Easter 2024 Skiing in Val Thorens (France)

[Durin's Bane]

Good evening everyone.

Further to a post I made a few months ago regarding Easter 2024 Qantas Classic Reward Bookings (thanks for some great advice! ), I have decided to lock in a ski trip with my daughters to Val Thorens in Easter 2024 (aligning with WA school holidays). Routing will be PER-SIN-HEL-GVA. Similar to my last ski trip except final leg will be HEL-GVA instead of HEL to FRA. Will then organise transport or catch bus to Val Thorens.

I was seeking advice on when to book accommodation. We will commence our stay on Saturday 30 March 2024, and stay for between 7-10 nights. I have contacted some of the major hotels (3, 4 and 5 star) and they have reverted with pricing on half-board accommodation. The pricing I have received ranges from 450EUR per night to 750EUR per night. Having just completed a trip in Europe with halfboard arrangements at hotels I prefer this to an apartment and having to cook for the three of us.

Two questions:

1. When is the best time to book accommodation for Val Thorens? On dedicated ski forums such as snowheads some recommend waiting for deals or using tour operators, however I am afraid if I wait I may miss out on some nice properties. I was therefore inclined to book now.

2. Is the pricing I have quoted above in line with what is to be expected at Val Thorens for a good hotel, or too high? For comparison my accommodation in Switzerland and Austria recently ranged between 400EUR to 500EUR half board and they were very nice hotels - although we travelled in Jan 2023 between European school holidays.

Looking forward to any advice!

Regards,

DB

 

[LadyC]

Can't add any information about Val Thorens accommodation but we are looking to go to Courchevel in January 2024. Some of the hotels don't seem to open up their bookings until after the current ski season finishes (admittedly i haven't emailed them directly).

Interested in your experiences in Switzerland and Austria with accommodation for skiing - any recommendations?

 

[luxury-lizard]

We've skied in Europe many times (both France and Switzerland) - I would book as soon as possible - the prices won't go down but the hotels will fill up. One issue we found is that some hotels will not accept bookings from new (ie first time guests) until returning guests have decided if they wish to re-book for the following year.

I can't really comment on the prices you're being quoted for hotels but they don't seem out of line - you may find some hotels only accept bookings of 7 days (Saturday to Saturday). Easter will be high season with school holidays / spring break in various European countries.

 

[Durin's Bane]

Can't add any information about Val Thorens accommodation but we are looking to go to Courchevel in January 2024. Some of the hotels don't seem to open up their bookings until after the current ski season finishes (admittedly i haven't emailed them directly).

Interested in your experiences in Switzerland and Austria with accommodation for skiing - any recommendations?

In Obergurgl, Austria, we stayed at Hotel Alpenland (halfboard) which was absolutely fantastic. Modern property, proper ski in ski out, family run service was excellent, breakfast and dining (3 course + buffet comprising salads, breads. cheeses, etc) was great and varied, plus washer and dryer in basement for use for a small fee!

In Gstaad, Switzerland, we stayed at Hotel Arc-En-Ciel (bed and breakfast) which was also very good, a modern property and great service. Big bonus here was free ski and boot hire as part of hotel accommodation tariffs, but the Gstaad restaurant pricing for dinners (at hotel and in town) was quite expensive, routinely costing CHF 100-125 for entree, main, dessert for three of us, and a glass of wine for me! Bluebird day scenery was stunning however.

Both were lovely, but for me Obergurgl was better value for money, with Gstaad having the nicer skiing if you can afford it.

 

[Durin's Bane]

We've skied in Europe many times (both France and Switzerland) - I would book as soon as possible - the prices won't go down but the hotels will fill up. One issue we found is that some hotels will not accept bookings from new (ie first time guests) until returning guests have decided if they wish to re-book for the following year.

I can't really comment on the prices you're being quoted for hotels but they don't seem out of line - you may find some hotels only accept bookings of 7 days (Saturday to Saturday). Easter will be high season with school holidays / spring break in various European countries.

Thanks luxury-lizard, thats good advice... I will lock in accommodation within the next 48 hours. Yes in relation to the returning guests policy, we found that upon departure from Alpenland (Obergurgl) and Arc-En-Ciel (Gstaad) they gave us vouchers including priority if we returned the following year.

The hotels in Val Thorens were all open to varying durations provided we arrived on a Saturday, however hotels in other smaller resorts (e.g. Val Cenis) insisted on 7 day blocks which wasn't my preference. The first Easter week should be good, but in week two some of the French zones have school holidays so I expect it to get busier!

 

[Quickstatus]

1. When is the best time to book accommodation for Val Thorens?

As soon as you got your flights booked. Easter is popular time in the mountains, especially when the snow is good. And the Spring holiday are basically April. I don't think you can get any special pricing due the Easter and School holidays peak. You will likely be paying peak pricing

2. Is the pricing I have quoted above in line with what is to be expected at Val Thorens for a good hotel

Well what is your budget?
Ive never been to VT but I have been told about KohiNor - but this is high - end
Yes a lot are 7 day block bookings
This is the website i would use to check on prices.

 

[Durin's Bane]

As soon as you got your flights booked. Easter is popular time in the mountains, especially when the snow is good. And the Spring holiday are basically April. I don't think you can get any special pricing due the Easter and School holidays peak. You will likely be paying peak pricing



Well what is your budget?
Ive never been to VT but I have been told about KohiNor - but this is high - end
Yes a lot are 7 day block bookings
This is the website i would use to check on prices.

Thanks Quickstatus. Budget is around the EUR500-600 so covers most hotels other than a few 5 stars. Kohinor quoted the highest pricing by far at EUR750 per night which is a bit too expensive for me.