Val Thorens - January 2026
January 17th – 24th 2026
The Snowcats festival holiday for the 25/26 season makes an exciting first visit to Val Thorens, France, where we stay in the Hotel Les Arolles.
Val Thorens, France
The resort of Val Thorens is one of the best loved French skiing destinations and is the convivial warm heart of the legendary ‘Three Valleys’ ski area which fully deserves ranking among the world’s elite ski areas. With 600km of pistes this enormous ski area is home to the famous resorts of Courchevel (including La Tania), Méribel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires and St Martin de Belleville. Encompassed within spectacular scenery one of the many advantages of the area is that it caters for all grades of skier and off the slopes has something for everybody to do.
As one of the largest ski areas in the world, the Three Valleys provides high altitude, world-class skiing with 85% of the ski area above 1,800 meters and a guarantee of great snow all season long.
The highly efficient lift system of the 3 Valleys ensures a swift day’s skiing. The Val Thorens valley has its own extensive ski area which provides easy access to the neighboring ski resorts and offers a vast choice of pistes. Beginners can enjoy the tree-lined runs around the Meribel Altiport whilst leisurely skiers can take pleasure in the flattering boulevard pistes flanked by gourmet restaurants. There are plenty of challenging runs for intermediate and advanced skiers; high up on the Saulire are steep blues and reds whilst over on the western (Tougnete) side of the valley is another good mixture of blues, reds, and blacks.
Meanwhile, the notorious Courchevel couloirs over the ridge from Meribel and the bumps of Chanrossa and Roc de Tougne will keep expert skiers occupied. The Three Valleys boasts vast off-piste terrain to tempt powder addicts; the pitches down from Mont Vallon, Plattieres, and Combes and either side of the Pas du Lac are but a few.
The Skiing
Click the piste map for a larger view.
The Snowcats 55th Annual Championship
The 55th Snowcats Annual Open Championship Race (GS) will take place during the week. There are prizes for all standards, beginners through experts with a prize-giving in the Hotel in the evening.
To mark the 55th Snowcats Annual Open Championship year, we have arranged a truly unique event for this holiday! In addition to the above Giant Slalom (Flèche) race, which will determine the 55th Open Championship results, we have also arranged for the ESF to stage La Fusée for us. More info to follow closer to the holiday.
Lift Passes
Lift passes can be purchased covering the whole 3 vallées area.
3 Vallées Ski Area Facts
- Area piste length: 600km
- No. of lifts: 183
- No. of pistes: 321 (51 Green, 132 Blue, 106 Red, 32 Black)
- Highest lift: 3230m, 10,498ft
Hotel Les Arolles
The Hotel Les Arolles is our headquarters for the week. Run by the tour operator Inghams, with whom we have an extensive history and excellent relationship, this premier ski in / ski out hotel in the heart of the village has homely furnishings, a roaring log fire, lounge and bar areas, all bedrooms with en-suite facilities, and an excellent menu.
The Hotel also has fantastic spa facilities including a whirlpool, sauna, steam room and offers a range of massage and beauty treatments.
The Hotel enjoys an excellent location right on the ski slopes
Food at Les Arolles
- Continental breakfast buffet with additional hot options served 7:30-9:30 am. A late breakfast is also served at the bar until 11am.
- Après ski snacks served from 4:30pm to keep you going until dinner.
- 4 course buffet style evening meals between 7-9pm.
- Free water, wine and fruit juices are included.
- Show cooking with a variety of themed Savoyard specialities menus each evening.
Ski Groups
Skiing in groups of about 5-8 people is an important aspect of Snowcat club skiing. We offer multiple groups of like-ability skiers to suit most standards, so providing your ability level is intermediate (see below note) through to expert, we can offer a well-matched group for you.
Winter Walkers
The 3 Valleys offers some great adventures for our walking group and non-skiers.
Take a picturesque walk on Meribel’s 20-mile network of winter walking trails, the first of its kind in the French Alps, allowing walks right across the Meribel and Courchevel valleys with the help of a few lifts and a cheaper pedestrian lift pass. Most end up at a suitable hostelry, where you can enjoy lunch.
You can also enjoy The Parc Olympique, La Chaudanne in Meribel for all things sporting. There’s an ice rink, a swimming pool, a climbing wall, a Turkish bath, a sauna and a bowling alley. The latest releases are shown at the cinema, you can go paintballing, take a scenic flight or a dog sled or relax with a massage and some beauty therapy. Ice driving and karting, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and paragliding are all also available. The hot springs at Brides Les Bains, accessible via cable car, are also rumored to have healing properties! You can also enjoy shopping & lunching in Val Thorens’ array of couture retail, cafés and restaurants.
Bookings Details
Total Price £1,525
£250 deposit payable upon booking please
£1,275 balance due by 1st October 2025
Travel
Our travel is a Saturday morning departure from London Gatwick to Chambery. Alternative flights available from Edinburgh (£19), Manchester (£49), Bristol (£39), and Birmingham (£29). Flight supplements subject to change.
Insurance
The Snowcats does not provide any form of travel insurance so we ask that party members arrange their own Travel / Ski Insurance.
Booking Conditions
Please see the main Conditions of Business page, relating to the operation of these holidays.
Ski Carriage
London Gatwick £50, Bristol, Birmingham & Manchester £80, Edinburgh only available directly with Jet 2.