When I was little, my dad used to take my brother, my cousins, and me skiing in the Alps once a year, and each time we discovered a different resort. I think I must have already told you about this in a previous Ski article. That’s how I first went to Valloire years ago. I was therefore super happy to be able to return with a few fellow bloggers, because I must admit that my memories from back then were starting to fade a little. But this was the perfect opportunity to create new ones that I’m not about to forget, let me tell you…
To set the scene, this winter sports resort at an altitude of 1400m is located in Savoie, in the heart of the Maurienne valley, not far from the French-Italian border. For this getaway in the Alps, I was unfortunately not accompanied by my favorite photographer, so please excuse the quality of my photos. By the way, I would like to take this opportunity to thank some of my comrades with whom I shared these beautiful moments, and whose photos I am using in this article to complement my own.
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Table of Contents
Practical Information
Getting to Valloire from Paris
From Paris, you can come directly by train (4h30) to the Saint Michel de Maurienne station (not to be confused with the Saint Jean de Maurienne station which is also in the area but a little further from the resort). Once there, you can take a taxi to reach the resort (expect about 50€ for the trip) or, more economically, a bus (13€ for the trip), but it seems you have to book in advance.
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Tips for the Valloire resort
- Around ten free Wi-Fi hotspots in the resort with the “Valloire high-speed” fiber optic network.
- With the Valloire ski pass, you can also go skiing in the Valmeinier area, which is a little smaller.
- Ski pass at -50% on Saturdays: €20 for the day.
- There is also a cheaper beginner’s pass that gives access to a more restricted part of the domain.
- Free Snowboard introduction with the ESI for 3-6 year olds (1 day/week in the late afternoon – subject to availability).
- Free skiing for children during the “Children’s Mountain” week, from April 13 to 20, 2019 (1 adult pass purchased = 1 free child pass up to age 12 included, only if booked at the same time as accommodation / 1 adult equipment rental purchased = 1 free child rental up to age 16).
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What to do in Valloire?
Valloire is located in “The Golden Valley” as it is called, surrounded by its 17 hamlets and 16 chapels, and the possibilities in terms of winter sports, but also culture and gastronomy, are varied. During this short stay, we tested many great activities to do during a winter stay in the resort, and I detail them below to give you some ideas for your next visit to Valloire.
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Skiing in the Valloire resort area
Obviously, it’s the main activity during the winter season, and we were lucky to have incredible weather during our stay, as you can see in the photos. For info, by the way, you can still enjoy Spring skiing in Valloire until April 19, the date the ski slopes close.
Characteristics of the Galibier Thabor area:
- 5 slopes and 150 km of varied runs (forests, wide open spaces, crossing hamlets), 70% of which are at an altitude of over 2000 m.
- Resort accessible to all levels of skiers.
- Beginner areas (child/adult) in the village or at the top of the Sétaz gondola.
Ski pass rates: €205 for a 6-day pass / €728 for a 6-day family pack (2 adults and 2 children) / €40.50 per day.
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Try Snake Gliss
I highly recommend you try the Snake Gliss experience (a sort of caterpillar of sleds attached to each other) if you are passing through Valloire, because it’s really worth it and absolutely hilarious to do with friends! The first day we tested the Little Adventure (1 km descent when the slopes close) and we loved it so much that we signed up again the next day, and this time we did the Great Adventure (4km of slopes and 1h30 of sliding).
My advice: The last places in the caterpillar are almost like ejector seats, and after a few turns, the lucky ones seated on these sleds are basically doing a rodeo! So for thrills, I advise you to sit at the back, otherwise try to get a seat at the front… Dress warmly with snow boots and, above all, take off your glasses and all fragile things because the falls can be spectacular… But at the same time, we laugh so much!
Snake Gliss Valloire Rates: Great Adventure €22 / Little Adventure adult €8 ; child €6
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The Valloire International Ice Sculpture Competition
This year, for this ice and snow sculpture competition, 8 countries were represented by 20 participants, and no less than 15 tons of ice were used for the creations. This 28th edition took place from January 15 to 18, 2019, on the Verneys plateau (accessible for free by shuttles from Valloire), facing the Galibier, 3 km from the center of Valloire. We went there on the first evening of our arrival to see the sculptors at work, and I must say it was quite impressive! Then, on the last evening of our stay, we attended the prize-giving ceremony and the sound and light pyrotechnic show, followed by a beautiful fireworks display.
My advice: To avoid freezing to death, a stop at the mulled wine stand is a must, and it keeps you warm!
Valloire International Ice Sculpture Competition from January 15 to 18, 2019 from January 11 to 14 & from January 18 to 21, 2022 from January 10 to 13 & from January 17 to 20, 2023 from January 9 to 19, 2024 From January 07 to 10 & from January 14 to 17, 2025 From January 13 to 16, 2026
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Take a microlight flight at the very top of the slopes
I had never been in a microlight before, and I must say it’s an incredible experience that I highly recommend you try one day! I admit I had some apprehension before the flight and maybe also during takeoff, but once in the air, what happiness! Partly because it’s an extremely pleasant sensation to fly like this, and also because it allows you to have a stunning (and unique) viewpoint of the mountains.
I also find that the sensation remains very pleasant and not at all frightening (at least that’s what I felt, but I don’t have any vertigo, for example, so I don’t know if it can be impressive if you have a fear of heights…). In any case, it gives a feeling of freedom and well-being that I adored! Not to mention the incredible joy of seeing the mountains from above. In short, I loved this experience, and I encourage you to take the plunge if you are thinking about it without daring to do so, because it’s really worth it. For the practical side, the microlight takes off from the top of the slopes, so it is better to get there by ski.
Franck Toussaint ULM Microlight rate: €70 for 20 mins
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Take a walk with the llamas
This unusual activity is a great outing to do with the family, or also for those who don’t like to ski too much. The concept is quite simple: you walk quietly in the snow (bring snow boots or hiking shoes anyway) with Gilles‘ llamas (Tio, Tchupi, Névé that day). Besides, after a while, you start to wonder if it’s us walking the llamas or if it’s the other way around, because they like to gambol about, the little rascals…
During the walk, Gilles shares some information with us about these beautiful animals, their origins, their behavior, and debunks some prejudices we might have about them… In the middle of the route, a little snack break near the stream is planned, and the walk ends at the enclosure where one of the females had just had little ones (but well, that was all in January…).
Les Lamas de Valloire Rates: 1/2 day with the llamas (morning or afternoon) €25 adult / €16 children / free up to age 7
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Visit the village of Valloire
The appeal of this resort also lies in the charm of its small mountain village, and I obviously invite you to walk through its few streets to take full advantage of the setting. For example, I strongly advise you to take a look at the beautiful Baroque church of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, which dates back to the 17th century. Do not miss its magnificent interior decor with ornaments, scrolls, and Baroque-style flowers.
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Gastronomy and great addresses in Valloire
Below, I share a few great addresses that I had the opportunity to test on the spot (a hotel, some restaurants, and shops to bring back gourmet souvenirs), and I also advise you on some local products to taste on the spot and/or to take back in your suitcases!
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Where to stay? The 4* residence l’Étoile des neiges by Chalets Magnin
As we were a small group of 5 influencers, plus our guide, Jean-Camille, we stayed in a great 120m2 duplex with 3 bedrooms and a dormitory in the center of Valloire. So, I found it much nicer than a hotel, and I rediscovered the convivial atmosphere of a ski trip where you share moments of life with your little comrades, a bit like in summer camp when I was a teenager.
Résidence l'Etoile des Neiges Chalet Magnin Rue des Grandes Alpes, 73450 Valloire Apartment rental rates (up to 10 people): from €790 per week
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Dine at the Grill & Pasta restaurant
Here is a small, nice, and unpretentious address to dine in the center of the village of Valloire, which offers Savoyard specialties but also fresh pasta.
To taste: the homemade bacon and reblochon pasta pan (15€), and to accompany this, I advise you to take some Savoie wine (we tested a Roussette de Savoie Marestel).
restaurant Grill & Pasta Rue de la Traverse 73450 Valloire
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Le Kôsa Krûta and its Fondue kit at the top of the slopes
This super convivial address is the ideal place for a small gourmet stop, for example in the morning, as we did, to have a vitamin-packed breakfast. Plus, the place is really in the center of the town and right next to the chalet where we were staying.
My recommendations: you absolutely must taste the delicious fresh juices pressed on demand with fruits and/or vegetables (€4.50).
The little extra: the establishment has a small park with games for children at the back of the restaurant, as well as a small park with rabbits that the little ones (and the big ones too) can go and pet and feed.
Another very good idea from this address: offering takeaway fondue kits that come in the form of a backpack inside which you find everything you need to make a delicious fondue at the top of the slopes (stunning view guaranteed!).
In the backpack: gas stove, pan, cutlery, top-quality grated fondue cheese ready to use, white wine, egg (essential to finish the fondue well), croutons, tablecloth, square to sit on…
Kôsa Krûta Rue de la Setaz, 73450 Valloire Rates: fondue kit to order the day before, €12 / person (06 11 44 84 89)
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Local products and shops
I strongly advise you to taste the good beers from the local Galibier brewery that you will easily find in supermarkets and local stores. Light, blonde, amber, the Galibier artisanal beers are brewed at an altitude of 1430m with spring water from the Glacier de la Clapière.
Here are also some shop addresses:
- La Grotte à Fromages: their cheeses and charcuterie are absolutely delicious, and it’s from them that we stocked up for our raclette evening at the chalet (Galerie Eden Val 73450 Valloire).
- La Fromagerie Coopérative des Arves
- Another very nice cheese dairy, the Petite Ferme du Col which is located right next to the Kosa Krûta
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Thanks to Links Communication, Jean-Camille, and the Valloire Galibier Tourist Office for this invitation and welcome! You can also find the article from my blogger friends at Refuse To Hibernate about this same stay where we were together.
I hope that with all this I will have made you want to discover or rediscover the Valloire Galibier resort, and if you also have your good addresses for this mountain destination in the Alps, do not hesitate to share them in the comments!
Photo credits: Melle Bon Plan, Jean-Camille Nonnat and Refuse To Hibernate Photos are not royalty-free, photographer authorization mandatory before any use
