There’s no shortage of other activities. Hurtle down the slopes on an airboard (head first on short fat lilo), a snowskate (skateboard on snow) or in a snake gliss (train of toboggans). Go for a snowshoe trek through the forest near L’Aigle Blanc, or try paragliding on skis on a tandem flight with Here We Go Parapente. If that all sounds too energetic, enjoy a massage, sauna or hammam next door (at a charge).
For a small village, Valmorel has a good choice of bars in Le Bourg. Neighbours La Source, Le Petit Savoyard and Le Petit Prince all have terraces for the 4pm crowd, many of whom return in the evening. Le Perce-Neige has snuggly seats outside huddled around heaters. The buzziest is Jimbo Lolo, which serves a mix of Tex-Mex and tapas, with a jungle theme and wooden swings round the bar. And the Sound Pub & Club, which is open till 5am, is a favourite with off-duty bar staff.
Ski Roc in Le Bourg is one of the best and busiest restaurants in the village. It serves the usual Savoyard dishes, but with some innovative touches – a tartiflette ravioli, for one. It has sister restaurant at the top of the Altispace chairlift, Les Voiles du Nant, which does excellent burgers. And L’Altipiano, at the top of the Pierrafort cable car, does a great reblochonnade – a version of tartiflette with melted reblochon cheese and ham.
La Grange aux Fées is a stylish new self-catering residence beside the Lanchettes chairlift, with warm wood and exposed stone interiors, plus an indoor pool and hot tubs (at a charge).
Valmorel has 165km of pistes; 50 lifts; highest altitude 2,550m.
Good for families, authentic French charm, value, tranquillity