Valmorel

The alpine resort of Valmorel, located near the resort of Saint Hugues / Les Egaux, is considered by many to be one of the most charming resorts in the French Alps. Beautiful wooden and stone chalets in the purest Savoyard style make up this quaint and well-kept resort at an altitude of 1,400 metres. The ski area is connected to the neighbouring ski area of Saint François – Longchamp.

It is the largest resort in a large ski area called the ‘Grand Domaine’, which also includes Combelouvière and St. François – Longchamp. An excellent resort for families and children, much of the area consists of blue and red runs, which connect the entire resort.

The Valmorel ski area

Grand Domaine offers 165 km of marked slopes, suitable for beginners and more experienced skiers alike. The smooth connections between the different areas allow you to fully enjoy the alpine landscapes, especially from the Col de la Madeleine. Thrill seekers will enjoy the secure freeride areas and technical slopes, while families will find fun areas such as the Pirate Village and the snowpark.

A large resort mainly geared towards families, but with a few surprises in store for experts, such as the black run at La Lauzière, with long descents on slopes with considerable elevation changes and highly technical, uncrowded snowcross tracks.

The Valmorel ski resort is committed to sustainable development

Located near the Vanoise National Park, in the heart of the Tarentaise massif, Valmorel is an eco-friendly mountain resort. A pioneer in its field, Valmorel was the first French resort to incorporate environmental considerations into its specifications when it was created in 1976.

Since then, it has been a model of ecology and sustainable development. It was therefore a logical choice as a pilot resort for the ‘Focons Verts’ project, created by the Mountain Riders association.

IT IS A CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM THAT WILL ENABLE THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO EASILY IDENTIFY ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY RESORTS.

Resorts will be awarded between 0 and 4 Green Snowflakes based on their commitment to the following eight themes: Governance, Transport, Energy, Development, Water, Waste, Social and Territories.

Unforgettable experiences in Valmorel

Night-time snowshoe hike in the heart of the Valmorel ski area

In winter, in addition to downhill skiing, Valmorel offers snowshoeing, sledging and more. Snowshoeing allows you to make the most of Valmorel’s magnificent landscapes and enjoy an unforgettable experience close to nature.

The highlight of the evening is an unusual dinner in a yurt, where you can enjoy a delicious fondue with cold meats, salad and fruit compote.

Come and build your own igloo!

Set off on snowshoes to a magical spot to build an igloo and enjoy a delicious hot chocolate. An instructor will give you all the tips and tricks you need to build your igloo like a trapper or an Inuit.

You must wear boots or high-top shoes, sports clothing suitable for snow, gloves and a hat. Snowshoes are provided.

The Valmorel mountain ski resort in summer

Come and discover the Via Ferrata with a mountain guide.

The via ferrata is a route built on a rock face, equipped with special metal fixtures to facilitate progression. Safety is optimal thanks to a lifeline that allows participants to self-belay.

Donkeys, your travelling companions

What a wonderful idea to take a walk with a donkey and introduce children to the joys of walking. Donkeys are fabulous companions for walks along marked and varied trails. At their pace, take the time to discover the Valmorel valley and its unspoilt nature. One donkey for four people.

Webcams of the Valmorel ski resort

If you want to see the current conditions at the ski resort and its natural surroundings, you will find real-time webcams of Valmorel below.

Summit of Valmorel

Biollène

Hotels in Valmorel

Hôtel du Bourg ***

The 3-star hotel is located in the centre of Bourg Morel, the main shopping and pedestrian street in the Alpine resort. Valmorel will charm you with its authentic Savoyard village character.
Lounge / Pub by the fire, free Wi-Fi and sauna for residents. Reception is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There are no concrete buildings here, just mountain chalets and stone houses with lauze roofs. A special, typical atmosphere that will delight young and old alike.

In winter, there are plenty of activities on offer: skiing, of course, but also snowboarding, snowshoeing, hiking and more. There’s something to suit all tastes and ages. Whether you’re a couple, a family or a group of friends, enjoy the pleasures of the mountains and make the most of a simple, friendly holiday.

Hôtel L’Oxygène ***

L’Oxygène, a world of tranquillity, luxury and well-being.

Located in the heart of the village of La Charmette, with exceptional views over the Domaine de Valmorel and the surrounding mountains, it welcomes you to a warm and refined mountain setting.

The establishment’s 9 intimate rooms, all designed with old wood, boast exceptional views of the surrounding mountains.

To make your stay unforgettable, the hotel also offers a relaxation area with sauna, hammam and outdoor spa.

Easily accessible, the hotel is close to the first ski lift (400 m) and has free shuttle buses to the resort centre (2 km).

Le Chalet de Valmorel

Chalet de Valmorel offers comfortable and affordable ski accommodation close to the slopes in Valmorel, one of Savoie’s most beautiful ski resorts.

With 22 beds in 8 en-suite bedrooms, a large lounge with fireplace, wifi and panoramic views over the Morel Valley, Chalet de Valmorel is an ideal place for group and family skiing.
The chalet has double and twin rooms, all with private shower and toilet.

Meals (cooked breakfast, afternoon tea with pastries and a 3-course dinner with wine and coffee) are served in a shared table d’hôtes style. Special meals for children can be arranged.

Chalet de Valmorel has all the facilities you need for a great holiday, with large sunny terraces, a separate kitchen (with mini-bar and fridge). The ski slopes are just 50 metres from the chalet.

A bar is available for guests who wish to enjoy an after-ski drink or a regional digestif.

Skiing in Valmorel: the resort’s strong points

Located between 1,400 and 2,550 meters above sea level, Valmorel is the secret gateway to the Tarentaise. It doesn’t boast or shout; it simply offers what many seek and few find: quality snow, villages integrated into the landscape, and a serene, human, and deeply alpine experience.

Opened in 1976, Valmorel pioneered a philosophy that is back in vogue today: architecture on a human scale, respect for the environment, and soft mobility. There are no large towers or crowds here; the wooden and stone facades, gabled roofs, and pedestrian streets create the feeling of an authentic mountain village, not a resort built from scratch.

A varied and sunny domain

The Grand Domaine links Valmorel with Saint-François-Longchamp, offering 165 km of slopes that wind through forests, meadows, and ridges with views of the Lauzière massif.

The terrain is gentle, elegant, and very fluid: long blue and red runs winding through fir trees, ideal areas for carving, and panoramic sections with direct views of Mont Blanc. Experienced skiers will find technical descents in the Col du Mottet sector, while beginners can enjoy safe, well-equipped areas in Crève-Cœur or Les Lanchettes.

The domain has 30 modern lifts and a network of snowmaking covering more than 60% of the slopes. The mixed orientation—north and west—guarantees stable snow in the morning and generous sunshine in the afternoon, a perfect balance that explains Valmorel’s reputation among locals.

Ski-in, ski-out and Savoyard comfort

One of Valmorel’s great strengths is its pedestrian-friendly layout: almost all accommodation is at the foot of the slopes, allowing you to ski in and out without the need for a car or internal transport.

Shopping arcades and restaurants are spread throughout the center itself, so the atmosphere remains lively throughout the day without losing its calm.

Valmorel is also a family-friendly resort: it has been awarded the Famille Plus label and offers sledging areas, snow gardens, a children’s ski school, and a nursery at the foot of the slopes.

Authenticity with premium character

While maintaining its traditional atmosphere, Valmorel offers excellent hotels and wellness facilities.

Club Med Valmorel, located in the upper part of the resort, has reinforced the resort’s premium image with high-end services, a spa, and direct access to the ski area.

However, the resort retains a local spirit, with small chalets, family apartments, and shops run by valley residents.

The feeling is that of being in an alpine village with soul, not an anonymous resort.

Nordic skiing, cross-country skiing, and pure nature

Valmorel’s natural environment invites you to do much more than just downhill skiing. Snowshoe trails, marked cross-country skiing circuits, and scenic routes to Doucy or Celliers offer a more contemplative dimension to winter.

Quick access to the Col de la Madeleine opens the door to unique panoramas and areas where absolute silence reigns, a luxury in today’s Alps.

Tips from the I Love Ski Community for skiing in Valmorel

1. Make the most of the mornings at the Col du Mottet.

The snow is drier and more compact in the early hours, and the sun arrives later. Perfect for those looking for the best technical conditions.

2. Star descent: the Madeleine slope.

One of the longest and most scenic red runs in the domain: 3.5 km of gentle curves between views of Mont Blanc and stretches of forest.

3. Doucy: the best-kept secret.

This small sector, connected to the domain, is ideal for families or those looking for less crowded slopes and sunny terraces.

4. Avoid queues at peak times.

Saturday mornings can see a rush of arrivals from Albertville. If you can, start your day before 9:00 a.m. or choose slopes in the Celliers sector.

5. Don’t miss the “ski gourmand” experience.

Many mountain restaurants offer menus featuring local products: tartiflette, crozets au gratin, Beaufort cheeses, and Savoy wines. Eating well is part of the skiing experience here.

6. Snow day plan for non-skiers.

The Club Med wellness center and spa are among the best in the Tarentaise. You can also take the gondola lift up to the Mottet terraces and enjoy the views without putting on your skis.

7. Evening stroll through the village.

When night falls and the lights come on in the snow, Valmorel looks like a movie set. Strolling through its pedestrian streets is almost as enjoyable as a good ski run.