Travel to Valmorel with ski insurance from Essential Travel

Stretching across the Maurienne and Tarentaise valleys, Valmorel was built from scratch in the mid-1970s, Valmorel was intended to look and feel like a mountain village. It features a traffic-free main street with low-rise hamlets grouped around it and along the lower slopes, with traditional Savoie stone and wood materials throughout. The end result is an attractive and friendly resort.

With over 50 lifts and linked with St Francois, Valmorel offers 162kms of pistes both below and above the tree-line. Served mainly by a network of chairlifts for major access, it also has a single gondola from above the village to aid congestion. Beginners are well catered for with approximately 10 draglifts scattered around the village of Valmorel. With over 162kms of pistes, there is something for all in the area. There is excellent, lift-accessed off-piste skiing, especially from the top of Col du Gollet.

Valmorel is a great place to try snowboarding for the first time – there is a separate beginners slope with gentle runs to progress to, served by chairs and gondolas. Theres a basic fun park, gentle boarder cross-type course and a half-pipe, as well as decent intermediate runs. The main attraction for advanced snowboarders is the little-used off-piste, where you can still find fresh powder several days after a snowfall.

The season runs from December to April, with the best conditions considered to be in early March. Cheap rates are offered until mid-December and towards the end of April. Valmorel is one of the most accessible ski resorts, being less than an hour from Chambéry Airport; there are direct trains to nearby Moutiers station from Paris and other major cities.

Skiing in Valmorel

Set at 1,400m, with a top altitude of 2,550m, Valmorel has gained the reputation of being an excellent family resort. However, it comes as a pleasant surprise to find that the actual ski area (incorporating St Francois, Longchamp and Valmorel) of this intimate resort is so big, with 165kms of runs stretching across the Maurienne and Tarentaise valleys.

Valmorel ski resort is comprised of 28 green, 32 blue, 15 red and 8 black pistes, which cover 159kms; additionally, there are 20kms of cross-country trails. For intermediates, there are many long runs at altitude and pretty pine forested paths, while testing black descents and extensive off-piste skiing will challenge the more advanced. Valmorel has a separate beginners’ ski area close to its centre and several easily reached green runs; beginners and children only need the Valmorel ski pass. Snowboarders have a dedicated learning area.

The season begins in December and runs until May. The best conditions are usually in early March and the lowest rates in early December or April.

Valmorel is one of the most easily accessible ski resorts in the area, being less than an hour from Chambéry Airport. There are direct trains to nearby Moutiers station from Paris and other major cities.

Apres-ski in Valmorel

Most après-ski activities are centred on the pedestrianised main street, where street cafés are the centre of action as soon as the lifts close. Popular spots include bars like the Petit Savoyard and the Perce Neige, which is usually the busiest in the resort.

Later on, there are a variety of cocktail bars to keep you busy. Late night dancing is offered at the Clover disco. Other evening activities include viewing the latest releases at the cinema or evening snowshoe hikes.

Valmorel is an attractive purpose-built village. Having learned from the mistakes of earlier purpose-built resorts, the car-free village is built of stone and wood and its relaxed, informal atmosphere makes it a haven of peace and tranquillity after a busy day on the slopes - particularly as the pistes extend right into the village. The après-ski is cosy, and there are some very pleasant traditional bars and restaurants.

Transportation to Valmorel

Being less than an hour from Chambéry Airport, Valmorel is one of the easiest resorts to get to. There are also direct trains to nearby Moutiers station from Paris and other major cities.

If driving, Valmorel is the first resort in the Tarentaise Valley, only 15kms from the N90 main valley road. Between Albertville and Moutiers on the N90, take exit 38 or 37. From Chambéry, continue to Albertville on the A43 motorway or from Annecy on the main road (N212). Join the RN 90 and follow the signs for Moûtiers. Exit at number 37.

If travelling by air, Chambéry is the nearest airport (90kms away), but it is a small local airport with few international flights. For greater options and flexibility, there are two international airports a bit farther away: Lyon (180kms) and Geneva (120kms).

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