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Val Thorens news 2015-16

The latest Val Thorens news - before the season, developments in the resort, such as new lifts, pistes, and hotels, and during the winter season, reports, photos, and videos, so you can see what's going on. Read the Val Thorens news here.

Val Thorens news 2015-16

Val Thorens news: pioneers of the white gold video

29th February 2016

There's a video called 'Les Pionniers de l'Or Blanc', about Val Thorens, and made by Public Sénat as part of their 'La France qui Réussit' (France succeeds) series. It follows some of the people who came to Val Thorens from elsewhere, and stayed - like hotel owner Marc Gorini, and ski instructor Marie Marsaa. This is the video:

Val Thorens news: Val Thorens Funslope opens

23rd January 2016

The Funslope in Val Thorens, new this winter, opened for the first time today. It's an easy Skicross, suitable for children and anyone else. Here's a video showing some of the first skiers on the piste:

Val Thorens news: Adrien Théaux wins in Santa Caterina

1st January 2016

Val Thorens' World Cup skier Adrien Théaux won the downhill in Santa Caterina, Italy, on Tuesday 29th December 2015, finishing just over a second ahead of second-placed Hannes Reichelt of Austria, with Frenchman David Poisson in third.

According to L'Equipe, Théaux said that he put his heart and soul into the race, and dared to ski the difficult lines. 'I tried to stay fluid, to absorb the changes in the slope, which you can't see because the piste is in shadow. I was amazed when I saw how far ahead I was at the finish. I even asked if the timing was correct.'

Eurosport has the video of Adrien's descent.

Val Thorens news: World Cup Skicross race

11th December 2015

Val Thorens hosted the first of two World Cup Skicross races today. The second will take place tomorrow.

Although Val Thorens local Jean-Fred Chapuis qualified fastest, he was unable to make it further than the quarter final. Canadian Chris Delbosco won the men's event, ahead of Filip Flisar and Brady Leman. Swede Anna Holmlund was the best in the ladies race. See some of the action in this video:

Update: Jean-Fred Chapuis won the second of the World Cups in Val Thorens, on 12th December 2015 - see this report.

Val Thorens news: Val Thorens voted best ski resort in France

26th November 2015

Val Thorens won France's Best Ski Resort 2015 at the World Ski Awards in Kitzbuehel, and the Koh-i-Nor was voted France's Best Ski Hotel.

In the meantime, the snow fell in Val Thorens on Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd November, allowing some lifts to open by Wednesday 25th November.

Val Thorens news: resort opening postponed

17th November 2015

Val Thorens will open a week later than planned, on Saturday 28th November 2015, instead of Saturday 21st November.

Although snow fell from September onwards, and there's 50cm at the top of the ski area, recent anticyclonic conditions and warm temperatures mean that there is simply not enough snow lower down. 

Added to that, heavy snow and high winds are expected from Friday night, which would make travel difficult for those arriving; and the piste service needs four days to get the ski area safe and ready after the snow comes.

Accommodation and ski passes bought for the weekend of the 21st can be used on the 28th instead, or refunded.

What's new in Val Thorens for 2015-16

The main innovation on the piste in Val Thorens for 2015-16 is the creation of a new easy skiercross type course, with rolling bumps, banked corners, and a tunnel - ideal for kids ad lower level skiers and boarders. It's to be called Fun Slope. There'll be a new red run, piste de la Chasse, linking the bottom of Pluviometre to the boulevard Cumin, and new arrangements for touring skiing. Off the piste, the five star Hotel Pashmina opens its doors. Read what's new in Val Thorens for 2015-16...

Older Val Thorens news

Val Thorens news 2014-15