Skiing | The Three Valleys | Meribel, Courchevel and Val Thorens


Skiing in The Three Valleys | Trois Vallees | 3 Valleys Skiing 
The Three Valleys is high in the French Alps and has some world class skiing. This is the largest linked ski area in the world with over 600km of marked pistes and 200 ski lifts serving a 110 square mile area. These include two 150-person cable cars over one hundred and eighty high-speed ski lifts and fewer drag lifts. In 2012, 50 million euros was spent on improvements and updating the lifts, Meribel has 40 ski lifts alone. The investments each year mean that the three valleys efficient lift system is so well designed and are capable of transporting 260,000 skiers per hour keeping you constantly on the move, even at high season.

Whether Meribel or La Tania is your base both offer great access to what is the best linked-skiing in the world.

Meribel Skiing 

Meribel with its extensive pistes is for all standards, if you are a beginner you can head for the gentler slopes of the green runs Altiport and Truite. Thrill seekers and those looking for something a little bit more adventurous might head for Mont Vallon, the sole cable car will transport you to the top of this wonderful mountain and once at the top it is worth taking a few minutes to enjoy the panoramic view. The long and wide runs back are about as good as it gets, there is also some great off-piste. This is certainly one of Meribel's treats and well worth a jaunt. The Tougnette and Saulire side of the valley provide the perfect balance of morning and afternoon sun with open snowfields and tree lined skiing.


La Tania Skiing 

There are three runs into La Tania, the fantastic blue run ' Folyeres' is straight through a forest so it's tree lined, a great run for the end of the day. There is also a wide red run  'Moretta Blanche' with a consistent gradient down to the bottom gondola station, There is also a green run, which has had more improvements this summer but the fun and winding run goes down through the forest from the top gondola station in to the resort . There's a free magic carpet and a short run for absolute beginners in the heart of the resort. Into Courchevel 1850 you will find easy pistes that have been groomed to perfection. Leisurely skiers can potter across to 1650 where quiet wide-open pistes await. 



Intermediate skiers

The third valley to enjoy on your holiday is Val Thorens, which includes Les Menuires and the pretty village of Saint Martin de Belleville, the stronger skiers will enjoy a day heading over to Val Thorens the highest resort in the 3 valleys, although a somewhat unattractive purpose built resort the skiing is superb. You can even venture into the fourth valley Maurienne, where Italy is now linked with Les Trois Vallees via the tunnel de Frejus and Orelle gondola. For the less adventurous you do not need to be a strong skier to head into the Les Menuires resort and the quieter intimate area of Saint Martin de Belleville is also easily accessed via wide leisurely runs.

The 600 km of varied runs and over 1350 snow cannons ensured this as a magnificent ski area. It's not just the staggering amount of runs and lifts but the connectivity and flow of the ski area that makes it special