Nestled on the edge of forests covering he sides of the Cheval Noir Mountain, Valmorel is a typically charming ski resort village, whose architecture is unequalled in France.
The town isn't built from concrete, but noble materials: wood, stone, slate. There are no high rise apartment buildings but huge chalets, all accessible with your skis on your feet. The village is fully pedestrianized and waiting to be discovered, there is a charming village square and numerous courtyards.
The only downside to the resort, you have to pay for all the car parking. Depending what you're looking for, there are 530 covered car parking spaces and 1200 in open air. Only 180 parking spaces are free in the village of Crey (1.5 km from the station. The shuttle Valmobus provides connection to Valmorel every day from 8h to 20h).
The ski area extends from 1300 to 2550m in altitude crossing high mountain pastures and steep faced mountains.
The whole ski area that covers Valmorel, Doucy Combelouvière and Saint François Longchamp is equipped with 50 ski lifts, 342 snow cannons and a ‘Snow Zone' complete with a boarder cross course, slope style and freeride area.
A must try: The "Valmocross" (a sort of boarder cross accessible to all abilities) and the "Relax Zone" (Combining a picnic area and a centre for environmental awareness).
For non-skiers, Valmorel has a wide range of activities: snowshoeing, paragliding, heli-skiing, ice climbing, hiking and Nordic trails, igloo village, quad biking, snake-gliss, airboarding, tobogganing, trampoline and a cinema.
After a hard day skiing, take some time to relax:
- "Valmoforme" centre is guaranteed peace and relaxation; there is a great choice of saunas, hammams, hydro-massage, massages and a gym.
- "Spa Cîmes" centre for wellbeing and relaxation is right in the heart of the pedestrianized centre. There are hammams, balneal treatments, saunas, a multisensory Spajet, hydro massage, power plate, gym, a selection of world massages, face and body care along with a tearoom and outdoor terrace.
In the evening, stroll in the Rue du Bourg. The atmosphere is warm and lively. Bars, pubs and restaurants are plentiful and the nightclubs are open until the early hours.
For children 18 months to 6 years, the “Piou-Piou (Piwi Piwi)” Club takes care of everything: a wonderful 6 acre snow garden with its own snow canons and magic carpet lifts. There is a chalet with more than 700 m2 of playrooms, nap rooms, indoor sports room, a library, an arts and crafts area and a sun terrace.