24/08/2023
Les Trois Valley is the world's largest ski area. It includes eight resorts that are connected by a comprehensive network of a large number of modern ski lifts. Besides the unique range of off-piste, skiers and snowboarders can find a lot of events and entertainment choices in the valley. Let's dig into the details right now!
Discover Les Trois Vallées
Where is Les Trois Vallées Located?
Les Trois Vallées is located in Savoie, France, to the south of the town of Moûtiers, partly in Vanoise National Park. It consists of 600 km of well-groomed pistes, 180 ski lifts & more villages. There are 8 interconnected resorts: Courchevel, Méribel, La Tania, Brides-les-Bains, Les Menuires, Val Thorens, Saint Martin de Belleville, and Orelle. All are accessible with a single lift pass. Skiers and snowboarders can spend a week here without skiing on the same trails twice.
How to Get to Les Trois Valley?
There are three popular ways to get to Les Trois Valleys:
- By car: French has an excellent motorway system, making it easy for you to reach the resorts. You can get to the valley by driving on the main roads, N90 and N6. Besides, Les Trois Vallées is also near the A41 and A43 motorways.
- By train: It is very convenient for you to travel to the resorts by taking direct high-speed TGV trains from Paris and other cities (including London). You will arrive at the nearby train stations: Albertville or Moûtiers.
- By plane: Geneva, Chambéry, Lyon, and Grenoble are the four Courchevel nearest airports that offer numerous flights to the valley.
Why Should You Ski in Les Trois Valley?
85% of the terrain is above 1,800 m, offering reliable snow and a wide range of groomed piste trails suitable for all abilities. 50% of the ski area's pistes are easy (green and blue runs), while the rest is for more professional skiers (reds and blacks). The lift system is huge and mostly modern. You can easily go to the skiing areas and other sections, such as centers for dining and shopping.
You would be surprised and satisfied by the numerous delectable dining restaurants. They serve high-quality authentic cuisine that can satisfy your gastronomic wish. Besides, the resorts offer a wide range of ski-in ski-out accommodations with various price ranges, so you can easily choose the most valuable one for your needs.
Ski Resorts in Les Trois Valley
Courchevel ski resort can be your best choice in Les Trois Valley
The Courchevel ski resort is a wide and modern skiing destination in the area. It includes 5 Alpine villages: Courchevel 1850, Courchevel 1650, Courchevel 1550, Courchevel 1300, and Courchevel St Bon 1100. Courchevel 1850 is well-known for its pricey tag (appropriate to the service), yet other villages are more affordable. You can go between villages by bus.
The landscape here is remarkably beautiful, with stunning views like Mont Blanc. It is convenient to take the Saulire cable car to get to the highest place of the resort at 2,700 m and access 150 km of skiing pistes and other off-piste descents.
Méribel
Méribel is situated in the heart of Les 3 Vallées. It's the most central place, making it convenient to have easy and quick access to the other 5 resorts (Courchevel, Val Thorens, La Tania, Les Menuires, and Saint Martin de Belleville) in Les Trois Valley.
If you're an expert in skiing, you can benefit from the most challenging descent in the resort, the Grand Couloir. You can access this extensive off-piste from the top of the Saulire Express gondola. Moreover, heading to Méribel Mottaret and taking the Mont Vallon gondola will bring you to more outstanding powder alongside the Combe du Vallon red piste.
La Tania
La Tania is between Courchevel and Méribel and is a decent-sized resort with 150 km of pistes. Due to the position in the low altitude, the quality of snow may not be as perfect as other higher resorts. However, it means it's the cheapest place to stay and enjoy the nearby Courchevel and Meribel.
Plus, if you want to challenge yourself in bad weather, La Tania is an ideal candidate with great high-speed pistes and freeride terrain. You also can try to visit the nearby Val Thorens' steep couloirs and Méribel's snowparks.
Brides-les-Bains
Brides-les-Bains used to be a part of the 1992 Olympic Village and is connected with the other resorts by the Olympe gondola. It's a quiet resort at an altitude of 600 m.
Brides-les-Bains is a popular destination for big groups and families because it offers numerous affordable accommodations compared to other famous resorts.
Les Menuires
Les Menuires, situated at an altitude of 1850 m, is a worth-skiing area. From there, you can easily access Les 3 Vallées and benefit from their range of skiing runs, modern lift system, and high-quality snow.
The total of 160 km of skiing consists of 81 pistes facing the sunny west mountainside so that you can enjoy the slopes until late afternoon. The runs include 12 greens, 38 blues, 23 reds, and 8 blacks, offering a great area for those at intermediate levels.
Val Thorens
Val Thorens, situated at an altitude of 2,300 m, is the highest resort in Les Trois Valley and Europe. Thanks to its elevated location, you can enjoy good snow here and the fantastic landscape of the Belleville Valley.
The resort offers 68 pistes (some peaks are at a height of 3200 m) suitable for both beginners and professionals. Coming to the resort, especially from November to May, you will have a memorable skiing and snowboarding experience in a very cosy and relaxed ambiance.
Saint Martin de Belleville
The village is at 1450 m, which is just below Les Menuires. You can easily travel from there to the other resorts of the valleys.
Saint Martin de Belleville is a famous destination for luxurious chalets, a friendly atmosphere, and delectable cuisine. It is where the first three Michelin-star restaurant, Savoyard, is located; besides, there are many farm-to-table restaurants. The resort is known as the gastronomic capital of Les Trois Valley.
Orelle
Orelle is located in the magnificent Maurienne mountain range. Sharing the skiing area with Val Thorens, it offers 150 km of high-altitude skiing. You can access Val Thorens through red and blue runs. Meanwhile, children and beginners can benefit from the top of the 3 Vallées Express lift.
Les 3 Vallées Express cable car is the longest in Europe. It will take you 15 minutes to travel from 900 m to 2300 m. Then, you can sit in the Bouchet chairlift up to explore the height of 3230 m.
The Bottom Lines
Les Trois Valley offers you a wide range of ski runs suitable for all abilities. With its modern lift infrastructure, it is convenient and easy for you to ski in different resorts during the day. There are also various choices of accommodations, restaurants, and shops for you to enjoy your winter holiday.