The highest ski resort in the Alps at 2,300m — snow-sure from November to May and part of the 3 Vallées, the world's largest linked ski area. Wide, high-altitude blues with extraordinary views.
Val Thorens is the highest resort in the Alps at 2,300m — which means reliable snow from November to May and wide, well-groomed pistes that stay in excellent condition all season. For intermediate skiers, the high altitude is a feature rather than a problem: the blues here are genuinely at altitude with extraordinary scenery, and the consistent grooming makes them some of the most enjoyable easy runs in the 3 Vallées. This guide covers the best blue runs in Val Thorens, from the main bowl blues above the village to the extraordinary high-altitude runs near the Péclet glacier at 3,000m.
Paradiski context: Les Arcs is the more challenging half of Paradiski for on-piste skiers — better lift system, more blacks and harder reds than La Plagne. For intermediate skiers, La Plagne has more easy blue runs. The Vanoise Express cable car connecting the two resorts is low altitude — crossing takes time and you spend significant effort getting back up to altitude on the other side.
Most regulars recommend committing to one resort per day rather than crossing back and forth. Peisey-Vallandry is the Les Arcs village closest to the Vanoise Express — quieter than Arc 1800 with tree-lined blues. One honest comparison from someone who skied both resorts: 'Les Arcs had the blue runs too, but they were often a bit narrow compared to La Plagne.' This is the key difference between the two resorts for intermediates — La Plagne blues tend to be wider and more open, Les Arcs blues tend to run along ridgelines and through forest with less width.
Both are good; just different in character.
Blue runs (12) tap any run to zoom in on map
Easy Blue Blue Blue+ (tough)
Orelle gondola / Funitel de Thorens
Peyron is in the Orelle sector — the quieter, less-trafficked side of Val Thorens reached via the Orelle gondola or the Funitel de Thorens from the village. At around 2,600m you are skiing on wide open terrain with extraordinary views across the 3 Vallées. Far fewer people than the main Val Thorens bowl.
One of the best easy blues in the 3 Vallées. Wide, well-groomed, consistently gentle pitch — exactly what the title says: a perfect blue for cruising. The Orelle sector stays quieter than the main village side all day. Sunny aspect makes it ideal for a late-morning or afternoon run.
Caron cable car
The Caron cable car takes you to 3,200m — one of the highest lift-served points in the Alps. The blue runs from here descend across a broad high-alpine plateau with views stretching to the Mont Blanc massif on clear days. Take the cable car, turn away from the blacks and reds, and follow the blue markers across the plateau.
Skiing blues at 3,200m with Mont Blanc in view is a genuine experience. The plateau is wide enough that it never feels exposed or steep — it just feels vast. Snow quality here is exceptional even late in the season.
Boismint chairlift
Right in the main Val Thorens bowl, easily accessed from the village. The Boismint chair is one of the first lifts you see from the resort base. A good warm-up run for the day before heading higher or across to Orelle.
The most accessible blue from the village itself — wide, sunny in the morning, and well-groomed first thing. Perfect for finding your ski legs at the start of a session at 2,300m altitude.
Pluviometre chairlift
Pluviometre (the French word for a rain gauge) is one of the most popular easy blues in Val Thorens, sitting in the upper part of the resort bowl. The Pluviometre chairlift is easy to find from the village centre. Wide, open terrain with views across the resort.
One of the best confidence-building runs in Val Thorens — wide enough to make big, relaxed turns and long enough to actually find your rhythm. Frequently cited as the perfect run for progressing intermediates at altitude.
Funitel de Péclet
The Funitel de Péclet is Val Thorens' most dramatic lift — a high-capacity cable car that sweeps from the village up to 3,040m beside the Péclet glacier. The Moraine blue descends from this area across a wide high-alpine plateau back toward the village. At 3,000m with the glacier visible above you, this is an extraordinary setting for an easy blue.
One of the most spectacular easy blue runs in the Alps — skiing at 3,000m with the Péclet glacier above you and the entire Val Thorens valley below. The gradient is consistently gentle but the altitude makes it genuinely alpine. Best on a clear morning before any afternoon cloud builds.
Génepi chairlift
The Génepi chairlift is right in the main ski bowl above Val Thorens village. The blue run here is one of the easiest and most popular in the resort — wide, well-maintained, and looping back to the village easily. A classic Val Thorens morning lap run.
A resort classic — consistently recommended as one of the best easy runs in Val Thorens. Wide enough to ski side by side with friends, gentle enough to relax into it, and the views down the valley are excellent. Perfect for warming up.
Portette chairlift (upper mountain)
The Portette chairlift is on the upper part of the Val Thorens ski area above the village. The Portette blue descends from the high plateau across open terrain — at over 2,700m, you are genuinely high-alpine here with views toward the Italian border.
A good step up from the village-level blues — still very manageable but with more of an alpine feel. The views toward Italy from up here on a clear day are extraordinary. Tends to hold its snow well throughout the season.
Plan de l'Eau chairlift
The Plan de l'Eau area is in the lower section of the Val Thorens ski area — easily accessible from the village base. A good warm-up zone for the beginning of the day before heading higher to the Péclet or Caron blues. Sheltered and consistently well-groomed.
The easiest starting point in Val Thorens — use this area to warm up your legs in the morning before tackling the higher-altitude runs. Wide, gentle, and never intimidating. Often where ski schools start their morning lessons.
Cascades chairlift (mid-mountain)
The Cascades chairlift sits at mid-mountain in the main Val Thorens bowl. The blue run here is one of the main circuits that intermediate skiers use to link the village with the upper mountain. Wide, well-marked, and consistently groomed.
A key part of the Val Thorens intermediate circuit — you'll ski this run multiple times in a day as part of the natural flow between lifts. Reliably good quality and always well-maintained. Good for building rhythm at the start of a day.
Rosael chairlift
The Rosael chairlift is in the upper part of the Val Thorens main bowl. The Rosael blue is one of the gentlest runs at altitude in the resort — wide, open, and very accessible. A good choice for the first run of a holiday before pushing higher.
The easiest reliable blue in Val Thorens' main bowl. Use it as a confidence-builder at the start of the week before tackling the Caron or Péclet glacier terrain. Consistently well-groomed and the gradient is honest throughout.
Caron cable car to 3,200m
The Caron cable car is Val Thorens' most impressive lift — it takes you to 3,200m, one of the highest lift-accessible points in the Alps. The blue run descends from here back toward the village. At this altitude you are genuinely in the high-alpine world — huge views and extraordinary surroundings.
One of the most dramatic blue runs in the Alps — you start at 3,200m at the top of a cable car that feels like it's going to the edge of the sky. The surrounding terrain is enormous and the views are exceptional. The run itself is wider than it looks and consistently manageable. Don't miss it.
Bartavelles chairlift (upper bowl)
The Bartavelles chairlift serves the quieter upper section of the Val Thorens main bowl. Named after the rock partridges that nest on the high slopes, this run is less trafficked than the main Pluviomètre and Génepi circuits but offers the same altitude and quality.
A quieter alternative to the main bowl blues — same altitude, same quality, fewer people. If the Génepi and Boismint areas are busy this is the place to go. Consistently good snow quality and a satisfying gradient.
A purpose-built resort village sitting at 2,300m — the highest in Europe. No old village charm here, but what it lacks in character it more than makes up for in convenience and snow. Ski-in ski-out from almost everywhere. Lively après-ski.
High-altitude · Ski-in ski-out · Lively après
Stay as central as possible — the village is compact but at 2,300m the walk back uphill at the end of the day in ski boots is brutal. Ski-in ski-out is worth paying for here.
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