Val Thorens

Val Thorens offers a great deal even before you head out to explore the 600km of pistes of the 3 Valleys. Beginners at this altitude can walk straight onto nursery slopes that are guaranteed great snow cover all season long. There is now a “cocoon” for beginners, basically skiing with a roof, covering 40 hectares. There are also good beginners' slopes off the Cascades chairlift. Intermediate skiers are also spoiled around the resort, with no need to travel further if the place suits them. The lifts are very good, so you shouldn't need to wait too long to get to the higher altitudes where there's an incredible selection of runs for intermediates.

Locally, there aren't a huge number of very challenging runs, though eight pistes are ranked as blacks. To really test yourself, head up on the Cime de Caron lift and plummet back down on the thrilling 3km of the Caron piste. Off-piste there are plenty more thrills; the 1,400m vertical descent of Lac du Lou has a world-wide reputation. Boarders have a new five-zone park which really is state-of-the-art and with everything all levels of boarder could want. Some of the best professionals use this place for training, so you may even see a star working on his turns. The boadercross run is 800m long.

The 3 Valleys ski area is the world's biggest, with more than 600km of pistes and 180 lifts. The runs cover nearly 2,000m in altitude and the longest is 12km long. It can be daunting knowing where to start! Around Meribel, you'll find good red and blue runs, and the famous black at Bartevalle. Use the Dent du Burgin lift to get up to the best slopes. Le Serf is one of the best reds. Off piste fans should head to St Martin, and if you like to ski in woodland, La Tania is a good bet. Folyeres is a great run and not as busy as it ought to be. Couchevel is quite a trek, but the slopes are kept in tip-top condition by an army of staff. Around Le Praz you'll find two of the best blacks in the whole ski area, The Jean Blanc and Jockeys, which are both worth the trip.

There are more than 100,000 beds in the whole 3 Valleys family of resorts, and everyone wants something to do when they're not skiing. That means a truly dizzying array of activities in Val Thorens. France's longest tobogganing run is here – another 6km descent. You'll also find paragliding, ice driving, paintball, snowshoeing, ice diving, air bag boarding, snow mobiles, helicopter trips and much more. There's an excellent sports centre with a large swimming pool, a cinema, 10-pin bowling, and lots and lots of spa and wellness centres and luxury shops.

With around 60 restaurants in and around Val Thorens, there's a very wide range of choices for diners, from cheap and cheerful to real gourmet food. Try La Fondue in Hotel Val Thorens for good traditional mountain food and a large sunny terrace. Le Chaudron is another good option for those looking for Savoyard classics. There is international cuisine at Le Hameau du Kashmir and good crepes and snacky lunches. Le Montana in the Residence Village Montana has a laid-back atmosphere and excellent food.

Cheaper eats can be found in Le Scapin, which does good pizzas. The Red Fox offers takeaways as well as good fast food in a lively, pub atmosphere. John's Scandinavian and John's American do exactly what their names suggest and do it very well indeed with very good, friendly service. If you want to see what earns you two Michelin stars, then head to Jean Sulpice's eponymous restaurant. On the mountains there's an equally good selection. Les Chalets du Thorens is a good example of a cafeteria-style restaurant, with swankier fare upstairs. La Ferme de Rosalie is a much more traditional way to refuel before your afternoon's exertions. Le Chalet de la Marine is one of the best for the quality of its cooking, again in self-service and table-service options.

Val Thorens has a wide, varied and, in some cases, world-famous après ski scene, with nearly 50 bars and three clubs. The Folie Douce is the star of the place. “The dancefloor on top of the world” can get very lively, and also serves good food at its La Fruitiere restaurant. Bar 360 should also be on your list for noisy fun in your ski boots. The Red Fox in town can be busy and is a good stop-off at the top of the village before heading to the Rue de Gebroulaz where the best of the bars are. There's live music in Café Snesko. The Frog and Roast Beef is Europe's highest pub. Klub Summit, The Baramix and Malaysia are the clubbing options in town, with Malaysia the spot the superstar DJs head to.

The long season at Val Thorens generally starts on November 21st and runs to May 8th. The lifts are open from 9am to 4.30pm.

There are three choices for passes at Val Thorens. A 3 Valleys pass opens up the skiing of all six resort centres. A Belleville Valley pass includes Val Thorens-Orelle and Les Menuires-St Martin de Belleville with 300 km of runs. A pass for just Val Thorens and Orelle includes 150km of runs. There are a number of deals for youngsters, families and couples. You can buy online before travelling.

There is a huge array of ski and boarding shops in Val Thorens. There's a complete list on the resort's official website. From ski hire to the latest boarding fashions, you'll find everything here.

There is a very wide range of instruction available in Val Thorens, and much more in the 3 Valleys. There are the usual ESF branches including children's clubs, boarding school, and a competition school. There is also instruction and guiding for the high mountains offered by the 12 schools and instructors in the village.

There is no street parking in Val Thorens, though drivers are allowed to park while unloading or loading luggage at their accommodation. The resort's car parks have around 3,500 spaces and are manned full time. The police expect you to have snow chains, so make sure you're properly equipped for French Alpine driving.