The Skiers' Guide to Val Cenis

Val Cenis is a hidden gem nestled along the French-Italian border in the beautiful Haute-Maurienne valley. This family-friendly resort flies under the radar of major tour operators, creating a peaceful skiing experience that our users consistently praise for its quiet slopes (4.70/5) and outstanding value for money (4.85/5).

The resort combines the traditional villages of Val Cenis Lanslebourg, Val Cenis Lanslevillard, and Termignon, offering an authentic Alpine experience without the crowds of more commercial destinations. Sitting between 1300m and 2800m altitude, it boasts excellent north-facing slopes that maintain good snow conditions throughout the season.

With an impressive overall rating of 4.48/5, Val Cenis particularly shines for family friendliness (4.85/5) and beginners (5.00/5). One Snomad community member noted, "Not yet on the map for the major tour providers so get there now before they find out that this little secret is there."

Val Cenis offers 63 runs spread across more than 100km of piste, with a balanced mix of 16 beginner, 20 intermediate, and 22 advanced runs. The resort is served by a modern lift system including 2 gondolas, 13 chairlifts, and 15 drag lifts, earning solid marks for lift efficiency (4.48/5).

The famous "L'Escargot" green run stands out as one of Europe's longest beginner pistes, making it perfect for novices. Shaun, an intermediate snowboarder, appreciates the variety: "You can choose many varied run types from high up open blues, reds and a few blacks. Then lower down ride a tree lined runs, most are quiet too."

For more experienced skiers, the resort delivers excellent groomed runs (4.62/5) and respectable off-piste opportunities (4.08/5). Caroline, an expert skier, points out: "On piste skiing is fine but lift served off-piste is very underrated and after a good fall of new snow does not get skiied out as quickly as the bigger named resorts nearby."

Advanced riders will enjoy the tree skiing (4.23/5), which provides excellent options during poor visibility days. Tom, an expert skier, recommends: "Pistes to avoid include Arcelle which is often icy and busy, and the sector-linking Traverse which is incredibly long and flat. Recommended pistes include MJ St Genix, Chamois, Napoleon and Tomba as they're usually much quieter."

Val Cenis scores a respectable 3.62/5 for eating out, with a modest but satisfying selection of mountain restaurants and village eateries. The resort offers authentic Savoyard cuisine that showcases local flavours.

"The food and drink here is superb, it has a very local atmosphere," writes Shaun, while Meg mentions the "plenty of good restaurants serving wholesome savoyarde dishes." Mountain dining options may be limited compared to larger resorts, but as Caroline notes, "Not many mountain eateries but what is there is adequate."

For those seeking a recommended mountain restaurant, Tom suggests "Chalet la Fema at the top of Vieux Moulin gets a strong mention." The atmosphere tends toward traditional and family-friendly rather than extravagant, keeping with the resort's authentic character.

Val Cenis isn't known for its wild nightlife, scoring 3.11/5 for après-ski. As Irakli, an intermediate snowboarder, explains: "If you're looking for a party apres ski maybe not the best option, but great for families and riders who want to work on their skills and improve technique on quieter and greener slopes."

Sam, an advanced skier, confirms this assessment: "Very quiet resort. Isn't many bars/restaurants in the resort. Up the slopes is no different. Still very quiet in that aspect."

The après scene is low-key and typically French, with a handful of relaxed bars and restaurants rather than rowdy party venues. Kado, an expert skier, notes that "val cenis does not offer a wide range of après options and the town only has one club, so is not the best resort for party goers."

That said, the local bars offer a friendly atmosphere where you can enjoy a drink after a day on the slopes. Jo's family group found it perfect for their needs: "We tend to stay self catering and visit the local bar for apres ski before eating together in one of the apartments."

Val Cenis truly excels as a family destination, achieving an outstanding 4.85/5 for family friendliness. The resort's manageable size, uncrowded slopes, and excellent beginner facilities make it ideal for family holidays.

Victoria, an intermediate skier, shares: "We found this resort the perfect destination for our first family ski holiday. The runs were great for the kids and for my beginner husband too! Lovely choice of cafe/restaurants - some even with animals to view inside!"

The ski school quality (4.44/5) receives high marks from our users. Jem, an advanced snowboarder, was particularly impressed with the childcare: "The 'crèche' that our daughter attended in the mornings was fantastic, and had a couple English speakers; she LOVED her time there!"

Beyond skiing, families appreciate the additional activities. Matthew, a beginner snowboarder, recommends: "We also did the night sledging from the Columba slope which was a little pricey at €8 per run but was soo much fun." Dave, an expert skier, adds that there's "sledging allowed really close to the slopes."

With a strong 4.37/5 for accommodation options, Val Cenis offers a good variety of places to stay across its villages. Meg notes the "wide range of accommodation to choose from," while Vicky mentions a "lovely choice of accommodation to suit a variety of budgets."

Many accommodations provide convenient access to the slopes. Jem appreciates that "the accommodation we stayed in was ski in/ski out," and David points out the "easy access to the chair lifts etc from most of the accommodation."

The resort features a mix of self-catering apartments, traditional chalets, and small hotels that maintain the authentic mountain village feel. Jo, an intermediate skier, notes that the resort is "not overcrowded, with a good selection of accommodation."

Self-catering is particularly popular for families and groups, with many of our users mentioning this as their preferred option for flexibility and value.

Val Cenis takes advantage of its natural setting with north-facing slopes that help preserve snow, reducing the need for extensive snowmaking. The resort has invested in modern, energy-efficient lift systems in recent years, particularly in the Termignon sector where older lifts are being replaced with faster, more efficient chairlifts.

The resort's position away from major urban centres helps maintain its authentic character while reducing overcrowding impacts. Public transport links are available, though limited compared to larger resorts. Val Cenis focuses on preserving its traditional Alpine environment, with careful management of tree-lined areas that feature prominently in many ski runs.

The resort's commitment to sustainability continues to develop, balancing tourism needs with environmental responsibility.