I was in Andermatt, a Swiss alpine village and one of Travel + Leisure's best places to travel in 2026, this past summer, when I overheard someone say, "You know, it's cheaper to fly to Europe and ski than it is to ski in America." It's an idea I was already familiar with; I'd even repeated it a few times myself over the years. Since domestic lift pass prices continue to rise
Located in the Tarentaise Valley of the French Alps, Val Thornes is known for its high altitude skiing, sitting at more than 7,500 feet above sea level. The resort is also part of the famous Les 3 Vallées (or the three valleys), which is made up of seven different ski areas, including Courchevel, Méribel, Brides-les-Bains, and more. Together, they create the world's largest interconnected ski area, boasting nearly 400 miles of runs.
