Valmorel travel guide

Visit Valmorel (Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, France)

Valmorel is a ski resort in the French Alps, to the south of Albertville and the Three Valleys region. It is part of a group that also includes Doucy Combelouviere, Nâves, La Léchère, Celliers and Saint-Francois-Longchamp and goes under the name 'The Grand Domaine'.

The region is one of steep forested slopes, and of course mountains, with Valmorel itself on the slopes of the Cheval Noir and surrounded by the mountain ranges of Vanoise, Lauzière and Beaufortain.

Valmorel ski resort

Overall, the ski resort at Valmorel is attractive and pleasant and located in stunning alpine scenery that lends itself well to both summer and winter mountain activities, and a very appealing ski station, among the nicest to be found in the French Alps.

Valmorel is at an altitude of 1400 metres, and has been built in a 'sympathetic' style typical of the more modern ski resorts in the Alps, with a focus on avoiding high-rise buildings and on using traditional building materials, such as wood and stone, to keep an 'Alpine village' appearance where possible. This works very successfully, in particular the large number of small apartment blocks clad in wood.

The main ski resort at Valmorel has more than 150 kilometres of ski-runs at altitudes up to 2600 metres, accessed by about 50 cable cars and ski-lifts. There are 56 pistes available (14 green, 26 blue, 11 red and 5 black runs), and several hundred snow cannons to help ensure good skiing conditions. There are also a good number of off-piste routes (predominantly around Nâves).

Children are also well catered for, and there is a good selection of après-ski options. Among the popular activities for families are quad bikes and snow scooters, sledging and airboarding. Slightly more relaxing, there is a also a spa and fitness centre in the resort. Parents with young children will be pleased to learn that there is a childrens club that will entertain children from as young as 18 months old.

In the evening Valmorel is also very lively with numerous bars and restaurants and a night club for those who still have some energy left!

During the sumer months sports including mountain biking and rock climbing, road biking and hiking are all very popular here in Valmorel - there are more than 150 kilometres of trails on our doorstep, many also open to mountain bikes and several reached using the ski lifts.

The relatively low altitude mean the season at Valmorel is less extended than in some resorts, but this also measn the resort is open for hiking and other activities earlier in the year. The winter season operates from mid-December to mid-April.

Attractions nearby

Valmorel is situated to the east of Chambery and south-east of Annecy: both these towns are worth visiting, and Annecy in particular is a very charming town.

You can find more travel ideas in the Savoie guide and the Rhone-Alpes guide.