Spa Retreats: Rejuvenate In Val Thorens

Unwinding and relaxing in a hot tub and sauna, or soothing tired muscles with a massage, after a day on the slopes are not new concepts and these opportunities have been available to skiers and snowboarders during visits to the mountains for many years.

But in recent times there has been a rapid rise in the popularity of spa, wellbeing, and beauty treatments. The range of run-of-the-mill and specialist therapies now available has grown enormously.

Resorts and hotels now routinely include these facilities as an important part of their attractions and many accommodation providers have upgraded their spa and wellbeing facilities or had new specialist areas added to their complexes.

Plus, many resorts have built special public facilities enabling all visitors to have access to relaxation areas, and spa and wellbeing therapies.

To give you an example of the range of treatments available, here is a look at some of the spa and wellbeing treatments you will find in the French resort of Val Thorens. Many of the facilities are available as part of a holiday package while other specialist treatments are an extra cost.

Le Board

Val Thorens opened a new €40m state-of-the-art sports, aquatic, spa & wellness, and convention centre last season to coincide with the resort’s 50th anniversary celebrations. It was christened ‘Le Board’ as its shape resembles that of a snowboard.

The building offers a huge range of spa and sports facilities and is located on the site of the resort’s former sports centre which was built in 1980.

For wellness, you can benefit from alternating hot and cold therapies on your body by choosing between two balneotherapy pools, three saunas, one hammam, and a cold water well. There is also access to a swimming pool.

The large balneo-ludic area has a heated indoor pool with waterfalls, submerged benches, massaging jets, bubbling beds, and an aqua-sport training circuit.

For younger visitors, there are children’s water activities, and weekly sessions for baby swimmers (6 months-3 years) a Jardin Aquatique for 4–6-year-olds, an Aquati’Kids for 6–8-year-olds, and teen swimming lessons for 8–16-year-olds.

The Board’s Wellbeing Area offers a wide range of treatments including massages, body care, and facials. The treatments, for people over 18, are wellbeing and relaxation massages.

Club Med

Guests staying in Val Thorens are offered yoga and HIIT classes, plus the use of gym and cardio machines, as part of their all-inclusive holiday package.

For those looking for some more personalised pampering, Club Med has partnered with Sothys Paris to provide an impressive range of spa, wellness, and beauty treatments. There is also an option for a family spa session.

You can find more details on Club Med in Val Thorens on the Ski Line website at skiline.co.uk

Altapura

The Pure Altitude Spa at Altapura promotes itself as being dedicated to muscle relaxation, physical preparation, and recovery. They invite you to find serenity in the igloo space where, after a dip in the indoor/outdoor pool facing the Cime Caron, you can experience the Nordic spiral, a course of alternating wet and dry heat, punctuated with waterfall showers.

The Altapura, which provides their spa experiences in conjunction with Codage, has an extensive list of face and body treatments which can be customised to suit individual requirements.

The Pure Altitude Spa also caters for all members of a family. There are calm and soothing massages for children (from six years old), a child duo experience, when youngsters can have a massage and a discover facial while their parent enjoys their own treatment, and a Family Experience when parents and children can choose a Couture Experience and a Child Massage during a session of wellbeing for all the family.

Hotel Pashmina

A Brunch and Spa session at the 5-star Hotel Pashmina offers a 25, 55, or 85-minute massage and an ‘all you can eat’ brunch. The session also allows access to the Aqua Pashmina area which has a swimming pool, indoor and outdoor jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room.

If you are feeling romantic, you and a partner can spend a night under the stars during an Igloo-Pod Experience. This includes a 25-minute Signature Massage for two and an optional private Nordic bath overlooking spectacular views, plus access to the Aqua Pashmina area.

Couples spend the night in an igloo pod and have breakfast and dinner and breakfast in the Michelin star gourmet restaurant.

Spa Retreats: Rejuvenate In Val Thorens: A summary

Whether you choose to surrender yourself to the healing hands of a professional masseuse, indulge in a beauty treatment, or simply want to wrap yourself in a fluffy robe and sip some herbal tea after a sauna or soak in a hot tub, spa and wellbeing treatments are a great way to recover from an exhilarating day on the slopes.

Add crisp mountain air and a backdrop of spectacular snow-covered scenery and it certainly is an intoxicating mix.