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Valmeinier Ski Holidays
But tucked away in the Maurienne Valley lies a resort that manages to strike a near-perfect balance between high-altitude performance and intimate village charm: Valmeinier.
Valmeinier is a tale of two villages, each offering a completely different ‘flavour’ of the Alpine experience. At Valmeinier 1500, you’ll find a traditional, rustic mountain hamlet characterised by stone-and-wood architecture and narrow winding streets. It feels authentically Savoyard - a place where life moves a little slower.
Further up the mountain lies Valmeinier 1800. Purpose-built in the late 1980s, this level was designed with the modern skier in mind. Most of the accommodation here is ski-in, ski-out, meaning you can click into your bindings right at your doorstep. Despite being newer, the resort has avoided the concrete jungle look of some 1960s French developments, opting instead for chalet-style residences that blend into the snowy landscape. Together with the neighbouring resort of Valloire, Valmeinier forms the Galibier-Thabor ski area. It’s a vast playground that offers enough variety to keep you busy for a week without ever feeling like you’re skiing the same run twice.
Stay in a high-altitude, ski-in, ski-out village with guaranteed snow and direct access to 150km of uncrowded slopes!
Rebecca Dodson, Sales Manager
Mountain facts
To really grasp the scale of Valmeinier, you have to zoom out and look at the entire Galibier–Thabor domain, which delivers around 100 miles of interconnected runs, an altitude range that starts at a very respectable 1,500m and climbs all the way to the Sandonière summit at 2,750m - complete with ridiculous 360-degree views over the Ecrins and Vanoise National Parks - plus a continuous vertical drop of more than 4,300 feet that will have even the most confident legs filing a formal complaint, all spread across roughly 90 runs, so every skier, from cautious cruiser to full-send hero, gets a perfectly balanced playground.
Snow conditions in Valmeinier
Because 70% of the ski area sits above 2,000m, the resort stays snow-sure well into late April. The geographic positioning is also a major factor; many of the slopes are north-facing, which protects the snow from the afternoon sun, keeping it crisp and grippy rather than slushy.
To ensure the lower links between 1800 and 1500 stay open all season, the resort has invested heavily in technology. There are over 400 snow cannons capable of covering roughly 31 miles of the domain, meaning even in a leaner winter, you can still ski back down to the villages.
Skiing in Valmeinier
The skiing experience here is defined by one glorious word: space. Unlike the crowded motorways of the Tarentaise, Valmeinier’s slopes feel wide open and refreshingly unhurried, and this is where intermediates absolutely thrive, especially on the legendary runs around Le Gros Crey, where the width and consistent pitch let you spend entire mornings cruising long, sweeping blues and reds that feel more like private runways than public pistes, with the added bonus of the seamless link over to Valloire - just keep one suspicious eye on the clock, because missing the last lift back is how you end up funding a local taxi driver’s ski holiday.
That said, experts are far from neglected, with the Grandes Drozes black run delivering a properly steep, technical challenge and the Sandonière sector serving up some of the best high-altitude steep skiing in the region, and for those who still have energy to burn after the lifts close, the Pré Aynard slope in Valmeinier 1800 often switches on the floodlights for night skiing, usually paired with music and a lively atmosphere at the bottom that turns ‘just one more run’ into an entire evening.
Snowboarding in Valmeinier
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Snowboarders will find Valmeinier particularly accommodating because the lift system is modern, meaning fewer flat spots and drag lifts that can be a headache for riders.
The crown jewel for freestylers is the Snowpark du Lac de la Vieille on the Crey du Quart side. It’s well-maintained and features everything from Easy Parks for your first jump to a pro-sized half-pipe and slopestyle modules. For those who prefer natural terrain, the gullies and natural hits found off the side of the red runs near the Gros Crey chairlift offer endless opportunities for creative riding.
Accommodation in Valmeinier
The choice of where to stay depends on your group's priorities, but we’ve put together our favourites to make things easier.
What's available at Valmeinier ski resort?
Après-ski in Valmeinier
While Valmeinier isn't a party-til-dawn resort like some, it has a warm, welcoming social scene. Here are the must-visit spots:
- Le Marmiton is located right on the snow front in 1800, this is the place to be for a long lunch or a post-ski beer. Their terrace is a sun-trap, and their Savoyard specialities (think bubbling fondues) are some of the best in town.
- Pizza Rock is the place to be if you’re looking for a more high-energy, casual vibe. It’s a local favourite for its thin-crust pizzas and rock-and-roll atmosphere. It's often packed with a mix of locals and tourists, giving it a great lived-in feel.
- Bar Restaurant Les Frangines & Fils - Valmeinier is situated at a slightly higher elevation (1900m). This spot is famous for its Mojito des Montagnes and incredible burgers, and it’s a fantastic place to stop for a mid-afternoon break when you want something a bit more modern and vibrant.
- For those evenings when you want a more refined dining experience, Les Lauzes is exceptional. They focus on local produce and offer a menu that feels a bit more gourmet while still being hearty enough for a hungry skier. It sits right on the edge of the slopes, making it a scenic spot for both lunch and dinner.
Facilities in Valmeinier
Everything in Valmeinier is designed for ease of use, which becomes very clear the moment you arrive. Equipment rental is refreshingly painless, with shops like Valmeinier Sport scattered across both resort levels so you can tweak your setup, swap boots, or rescue your feet from bad life choices without hauling yourself across the village in ski socks and regret. It’s the kind of setup that quietly saves your holiday without you even noticing.
Getting around is just as simple, thanks to the free shuttle bus linking Valmeinier 1500 and 1800 - a genuine lifesaver when your legs are finished or you fancy exploring the different village areas without committing to another run. And when the weather decides to misbehave, the 1800 hub steps in with small supermarkets, bakeries, plus a bowling alley and cinema, giving you plenty to do while the mountain takes a very dramatic snow break.
Facilities for children in Valmeinier
Valmeinier carries the Famille Plus certification, which is basically France’s official stamp of approval for resorts that actually know what they’re doing with children. Childcare here is taken seriously, with the brilliant ESF-run P’tits Loups Club welcoming kids from age three for a carefully balanced mix of indoor play and outdoor snow discovery - meaning parents get guilt-free ski time while the kids are having their own tiny alpine adventure.
On the slopes, the Piou-Piou Club’s dedicated snow garden is where many future champions wobble through their first turns in a safe, fenced-off wonderland packed with colourful characters and gentle terrain, and when the skis come off, the fun continues with a full calendar of activities organised by the tourist office, including weekly treasure hunts, igloo-building workshops, and the famous torchlight descents where the kids watch their instructors glide down the mountain carrying flares like something out of a winter fairy tale.
Why choose Erna Low for Valmeinier skiing holidays?
Incredible value holidays: We’ll beat any competitor’s price, giving you the best value for money.
Huge choice of accommodation: Choose from bargain breaks, 5-star premium deals and so much more.
Customisable travel: We specialise in fully customisable ski holidays; offering a wide range of options to suit all tastes and budgets.
Fully protected bookings: We’re ABTOT and ATOL members and abide by their Code of Conduct.
5-star Trustpilot reviews: We pride ourselves on the service we provide, which is why out of 10 of our clients would recommend us.
Linked with Valloire, Valmeinier offers incredible value and a huge range of varied terrain for all skill levels!
Jane Bolton, Product Director
