For whiteout days holidaymakers can enjoy cinema, bowling, ice skating, a gym and an indoor swimming pool. Parasailing can also be arranged. Val Thorens is also home to the highest toboggan run in Europe.

French is the official language.

The Euro (EUR) is the official currency in France. Currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and some large hotels, though you will get a better exchange rate at the ATMs. Major credit cards are widely accepted, as are travellers cheques, particularly in major tourist destinations. Foreign currency is not accepted.

Due to its height and north-facing location, Val Thorens can be cold and bleak and has less off-slope activities on offer than many resorts.

The nightlife in Val Thorens is more limited than in the larger resorts, but there are still a few discos and plenty of lively bars. The clientele are less likely to be English than in neighbouring Meribel.

There is a wide choice of restaurants in Val Thorens catering for most wallets and holidaymakers' tastes; the finest include the Fitz Roy Hotel, Restaurant des Trois Vallées and Le Bellevillois. There are also some good mountain restaurants and it's easy to ski over to Meribel for lunch. As always it's best to take local advice and book ahead for the better restaurants.

While not exactly a major shopping destination, Val Thorens does offer holidaymakers a variety of good ski shops and plenty of provisions are available for self-caterers.

Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between last Sunday in March and last Sunday in October).