What to pack for a ski holiday in Val Thorens

Packing for Val Thorens means packing for high mountains. The resort sits at 2,300 metres: the sun is stronger than in the valley, temperatures swing sharply and the weather can go from clear blue skies to a storm in a single day. The good news: not everything has to fit in your car boot or your hold luggage. Part of your equipment can be hired in the resort, and anything you forget can be found in our shops, open every day from 8.30am to 7.30pm during the season.

The golden rule: bring the personal, hire the bulky

A ski bag quickly weighs ten kilos or so, and most airlines charge extra for it. Your base layers, sunglasses and sun cream, on the other hand, weigh almost nothing. The right reflex is simple: travel with what is personal and light, and hire what is heavy and bulky once you are here.

In the suitcase: the essentials to bring

• Two thermal base layers, top and bottom. It is the first layer that keeps you warm, not the jacket.
• A fleece or light down jacket as your mid-layer.
• A waterproof ski jacket and ski trousers.
• Warm gloves and, if possible, a spare pair: a wet glove never dries fast enough.
• A hat and a neck warmer.
• Three pairs of thin, knee-length ski socks. Thick wool socks hurt in a ski boot: they create creases and pressure points.
• Category 3 sunglasses at the very least, and ski goggles.
• High-factor sun cream and lip balm. At 2,300 metres, the glare off the snow burns even on a cloudy day.
• Warm shoes with a good grip for walking around the resort.
• A small daypack and a water bottle.
• Swimwear if your accommodation has a pool or a spa.

Leave at home: everything you can hire in Val Thorens

Skis, poles, boots, helmet, snowboard, ski touring equipment: none of it needs to travel with you. Our 10 shops and boutiques are spread across the resort, and you can book your equipment online before you leave, then collect it close to where you are staying.

Hiring in the resort has another advantage besides a lighter suitcase: the equipment is serviced after every hire, and bindings are set by professionals to ISO and ASTM standards, based on your weight, height and ability. You head out on recent, well-maintained equipment that suits you, without carrying a single ski bag. Our full range of services is on our services page.

Forgotten something? Our shops can help

Gloves left on the kitchen table, goggles broken on day two, not enough socks: these are the things we see every week in our shops. You will find the essential accessories, such as gloves, hats, ski socks, goggles and sunglasses, as well as ski clothing for the whole family in our boutiques. So there is no need to overload your suitcase just in case: whatever you are missing is a few minutes' walk from your accommodation, every day from 8.30am to 7.30pm.

The quick checklist

To bring: base layers, fleece, ski jacket and trousers, gloves, hat, neck warmer, ski socks, sunglasses, goggles, sun cream, warm shoes, daypack, swimwear.

To hire in the resort: skis, poles, ski boots, helmet, snowboard, ski touring equipment.

To buy in the resort if needed: forgotten accessories, ski clothing, sun protection.

All that is left is to choose your pick-up point from our shops in Val Thorens and book your equipment online. Your suitcase has just lost ten kilos.