It goes without saying that snowboarding and partying go hand in hand. If you’re like me and like to chase powder all day and dance all night, then you’ll love everything Val Thorens has to offer. Val Thorens is just one part of the world-renowned Les Trois Vallées (the three valleys). According to Forbes, Les Trois Vallees is the top ski destination IN THE WORLD – with 600 km of slopes, untouched off-piste areas, and the best apres ski ever, this place is a snowboarder’s fantasy.
I visited Val Thorens in March to see what all the fuss was about and to see if the nightlife lived up to the hype. Now that I’m back in the U.S. of A. and I’ve re-collected my bearings, I can tell you confidently, Val Thorens is a place you’ll never forget (as long as you don’t blackout).
Where is Val Thorens?
Tucked away in the Northern French Alps, Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in all of Europe. With no treeline for miles, all skiers and snowboarders have to worry about is the occasional rock or cliff (yup, that’s real).
Due to Val Thorens’s steep elevation, the ski area gets one of the longest ski seasons in the world. In fact, I spoke with the director of relations of the resort, and he said that there is snow on the mountain year-round. Those who live near and on the ski area get to go ski and snowboard touring whenever they want.
Getting to Val Thorens isn’t all that complicated. Now that I’ve done it, I recommend flying into Lyon and taking a shuttle to the mountain. That said, you can rent a car and drive through the French countryside all by yourself or take a train to Moûtiers near the base of the resort – from there, you can shuttle or taxi up to the resort area.
After you’ve successfully located Val Thorens, all you have to do is find the nightclubs and bars you’d like to frequent – there are many, so strap in.
Where to Party in Val Thorens
Val Thorens offers arguably the best ski-apres experience in the world. I can back that up personally. Typically, ski resorts offer two, maybe three bars or nightclubs. Val Thorens is not your typical ski resort.
Val Thorens has over 40 bars and nightclubs! I won’t list them all because then we’d be here all day. But I will list the best ones and my favorites from my most recent visit. While Val Thorens offers countless spots to party, one stands above the rest, and that is La Folie Douce.
The Infamous La Folie Douce
La Folie Douce is a vibe. In English, this name translates to “Sweet Madness,” and I can confirm it is indeed sweet and a bit mad. La Folie Douce is only accessible via ski lift; therefore, you must ski or snowboard to get there. Sure, it might be a challenge for some beginners, but the reward is worth catching a thousand edges.
La Folie Douce operates as a restaurant for most of the day. Come 3 pm, the outside area is transformed into a house music dance floor. With DJs and musicians playing daily, the vibes are unmatched. And when the drinks are flowing, there is no stopping the party. Strangers become friends, and new dance moves are invented on the spot.
The best part of the La Folie Douce experience is when the music ends and all the partiers are forced to ski down to the base. With tired legs and bellies full of booze, it makes sense that skiers gather daily to watch the intoxicated masses ski down the slopes in a drunken disarray. No doubt, ski patrol gets a little busier the moment La Folie Douce shuts down for the day.
Malaysia + Other Night Clubs
La Folie Douce closes at 5 pm every day, but the party doesn’t stop there. In fact, it’s just begun. After a light French dinner consisting of tartiflette and wine, you’ll be primed to party like there ain’t no tomorrow. But where will you go?
The obvious choice is Malaysia, a nightclub that claims to be the world’s largest nightclub in a ski resort. The club can hold up to… 2,500 people! Yeah, that’s not a typo. If you like EDM, dancing, and lots of room to strut your stuff, you’ll be right at home in Val Thorens’s largest nightclub.
Events to Look Forward to in 2025/2026
The ski season officially kicks off in late November and runs deep into April and May. It’s a long season at Val Thorens, and the ski area knows how to keep things fun and exciting. Here are four big events happening at Val Thorens this season.
La Grande Première – Opening Weekend
The 3 Vallées opens its doors to the public on November 22, 2025. First comers can expect cold weather and a warm welcome from the ski area. Including “many festive activities throughout the weekend: a fun area (mini-snowpark, etc.), live DJ, quizzes, many gifts to be won, etc.”
FIS Freeride World Tour – Val Thorens Pro (late January)
The FIS Freeride World Tour returns to Val Thorens to deliver some of the craziest skiing and snowboarding on this planet. Val Thorens’s incredible terrain is perfect for these death-defying athletes to prove who’s best. If you’ve watched freeride skiing and snowboarding on TV, you know just how insane this sport is. Now you can visit Val Thorens and watch it in person!
Festival’Tho (March)
Every year, Val Thorens hosts an epic EDM music festival featuring some of the world’s best EDM artists. If you’re like me and enjoy electronic dance music, you’ll love this festival. After a long day of snowboarding, don’t you want to just have a few drinks and listen to some awesome jams?
Cosmic Mountain Festival (April)
Val Thorens is the apres-ski capital of the world. The Cosmic Mountain Festival features even more DJs and music to melt your soul to. This festival is larger than Festival’Tho, and spans 3 days, 5 venues, and 30 artists.
FAQs:
- When is the Ski Season in Val Thorens? – From mid-November to the end of May. As Europe’s highest ski resort, Val Thorens actually gets snow year-round, and those who enjoy backcountry skiing and snowboarding can go whenever they want.
- Where is Val Thorens? – In the Tarentaise Valley of the French Alps.
- Is Val Thorens Good for Beginners? – Yes! There are plenty of green and blue slopes near the base of the mountain. The more extreme terrain is a little further out.
- Is Val Thorens Part of Les 3 Vallées? – Yes! Comprising Val Thorens, Méribel, and Courchevel, Les 3 Vallées is the largest ski area in the world!
- How Do I Get to Val Thorens? – Closest airports are Geneva, Lyon, Chambéry, and Grenoble. From there, take a train to Moutiers and a bus or shuttle to the resort.
- Is There More to Do Than Ski at Val Thorens? – No! There’s also ziplining, sledding, snowshoeing, spas, shopping, and a legendary après-ski and nightlife scene at places like La Folie Douce and Malaysia Club.
Come for the Snow, Stay for the Apres Ski
Val Thorens is one of the world’s best ski resorts in the world. Hands down! With everything a snowboarder could ever dream of, Val Thorens offers more than just an awesome skiing experience. With amazing restaurants, events on the regular, and an apres ski culture that you’ll never forget, you’ll want to come to Val Thorens every ski season.
