Resort Guide: The 3 Valleys

Meribel

With its very own Zen Zone dedicated to beginners, separated from the main trails to avoid distractions, this is the best place to start your skiing journey. Then graduate onto the green and blue pistes of Altiport. Take the Rhodos gondola for gently sloping runs but be aware that some runs do get a bit steeper back into the resort.

The long groomed linking trails are ideal for intermediates. For a real nice long run be sure to check out the classic reds down to Saint Martin de Belleville.

Almost every peak has something for advanced skiers. For off-piste, you can’t beat the slopes down from the Mont du Vallon or there are fast steep trails on either side of the Pas du Lac and massive moguls to the left of the Roc de Tougne lift.

With the fresh snow, you’ll find natural kickers, rollers, and mini wind-lips off the Boulevard de la Loze or open powder coming down from Plattieres and Combes. It’s a case of the early bird gets the worm, if you are a bit late you may find it quickly tracked out. 

Snowboarders and park enthusiasts will need to try Meribel’s snowparks, the Plattieres Park in Mottaret which has two half-pipes and a boardercross, or the freeriders choice, the Moon Park in Meribel with a beginners half-pipe plus jumps, boxes, kickers and rails. Children can also practice their skills on the P’tit Moon boardercross.

Courchevel

Courchevel is one-third of the famous Les Trois Vallees and offers some of the finest piste skiing in the Alps, with immaculately maintained slopes, plenty of variety for novice to expert skiers, and more than enough runs for a week’s ski holiday.

Beginners should head to the Evolution Zones at 1850 and 1650. Try the Ariondaz chair to the top of Praline – one of the best greens in the Alps – or the leisurely blue Indiens back down through the trees to the resort village. Wide blues and greens lead from Courchevel to Village.

Intermediates will enjoy the well-pitched fast reds down through the trees from Moriond. Take the Chanrossa chair for some long steep runs, which has good off-piste runs off the side. If you are looking to push yourself tougher runs are found going down to Le Praz.

Advanced skiers should head to Col de la Loze home to some of the best reds and blacks in the Three Valleys. The only rail park in the Three Valleys is found in le Plantrey and there is also a terrain park in Les Verdons. Freestylers can show off on the testing mogul course under the Biolley chair or give the racers a run for their money over the snowcross on the La Loze trail.

Val Thorens

Val Thorens is arguably the crown of the Three Valleys. It is almost a guarantee that you will be skiing plenty of white snowy pistes all season.

Beginner skiers will love the massive 10-hectare area in the middle of the resort. Once you are ready to progress there are lovely wide gentle slopes linking groomed trails above the village on the Col de la Chambre.

Val Thorens ski resort is an intermediate skiers hevan. Take the Boismint chair and speed up along the steeper and naturally rolling pistes. Or if you prefer and want to go the distance on Blanchot then join the 3000 skiers per hour who are whisked to the top of the Peclet glacier on the Funitel gondola for some beautiful views followed by superb runs back down.

Advanced skiers have plenty of options when it comes to Val Thorens. Powder fields with cliff drops, steep chutes, and extreme off-piste in the couloirs and gulleys of the Val Thorens ski area.

The impressive Val Thorens snowparks cater to everyone who wants to have a go and also include a Jump’Air airbag to really let you just huck and pray.

Les Menuires

Les Menuires is located in the heart of the Three Valleys, below Val Thorens. Allowing guests to be situated on the side of the Three Valleys with the highest runs, and as a result, the best guarantee of snow all season long. Skiing is easily accessible, with plenty of ski-in/ski-out accommodation in the resort. It is a great area for beginners, with a good selection of easy green and blue runs nearby. Being placed in the Three Valleys means the more advanced skiers have lots to explore, making this a great spot for all levels of skiing, and snowboarding abilities.