Val Cenis

In the heart of the Haute Maurienne Vanoise in the Northern Alps, the ski resort of Val Cenis is a real gem, steeped in history and tradition. This picturesque village resort, perched at the foot of the famous Mont Cenis Pass, offers a warm welcome that continues a thousand-year-old tradition. The Mont Cenis Pass has long been a strategic crossing point between France and Italy, a place of encounters, exchanges and cultures. Today, this authenticity can be felt on every street corner, in the smiles of the locals, but also in the deep respect for the natural environment. Val Cenis is an invitation to discover a wild and generous natural environment, where forests of spruce, larch and Swiss pine offer a magical setting, especially when the first snowflakes cover the landscape with a pristine white blanket.

Come and take advantage of dynamic pricing for a wild and varied natural environment with 1,500 metres of vertical drop. From one side of the resort to the other, let yourself be dazzled by skiing at altitude or through the sparkling forests of Swiss stone pines and larch trees.

The Val Cenis ski resort

The Val Cenis ski area covers an impressive 1,500-metre vertical drop, offering a varied playground suitable for all levels. With 125 km of slopes, the resort guarantees a rich and diverse skiing experience, from gentle slopes for beginners to more technical runs for experienced skiers. Skiers can choose between panoramic descents at high altitude, where the pure air and spectacular views of the surrounding peaks dominate, or quieter passages through sparkling forests. In addition, the resort has a modern network of ski lifts that avoids long queues, a valuable advantage that greatly improves skiing comfort. Skiers enjoy quick and smooth access to the different areas, allowing them to maximise their time on the slopes while exploring the entire domain.

A resort that is constantly evolving

For more than fifteen years, Val Cenis has been constantly modernising and improving its infrastructure. Since 2007, significant investments have been made to renew the ski lifts, improve safety and facilitate access to the slopes. These efforts are part of a strong commitment to adapt the resort to the current needs of skiers, making skiing accessible to everyone, regardless of their level. Yves Dimier, director of the ski area, emphasises the philosophy behind these projects. These investments include the installation of modern gondola lifts, magic carpets for beginners and facilities for people with reduced mobility. This ongoing development promises to make Val Cenis even more attractive and welcoming.

A vast, modern and varied ski area

Beyond the traditional slopes, Val Cenis offers a wide range of modern and fun snow sports activities, perfectly suited to the desires of young people and families. The snowpark, for example, is an area dedicated to freestyle enthusiasts, equipped with a variety of modules for jumping, slaloming and performing tricks. In addition, several fun snow sports areas, such as boardercross and tobogganing areas, offer guaranteed fun.

The resort is also the ideal place for children. Everything is designed so that little ones can enjoy the thrill of skiing as much as their parents. The resort has the longest green run in Europe for your little ones. Val Cenis, the resort for young skiers!

This blend of tradition and innovation reflects the spirit of the resort, which has retained its mountain roots while embracing the latest trends in skiing and winter sports. The warm and lively villages of Val Cenis complete the experience, offering a friendly setting where you can get together over a Savoyard meal or enjoy local entertainment.

The resort’s assets

For a change of pace, Val Cenis also offers non-skiing activities, including sledging, which delights young and old alike. A 900-metre toboggan run accessible via the Val Cenis le Haut cable car offers thrills in a safe environment. But the real originality lies in discovering the toboggans of yesteryear, known as ‘Paret’, which were once used by children to get to school or by smugglers to descend the pass in winter. Paul and Cécile have brought this tradition back to life, offering fun descents on these vintage sleds, a real step back in time combined with a friendly atmosphere. This activity, both historical and entertaining, adds a touch of authenticity that enriches visitors’ stays.

The villages of the Haute Maurienne Vanoise, including Val Cenis, adhere to the ‘Pour une montagne de confort’ (For a comfortable mountain) charter initiated by the Savoie General Council. This means that the resort makes it a point of honour to offer a warm and tailored welcome to all types of visitors. Whether you are a senior citizen, a parent with a pushchair or have a disability, specific facilities and services are available to make your stay easier. Accommodation, shops and public spaces are designed to ensure comfortable and safe access, allowing everyone to enjoy the mountain activities to the full in an inclusive environment that respects the needs of all.

Learn while having fun in Val Cenis

Enjoy a family atmosphere at the ski schools in Val Cenis. A wide range of sports are available, so you’re sure to find something to suit you: downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and skating. Learning and fun go hand in hand with the natural rhythm of Mont Cenis. Feel free to contact one of the four ski schools in Val Cenis.

Activities on offer in Val Cenis

Val Cenis is not just about downhill skiing. The resort offers a wide range of activities for all ages and abilities. Ski schools, such as the ESI, offer lessons in downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and even disabled skiing, supervised by experienced instructors. For nature lovers, snowshoe walks are a great way to discover the snow-covered landscapes of the national park. The more adventurous can try their hand at snakegliss or canyoning in the Écot canyon, considered one of the most beautiful in the Alps.

After a day on the slopes, there’s nothing like a moment of relaxation. Val Cenis offers several wellness areas with spas, saunas and massages to help you recharge your batteries. Yoga sessions in the heart of nature are also organised, offering a zen break with views of the snow-capped peaks. These moments of relaxation perfectly complement the mountain experience.

The Mont Cenis Lake

Between France and Italy, perched at an altitude of 2,000 metres, lies a magical lake. A magical place where flowers grow nowhere else, with vegetation that is well maintained thanks to cows, sheep and farmers. This area can be explored by bike or on foot, and you can discover the magnificent turquoise-coloured lake of Mont Cenis. It is a place steeped in history that is well worth a visit. You can also explore the Second World War forts in the surrounding area. It is therefore the perfect place to recharge your batteries and enjoy nature to the full.

Belle and Sebastian

Step through the screen and immerse yourself in the world of the ‘Belle and Sebastian’ films. You will rediscover the legendary filming locations and enjoy life in the great outdoors. Nostalgia for adults and discovery for children: come and get a breath of fresh air on the filming locations of your favourite heroes and follow in the footsteps of the little boy and his dog. A unique and fun cultural tour, to be enjoyed on foot, snowshoes or cross-country skis.

The Val Cenis ski resort is committed to sustainable development

In order to protect and preserve its natural environment, the Val Cenis ski area has had an Environment Observatory since 2014.

Its aim is to improve knowledge and thus better preserve the resort’s exceptional natural heritage.

This observatory is run by the Karum research consultancy, which conducts an annual survey of local biodiversity in terms of fauna, flora and landscapes.

Every year in March, Val Cenis organises Nature & Ski, a week dedicated to sustainable skiing. In partnership with the Vanoise National Park, the resort offers snowshoe walks, nature activities, shows and workshops on environmental preservation. It’s an opportunity to combine skiing, exploring the area and raising environmental awareness. A committed event, in harmony with the resort’s sustainable values.

Val Cenis, a connected resort

Val Cenis is also renowned for its innovative commercial offers, including the famous ‘1 day, 1 deal’ packages, which allow visitors to book their ski pass in advance at a preferential rate. This dynamic initiative is part of a wider approach to make skiing accessible to as many people as possible, while encouraging advance planning.

In addition, the resort has developed a comprehensive mobile app that makes life easier for skiers. With this app, users can check real-time piste conditions and lift status, access webcams and even record their performance via an integrated GPS tracker. This digitalisation enriches the experience by offering challenges and competitions throughout the season, much to the delight of winter sports enthusiasts.

Unforgettable experiences in Val Cenis Lanslebourg

In Val Cenis, thrills take to the skies. Take off on a paragliding initiation with Antipodes, a team of passionate instructors with 35 years of experience around the world, including the summit of Everest. This enchanting, poetic flight takes you over the villages of Haute Maurienne in a breathtaking setting.

To prolong the magic of the sky, treat yourself to a tandem microlight flight. Accessible to all, including people with disabilities, this aerial adventure reveals the spectacular panoramas of the Vanoise National Park. It’s a unique way to discover the mountains, with your eyes wide open and your heart beating fast.

The resort offers fun and unusual ways to get back up the slope and reach the various peaks of Val Cenis… We’ll let you discover them for yourself!

The mountain resort of Val Cenis in summer

In summer, the mountains reveal another side to their character. The Écot canyon, a veritable natural water park, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful canyons in the Alps. Carved out by glacial meltwater, it offers 12 jumps ranging from 2 to 9 metres, all optional. For experienced swimmers aged 10 and over, it’s a cocktail of adrenaline and fresh air in the heart of nature.

Finally, for total immersion in the great outdoors, follow a cycling or hiking route from the village of Bramans. The path winds through a forest of majestic larch trees, passes near the church of Saint-Pierre d’Extravache, and offers you a moment of calm and beauty. A moment suspended between heritage and wild nature.

Webcams of the Val Cenis pass

If you would like to see the current conditions in the ski resort and its natural surroundings, you will find real-time webcams of Val Cenis below.

Val Cenis webcam: Pont Noir

Val Cenis webcam: Sommet du Solert

Hotels in the Val Cenis resort

Le Saint-Charles Hôtel & Spa ****

The only 4-star hotel in Val Cenis, this modern chalet is located at the foot of the ski slopes and combines charm and authenticity. Each of the 84 rooms has a balcony with a panoramic view of the slopes or the Vanoise.

After a good day’s skiing, you can relax in the hotel’s wellness centre.

Hôtel l’Alpazur ***

The Alpazur enjoys an ideal location in Val Cenis! Just 200 metres from the slopes in winter and at the foot of the Col du Mont Cenis in summer, the hotel is in the centre of the village, close to all amenities.

To make your stay complete, a sports and wellness area is at your disposal with a sauna, jacuzzi and gym.

The restaurant serves refined and generous cuisine made with regional products. The perfect menu for an unforgettable stay!

Hôtel la Clé des Champs ***

A small, charming hotel, faithfully run by the same family for around thirty years.

The slopes of the Val Cenis ski area are very close by, just 200 metres away. There’s nothing better than getting up and finding yourself right on your skis, ready to go!

How to get to Val Cenis?

By car

Take the A43 motorway towards Turin, exit 30 – Modane, Haute Maurienne, then take the departmental road 1006 (formerly RN6). Drive through Modane and continue towards Val Cenis. Val Cenis is 23 km away.

By train

Modane train station is located 23 km from Val Cénis resort. It is served by regular SNCF trains from major cities. You can reach the resort in less than an hour with a Modane – Val Cenis bus ticket.

By plane

The airports of Lyon, Grenoble, Turin, Chambéry and Geneva are the closest to Haute Maurienne. During the winter season only, there are bus connections between the airports and Val Cenis resort.

• Lyon -> Val Cenis: 225km, 2 hours 35 minutes by car
• Grenoble -> Val Cenis: 150km, 1 hour 50 minutes by car
• Chambéry – Val Cenis: 125km, 1 hour 35 minutes by car

Skiing in Val Cenis: the resort’s strengths

In the heart of the Vanoise National Park, Val Cenis is a resort that combines the best of the Northern Alps: extensive ski area, high-quality snow, and Savoyard authenticity. Located between 1,300 and 2,800 meters above sea level, it offers a perfectly connected 125 km ski area facing north, ensuring excellent snow conditions throughout the winter season.

The ski area stretches between the traditional villages of Lanslevillard, Lanslebourg, Termignon, Sollières-Sardières, and Bramans, united under the same identity of “Val Cenis.” Each village retains its own personality—from the lively, family atmosphere of Lanslevillard to the quieter character of Termignon—allowing visitors to choose the type of experience they are looking for without sacrificing direct access to the slopes.

One of the jewels of the domain is the green run “L’Escargot,” considered the longest in Europe at over 10 kilometers. It takes advantage of the Col du Mont Cenis road, closed to traffic in winter, to offer a panoramic descent linking the high altitudes with the valley. It is an ideal route for beginners, families, or those who want to enjoy the landscape at a leisurely pace.

Val Cenis has 29 ski lifts (2 gondola lifts, 13 chairlifts, and 14 ski lifts) that allow skiers to be distributed smoothly throughout the resort. In addition, the snow production system and its orientation ensure a uniform snow cover even at low altitudes.

The resort has been awarded the Flocon Vert label, a certification given to resorts committed to sustainable development. Among its measures are the reduction of its energy footprint, the installation of an electric snow groomer, the promotion of sustainable mobility, and the protection of species in the alpine environment.

Beyond alpine skiing, the resort offers Nordic activities (cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and scenic walks), marked cross-country skiing trails, and controlled freeride areas. Its integration with the Haute Maurienne Vanoise valley allows visitors to enjoy a complete and authentic mountain experience, far from the crowds of the large international resorts.

Finally, Val Cenis stands out for its accessibility: it is less than 30 minutes from the Modane train station, connected to Lyon, Chambéry, and Turin, and close to the A43 motorway. This ease of access, combined with its warm and family-friendly atmosphere, makes it an excellent alternative for those seeking quality skiing in a preserved natural environment.

Tips from the I Love Ski Community for skiing in Val Cenis

Take advantage of the different bases according to your level.

If you are traveling with your family or are just starting out, Lanslevillard and Lanslebourg are the most convenient access points, with wide, easy-to-link slopes. Termignon, higher up, offers more technical routes and wooded areas perfect for windy or snowy days.

Start your day at the top.

Head up early to the Colomba or Solert sector to take advantage of the hard morning snow and views of the Vanoise glacier. In the afternoon, descend into the valley via L’Escargot and enjoy a long, sunny run with excellent spots for panoramic photos.

If you like freeriding, plan carefully.

Val Cenis has safe and controlled off-piste areas, but it is always a good idea to check the avalanche risk report before setting out. Local guides offer itineraries to the Col du Mont Cenis and the Termignon valley, with exceptional powder snow after snowfalls.

Ideal for combining disciplines.

Spend a day cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in the Bramans or Sardières area. The landscape, tranquility, and silence of the national park offer a completely different experience, ideal for recovering after an intense day of downhill skiing.

Save time with the official app.

Download the Val Cenis – Haute Maurienne Vanoise app to check the condition of the slopes, the opening of the ski lifts, and the latest weather reports. It will allow you to plan your day more effectively, especially on windy days or when visibility is variable.

Don’t miss out on the local atmosphere.

At the end of the day, take advantage of the terraces in Lanslevillard to try a fondue or a Savoyard raclette. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, very different from the more crowded resorts.

Travel light, but well equipped.

At high altitudes (2,500–2,800 m), the wind can be strong, so wear a protective mask and light thermal clothing. In the valleys, however, temperatures are milder, allowing you to enjoy après-ski outdoors even in the middle of winter.