Ski Holidays in Val Cenis, France

• Snow Conditions in Val Cenis France +

  Snow report issued:	2nd Feb 12
  Last snowed:	31st Jan 12
  Fresh snow depth:	10cm
  Depth at resort:	45cm
  Mountain depth:	220cm
  Piste state:
  Excellent (Great skiing thanks to the recent snowfalls)
  Weather report:
  Partly cloudy, some sunny spells
  Temperature:	-11°C
  Open lifts:	26 of 27

  View Val Cenis snow history

• Val Cenis Resort Statistics+

  Slope Direction	N, W
  Very Easy Runs	9
  Easy Runs	10
  Medium Runs	18
  Difficult Runs	6
  Toughest Run Name	Michèle Jacot
  Skiable Vertical	1400m
  Number Of Lifts	19
  Top Lift Height	2800m
  Night Skiing	N
  Snowboarding Parks	2
  Half Pipes	0
  Swimming Pools	1
  Night Clubs	1
  Mountain Restaurants	2

• Val Cenis Piste Map+

  

• Val Cenis Transfer Times+

  Grenoble:	1 hour and 30 minutes
  Geneva:	2 hours and 30 minutes

Val Cenis is a collection of original old stone villages strung along a valley road close to the Italian border and the famous 3 Valleys.

Although this may not sound especially impressive, the ski area is, with lifts climbing a huge 1,400m vertical above the main village of Lanslebourg and its neighbour Lanslevillard. That slope altitude along with north facing slope and extensive snowmaking cover help Val Cenis to maintain an excellent snow record.

The lack of international fame for Val Cenis is another positive point, leaving uncrowded slopes served by a modern lift system. This lift network now encompasses two gondolas, two six seater and two high speed detachable quads.

Lanslebourg and Lanslevillard, are largely unspoilt villages with original stone chalet style buildings huddled around the village church, each with an unhurried atmosphere. They are located just a few kilometres apart and a bus service circulates every 20 minutes between the two during the day time. Both are linked to the shared ski area by six-seater chairlift or gondola.

Modern development of new accommodation has been largely completed in a tasteful wood-clad chalet style of architecture in keeping with the traditional style of the area. The villages are relatively compact so all facilities are a short walk away.

• Skiing for Beginners+

  There are convenient nursery slopes right by each village, with a more extensive area at Lanslevillard, which boasts the always well maintained Le Mollard piste. Once you have mastered basic technique head to the top of the Val Cenis le Haut gondola where you'll find an excellent beginners trail to enjoy. Look out for tour operator offers including lessons, rentals and lift ticket at a discount on buying these separately in resort, saving time and hassle too.

• Intermediate Skiing+

  Intermediates will enjoy this big ski area the most with more than 35 runs to whiz down, the longest a full 10km (six miles) long. The resort is also part of the Maurienne area pass which includes more than a dozen ski resorts in the region on a multi-day ticket.
  
  If you buy that ticket you can pay another supplement to access the Three Valleys via a 'back door' route in to Val Thorens on a very long gondola up from Oreille at the top of the Maurienne Valley. You'll need to get the gondola back again too unfortunately as there's no piste down.

• Advanced+

  There are six black pistes, the toughest reputed to be Michèle Jacot, but the other five options are rather short. The Jacot run begins with 400m of black before following mostly red slopes (with black stretches) for the rest of the full 1400m vertical down to Lanslevillard.
  
  When conditions are right, off piste powder can be found quite easily close to the higher pistes (once again, either side of the Michele Jacot run are a good choice).
  
  There's also tree skiing and the local Mountain Guides office runs different tours each day in master class subject areas such as off piste, touring and mogul skiing.

• Snowboarding at Val Cenis+

  Val Cenis has two terrain parks and the high speed lift network makes getting between them and enjoying all the slopes in the area much easier for boarders than a load of old slow drags.
  
  There are some good freeriding areas after fresh snow falls plus some excellent smooth, wide carving pistes. You will discover a natural halfpipe, a boardercross and plenty of jumps and rails.

• Other Activities And Facilities at Val Cenis+

  The major non-ski leisure facility is the indoor sports complex complete with swimming pool, ice rink and health spa facilities including a hot tub. There is also a cinema in Lanslebourg.
  
  Outdoors there is a small cross country ski circuit and the chance to try snowshoeing or dog sledding. Tandem paragliding descents from the top of the ski lifts are another option.

• Apres Ski And Dining Out+

  The two main villages are generally quiet with a handful of bars and restaurants in each. The atmosphere is friendly, informal and relaxed.
  
  The Napoleon Bar in Lanslebourg is one of the main venues and the village also has a night club, La Cle des Champs. Dining options are largely creperies, pizza or fondues.
  
  The Brassserie des Melezes is a good choice in Lanslebourg or the Bar des Sports in Lanslevillard.

• Ski Holidays in Val Cenis suitable for Families+

  Val Cenis has been awarded the French Government's 'Famille Plus' award for the quality of its welcome and service to families. There's nursery provision for the youngest children in each village.
  
  Lanslebourg has Les P'tits Marrons for children an aged three months to six years in the chalet Les Sablons. In Lanslevillard, children must be slightly older at six months to join Les P'tits Loups in the Salle Polyvante.
  
  Again this accepts children to age six and both facilities are open from 9am to 5.30pm daily. From age three children can join in the ski school's Jardin des Neiges for fun activities whilst learning their first turns on skis in the snow.
  
  Both nursery schools can combine non-ski care with a few hours in the Jardin des Neiges if required. Older children from age five can join special children's ski school classes which follow the French national ski tuition and testing scheme.