Val Cenis is a small ski resort located in the Northern Alps, in the upper part of the Maurienne Valley in the Vanoise National Park. The resort is located at the foot of Mount Ronse and the Mont Cenis Pass. The town is located near the Italian border and is considered one of the oldest French resorts – it was founded in the middle of the last century as a climatic resort, and only then became a ski resort.

Val Cenis consists of three ancient mountain villages – Lanslebourg, Lanslevillard and Termignon, where you can get acquainted with the life of French peasants who lived here in the century before last, and taste the products of local cheese factories. However, walks around Val Senis will bring more impressions from contemplating the mountain landscapes – the resort is literally surrounded by mountain peaks, the height of which is about 3000 meters, and there are about a hundred peaks in total. In addition, the high-altitude (2000 meters) lake of Mont Senis is located nearby.

Trails, slopes, lifts

The ski season in Val Senis lasts from mid-December to the second half of April. However, the lifts on the slopes of the resort begin to operate in October and end only in May.

The difference in altitude in Val Senis is 1400 meters. The trails of this resort are mainly intended for athletes with a beginner and intermediate level of training. But there are also runs marked in black as the most difficult. Val Seine has the longest beginner’s run in Europe – it is 9 kilometers long.

With the Val Seine ski pass, you can ski on the Termignon-la-Vanoise slopes, which are 14 more slopes in addition to the 55 that are on resort. The total length of all the slopes in Val Senis is 125 kilometers, there is also a 27-kilometer cross-country ski run and toboggan runs. There are about 170 “cannons” installed on the slopes for artificial snow, and a ski school operates.

The skiing area is ideal for families with children and beginners. There are interesting “red” slopes – La Me and La Tomba, and “black”, including the winding Le Lac. The famous ten-kilometer green l’Escargot (snail) with a height difference of 2100 to 1400 meters is among the ten longest slopes in Europe.

Ski slopes – 57

easy – 31

blue – 19

red – 21

black – 5

Total length of slopes – 125 km

Cross-country skiing – 27 km

Artificial snow – 172 cannons

Bordercross track

When purchasing a Ski-MO ski pass, you can ski for one day at Val Seine‘s partner resorts: Auxois, Bonval-sur-Arc, La Norma and Val Fréjus and unlimited in the home region of Val Seine. That’s 325 km of slopes.

For entry-level freestylers, Val Seine has two fun parks. There is a springboard with an air cushion for practicing tricks.

Recommendations for beginners

The ski area is ideal for beginners and families with children. And the famous ten-kilometer green run l’Escargot (snail) with a height difference of 2100 to 1400 meters is among the ten longest runs in Europe. It is not the only one that awaits novice skiers – training and easy areas are arranged near each of the villages, and you don’t have to go far from the hotels to improve your skills.

Recommendations for the prepared

The lower sections of the runs are on dense slopes, which protects the slopes from wind and sun, and maintains a stable snow cover throughout the season.

Several interesting intermediate runs start at an altitude of 2540 m, for example, Le Sollert, and on the De La Me lift you can reach the point of 2800 m and then descend to such “red” runs as La Me and La Tomba, and an exciting “black”, among which the winding Le Lac.

Expert Tips

The De La Meuse lift takes you to 2800m and then down to red runs like La Meuse and La Tomba, and exciting black runs like the winding Le Lac.

The slopes are served by 172 snow cannons and 30 lifts, and the latter, due to the peculiarities of the local terrain, are organized very intelligently and stretch “from “node to node”, that is, between the points where one route ends and another begins.

Hotels

CGH Résidences & Spa Les Chalets de Flambeau 4 star hotel

Located in the Alpine village of Lanslebourg, at the base of Val Cenis. The chairlift is nearby. Les Chalets de Flambeau features a fitness centre, hammam, sauna and indoor swimming pool.

The apartments at Chalets de Flambeau feature a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Each unit has a dining area and a kitchen with a dishwasher, fridge and microwave. Free Wi-Fi is available in all apartments and in the reception area.

The residence can arrange a bakery service to deliver fresh bread. Breakfast sets can also be ordered.

Les Alpages De Val Cenis by Resid & co 4 star hotel

Les Alpages De Val Cenis is located in the heart of Lanslebourg village in the Val Cenis ski resort. It offers ski-to-door access and ski storage.

Guests have access to a large heated outdoor pool, a hot tub, a sauna and a fitness room. The terrace offers panoramic mountain views.

Les Alpages De Val Cenis offers apartments decorated with warm wooden furniture. They come with a balcony and a fully equipped kitchen.

Ski equipment can be rented at Les Alpages and there is a ski pass vendor on site. The nearest airport is in Chambéry, 135 km away, while Modane Train Station is 23 km away.

Hôtel Saint Charles Val Cenis 4-star hotel

Hotel Saint Charles Val Cenis offers free WiFi and a 24-hour front desk. It offers pet-friendly accommodation in Lanslebourg-Mont-Cenis, 50 metres from TSD6 Ramasse. The hotel has ski-to-door access and ski storage space, and guests can enjoy a drink at the bar. There is also a terrace with views of the ski station.

The rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV. Some rooms have a seating area to relax in after a busy day. The rooms are equipped with a private bathroom.

The Pure Altitude Spa offers free access to the indoor pool, Japanese baths and fitness area. The spa with sauna and hammam is also available at an extra cost. An array of activities can be enjoyed in the area, such as skiing, cycling and hiking.

Pont des Chèvres Ski Lift is 50 metres from the hotel. Private parking is possible on site for an additional fee. Electric vehicle charging stations are available at this hotel.

Hotel Club mmv Le Val Cenis *** 3-star hotel

The Club Hotel MMV is located just 50 metres from the Val Cenis ski slopes. It offers many facilities including an indoor swimming pool, a sauna, a hot tub and a kids’ club.

The rooms at the Club Hotel are decorated with warm wooden furniture. They are equipped with a private bathroom, a TV and mountain views. Some have a balcony.

The MMV Le Val Cenis restaurant serves regional mountain cuisine. After dinner, guests can relax with a drink in the bar or on the south-facing terrace, where free Wi-Fi is available.

Club MMV offers entertainment, some of which is included in the price, and there is also a kids’ club. Amenities are just 400 metres away.

Résidence Le Critérium

Located 30 metres from the ski lift, Résidence Le Critérium offers self-catering apartments with private balconies and mountain views. Free Wi-Fi and free parking are provided.

The apartments at Résidence Le Critérium feature a living room with a sofa, an ethanol fireplace and a flat-screen TV. Each room has a private bathroom with a shower head, a bathtub and a separate toilet.

A microwave, dishwasher and coffee maker are provided in the kitchen of each apartment. The residence has a restaurant and a bakery on the ground floor.

Located in the Vanoise National Park, Résidence Le Critérium is 23 km from the Italian border. There are 125 km of ski slopes, and other activities include dog sledding and snowmobiling. In summer, the area offers hiking, cycling, paragliding and canyoning.

Modena Train Station is 27 km away and Chambéry Airport is 136 km away.

Après ski and nightlife

To restore strength after skiing at the resort, you can visit the swimming pool or the SPA center with various baths. You can diversify your vacation by skating, dog sledding, sledding, visiting discos, restaurants, as well as the local cheese factory, where Beaufort cheese is produced, recognized as a gastronomic specialty of Val Seine. The resort has several kindergartens and a kids’ club.

The nightlife at the resort is not surprising in its diversity, but you can sit in numerous bars and restaurants or dance at a disco. In Val Seine there are several spa centers with jacuzzis, saunas, massage, exercise machines, swimming pools, solariums.

Le Napoléon – homely atmosphere, the best pizza in town: thin dough, delicious toppings. Excellent service, the owner even offers his own delicious drink.

La Peau de Vache – located near the ski lift, convenient to sit in between skiing, have lunch and drink tea or coffee. There are tables to choose from inside and outside.

The restaurant at La Cle des Champs is the highlight of your stay.

Fabulous food, great service, fantastic staff to help you spend the evening. Highly recommended.

Entertainment

Every year in January, the “Great Odyssey” – a dog sled race – starts in Val Seine. After six days, the participants of the race, who have covered about 800 kilometers along the mountain slopes, return to Val Seine. The finish of the race is the most spectacular moment of the event. The competition is considered the most difficult in Europe.

In Val Seine there are 27 km of cross-country ski trails, one long toboggan run, which can be reached by the Val Seine le Haut gondola, and 46 km of routes for Nordic walking enthusiasts. There is an opportunity to go paragliding, snow rafting, rock climbing, snow biking. On the shores of Lake Mont Seny, there are several sleighs ready to give anyone a ride on their sleds.

How to get there

Val Seny is a popular French resort located in the upper part of the Morien Valley near the Mont Seny Pass (2083 m), at an altitude of 1300 meters. Very close, over the mountain range – Italy.

The nearest airports are Chambery (80 km), Grenoble (158 km).

The nearest train station is Moda (28 km).