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Valloire Ski Resort
In the Rhône-Alpes region of south-east France, the traditional resort of Valloire can be found at 100km from its closest serving airport, Chambéry, when travelling by air. If you decide to take the train rather than journey by car, St Michel-Valloire is the station. Shuttle buses transport you the last 17km to the resort itself: simple really!
This is a sports mad village that takes pride in its stunning mountain heritage. Training local gold medallists in a terrain full of opportunities, inhabitants prefer to keep the area as naturally impressive as it is - and with natives that have tried and tested the best ski areas returning here time and time again, you can anticipate great things.
It’s not just the breath-taking landscapes that makes French ski holidays famous. Taking their reputation of haute cuisine and cooking it up into a delicious array of restaurants, foodies can find a traditional head-to-toe warming Savoyard fondue or crêpe in most dining places. And where would we be without France’s infamous wine? Try the local Mondeuse for a lively red fruit flavour.
A standard 6 day ski pass gives skiers and boarders access to the Galibier-Thabor ski area, including neighbouring resort, Valmeinier. 31 ski lifts take beginners up and around a resort abundant in comforting green and blue runs ideal for learning the ropes, with a marked number of more difficult runs and off-piste opportunities accessed by chairlifts such as the TSD Brive 2, for more advanced skiers and boarders to play with.
There are a range of alternative ways to explore every hidden forest trail and patch of powder the Alps have to offer: by snowshoe; on the back of a sledge, off piste with a mountain guide, pulled by dogs or from a bird’s eye view as you paraglide through the air.
Stats & FAQ
Location: France, Alps.
Established: 1936
Open: December to April
Downhill: 150km
View our detailed Valloire 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 Valloire snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Chambéry (CMF) | 1hr 45mins |
| Lyon | 2hrs 45mins |
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| Top Altitude: | 2600m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 1430m |
| Resort Altitude: | 1430m |
| Longest run: | 12km |
| Slope Orientation: | N SW |
| Vertical Drop: | 1170m |
| Skiable Vertical: | 1170m |
| Night Skiing: | Yes |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 150km |
| Beginner slopes: | 66% |
| Intermediate: | 25% |
| Advanced slopes: | 9% |
| Lift Pass Price: | €180 adult 6 day pass |
| Nearby resorts: Alpe d'Huez, Les Deux Alpes | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Valloire
This is a model resort for first-time skiers; on day one, stick to Les Verneys and Bambins nursery slopes to find your footing. Once you’ve got that snow plough mastered, take it on up and around to explore the a magnitude of green and blue runs- don’t miss the blue Combe orsière leading off the Grand Plateau drag lift for beautiful views running alongside the trickling Neuvache valley river.
For intermediates, this really is a ski hotspot filled with red runs such as the Perce neige, which merge into gentler greens and blues for a welcome pause from all the thigh-burning. Advanced intermediates: look to piste descents such as the green Gros Crey exit joining the Génépi for an almost entirely red return to Valmeinier.
The merciless Dahu and Cascade black slopes will have legs crying out for the green Myosotis connection to get you back to flatter ground. For mogul heaven, Valmeinier proposes quality terrain surrounding the Grand choulet. Attack the daring off-piste area bordering Grandes drozes with a ski guide for the thrill of your life.
Valloire has the whole spectrum of snow parks, complete with chill out area, the Cool Zone. The feistier Easy Zone holds whoops and handrails galore for young ones and beginners. The medium zone is located just across from the slopes’ inviting half-pipe. La Expert Zone: created for good intermediate and advanced riders and boarders, you’ll find all the toys making this the best play area ever! Try the blue classified Skicross for a race against the stopwatch.
Valloire’s broad slopes are blooming marvellous for beginner boarders. Gentle and with a handful of draglifts that are easily avoided, you’ll soon be shredding powder all over the resort. Intermediate and advanced snowboarders, take the Roi and Gros Crey chairlifts to the 2594m top for a mixed spices descent.
Valloire Apres Ski
Valloire’s evening entertainment is the perfect concoction of a cosy fondue slumber in, mixed with a dash of live music and discotheque dancing out.
The Mast’Rock Café is a popular joint with the younger crowd for its live music including all genres of music - the later you stay, the louder the music gets cranked up. Try a hot chocolate with a kick as the chocolat chaud at Chartreuse provides the ultimate winter warmer. For dancing into the early hours, head to Le Slalom discotheque for all the space you need to bust a move.
Christiana caters for families: bond over a family-sized fondue as you fight to be the one to dunk your bread in the melting pot of Savoyard cheeses. Find a children’s menu of bien cuit (well-cooked) homemade burgers and other favourites for big children wanting their own meal. La Ferme de Poingt Ravier is a well-kept secret, and the ultimate cosy evening with loved ones in a converted Alpine farmhouse.
As skiers begin to leave the slopes, the Snake Gliss comes to life. Make your way back up the mountain for a slippery slide down to be enjoyed with all the family as you sway from side to side on a giant trail of sledges. How about a Segway ride with a difference? Learn to control this vehicle as you power through snowy terrain. Top tip: probably a better idea to steer clear of moguls. Take a step back to appreciate Valloire’s natural beauty at a more leisurely pace from the back of a sledge pulled by dogs. Don’t feel confident enough to drive your own sleigh? Run Arctic propose a dog walk with a difference: let your canine pal lead you and lend a helping hand to get your snowshoe clad feet through the more powdery terrain.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Valloire
Best time to visit & ski Valloire
The ski season runs from mid-December up until mid-April. Valloire’s south-west facing slopes attract the sun for your winter break, preventing you from freezing your derrière off. And if you’re visiting in the winter month of January, check out the annual ice and snow sculpture competitions. Stay on the North side of the mountains in the search of the good weather as the season gets on. 70% of this resort’s runs can be found over 2000m high up, and with more than 400 snow canons supporting slopes when they’re in need of a little dusting, you can expect snow sure conditions lasting for the duration of the spring season.
Peak Dates
Book an unforgettable white Christmas in Valloire this year. Feast on more than 24 advent activities as the resort offers snow fun in dog sledging; ice skating; llama snowshoeing and a special visit from the man himself, Santa. Valloire Christmas ski holidays ‣
Dinners, live music, fireworks and dancing for a New Year in Valloire that you will (most probably) remember. What better way to kick off the New Year than with some snow secure skiing the next day? Valloire New Year ski holidays ‣
A relatively quiet resort, this February half-term in Valloire will be fun and laughter for all, with plenty of snow for quality skiing, snow shoeing, paragliding, skating and much, much more! Valloire Half Term ski holidays ‣
Your children will feel like they’ve won Wonka’s golden ticket as they explore all that this resort has to offer this Easter in Valloire. Magical snow parks tailored to all the family’s abilities will leave everyone happier than the idea of a swimming pool filled with thousands of melted chocolate eggs. Valloire Easter ski holidays ‣
Families in Valloire
Families will find plenty of activities, both ski and non-ski related, to keep all ages entertained at this resort. Childcare centre Les Aiglons usually puts on a show of non-stop fun from 9 ‘til 5, taking your little ones onto the nursery slope- complete with magic carpet- and around a play area filled with laughter, animators and igloos. The ski schools also offer their own childcare facilities, teaming up with Les Aiglons for the snow play area.
Visit the Asinerie de la Valloirette- a donkey farm by the river- to see how they live; for a magical sled ride through the snow.
Older children will be more than happy to swap the skate park for the resort’s many snow parks this winter, practising moves they’ve been dying to try out on skis or snowboard. Fearless of flying, why not enrol them for the day at the École Envergure’s paragliding club? Finish a day’s skiing with a family activity where everyone can join in as you slide down the mountain on a family-sized trail of sledges with Snake Gliss.
Check out our family sized holidays to hotels and apartments below. If your little ones are too young to be enrolled in a nursery on the snow, ask us about hotels with their own childcare facilities.
GroupsGroup Holidays Valloire
Valloire is perfect for groups of mixed abilities, from members who’ve never set a ski on the snow to seasoned thrill-seekers.
Ride the Crete draglift for a descent suited to all: follow the blue Combe run down, where advanced skiers have the option of taking the black Grandes Drozes descent through the trees whilst early skiers continue along the Grapil blue. Come together where the runs meet for a final spurt down to the valley between Valmeinier and Valloire- setting you up to continue the day skiing in either resort, depending on the group consensus.
If travelling in a group with children, fetch a drink from the Mast’rock café to enjoy around the floodlit ice rink as the kids enjoy their après ski. For a drink amongst adult friends, l’Equipe bar is the local hangout where you can all sit back, relax and enjoy the warm fuzzy feel of a Chartreuse. And if members of your party are feeling a little too tired for a full day’s skiing the following morning, the resort has plenty of more placid non-ski activities to try, such as a day in Les Sens des Cîmes spa. Bliss.
Accommodation-wise for groups, apartments are good if you want to do your own thing: cook together, eat together, and hang out playing a group game of charades by the fire of an evening.
Chalets offer the same opportunity- make sure to enquire into sole occupancy for it to be just you and your group.
Not forgetting hotels, holding traditional alpine charm without the worries of finding something to cook that everyone will enjoy. Gather together at dinnertime for a meal around the table together and a drink in the comfy lounge after, just like home! See Sno’s group holiday deals on hotels and apartments below and give us a call if you need further group guidance.
Which are the best ski holidays in Valloire?
| Accommodation | Number of nights | Price (per person) from |
|---|---|---|
| Chalets du Galibier | 7 | £ 409 |
| Résidence Odalys Le Hameau de La Vallée d’Or | 7 | £ 575 |
| Hotel Christiania | 7 | £ 1103 |
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