Val Cenis Reviews & Ratings

Val cenis is a smaller resort located in France in the Italian border. As a smaller resort, there arent as many groomed runs to choose from as the bigger resorts, but still plenty to do in a 1-2 week holiday, with a wide variety of runs for all level of skiers. It has wide beginner friendly slopes that go right to the top of the mountain (2700m). It has fantastic off piste trails (one of the best resorts). Once again a wide range of different off piste trails for all levels and most of the time great powder. Its not as busy as bigger resorts, meaning slopes arent too crowded even in school holidays and lift wait times are minimal even at the bottom of the mountain. However, although it is great for skiing, 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.

Val Cenis seems to have gone under the radar a bit, which is great news for those who do visit as the slopes remain fairly quiet and the area unspoilt.

Although it does have most of the elements of a great resort for anyone, families and mixed ability groups in particular can't go wrong here. With the main area offering descent options from green to black with dozens of variations of the route down, all levels of skier are catered for.

In terms of extent, most skiers will be happy spending a week here, although the bus links to nearby resorts such as Valfrejus and La Norma give you a bit of variety if you're hungry for piste miles.

The main sector of Val Cenis offers 3 or 4 spines of lifts linking up to high points, with a bewildering choice of routes down to the bottom from here, all intercepted by cat-track pistes allowing you to move around the area very easily.

The lift-linked Termignon sector is much smaller, and has been less attractive due to slow and outdated lifts, although this is starting to change with a fast chair going in this year. The top two long drag lifts here serve a fantastic area of multiple slopes, and when this finally gets a fast chair put in will become an amazing area for lapping.

For beginners and families, the very long green Escargot offers an excellent experience, graded consistently gently and served by the fast Ramasses chair. For earlier beginners, the extensive network of green runs linking the base villages at the bottom give real variety and choice, with plenty of cafes and restaurants dotted around and a friendly feeling.

Intermediates can go pretty much anywhere, with blue and red options for most descents. Timid intermediates will enjoy the fact that most pistes are intercepted by the green Escargot multiple times, so an easy escape can be made if you've bitten off more than you can chew.

Avalanche risk holds the resort back from being a top off-piste destination, but there are plenty of shorter options, particularly in the trees, for those with sharp eyes.

Pistes to avoid include Arcelle which is often icy and busy, and the sector-linking Traverse which is incredibly long and flat (just take the Turra lift down when linking).

Recommended pistes include MJ St Genix, Chamois, Napoleon and Tomba as they're usually much quieter. Bois de Coqs/Forester and all of the top slopes in Termignon are all great spot.

All the restaurants are pretty good but Chalet la Fema at the top of Vieux Moulin gets a strong mention.

I have been to Val Cenis 3/4 times now. It is a brilliant resort on the smaller (and quieter) side.
Its around 3000m up which is great and I reckon easily over 100km of marked trails.

I would definitely recommend to other skiers and snowboarders.

Great resort for young families with sledging allowed really close to the slopes.

The pistes aren't enormous, but plenty to keep you entertained. If there's powder, you have loads of options that are easily accessible.

Slopes are north facing meaning that you will be able to ski to resort all season - even when other resorts are closed from lack of snow (Feb 2023).

Nightlife is limited, but if you are there with kids, that probably won't matter.

We are a family of 5 who have been visiting Val Cenis for our last 5 ski trips. We visit with 2-3 other families which include children ranging from age 8-16 years (The youngest was age 4 years on his first visit). We tend to stay self catering and visit the local bar for apres ski before eating together in one of the apartments. We are a mix of snow boarders and skiers and love the fact that after the children have had their lessons in the mornings, we can all go out and ski together in the afternoons as there is plenty for everyone and the slopes are not too busy.

Termignon, as part of Val Cenis, is a traditional French resort that has great skiing for all levels.
Great ski school with French, Italian, and English speaking instructors who can cope with all levels of skiers, boarders, and behaviour.
The village is lived in all year round and the residents are all very friendly.

A absolute unreal place to bring the family and friends, and excellent company to go with is MGS SKI as there service is second to none and so amazing. it comes at a really affordable price for a ski holiday. there are plenty of other options in val cenis too, cant wait to go back again

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! And runs with tunnels that mood! Beautiful well kept and groomed slopes and any that werent up to standard were sensibly closed. We absolutely would visit again and recommend to anyone!

Lovely compact resort which is very family friendly, and a good mix of slopes for all abilities. Easy access to the chair lifts etc from most of the accommodation. Lovely traditional alpine villages which cater for all your needs. There are a mix of run types which include tree lined runs for days where poor light was an issue and some lovely wide open runs near the top of the resort for those bluebird days. All in all I highly recommend this family friendly resort which is significantly cheaper than the larger French resorts.

Great for beginners, good green runs, including a great long one which is perfect for those learning also very scenic. Not too busy so it's great for not having to queue too long for lifts. Very family friendly. Lovely town fab restaurants to eat, including catering style restaurant up in the mountains. Overall lovely resort and highly recommend.

Not the largest ski area but some lovely runs with spectacular views from the top lifts. Some nice restaurants in the town, typically alpine french. Very quiet resorts with hardly any queues in January. Snow was very good.