Sneak Peek: Club Med Previews Upcoming Val Thorens Ski Resort (VIDEO)

The middle of July is a good time to start thinking of ski season, and we were lucky enough to get few hours of Alpine chill at a reception hosted by Atout France (the French tourism agency) and Club Med last week. The reception unveiled the latest updates to the in-development Club Med Val Thorens, which will become the resort chain’s flagship new generation ski resort when it opens in December. The property will have direct access to The Three Valleys, the largest ski domain in the world.

Club Med Director of Sales Eastern Region James Killen; Protravel's Manager of Leisure Operations Donna Keane; and Executive Vice President of Questex Travel + Hospitality Group John McMahon

Jerome Hiquet, vice president of marketing for Club Med North America, said that the company is the world-leader in all-inclusive ski trips, with 21 ski-focused resorts. 

Val Thorens

Located right in the middle of one of Europe’s most popular ski destinations, Club Med’s new Val Thorens resort has doorstep access to the Three Valleys, one of the largest ski regions in the world, with 372 miles of pistes for exploring. Ski season will run from November through May at the resort.

Club Med Val Thorens will have 384 rooms from 248-square-feet and up, including 12 Deluxe Rooms, five Junior Suites and six Suites. 

Novices and experienced skiers alike will be able to take lessons from the Ecole Ski Francais while on-property, and beyond Alpine and Nordic skiing, guests can also try snowboarding. Significantly, plane tickets and lift tickets are part of the all-inclusive package, which can save skiers a good amount of money compared to other resorts in the area...or even in the United States. (All things factored in, it can be less expensive to fly to France for an all-inclusive ski vacation than to fly to Aspen and pay a la carte.) 

RELATED: Club Med Crowdsources New Val Thorens Ski Resort

Beyond the Slopes

Hikers at Val Thorens can explore the mountains on foot or by snowshoe as an alternative to group ski lessons. At an additional cost, they can also try Mobilboard Segway rides, dog sledding, snow biking, Nordic walking and bob-rafting.

Foodies will also be in luck: Two Michelin-starred Chef Edouard Loubet (who was born in Val Thorens) is in charge of meals at Val Thorens, and guests will be able to choose from three dining options. In the “Comptoir Gourmand,” lunches and dinners will include mountain-style sandwiches, fresh soup of the day and regional specialties, as well as traditional mountain dishes. In the afternoons, guests can warm up with hot drink at the “Bar tout chaud.” “La Cave à Vins” focus on wine, and guests can sample tapas served from street food stalls, attend a wine tastings or get some advice from a sommelier on what wine to accompany dinner (at additional cost).

For unwinding after a day on the slopes, guests can make reservations at the Carita Spa. The spa will have one room for couples, 10 treatment rooms, a hairdressing room and a Turkish bath. Bonus: We hear all treatment programs are organized around a theme. Children aged 11 and up can book beauty treatments at the spa, but massages are limited to grown-ups.

New Paris City Stop 

With Club Med’s new City Stop option, guests can add on a stay in Paris when headed to or coming from one of Club Med’s French ski resorts. Flights, premium hotel accommodation and airport transfers will be arranged by Club Med, freeing guests up to explore the city.