Baltic Outlook December 2018 | Page 102

SPECIAL / December Fly to Geneva € 109 VAL THORENS, FRANCE from round trip The highest ski resort in Europe Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe and the highest point of the world’s largest ski area, Les 3 Vallées. The fact that 99% of the ski area is situated above 2000 metres guarantees snow from Novem- ber to the beginning of May. And that means 171 days of skiing in the 2018/2019 season! The well-equipped Val Thorens resort is a perfect winter playground for people of all ages and interests. It combines the best of skiing and après-ski activities as well as ultra-modern and attractive facilities. And it doesn’t get much better than Val Thorens, where doorstep skiing means that you can ski out of your accommodation and already be on the ski slopes, enjoying the powdery snow. The village is car-free and offers a relaxed après-ski atmosphere with a wide variety of restaurants, clubs, and other activities, from spa treatments and workshops for children to 100 / airBaltic.com high-adrenaline activities. The ski area also gives you a breathtaking view of the Glacier de Péclet, and the beautiful, 360-degree panorama includes more than a thousand French, Italian, and Swiss Alps summits. At the top, you can chill out and enjoy lunch in the sun while trying to locate Mont Blanc on the horizon. But if you’re looking for something more extreme, Cascade de Tyrolienne gives a huge adrenaline rush. It’s the highest zip line in Europe and stretches for 1.6 kilometres. Safely strapped in, you can zip along at an average speed of 75 kilometres an hour and see the ski slopes from above – 65 metres above ground, to be exact. After that, try some ice karting on the Alain Prost ice circuit. For more family-friendly activities, choose dog-sledding and glide through the winter wilderness. A few facts: • Three ski areas are accessible from the resort: Val Thorens– Orelle (150 km of runs), Vallée des Belleville (300 km of runs), and Les 3 Vallées (600 km of runs). All are renowned for high snow quality and efficient ski lifts. • With carving, off-piste, ski touring, a snowpark, boardercross, and telemark skiing, there’s something to suit everyone. • Food is a great part of life in the French Alps. Local specialties are often cheese- or cream- based and feature local meats, potatoes, and a green salad. For more information: valthorens.com