By the Best Mountain Hotels editorial team ·
Hotel Pashmina Le Refuge is the most comfortable place to stay in Val Thorens, the highest ski resort in Europe. Set at the foot of the slopes on Place du Slalom, it is a warm, wood-lined five-star chalet hotel with ski-in, ski-out access to the Three Valleys, a heated pool that runs from indoors to out, a L'Occitane spa and private chalet-apartments with butler service.
Hotel Pashmina Le Refuge is the most comfortable place to stay in Val Thorens, the highest ski resort in Europe. Set at the foot of the slopes on Place du Slalom, it is a warm, wood-lined five-star chalet hotel with ski-in, ski-out access to the Three Valleys, a heated pool that runs from indoors to out, a L'Occitane spa and private chalet-apartments with butler service.
Location: Val Thorens, France
The hotel stands on Place du Slalom at the foot of the slopes, with ski-in, ski-out access, an on-site ski shop and ski school. Val Thorens, at 2,300 metres, has one of the most snow-sure seasons in Europe, usually from late November to early May.
The Three Valleys give an extraordinary variety of skiing in a single week: the glacier slopes and high bowls of Val Thorens, the long, tree-lined runs of Méribel, the manicured pistes of Courchevel and the sunny slopes of Les Menuires. The famous La Folie Douce après-ski bars, with live music and dancing on the terraces, began in Val Thorens and now have outposts across the valleys.
Les Trois Vallées is the largest linked ski area in the world, with around 600 kilometres of pistes spanning Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens and Les Menuires. Geneva, Lyon and Chambéry airports are within around two to three hours by road, and Moûtiers railway station, with Eurostar services in winter, is the gateway to the valleys.
Rooms and suites at Pashmina
Rooms range from Excellence rooms to junior suites and private chalet-apartments with butler service and a private chef on request. The style is cosy and refined, with timber, wool and fur throws. Family rooms and connecting rooms are available, and children under 12 stay free in existing beds.
The rooms are designed to feel like a cosy mountain refuge, with warm wood panelling, soft textiles and views of the slopes, and the chalet-apartments, with their own living areas and kitchens, are ideal for families and groups who want extra space and privacy.
Facilities at Pashmina
The L'Occitane spa has a heated indoor pool that extends outdoors, an outdoor jacuzzi, a hammam, a sauna and a fitness room. There is a gourmet restaurant and Base Camp, a convivial restaurant serving shared Alpine dishes, and the bar sometimes has live music.
Its location on Place du Slalom puts the ski school, lifts and village shops and restaurants on the doorstep, and the hotel can arrange ski passes, lessons and equipment. Val Thorens is also known for its après-ski, from La Folie Douce on the slopes to lively bars in the village, while the high-altitude setting makes it one of the best places in the Alps for reliable snow early and late in the season.
The mountain moment
The Pashmina moment is swimming out from the indoor pool into the open air at 2,300 metres, snow banked around the edge and the last skiers gliding down to the resort as the sun sets over the high peaks.
Why Pashmina is one of the best mountain hotels
Pashmina earns its place as the best luxury ski-in, ski-out hotel in Val Thorens. Its location, spa, pool and family facilities make it an easy, comfortable base for exploring the world's largest ski area, in a resort known more for its snow and nightlife than its luxury. Val Thorens is a purpose-built resort above the treeline, so it lacks the charm of a traditional village. But for snow, skiing and comfort, it is excellent.
For the Méribel side of the Three Valleys, see Le Kaila. For Courchevel, try Cheval Blanc Courchevel.
It also suits mixed groups well: beginners can learn on the gentle slopes near the village, intermediates can explore endless cruising runs across the valleys, and experts can head for the high glacier terrain and off-piste around Cime Caron. With the pool and spa to return to and the resort's lively après-ski on the doorstep, it offers something for everyone.
The Letter
New hotel listings and inspiration each week, direct from the mountains to your inbox
When to go to Pashmina
Val Thorens usually opens in late November and closes in early May, one of the longest seasons in the Alps. January and March are often the best months, with fewer crowds than Christmas and the February school holidays. April brings sunny spring skiing with reliable snow at altitude.
Val Thorens usually opens in late November and closes in early May, with one of the most reliable seasons in Europe. January is often the quietest and best-value month, with cold, crisp snow. February brings school holidays and busier slopes, while March and April offer long, sunny days and good snow at altitude, making it one of the best resorts for spring skiing.
Questions, answered
- Is Pashmina Val Thorens ski-in, ski-out?
- Yes. It is at the foot of the slopes on Place du Slalom, with direct access to the Three Valleys.
- Does Pashmina have a pool?
- Yes. Its heated indoor pool extends outdoors, with an outdoor jacuzzi, hammam and sauna.
- How high is Val Thorens?
- Around 2,300 metres, making it the highest ski resort in Europe.
- Is Pashmina good for families?
- Yes. It has family and connecting rooms, and children under 12 stay free in existing beds.
