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3
Vallées
The
Three Valleys is without doubt the world
most renowned ski area. Comprising of 8
main resorts; Courchevel, La Tania,
Meribel, Brides-Les-Bains, Les Menuires,
Saint Martin de Belleville, Val Thorens
and Orelle, the massive snow sure ski
area offers over 600km of lift and piste
linked terrain, 180 ski lifts and in
excess of 1,200 snow cannons.
Whether
you are looking for a safe accessible
beginner’s area, perfectly groomed
pistes, tree lined runs, moguls, steeps
or a real off piste adventure, each
resort in the Three Valleys has something
to offer. In each resort there are also a
huge range of activities and facilities
to check out once you are off the
pistes.
In
terms of accommodation there is something
to cater for all tastes and budgets from
low cost options to luxury residences
with fantastic facilities. For
restaurants and eating out there is also
a huge choice from the 10 Michelin
starred restaurant scattered across the
Three Valleys to simple good value
outlets offering portions of tartiflette
and Mountain burgers by the side of the
pistes. There are also a good range of
après ski bars and night clubs
across the Three Valleys, although some
resorts are livelier than others.
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Meribel
Located
at the heart of the Three Valleys,
Meribel has long been a favourite with
the British. Meribel has managed to hang
on to its alpine charm with tastefully
designed chalets and residences and
friendly village centre. Whilst
there are 150km of piste in the Meribel
Valley which cater for all levels of
ability, although the full 600km of the
Three Valleys are easily accessible if
you really want to explore. Après
ski here is amongst the liveliest in the
Three Valleys.
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Val
Thorens
Located at an altitude of 2,300 meters,
Val Thorens is not only the highest
resort in the Three Valleys, but the
highest in Europe. Val Thorens is a
purpose built car free resort with a
range of accommodation to suit all
budgets. There is terrain here to suit
all abilities, Val Thorens is hailed as
one of the best intermediate areas in the
Three Valleys and has recently invested
1.5 million Euros in a special area
specifically for beginners. Last but not
least Val Thorens has a reputation for
having surprisingly lively
nightlife.
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Courchevel
Courchevel
is the most extensive and varied ski
sector of the Three Valleys. The resort
itself is split into 5 different levels
each offering its own ambience; the most
prestigious of which is Courchevel 1850
renowned for its glitz and
glamour.Below
is Courchevel 1650 with a family
orientated village feel and its own
sector of pistes. Courchevel is the only
ski resort in the world that can proudly
boast of 7 Michelin star chefs.
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Les
Menuires
Les
Menuires has a great position in the
Three Valleys with excellent skiing and
snowboarding on offer for all levels. The
resort has an unpretentious atmosphere
and is the best value for money resort in
the three valleys with prices much lower
than its neighbours. Les Menuires has
specially developed pistes and activities
suited to children so families are
catered for on and off the slopes.
Espace
Killy
The
Espace Killy consists of the two world
famous resorts of Tignes and Val
d’Isère, providing a large
well-linked area with a reliable snow
record. The Espace Killy ski area, made
up of approximately 300km of piste with
156 pistes, 2 glaciers and 88 lifts, is a
favourite of the British.
The
maximum skiable vertical drop of the
Espace Killy area is one of the largest
in the world at 1,900 meters. The lowest
lift is at 1,550 meters, while the
highest point on the Grande Motte glacier
is an impressive 3,450 meters. There are
also extensive off-piste possibilities.
The Espace Killy is well suited to
beginners, intermediates and experts
alike. It terms of accommodation,
restaurants and bars there is something
to suit all tastes and budgets.
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Tignes
Tignes is a purposed-built ski resort
which ranks as one of the best winter
sports centres in the world, within the
Espace Killy ski area. The original and
main village Tignes Le Lac is still the
hub of the ski resort and has been
recently remodelled and improved in its
appearance. Val-Claret is situated 2km
further up, at the foot of the funicular
transportation to the glacier. The lesser
known Les-Brévières is in
fact a friendly place to stay in a
renovated old village at the lowest point
of the slopes (1550m).
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Val
d’Isere
Situated at the convergence of two deep
valleys, the original old village of Val
d’Isere dates back to the 13th
century. Today, this pedestrian-friendly
resort is made up of several hamlets all
connected by an efficient free bus
service. With no doubt, the combination
of extended skiing, lively ambience and
fashion boutiques make Val
d’Isère one of the most
sought after ski resorts in the
world.
Espace San
Bernardo
The
Espace San Bernardo offers a unique
international ski area, joining France
and Italy and the resorts of La Rosiere
and La Thuile which combined offer 160kms
of varied pistes. The area enjoys a
favourable climate, Espace San Bernardo
has a fantastic sun record and the high
altitude preserves the snow cover.
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La
Rosiere
La
Rosiere is located in the heart of the
Haute Tarentaise and set in a forest on
the Italian border. La Rosiere is a
friendly south facing resort built in
attractive chalet style. The skiing in La
Rosiere is a perfect balance between easy
and more technical runs, with wide, long
downhill slopes in the forest, La Thuile
offers some more challenging skiing with
the opportunity to have lunch over on the
Italian side. La Rosiere is the only ski
resort in France to be able to offer you
heli-skiing.
Grand
Massif
The
Grand Massif is made up of 5 ski resorts:
Flaine, Les Carroz, Morillon,
Samoëns and SixtFer-a-Cheval
with
a combined total of 265km of downhill
skiing, with 351 individual pistes,
served by 78 ski lifts. With much of the
ski area above 2000m it is a great choice
for those who want snow sure
skiing. All levels of skier
ability, from Beginner to Expert, are
well-catered for in the Grand Massif. The
Grand Massif is very highly rated by
Snowboarders and there are a total of
five Snow and Terrain Parks in the
area.
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Flaine
The
highest point of the Grand Massif is
Flaine - set in a snow-sure bowl the
resort offers purpose-built
convenience.
With
one of the best snow records in the
French Alps, Flaine is very often called
"big snowy bowl". Therefore, you will
enjoy a beautiful landscape while skiing
or snowboarding. Flaine is an
architecturally modern and car free
resort located in the Haute-Savoie
region, close to the Mont-Blanc. Flaine
is ideal for families with young children
too. Good nursery slopes are located in
as well as outside the village of
Flaine.
Flaine
Mont-Blanc
The
Mont-Blanc ski area is amongst the most
famous in the world. Made up of 5 main
ski areas;
Les
Houches, Le Brévent, La
Flégère, Les Grands Montets
and the Domaine du Balme consisting of
about 12 separate resorts: Chamonix Mont
Blanc, Argentière, Combloux,
Cordon, Les Houches, Le Tour,
Megève, Passy Plaine Joux, Praz
Sur Arly, Saint-Gervais, Saint-Nicolas de
Véroce and Vallorcine each
offering a slightly different
ambience
Ski
Pass Mont Blanc opens up to 700 km of
pistes with extends from 1035m to 3842m
covering a dozen local resorts; please
note driving with your own car, or making
use of the trams/trains is required for
interconnecting resorts.
Mont-Blanc
is home to
the
world's biggest lift-served skiable
vertical drop of 2807 metres, one of the
world's longest runs through the
Vallée Blanche at 22 km and staged
the World's first Winter Olympics in
1924.
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Chamonix
Chamonix is set at the foot of Mont
Blanc, Europe's highest mountain at
16,000 feet, and has been a major alpine
centre since the 19th century. Chamonix
is a fascinating traditional ski resort
with a bustling atmosphere. Chamonix is
car free in the centre of the resort and
has cobbled streets, beautiful buildings
and a fast running river.
Chamonix
boasts unbeatable snow and remains the
undisputed off-piste capital of Europe.
With the Vallee Blanche' decent which is
skied with a guide provides 24km of
unforgettable skiing in stunning
scenery.
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Les
Houches
Les
Houches is a typical mountain village
with traditional Savoyard scenery. There
are a number of pleasant bars and good
restaurants for quiet evenings out and
buses run regularly in and out of the
cosmopolitan nearby town of Chamonix all
evening. Its friendly relaxed atmosphere
provides a great base for families. It is
also ideal for those wishing to explore
the rest of the legendary valley. The
quiet ski area of Les Houches offers 50km
of ski runs accessible to all. It is
particularly suited to beginners with
magnificent panoramas over the Mont Blanc
mountain range.
Les
Houches Ski area
Sybelles
The
villages of La Toussuire, Le Corbier,
Saint Jean d'Arves, Les Bottieres, Saint
Sorlin d'Arves and Saint Colomban des
Villards have recently join forces to
found a vast 310km ski area which
provides access to a selection of well
maintained slopes to suit all abilities.
The lift system is under constant
investment to increase speed and comfort
for exploring the 'gently challenging'
domain.
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La
Toussuire
La
Toussuire in the Maurienne valley has
grown since the 1960's in a panoramic
mountain setting, located on a plateau
with vast amounts of sunshine. It is
predominantly modern, with a car free
main street lined with controversial
style buildings. The resort has now
spread in complete contrast with recently
built wooden chalets. As one of the
central resort of the new Sybelles
network, it is a recommended place for
families.
Photos © Roger
Moss/MountainPassions.com
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Les
Menuires Husky Sleigh ride
Paradiski
Paradiski
is made up of 20 different holiday
destinations, some of the main resort
being Les Arc, Arc 1950, La Plagne,
Peisey Vallandry and Bourg Saint Maurice.
With 425km of pistes and 2-equipped
glaciers there is something to suit
skiers and boarders of all ages and
abilities. Paradiski has excellent
facilities and with its huge variation in
altitude (1200m-3250m) there is a
multitude of different types of scenery
and piste to explore.
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Les
Arcs
Les
Arcs is split into 3 levels: Les Arc
1600, Les Arc 1800 and Les Arc 2000, each
offering a different flavour from
functional to charming, but all providing
superb ski-in ski-out facilities within
the Paradiski area. Spoilt with both
skiing and snowboarding options, the
domain offers splendid view of the Mont
Blanc massif and the Tarentaise Valley
now stretches as far as La Plagne.
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Arc
1950
The
recently established ski resort of Arc
1950 Le Village has been designed with an
American ethos; the ski-in–ski-out
resort is self-contained with everything
from ski schools and ski hire to bars and
restaurant right on your door step. Le
Village Arc 1950 provides instant comfort
and a secure atmosphere so is a great
choice for families. Arc 1950 is located
just below Arc 2000, within the Paradiski
ski area. A gondola links both ski
resorts until 9pm.
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Peisey-Vallandry
The
small traditional villages of Peisey and
Vallandry are situated halfway between
the main resorts of Les Arcs and La
Plagne. Peisey, perched at 1600m of
altitude, is an authentic and pretty
mountain village with real farm buildings
and Baroque heritage. The up and coming
resort of Peisey Vallandry is becoming
more popular for its ideal starting point
to explore both Les Arcs and La Plagne
ski areas and is a quiet alternative to
bustling Les Arcs.
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La
Plagne
La
Plagne consists of ten separate
'villages' some of the larger villages
include Plagne Villages, Belle Plagne,
Aime-La Plagne and Plagne Soleil - all
superbly linked with a lift system
– Each has a different atmosphere
and six are purpose built for ski-in, ski
out convenience. Apart from the fantastic
skiing and snowboarding, stretching to
the Paradiski ski domain, there is
accommodation to suit all tastes and
budgets. There are nearly 100 restaurants
and bars throughout the different
villages of La Plagne and lots of
activities both on and off the
pistes.
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Bourg
Saint-Maurice
Bourg
Saint-Maurice is the main town in the
Tarentaise Valley and is surrounded by
numerous ski resorts that together
attract more than 10 million skiers each
year. If you are looking for a slightly
different ski holiday experience to a
traditional resort, then this lively and
active town is the one for
you.
Bourg
Saint Maurice funicular to Les
Arcs
Espace
Diamant
The
Espace Diamant offers 185km of slopes and
a varied skiing terrain which favours
families but all levels of skiers can
enjoy themselves. The Espace Diamant is
made up of 6 village resorts: Les Saisies
and Hauteluce in the Beaufortain area
along with Crest-Voland/Cohennoz,
Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe, Flumet and Praz
sur Arly in the Arly Valley.
Offering
excellent downhill and cross country
skiing in pretty surroundings, the Espace
Diamant boasts an exceptional snow
record.
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Les
Saisies
Les
Saisies has been known on an
international level since the 16th Winter
Olympic Games in Albertville in 1992.
Best recognised as being the centre for
cross-country skiing, it also has
extensive alpine skiing linked with its
neighbours Crest Voland, Notre-Dame de
Bellecombe and Flumet to form the Espace
Diamant. The setting is spectacular, as
Les Saisies lies halfway between the
'Beaufortain' valley and the 'Val d'Arly'
valley, two magnificent areas of Savoy,
with views towards Mont Blanc. Les
Saisies itself is charming with wood clad
chalets and a bustling high
street.
Portes du
Soleil
Conveniently
located between Geneva and Mont Blanc
the
Portes du Soleil skiing area offers an
extensive 650 km of pistes, 279 marked
pistes, 9 snowparks, 12 resorts and two
countries to choose from. The Portes du
Soleil vies with the Three Valleys for
the prestigious title of
‘World’s Largest Ski
Area’ but the pistes and atmosphere
of the resorts differs greatly.
As a
whole, the Portes du Soleil offers
classic intermediate terrain but each
resort has own appeal and challenges for
the more advanced. For ease of navigation
within such wide area, there are 12
discovery routes, signposted with
different alpine animals according to the
level of difficulty. Beginners are well
catered for within each local
area.
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Avoriaz
Located
at the heart of the Portes du Soleil,
Avoriaz 1800 is a charming purpose-built,
pedestrianised ski resort.
Skiing
starts on your doorstep in Avoriaz
with
snow covered paths leading to the pistes
giving the resort a real alpine
feel. There
is something for every level of skier;
the main Portes du Soleil circuit can be
easily enjoyed by beginners and
intermediates, along with plenty of
challenging runs for the more expert
skiers. Avoriaz has a lively atmosphere
with a good range of restaurants and bars
and plenty of activities both on and off
the pistes.
Grandes
Rousses
The
Grandes Rousses Massif domain links the
ski resort of Alpe d’Huez with the
traditional mountain villages of
Auris-en-Oisans, La Garde, Villard
Reculas, Oz-en-Oisans and Vaujany making
the Grandes Rousses Massif the 5th
largest ski area in France. There are few
places to rival The Grandes Rousses for
extent and variety of terrain. The domain
offers 248 km of linked pistes extending
over an altitude range of 2,230m and
offers breathtaking views of the Alps
including Mont Blanc.
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Alpe
d'Huez
Alpe
d'Huez has been growing since the 1930s
on a large sunny plateau, above the tree
line. Beginners are well catered for with
the vast array of slopes just above the
resort. The main attraction for experts
is the Sarenne run. This 16km run is the
longest black run in the Alps. Alpe
d’Huez is also a great starting
base for intermediates to explore the
whole of the Grandes Rousses Massif. The
Alpe d'Huez slogan is L'ile au Soleil or
Island of the Sun and this reputation is
well deserved with almost all slopes
south facing.
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Valfrejus
Valfréjus
was one of the last resorts to be built
in the Alps (early 80's) and although
purpose built, it has a friendly and
traditional village atmosphere with
locals living in the resort all year
round and a large natural ice rink in the
centre. All chalets are constructed in
typical Savoyard style, due to strict
planning laws. Valfrejus offers
approximately 60km of pistes but the new
Eski-mo pass offers a day’s skiing
in each La Norma, Aussois and Val Cenis
all a short bus journey away.
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Sainte
Foy
Sainte
Foy is a small ski area first opened in
1990. Nestled amongst the trees, this
uncrowned gem is known only to a select
few. It is close to the large resorts of
Tignes, Les Arcs and Val d'Isere, yet
holds a real unspoilt, intimate village
atmosphere. Built in the Savoyard style
it gives a seamless blend of old and new,
a refreshing change from some of the
concrete jungles found the larger alpine
resorts.
Sainte
Foy is famous for its vast amounts of
quiet, untouched powder slopes. The lift
system offers access to a choice of
green, blue and reds that run through the
trees offering great fun and are real
confidence builders. This resort appeals
to a mixed level of skiers and boarders,
and is frequented by locals and ski
instructors from nearby 'mega resorts' on
their days off.
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Chamrousse
Chamrousse
is a relatively small ski resort over
looking Grenoble at an altitude of 2250m
offering in excess f 90km of piste. The
village of Chamrousse is attractively
placed offering stunning views and is
surrounded by trees allowing for forest
skiing. Only 30 minutes drive from
Grenoble, it is one of the most
accessible ski resorts in the
Alps.
Chamrousse
Recoin (1650m) is convenient for athletic
skiing and Roche Beranger (1750m) more
suitable for family skiing. Chamrousse
holds an efficient lift system which
means that there are rarely any queues,
and offers access to excellent pistes for
beginners and intermediates, with a
number of off-piste runs for the more
advanced.
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Valmeinier
Valmeinier
has all the assets of a high altitude
resort, so whether on holiday with
friends or family, the 150km of slopes
will please all. Valmeinier 1500 is a
traditional village at the bottom of the
slopes and offers holiday makers
spectacular views overlooking the
neighbouring peaks.
Valmeinier 1800 is a little higher and
more modern, but fits well in its
stunning surroundings. There are easy
nursery slopes close to the resort and
plenty of good wide open slopes for
beginners, as well as a variety of pistes
for the intermediate skiers to choose
from.
Snowboarders will love the wide slopes
in Valmeinier, there is also a snowpark
with half pipe at the Crey du Quart and
the wide-ranging terrain is great for
free-riding.
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Megève
Megève
was conceived in the 1920s as a French
alternative to Saint-Moritz, it was the
first purpose-built resort in the Alps.
Megève is an enchanting town set
in a lovely sunny setting, which has
retained its heritage and old rustic
charm to become one of the most
fashionable resorts in France.
Megève is one of the best resorts
in the Alps for non-skiers: Megève
has a beautifully preserved medieval
centre - now pedestrianised - with narrow
cobbled streets, tastefully restored
buildings, a pretty church, horse-drawn
sleighs, a weekly market, an open-ice
rink and plenty of marked paths for
walkers. There are lots of smart
clothing, jewellery, food, antique and
gift shops. Megève itself has 55km
of piste , it is directly linked with
Saint Gervais and the rest of the
Chamonix Mont Blanc area is easily
accessible.
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