You don't have to be good on skis to enjoy a superb winter vacation in the mountains! You can adore the mountains for a multitude of other reasons: admiring the magnificent, immaculate landscapes, recharging your lungs with fresh air and enjoying the warm atmosphere of the resorts. Located in Savoie's Tarentaise valley, at an altitude of 2,300 m, Val Thorens is Europe's highest resort. Skiing isn't your thing, but you'd like to discover the charming and dynamic village of Val Thorens during your next winter vacation? Here are the 11 activities Le Petit Futé recommends you don't miss.
1. Have fun tobogganing
Tobogganing is one of the most fun activities you can do when you're not skiing. And in Val Thorens, one of the best destinations for mountain vacations, you can enjoy the longest toboggan run in France, 6 km long! This signposted run lies in the heart of a beautiful natural valley. It starts at the foot of the Péclet glacier, at an altitude of 3,000 m. The COSMOJET toboggan run combines a variety of slopes and turns. The activity is open to children aged 5 and over, and holidaymakers can opt for one run, two runs or the whole day. One thing's for sure, there's plenty of laughs to be had.
The activity to book: Discover an atypical and sensational way of tobogganing in Val Thorens and try out the Snake Gliss descent by booking right here. It's even more fun than the traditional single or double sled!
2. Walking through immaculate landscapes
What could be more rejuvenating than walking in the snow and contemplating the beauty of the landscape? Holidaymakers who aren't fans of skiing can take advantage of the time to stroll along one of the resort's four footpaths. There are several levels of difficulty, with green, blue and red colors, as for the slopes. For example, you can follow the Montagnette trail, which is easy and blasts due south. A word of advice to hikers: once you've reached La Montagnette, a small stone house, turn around to enjoy the sublime panorama of the Péclet massif.
Do you like walking? Discover the most beautiful hikes in Savoie!
3. Sunbathing on a terrace in Val Thorens
A vacation in the mountains is the perfect opportunity to enjoy glorious sunny days. And one of the best things to do during the day when you're not skiing is to relax on a terrace under the blue sky. Val Thorens offers lively terraces in the upper part of the resort, and quieter ones in the center. Non-skiers can also head to the high-altitude restaurants to sit on the terrace, enjoy a hot chocolate or pastry and, of course, take in the magnificent views of the peaks. Don't forget your sun cream, of course.
4. What to do in Val Thorens when you're not skiing? Zip-lining
Downhill skiing and snowboarding aren't the only ways to get a thrill out of a stay in Val Thorens. The Savoyard resort boasts two zip lines, the La Bee double zip line and the Bouchet zip line. The former invites you to hurtle down a 1,800 m dual slope at heights of up to 65 m. The latter offers a long glide down the slope. The second offers a 1300 m glide, just under 2 minutes of thrills and chills, and a safe way to take in the panoramic views of the Maurienne and Tarentaise valleys. An absolute must!
Activities to book: Want to get even higher? Take to the skies in front of Mont Blanc and try tandem paragliding in Val Thorens by booking right here, or even this winter paramotor flight in Val Thorens.
5. What to do in Val Thorens when you're not skiing? Ride an electric mountain bike
Mountain biking is often associated with springtime, with rides on country lanes or in the forest. Well, Val Thorens offers superb electric fat bike rides on snow, right in the middle of winter. You'll be amazed at how stable you feel on the powder. Holidaymakers meet at the slalom parking lot in Val Thorens, for a group outing or private lesson. The trail followed is the Montagnette, the same one offered to walkers.
Activities to book: Snowboarding is a fun and versatile activity, which allows you to evolve on many terrains, just like mountain biking. Come and try off-piste snowboarding in an ideal location, and discover the basics of this discipline by booking right here!
6. Relaxing après-ski
What to do after a walk on one of the trails, a zip-line session or a mountain bike ride in Val Thorens? Join the skiers for après-ski! The resort is very lively in the late afternoon, with bars offering different atmospheres. Head for the tearoom to debrief the day's events, or the pub to enjoy a beer in a lively atmosphere. There's even a bar-club where you can dance to the sound of DJs in Val Thorens. Everyone is welcome to relax and enjoy their vacation.
7. What to do in Val Thorens when you're not skiing? Relax at the pool
On a typical day in Val Thorens, a great vacation destination in January, you'll come across holidaymakers rushing to get to the ski slopes, but you'll also come across happy walkers delighted to make their way to the Centre sportif - Le Board. This beautifully renovated building, with its snowboard-shaped roof, boasts a heated indoor leisure pool, 2 x 20 m swimming lanes and an aquatic play area with water games for the youngest guests. But that's not all: the sports center also features other areas, including a spa with 2 balneotherapy pools, 3 saunas, 1 hammam and 1 cold-water well.
8. Taste the local specialities, a must in Val Thorens
Val Thorens is a great destination for gourmets. During the day, don't hesitate to stroll through the mountain specialty stores to discover the region's flagship products. Shopkeepers are always delighted to showcase their quality products (cheeses, charcuterie, etc.). You'll also want to take advantage of your stay to try a Savoyard fondue, a perfect comfort dish. If you prefer, you can order the ingredients and enjoy your fondue at home.
9. What to do in Val Thorens when you're not skiing? Go-karting on the ice
The Val Thorens resort is equipped withan ice track 225 m long and 5 m wide, specially dedicated to go-karting. The ideal activity for friends and family who don't ski, but still want to experience the thrill of sliding down the slopes. Once you've settled behind the wheel of your 270cc go-kart fitted with studded tires, you're ready to take off and enjoy the straights and bends. Karting is accessible to children aged 7 and over, in one of the best family resorts around. The circuit is located opposite the Plein Sud chairlift departure station.
Activities to book: Do you like thrills? Climb the most beautiful icefalls in the Three Valleys on this half-day discovery tour of ice climbing in Val Thorens!
10. Groomer rides
A totally unusual activity to discover in Val Thorens, a must-see winter destination in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Lasting 2 hours, the ride on a snow groomer is accompanied by a professional to immerse you in the world of slope maintenance. It's a great opportunity to learn more about grooming, staking and avalanche control. The excursion, which takes in either the Vallon du Lou or the Plan d'Eau des Bruyères, includes a local aperitif in a real mountain refuge. The groomer cabin can accommodate up to 15 people.
11. What to do in Val Thorens when you're not skiing? Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is not only the world's oldest winter sport, dating back over 10,000 years, but it's also a sport accessible to a wide public, since it requires no particular technique or physical condition. Snowshoeing is a gentle way to discover the magnificent landscapes of the Savoyard resort of Val Thorens, following the Marine trail or the 2 Lakes trail, for example. The activity can be enjoyed alone or accompanied by a mountain guide.
Petit Futé tip: Rent the best snowshoeing equipment in Val Thorens right now by booking here.
Are you passionate about the mountains? Don't miss our top picks for the most beautiful mountain villages in the Alps, the most beautiful places in Savoie and the best family ski destinations!
