Val Thorens has a sporty feel. This is not luxury hotel territory, however there are several excellent hotels that have virtually every ammenity. Prices are per person based on double occupancy during February with half board. €€€—€125+; €€—€75–€124; € is less than €75.

Fitz Roy (479 00 04 78, fax 479 00 06 11; €€€) The luxury hotel in town. Some rooms are split level other are traditional. many have fireplaces. There is a lucious spa. Meals are a quantum leap above those of the rest of Val Thorens except Oxalys.

l'Oxalys – Chalet (479 32 75 31; €€€) is a new luxury option with 25 apartments for four to eight persons. Each has a fireplace and most hotel services. The hotel restaurant has one Michelin star. Make reservations to insure a seat. It is very popular with the Courchevel crowd who ski over for lunch.

Le Val Thorens (479 00 04 33, fax 479 00 09 40; €€) For American tastes this is perhaps the best hotel in town. The breakfast is not the usual croissant and coffee but a full buffet complete with eggs. Walk out your door and onto the slopes.

Hotel Bel Horizon (479 00 04 77; fax 479 00 06 08; €€; photo right) Right on the edge of the complex with south-facing rooms, this hotel offers good-sized rooms but a very French atmosphere, limited English speaking help and excellent food.

Le Sherpa (479 00 00 70, fax 479 00 08 03; €€; photo below left) It is family-run and offers excellent value for money, with excellent food. It has 14 new luxury rooms.

Les Trois Vallées (479 00 01 86, fax 479 00 04 08; €€) In the center of action with a good bar and good service.

Novotel (479 00 04 04, fax 479 00 05 93; €€€) The resort’s biggest with 104 rooms complete with most ammenities but no pool.

Le Portillo (479 00 00 88; fax 479 00 05 65; €€) has 15 rooms and every one is different. It just was raised from a two-star to a three-star property.

La Marmotte (479 00 00 07; fax 479 00 00 14; €) Sparsely furnished, very basic.

Les Montagnettes du Soleil (479 00 20 51; fax 479 00 24 39; €€) only has suites for up to four. It is an apartment with hotel services. For foursomes, it’s a big bargain.

Ski Chalets: Crystal, Thompson, Thomas Cook/Neilson. Click here for more information on ski chalets.

Apartments, condominiums, flats
Apartments are the French choice for accommodation. In fact, apartment beds outnumber hotel beds by at least 5 to 1. What you get is the ability to schedule off-slope life at your own pace and a way to avoid the high hotel prices.

Val Thorens has a bevy of “residences” that are basically apartments with hotel services. You have a restaurant and beds will be made up upon arrival but there is no housekeeping or room service.

The Village Montana (479 00 21 01), one of the most luxurious, costs about €700 a week for a two bedroom with living room and kitchen from mid-January to mid-February. The Chalet Altitude (479 00 85 00; photo right) with similar amenities is around €950 for about the same space during the same timeframe.

Less expensive locations are the Balcons de Val Thorens (479 00 90 70; photo right) and Pierre et Vacances (479 09 30 30).

The tourist office (click here for more information) will send more information and a registration card, and will help make reservations. Make sure to impress on them that you are Americans or British and want a larger apartment. If you are four people and you pay for an apartment for five, it is probably worth the extra money. Nothing is worse than being stuck in a room about the size of one found on a cruise ship when you have all your ski equipment.