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Valfrejus Ski Resort
You’ll find Valfrejus in Terra Modana, near the Frejus tunnel to Italy and up above the town of Modane. This pretty village of timber and stone chalets is surrounded by woodland, facing the Vanoise National Park in the Thabor massif. From the highest point, Punta Bagna, you can look over the French and Italian Alps. Don’t forget your camera.
As a ski resort this one’s a newbie…. But as a settlement it’s been here for donkey’s years. Valfrejus grew around the old hamlet of Charmaix, where historic sites include the 15th century Notre Dame du Charmaix chapel, built into the cliffside and accessed by a narrow stone bridge. The powers that be insist any new builds match the appearance of the old ones, which has resulted in a good looking and convenient place to stay.
In the village, the Arrondaz gondola whisks you from Place du Thabor to the Plateau d’Arrondaz for the main ski area, while the Charmasson chairlift serves a blue piste and the Bob Park for sledging. There’s a lot of self-catered accommodation, besides a B&B and a couple of hotels as well as supermarkets, ski shops and childcare facilities.
The ease of getting here is one of our favourite things about Valfrejus. Paris is only four hours away by rail, and if you’re driving, the resort is just a quarter of an hour off the A43. Both Chambery and Turin airports are an hour and a half’s drive away.
Stats & FAQ
Location: Maurienne Valley, France
Established: 1969
Open: December - April
Downhill: 24 runs / 70km
View our detailed Valfrejus snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Valfrejus snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Chambéry Airport (CMF) | 119km, 1.5 hours |
| Turin Airport (TRN) | 121km, 1.5 hours |
| Lyon St Exupéry (LYS) | 196km, 2 hours |
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| Top Altitude: | 2737m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 1550m |
| Resort Altitude: | 1550m |
| Longest run: | 12km |
| Slope Orientation: | N |
| Vertical Drop: | 1187m |
| Skiable Vertical: | |
| Night Skiing: | No |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 24 runs / 70km |
| Beginner slopes: | |
| Intermediate: | |
| Advanced slopes: | |
| Lift Pass Price: | €148 (adult 6 day Valfrejus) €173 (adult 6 day Eski-Mo) |
| Nearby resorts: Bardonecchia, Valmeinier | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Valfrejus
On its own, Valfréjus has 70km of pistes – most beginner and improver oriented, with a few red and black runs for more experienced skiers and snowboarders. It’s also part of the ESKI-MO group, where a total of 300km pistes are covered in the nearby resorts of Aussois, La Norma, Val Cenis Vanoise and Bonneval sur Arc. They aren’t all lift linked, but the ESKI-MO pass includes a shuttle bus between them for easy access. There are rumours about a link to the Italian resort of Bardonnechia which would be amazing… Watch this space!
The ski schools tend to meet in the main village, and an unintimidating run for beginners is the tree-lined Escargot green trail. Learners will be keen to progress quickly, with some lovely blues to cruise down – like the scenic Lac and Combe runs from Punta Bagna which have smashing views over Italy. The longest piste in the area is the blue graded Jeu, which trails through the forest back to Valfrejus over 10km, passing a WWII bunker.
For an all-red descent, ski the Pas du Roc run from Punta Bagna, then take the Argentier down to Pas du Roc itself. Featuring narrow bits demanding concentration and wide open bits where you can really build up a rhythm, it’s a sunny and exhilarating run with gorgeous views.
Experts can tackle the black Punta Bagna run, and the Corniche which branches off from the blue Crete. In the Plateau d’Arrondaz area, the Souches trail has trees to the right and a drop on the left hand side. The boardercross served by the Petit Vallon lift has bumps and jumps for freestylers. Off piste, there are some good couloir and forest runs, or you can head over and explore the famed powder terrain in nearby Bonneval.
Valfrejus Apres Ski
The Celtic is an Irish pub in the village with a games room and a good selection of whiskies and draft beers. Genius Bar is popular for DJ’s and dancing, with outdoor seating for sunny days. Food-wise, Piccolina is a favourite for pizzas (and when you’re this close to the Italian border, you can expect proper pizzas). Go to Le Petit Charmaix for fondue or Val Frais for more local cuisine. On the mountain, La Bergerie serves carby comfort food to fuel you up for an afternoon on the pistes.
Bob Park takes top spot when it comes to other activities here, with sledding runs featuring tunnels that are usually open in the afternoons and evenings. There’s an ice rink in the village centre, and also the Charmaix zipline to really ramp up the adrenaline.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Valfrejus
Best time to visit & ski Valfrejus
The resort’s geographical location by the Franco-Italian border usually sees good snowfall, with averages of 2-3 metres and 76 snow cannons to provide extra cover if necessary. The tree lined runs back to the base are handy in cases of low visibility, and keep the snow shaded in the warmer months.
Peak Dates
Spend Christmas in Valfréjus and enjoy a pretty Alpine setting, with an excellent mix of French and Italian cuisine to feast on.
Start January 1st gawping over French and Italian peaks over the New Year in Valfréjus.
Childcare facilities and a relaxed environment make Half Term in Valfréjus a cracking option for families.
North facing slopes tend to stay in good nick for Easter in Valfréjus - swap chocolate eggs for hot chocs on the mountainside and soak up the sights and sunshine.
Families in Valfrejus
The Baby Club Les Diablotins (part of the Chalet Club building) looks after tots from 1-3 years, keeping them entertained with snow fun, music, games and crafts. If your youngsters are ready for ski school, the ESF Piou Piou Club and ESI Mouse Club take 3 year olds and up for fun lessons assisted by easy lifts and gentle slopes. If parents are seeking some time off to unwind, head to the Darjeeling Club spa for hammam, sauna and wonderful massages.
GroupsGroup Holidays Valfrejus
Whether you’re skiing on a budget and sticking to the local slopes or setting off to explore a different bit of the ESKIMO area each day, there are some great offerings for groups here. Gather together in the Irish Celtic pub for evening games of pool or head to the Bob Park to zoom down the mountainside on a sledge. Non-skiers can visit the Cheese factory and Notre Dame chapel or head down into Modane for the tunnel and museum, bringing back tales of local history and culture to go with skiers’ stories from the slopes.
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