Les 3 Vallées

The Three Valleys ski area in France is one of the largest and most renowned ski domains in the world, offering an unparalleled winter sports experience. It is situated in the French Alps and encompasses several areas and towns, each with its unique charm and ski terrain. Collectively it covers over 600 kilometers of interconnected slopes and over 180 ski lifts, ensuring a vast playground for winter sports enthusiasts. 

Below is a summary of the key areas, but head to the individual area pages for more detail. 

Courchevel is a collection of distinct villages of different atmospheres, but it's known for its luxury and sophistication. Courchevel 1850, the highest and most famous of the villages, features high-end accommodations and upscale boutiques. The ski area in Courchevel offers varied terrain, catering to all skill levels, but it's particuarlly well known for its huge wide runs to cruise down in the village. 

Meribel is a picturesque alpine town characterized by its traditional Savoyard architecture and vibrant après-ski scene. The resort is stretched across the valley, with various settlements, from large developed towns to sleepier villages, connected by a series of Gondolas. 

As the highest ski resort in Europe, Val Thorens boasts excellent snow conditions and a lively atmosphere. The village offers a mix of modern architecture and alpine charm, purposefully developed it has a lot of ski in and ski out accomodation. Whilst it doesn't offer the pictureque chalet village feel, there's ample apres ski options and resturants. The high altitude means a long season, making it a great choice in early December and late April. 

There's also the village of Orelle, situated in a parallel valley that connects up to Val Thorens, offering an alternative place to stay. 

Les Menuires provides a more budget-friendly option within the Three Valleys ski area it sits just below Val Thorens. Purpose built in several sectors, the resort has a family-friendly vibe on which it's built its brand. 

Saint Martin de Belleville sits at the bottom of the Val Thorens valley, built around an old town it's got a more traditional feel than the rest of the resorts in the valley. As well as being prettier, it's well know for it's culinary offering, and has some Michelin star resturants to boot.