Winter

Valloire – The Village Built around a 17th century Baroque style church, the reasonably large village of Valloire has managed to retain the charm and authenticity of days gone by with friendly welcoming residents. The resort has kept its traditional feel with buildings blending into their surroundings. The village spreads out across the valley plateau but yet still retains a compact feel. Ideal for families and couples alike, there is plenty to do to keep everyone happy. The ski area provides slopes of all standards so really it does cater for every type of skier and snowboarder so you get a real selection of people coming to Valloire, not just experts or just families. So it makes for a nice mix of people coming from around the world. In the 'Golden Valley', Valloire and its 17 hamlets (including Les Verneys, Les Clots and Les Granges) has 1300 inhabitants and is located between 1400m and 1800m. It is also the largest resort in the Maurienne Valley. Valloire was one of the original French ski resorts and has been inviting skiers since the 1930’s. Being built before the purpose built resort boom in the 1960’s and 70’s has meant Valloire has kept it’s French village feel and not succumbed to high rise concrete jungle style builds. Although skiers have come to the resort since the 1930’s, the actual village has been around for some time. In Valloire there is a good selection of bars, discos (although generally nightlife is low key) and shops providing a friendly and relaxing atmosphere. Restaurants will suit all tastes and budgets and range from the much-praised 'Le Gastilleur' to the cosy Crêperie and there are enough shops to cater for most tastes. The resort also has an ice rink, bowling  alley and fitness centre. Alternatively visit a working farm in Valloire to buy the local Beaufort cheese or try spotting the chamois on snowshoe outings, go parapenting or try a microlight flight. Children are catered for in the crèche or kids clubs. Each year a snow and ice sculptures contest takes place in Valloire ski resort. Sculptors from all over the world meet during three days and three nights... The pretty village lies between the mythical Télégraphe and Galbier passes. The Galibier Pass is the natural frontier between the south and north Alps. It has been made famous thanks to the Tour de France. You can admire other summits such as ‘Aiguille d’Arves’ and see the ibexes. Also not far from here are the national parks of ‘la Vanoise’ and ‘les Ecrins’. At the foot of the famous Galibier Pass, Valloire is accessed via the motorway exit and TGV station at St Michel deMaurienne (17km and 4 hrs from Paris by train).