Val Thorens is located in the Savoie region of France, 115kms southeast of Chambery and 165kms south of Geneva, and is best accessed by flying to Geneva and taking a bus or train/bus combination transfer. Rail travel is also convenient and self-drive is popular.

Geneva-Cointrin Airport is the nearest major airport with good flights. Planes arrive from all over the UK and Europe, including the budget carrier, Easyjet. Choices of transfer from the airport include: taking the Skibus, train and bus transfer (via Moutiers), or car hire.

If you take the latter option, the journey involves many road changes, going via Annecy, Ugine and Moutiers, and finishing on the D-117 for Val Thorens.

Self-drive from most places in Europe is made easy by the excellent road network. If you are coming from the UK, the fastest and most efficient route from Calais goes via Reims, Dijon, Lyon and Chambery. From there, take the A-43, A430 and N-90 to Moutiers and a series of minor roads (heading due south) for Val Thorens (1,000kms; 10 hours).

By train, the most convenient option is to take the overnight snow train from London, Waterloo station, right through to Moutiers, from where buses and taxis carry on to Val Thorens ski resort. There is also a high-speed TGV from Paris to Moutiers.