Valmeinier, a popular resort

Valmeinier is to winter sports what Frédéric Diefenthal is to the ideal son-in-law (okay, we've gone a long way). A veritable white paradise for exercise enthusiasts, an attractive gastronomic and shopping offer, a plethora of entertainment ... All the elements are in place for you to spend an excellent vacation in its resort.

A look back at the meteoric rise of a commune, which has managed to carve out its place in the Savoy mountain landscape.

History at high speed...

The decisive 70s and 80s

60 years ago, no one would have bet on Valmeinier. Gradually shunned during the Trente Glorieuses - which it didn't enjoy - the commune went from being a dynamic, well-populated market town in the 17th century, to a village in decline, with the rise of industrialization; the former generations of mine and field workers became factory workers in more urbanized areas instead.

The revival therefore came very quickly. Clearly asserting its ambition to develop tourism, in the 1970s the town council, led by convinced pioneers, undertook a vast expansion plan around the creation of a winter sports resort to restore this Savoyard commune to its former glory.

Real potential to be exploited

A huge construction project then began for "Valmeinier 1500", to equip the Crêt du Quart sector and create a link with the neighboring resort of Valloire. With this in mind, the municipality got the local population heavily involved. Numerous Valmineux and Valmineuses volunteers gave their energy for weeks on end, sometimes in their spare time, to help lay out the future slopes, or transform the old schools (Valmeinier had 5, all of which were closed) into gîtes.

One operating authority, two ski lifts and a chairlift later, the kick-off was given in January 1974.

After the great success of Valmeinier 1500, it was in 1986 that the new municipal team, also convinced of its village's destiny, began the development phase of "Valmeinier 1800".

New altitude (with a departure at 1800 m.), new landscapes within sight, new challenges and new customers ... Valmeinier now had a complete offer, and for all publics; two atmospheres: Valmeinier village, and its departure at 1532 m., which remains an authentic, historic resort, and Valmeinier station, with its 1,800 m. at the foot of the pistes.

Valmeinier village, with its departure point at 1,532 m., remains an authentic, historic resort.

... of a resort that is now a leader in its field.

An offer that reaches new heights

Although Valmeinier was one of the last communes in the Maurienne to open its doors to tourism, its resort has rapidly risen from outsider to leader.

Today, mille-cinq and mille-huit are 160 km of slopes for all levels, spread between its two sites, on the Galibier-Thabor domain, itself linked to the Valloire resort.

A domain that belongs to the Cerces massif and whose reputation is well established, thanks to its two emblematic peaks over 3,000 m. that are the Grand Galibier and Mont Thabor.

Proud of its recent extension, raising its highest point from 2500 m. to 2750 m. in altitude, the Valmeinier resort is not weakening in terms of numbers: 14 lifts, 9 chairlifts, 4 drag lifts, for some forty runs, including 4 black and 9 green, and throughputs of up to 10,000 people per hour, at the lifts.

Moreover, although 70% of the ski area is at an altitude of over 2000 m. (a major advantage), the range of events on offer rivals that of the most exclusive resorts in mainland France and Switzerland. International slalom races, carnival, concerts, end-of-year parties ... everything is done to make sure you stay and have a good time, in this open-air temple to winter.

There's no shortage of non-skiing leisure and entertainment on site either.

Far from the bling bling of some star spots, good restaurants and their tartiflettes or reblochonnades are never far away. You can also discover the region by microlight, snowshoe or, more unusually, by dog sled or even llama! Finally, on a more practical note, day-care centers, a cinema, night clubs and ski schools are also within easy reach of holidaymakers wishing to make the most of their stay.

Respectful of its natural environment, the Valmeinier resort has been designed to fit in perfectly with its unique geographical setting. Developed at breakneck speed, its reputation continues to grow exponentially, thanks to a comprehensive offering.

Optimal sunshine, guaranteed snow, quality accommodation and a variety of on-site activities... the advantages are numerous for this resort, which knows how to remain human-sized, sincere, humble... but very powerful.

Some visuals may have been retouched.