Skiing in Val Cenis
Val Cenis is a delightful ski destination located in the Haute Maurienne Vanoise ski area of France, with three traditional villages - Lanslebourg, Termignon, and Lanslevillard - nestled within the Vanoise National Park. The largest ski resort in the Haute Maurienne mountains, Val Cenis offers an exceptional balance of affordability and ski options, making it an ideal choice for winter sports enthusiasts, families and travelling ski buddies.
The resort boasts a wide range of skiing and snowboarding options for all skill levels, with 125 km of slopes and 27 lifts. Sitting at 1,450m, the ski terrain reaches up to 2,800m with most of its slopes north-facing. The resort has a reliant snow record and enjoys fantastic snow coverage from the start of the season in December until late May. The resort also has state-of-the-art snow facilities on the slopes and is one of the first ski resorts in France to deploy an electric piste groomer.
Val Cenis is surrounded by stunning beauty. Forming part of the Vanoise National park, the area is largely non-commercialised and remains almost untouched as it is preserved carefully by the locals who have lived there over the years. The charm in Val Cenis is effortless; it still remains a thriving farming community with the friendly locals carrying on with farm life and the village not all about skiing.
Val Cenis is surrounded by stunning beauty. Forming part of the Vanoise National park, the area is largely non-commercialised and remains almost untouched as it is preserved carefully by the locals who have lived there over the years. The charm in Val Cenis is effortless; it still remains a thriving farming community with the friendly locals carrying on with farm life and the village not all about skiing.
Val Cenis is surrounded by stunning beauty. Forming part of the Vanoise National park, the area is largely non-commercialised and remains almost untouched as it is preserved carefully by the locals who have lived there over the years. The charm in Val Cenis is effortless; it still remains a thriving farming community with the friendly locals carrying on with farm life and the village not all about skiing.
The resort also has a decent array of non-ski activities that holidaymakers can get stuck into from snowshoeing excursions, sledding, ice skating, paragliding and more. An additional perk of being part of a farming community is the quality of the food in restaurants and hotels, which comes at great value for money. In general, Val Cenis is an excellent ski holiday destination and an attractive option for budget-conscious skiers looking for a calm holiday on the slopes.
Majority of the slopes at Val Cenis are north-facing, resulting in better snow conditions through the day. The ski area in Val Cenis is situated between 1,300m and 2,800m above sea level, with 125km of ski runs to explore. There are a total of 62 ski runs in Val Cenis which are serviced by a modern network of 29 interconnecting ski lifts including 4 gondolas,10 chairs, and 14 drag lifts; providing access to all the area within the ski terrain.
Val Cenis offers a fantastic skiing experience with plenty of options for all abilities. It boasts 1,400m of vertical drop and 80km of marked slopes, set amongst beautiful Siberian pines and larch trees.
Both villages in Val Cenis and Lanslevillard have beginner areas with nursery slopes; majority of the resorts 16 green pistes can be at both, with Lanslevillard having the largest. The green runs are easily accessible from the chairlifts or gondola.
Intermediates will find plenty of blue and red runs to enjoy, with some stretches up to 10km in length. With the Maurienne pass, skiers can also explore neighbouring resorts.
While advanced skiers may find on-piste options limited, the Michele Jacot offers a great red run with a section for off-piste terrain. Hiring a guide is recommended to explore the upper area's steep sections. Bonneval-sur-Arc, which is part of the Maurienne pass, offers a 30-minute bus journey and is a fantastic spot for freeriders, offering huge verticals.
All Ski Resort Accommodation in Val Cenis
Val Cenis boasts two snowparks and a snowboarder cross. The snow conditions in Val Cenis are generally good, with the resort receiving an average of around 3 meters of snowfall per year. The slopes are well-maintained, and there are plenty of opportunities for off-piste riding for those who are more experienced.
In terms of facilities, Val Cenis has several terrain parks and a halfpipe for snowboarders, as well as a good selection of bars and restaurants to enjoy après-ski. The resort also offers a range of other activities such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice-skating.
Overall, Val Cenis is a great destination for snowboarding, offering a good range of slopes, reliable snow conditions, and a fun and lively atmosphere.
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Val Cenis ski resort has a good selection of bars and restaurants to choose from that cater to a range of tastes and budgets. The resort is predominantly calm and family friendly and while its nightlife may not be as rampant as some of Frances larger and more popular resorts, there are few bars and nigh spots to enjoy a few drinks and dance away to DJ tunes. Look out for the *Yack Pub in Val Cenis and Howard's Val Cenis in Lanslevillard.
Val Cenis has a range of excellent facilities to ensure holiday makers enjoy a memorable stay. It has just about everything from ski hires, ski passes and more.
Val Cenis is a family friendly resort with lots of activities and attractions for the family both on and off the slopes.
All Ski Resort Accommodation in Val Cenis
