The season is still in full flow and Val Thorens are already announcing plans for next winter. The resort will boast a Funitel gondola, its first 5* apartments and a new concept hotel.
The new Funitel will take skiers from 2780m up to 3000m in approximately 2 minutes and will offer two new, high altitude pistes, les Asters a new red run and le Chocard a new blue run. The Three Valleys may be the largest and best linked ski area in the world, but new lifts and runs are always welcome.
The new apartments on offer are being described as a 'Savoyade grand chalet residence' and will be situated near to the current Village Montana apartments. The 5* property will house 40 luxurious 4 & 6 person apartments, between 55 m2 and 75 m2, with ensuite facilities including hydro-massage baths. Each apartment will also come with wireless internet access. The residence will boast a spa with an indoor pool, Turkish baths, saunas and massage facilities.
One of the exciting new additions to resort will be the Hotel Altapura, a new 4* concept hotel. The hotel has been designed to fit in perfect harmony with the environment and is currently being fit with a blanket of solar panels (it makes for a very interesting view from the Plein Sud chairlift at the moment). Though the external view of the hotel is conceptual, the interior is expected to combine the panache of grand hotels with the Nordic ambience of wood and stone work.
Over the last few seasons Val Thorens has seen some serious investment with new chalets, beginner lift upgrades (from drag lifts to covered travellators) and a new, much more extensive kids ski area (the piou piou club). This investment seems set to continue with Europe's highest resort growing in popularity season after season.
Written by Stephen Adam
© Igluski