Just returned from La Thuile and found it to be one of the best resorts that we have visited in almost 30 years of skiing. We will definitely be returning at some point in the future.
We stayed in the Planibel apartments, overlooking the lifts and pistes. The staff, in reception, where very friendly, unlike some of those that we have encountered in some French resorts. The apartment was more than adequate, with the two electric hobs and microwave/grill; fine if you plan ahead. It was cleaned and fresh towels provided after two days. Everything you need is close at hand and the prices are generally good for a ski resort. You can always walk down into the old town, which has its own charm.
The skiing and lifts were very good, certainly better than the La Rosiere side where we have stayed previously, although it was nice to be able to ski over on the one day that the links were open, if very cold. The resort does seem prone to the wind whistling through the pass, but there are more sheltered areas and the lower slopes, through the trees, were great when it was overcast, foggy or snowing heavily. The runs down into the resort would be very challenging for beginners, but there is the gondola available for return journeys, if necessary. There were no real queues for the lifts, although a fall of snow seemed to take the operators of the lowest chairlift by surprise one morning, so it was late opening.
The pistes were well maintained and moguls barely began to form, even those on the black runs being smoothed out each night. They were almost always quiet, some being deserted, apart from us, on many an occasion. There are some great runs from the highest lifts all the way down to La Thuile, up to 12km. There are also plenty of places to eat and drink on the slopes and we particularly liked La Clotze, just below the start of the Chalet chairlift.
Overall, a big thumbs up for this quiet, value for money and friendly resort.