Short answer: Val Thorens suits a group of friends well. The village is at 2,300 m, so the snow is good for the whole season (21 November 2026 to 2 May 2027). It is part of Les 3 Vallées, 600 km of linked pistes, so experienced skiers won't get bored and beginners have easy runs. It is one of the après-ski capitals of the Alps. And it has many apartments with a kitchen, which is what makes a group holiday cheaper: one apartment for 4 to 8 people, its price shared between everyone, and dinners cooked at home.
Which apartment for your group
- 4 people: a 2-room apartment (living room and a bedroom). A studio "for 4" is very tight for a week.
- 6 people: a 3-room apartment, or a large 2-room apartment for 6.
- 8 people: a 4-room apartment, or one of the 80 m² apartments for 8, some of them duplexes.
- More than 8: book two apartments for the same dates.
Two things are easy to miss. Beds: "for 8" usually includes bunk beds or a sofa bed, so decide who sleeps where before you book. Bathrooms: some apartments for 6 or 8 have only one, which means taking turns in the morning. Each apartment's description lists its beds, bathrooms and toilets, and what is included: in most weekly apartments, bed linen, towels and end-of-stay cleaning are optional extras. All of them are on our apartments page.
Which week to choose
- Most expensive: Christmas and New Year, and above all 13 to 27 February, when UK half-term, Dutch and Belgian breaks and two French zones overlap. In our apartments those two February weeks cost about three times as much as a week in late November or April.
- Fewest school holidays, with all of Les 3 Vallées open: 12–19 December, 9 January to 6 February, or 6–20 March.
- A group of beginners: March and April are gentler: long days, less cold, and snow that is still good thanks to the altitude.
Week by week, with every school holiday calendar, in our guide to the best time to ski in Val Thorens.
Beginners and experienced skiers in one group
This is the most common case, and Val Thorens handles it well. The Val Thorens-Orelle pass covers the pistes of Val Thorens and neighbouring Orelle, a lot of terrain for a week of beginners. The 3 Vallées pass adds Méribel, Courchevel and Les Menuires, which experienced skiers will want. For six days from 19 December 2026 the official SETAM prices are €367.50 against €421 per adult, a difference of €53.50. Each person can buy the pass that fits their level.
All prices and discounts in our guide to Val Thorens ski pass prices. First time on skis for some of you? See Val Thorens for beginners.
Evenings: après-ski or a night in
Après-ski starts in the afternoon at La Folie Douce, at the top of the Plein Sud chairlift (2,600 m), with live music until the pistes close, and goes on in the village bars and clubs such as Le Malaysia. The village is small enough to cross on foot. For a quiet evening, a raclette in the apartment with shopping from the Sherpa supermarket also saves money. More in our Val Thorens après-ski guide.
Checklist for the organiser
- 1Agree on dates and a budget per person with everyone before looking for an apartment.
- 2Choose the apartment by the real number of beds, not only by "for X people".
- 3Decide on the pass: Val Thorens-Orelle or 3 Vallées, person by person.
- 4Book travel: see how to get to Val Thorens by plane, train or car.
- 5Equipment: collect everyone's shoe size and height for ski hire.
- 6Agree how and by when everyone pays their share.
- 7Travel insurance for everyone, with ski cover.
- 8Packing: our ski holiday packing list.
Who we are
SkiShare is an Israeli company that rents apartments only in Val Thorens: our own, by the night, and weekly apartments from Saturday to Saturday, from studios to apartments for 8. Enter your dates on our apartments page to see which are free and the price for your whole group.
Questions
Is Val Thorens good for a group of friends?
Yes. The village is at 2,300 m, so the snow is good all season; Les 3 Vallées has 600 km of linked pistes for every level; and the après-ski is among the best known in the Alps. Apartments with a kitchen let a group share the cost.
How many people fit in one apartment?
Up to 8 in our largest apartments (4 rooms, or about 80 m²). For a bigger group, book two apartments for the same dates.
Which lift pass for a group with beginners and experienced skiers?
Beginners have plenty with the Val Thorens-Orelle pass; experienced skiers who want Méribel and Courchevel need the 3 Vallées pass. For six days the official difference is €53.50 per adult (€367.50 against €421 from 19 December 2026).
When is the cheapest time for a group trip?
Late November, mid-December, January and late March to April. The most expensive weeks are Christmas and 13 to 27 February.
What should we check before booking an apartment for a group?
The real beds (bunk beds, sofa bed), the number of bathrooms, and whether bed linen, towels and final cleaning are included or optional. Each apartment's description says so.
Sources
- Les 3 Vallées: winter 2026/27 press kit (600 km, season dates) (press.les3vallees.com)
- SETAM: 2026/27 lift pass prices (6-day Val Thorens-Orelle and 3 Vallées) (ski.valthorens.com)
- SkiShare: apartments in Val Thorens (sizes, beds, what is included) (skisharebook.com)
Planning a ski week in Val Thorens?