FranceSavoie, Les 3 ValléesSkiChecked Oct 2026

London to Val Thorens for Skiing

At 2,300m, Val Thorens is the highest resort in Les 3 Vallées and one of the most snow-sure in the Alps, with a season that runs from November to May. This guide covers flying to Geneva, Lyon or Chambéry, the Eurostar ski train to Moûtiers, driving, and lift passes for 2026/27.

21 Nov – 2 MayLift season 2026/27
Chambéry (CMF)Closest airport, weekends only
~5–6hFastest, door to door

The short answer

For most people the simplest option is to fly from London to Geneva (about 1h 30m–1h 45m) and take a shared or private transfer to Val Thorens, which takes around 2h 35m–2h 45m, or 3h 20m–3h 50m on busy Saturdays. If you can travel at the weekend from mid-December, flights to Chambéry cut the transfer to about 1h 30m. Flight-free, the Eurostar ski train runs to Moûtiers on Saturdays from 19 December 2026 to 20 February 2027, with a 1-hour bus up to the resort.

Ski essentials

Val Thorens is high, snow-sure and ski-in ski-out, but it's also exposed, so it pays to know what to expect.

Season dates

The Val Thorens-Orelle ski area is due to open on 21 November 2026, with the La Grande Première opening weekend on 21–22 November, and close on 2 May 2027. The wider 3 Vallées area is linked from about 5 December to 18 April. Weather can change opening dates, so check live lift status before you go.

Lift passes

For 2026/27 a 6-day adult Val Thorens-Orelle pass costs €330.50 before 19 December and €367.50 from 19 December. A 6-day adult 3 Vallées pass, which adds Les Menuires, Méribel and Courchevel, costs €421 from 19 December to 9 April and €378.50 at the start and end of the season. Prices are from the official resort site.

Altitude and weather

The resort sits at about 2,300m, above the treeline, so the snow is reliable but it can be very cold and windy, and visibility drops fast in bad weather. Bring a good layering system, a neck warmer and goggles for flat light.

Who it suits

Val Thorens has lots of wide, cruisy blues and reds, which makes it popular with intermediates and groups. Beginners have dedicated learner areas close to the resort, and experts can range across the whole 3 Vallées.

Good to know

The resort is mostly car-free in winter. If you drive, you must park in a Valthoparc car park, which you should book online well ahead for peak weeks. Snow chains, socks or 3PMSF winter tyres are compulsory in French mountain areas from 1 November to 31 March.

Every way to get there

From London to Val Thorens, best options first. Times are typical door to door; check live schedules for your dates.

1

Fly to Geneva, then a shared or private transfer

Best for most
Door to door6–8h
£ Cost££
Best forMost trips and any day of the week
  1. London to Geneva (GVA)About 1h 30m–1h 45m. British Airways and SWISS fly from Heathrow and London City; easyJet flies from Gatwick and Luton, and other London airports have winter services too. Airlines charge extra for skis or boards. Check current schedules.
  2. Geneva Airport to Val ThorensAbout 205km. Allow around 2h 35m–2h 45m midweek and 3h 20m–3h 50m on peak Saturdays or in heavy snow. Shared transfers typically cost around £60–£95 per seat each way; private minivans start from about £240 midweek and £380 on peak Saturdays with one major operator. Winter shuttle buses also run from Geneva to the resort.
Find LGW–GVA flightsExpediaSkyscannerBook a private transferWelcome PickupsBus and train: Geneva Airport → Val Thorens

Geneva has the most flights, so it's usually the best choice if you're not travelling on a Saturday or Sunday.

2

Fly to Chambéry, then a transfer

Fastest
Door to door5–6h
£ Cost££
Best forWeekend changeovers in peak season
  1. London to Chambéry (CMF)About 1h 40m–1h 55m. Ski-season flights only: British Airways from London City (weekends, from 12 December 2026) and from Gatwick and Stansted, and Jet2 from Gatwick and Stansted, with services starting between 12 and 21 December 2026. Check current schedules.
  2. Chambéry Airport to Val ThorensAbout 122km, roughly 1h 30m by road in normal conditions. Book a shared or private transfer in advance, as the airport is small and options are limited.
Find LCY–CMF flightsExpediaSkyscannerBook a private transferWelcome PickupsBus and train: Chambéry Airport → Val Thorens

Flights mostly run on Saturdays and Sundays, so this suits a standard week-long trip.

3

Fly to Lyon, then a transfer

Door to door6–7h
£ Cost££
Best forMore flight choice outside Geneva
  1. London to Lyon (LYS)About 1h 35m–1h 50m. easyJet flies from Gatwick, British Airways from Heathrow, and Wizz Air is due to start Gatwick flights from late October 2026. Check current schedules.
  2. Lyon Airport to Val ThorensAbout 199km, roughly 2h 20m by road in normal conditions, longer on Saturdays. Winter shuttles run from Lyon Airport to the resort, or book a shared or private transfer.
Find LGW–LYS flightsExpediaSkyscannerBook a private transferWelcome PickupsBus and train: Lyon Airport → Val Thorens
4

Eurostar ski train to Moûtiers, then the bus

Flight-free
Door to door9–10h
£ Cost££
Best forFlight-free trips during the main season
  1. Eurostar Snow: London St Pancras to MoûtiersSaturdays from 19 December 2026 to 20 February 2027, with one change at Lille Europe. The train leaves St Pancras at around 09:00 and reaches Moûtiers at about 17:00. Returns run on Sundays from 27 December to 28 February, plus some Saturdays. Standard one-way fares start at around £99–£125. Skis or a board go free on top of two cases and a piece of hand luggage.
  2. Outside those dates: Eurostar and TGV via ParisTake Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord, cross to Gare de Lyon, then a TGV to Moûtiers, which takes about 4h 20m. Direct TGVs to the Alps run mainly at weekends in winter, so check SNCF Connect for your dates.
  3. Moûtiers to Val ThorensAltibus buses leave from next to the station and take about 1 hour (sometimes 90 minutes on busy Saturdays); fares are typically around €12 or more for adults (check altibus.com). A taxi takes about 55 minutes and costs around €110–€130 for up to three or four people.
Train tickets on KlookTrain times: London → MoûtiersTransfer options: Moûtiers → Val Thorens

Book the Altibus online ahead of time to secure a seat on the bus after the train arrives.

5

Drive via Le Shuttle

Door to door11–13h
£ Cost££
Best forGroups, families and lots of kit
  1. Folkestone to Calais on Le Shuttle35 minutes under the Channel, and you stay with your car.
  2. Calais to Val ThorensAbout 8–10 hours on French motorways (A26, A5 and A43), then via Albertville and Moûtiers and up the D117 to the resort. Budget for French motorway tolls, and many people stop overnight on the way.
Le Shuttle crossingsHire a carPlan the drive

Book a Valthoparc car park space at least two weeks ahead for peak weeks, as they can sell out.

Where to stay in Val Thorens

Compare hotels and apartments, many with free cancellation. Book early for December weekends.

See hotels in Val Thorens Expedia KKday

Plan the rest of your trip

🎟️ Tours & tickets 🚕 Airport transfer 📶 Travel eSIM 🚗 Car hire 🎫 City passes 🧳 Luggage storage ⏱️ Flight delay claim

All options compared

Typical times and relative costs. £ is cheapest, £££ is priciest.

OptionDoor to doorCostBest for
Fly to Geneva, then a shared or private transfer6–8h££Most trips and any day of the week
Fly to Chambéry, then a transfer5–6h££Weekend changeovers in peak season
Fly to Lyon, then a transfer6–7h££More flight choice outside Geneva
Eurostar ski train to Moûtiers, then the bus9–10h££Flight-free trips during the main season
Drive via Le Shuttle11–13h££Groups, families and lots of kit

Where to stay and ski nearby

Val Thorens is the top of the 3 Vallées, and a 3 Vallées pass opens up three valleys of linked skiing.

Your base

Val Thorens

Purpose-built, high and mostly ski-in ski-out, with lively après-ski. Stay close to the lifts and Place Caron for the shortest walks in ski boots.

Hotels in Val Thorens Expedia
Same valley

Les Menuires

Lower down the Belleville valley and usually cheaper, with direct ski links to Val Thorens. A good pick for families on a budget.

Hotels in Les Menuires Expedia
Next valley

Méribel

A chalet-style village in the middle of the 3 Vallées, with tree-lined runs that are useful in bad weather. Reachable on skis with a 3 Vallées pass.

Hotels in Méribel Expedia
Over the top

Orelle

On the Maurienne side, included in the Val Thorens-Orelle pass and linked by gondola. Quieter and cheaper to stay, with access to some of the highest skiing in the area.

Hotels in Orelle Expedia

Local tip: On windy days, check which lifts are open before heading far across the 3 Vallées so you don't get stuck on the wrong side.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

What is the nearest airport to Val Thorens?

Chambéry is the closest (about 122km, around 1h 30m), but it only has weekend ski-season flights from London. Geneva and Lyon are both about 200km away and have far more flights.

Is there a direct Eurostar ski train to Val Thorens?

Not to the resort itself. The Eurostar Snow train runs on Saturdays from 19 December 2026 to 20 February 2027 to Moûtiers, with one change at Lille. From Moûtiers it's about an hour by Altibus or taxi to Val Thorens.

When does the Val Thorens ski season start and end?

For 2026/27 the Val Thorens-Orelle area is due to open on 21 November 2026 and close on 2 May 2027. The full 3 Vallées area is linked from about 5 December to 18 April.

How much is a Val Thorens lift pass in 2026/27?

A 6-day adult Val Thorens-Orelle pass costs €367.50 from 19 December (€330.50 before that). A 6-day adult 3 Vallées pass costs €421 in the main season.

How long does it take to drive from London to Val Thorens?

Allow 11–13 hours including Le Shuttle, check-in and stops. The drive from Calais alone is about 8–10 hours.

Do I need snow chains to drive to Val Thorens?

Yes. From 1 November to 31 March you must carry chains or snow socks, or have four 3PMSF winter tyres, in French mountain areas, and the road up from Moûtiers is steep.

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Times and prices are typical estimates, checked Oct 2026. Always confirm with the operator before booking. Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.