area faces |
| Top Altitude | 2550m |
| top station of highest lift |
| Bottom Altitude | 1250m |
| bottom of lowest run |
| Resort Altitude | 1400m |
| centre of Valmorel ski resort |
| Vertical Drop | 1300m |
| total descent from top lift to bottom piste |
| Skiable Vertical | ^v 1300m |
| can include extra hike up above top lift |
Skiing in Valmorel
55 pistes and trails means approximately 93km of runs. 35 Valmorel lifts have capacity to transport 37690 per hour. The longest run in the French ski resort is over 4km.
The mountain has 25% beginner runs or nursery slopes, 45% intermediate, 20% advanced slopes and 9% for experts - the most difficult piste is the 3km Riondet run, with a steepness/slope angle of ?%. There is no night skiing.
Rating for skiing gets 3 stars out of 5 overall
Valmorel Apres Ski
Off-Slope activities include:
10 apres ski bars 18 restaurants 0 bowling 1 night club 1 cinema 1 billiards / pool 1 games room 1 concert 0 indoor swimming 0 outdoor heated pools 1 saunas 0 hot tubs 0 solariums 1 masseurs 0 indoor ice skating 0 outdoor ice skating 0 indoor sports centre 0 indoor tennis 0 squash racquetball 2 sleigh rides 0 ballooning 0 horse riding 50 prepare winter walks 0 climbing 0 golf 0 fishing 0 museum 0 library Plus these additional apres ski facilities Airboard, Bakery, Hammans, Igloo Village, Snake Gliss, Quad, Snow Scooters.
SNO-man says
Non skiing and boarding activities are limited to largely outdoor sports. These include snow-shoeing excursions, with either half day or a full day guided tours. You walk through rich natural surroundings with your escort guide pointing out the summits, the animal life, and offering you a warm drink (hot wine or tea) during the excursion.
If you don't want to strap on snowshoes there are a further 50km (40 miles) of marked and signposted paths starting from the resort or from the top of the lifts and open only to pedestrians. Other paths lead to mountain rambles and cross to the surrounding traditional villages.
If you prefer to let the horse take the strain there are twice daily half day excursions by sleigh. The ride takes you across the wooded forest of Carroz, at the heart of the magnificent Plan Chevron clearing, near to the village of Charmette, at the start of the Aigle Blanc cross-country ski slopes.
Indoor facilities besides the restaurants and shops include a two screen cinema. After a day in the fresh ir, the saunas, hammams and massages on offer at the Valmofome centre are special moments bringing real relaxation.
Free buses called "Valmobus" take guests from the resort to the surrounding villages, cross country ski areas, walking paths and horse drawn sleigh rides.
Rating for apres ski gets 3 stars out of 5 overall
"Valmorel" by any other name
The French resort is also known as Valmo Valmorel and has common misspellings:
The direction which the various Valmorel slopes face can make or break your ski holiday. To guarantee good snow conditions, choose a resort with piste which face the right way for the time of year you're travelling.
- In the coldest winter months of January and February pick a resort with sunny south facing slopes, so your days on the snow doesn't feel like a polar expedition. Conversely, in the warmest spring skiing months of March and especially April, a resort with cool and shady north facing trails will ensure you're not riding on slush, but benefitting from best late season snow. The best destinations have areas which face in all directions so that you're guaranteed greating conditions whatever the weather. Valmorel has slopes facing N NE NW.
Rating for snow gets 3 stars out of 5 overall
Valmorel reviews, 4.5 star rating and information is collated by SNO man from staff experience and customer feedback.