The Three Vallees Ski Area, France

Attribution: Title: Meribel | Author: Jean Maurice Gouedard | Licence: CC Attribution 3.0 Unported

The Three Valleys is located in the ski region of Tarentaise Valley, Savoie Department of France to the south of the town of Moûtiers making it the largest ski area in the world connected solely by ski lifts and slopes.

There are 8 ski areas interlinking each other namely Courchevel, La Tania, Les Menuires, Méribel, Brides-les-Bains, Val Thorens, Orelle and Saint Martin de Belleville and skiers are able to ski through the interlinked valleys using a single ski pass.

Courchevel

The ski resort boast of 5 villages located at different altitudes ranging from 1100 to 1850 meters and offer their own exclusive experiences and atmosphere. There are over 70 restaurants to choose from and is the only ski resort in the world that boasts of 7 Michelin star chefs.

La Tania

The ski resort is located in the heart of a beautiful forest at an altitude of 1400 meters. The resort centre is fully pedestrian with a warm and family friendly atmosphere. The village centre is traffic free with hotels, shops and several chalets spread throughout the forest.

Les Menuires

The mountain resort stands at an altitude of 1850 meters and is perfect for leisure skiing with descents on pistes suitable for all levels from beginners to professionals. Apart from skiing the resort offer various activities, children’s clubs, ski lessons and courses.

Méribel

The resort has been a favourite destination for more than 70 years with its history and traditions still alive today. With an altitude of 1100 to 1800 meters, the resort caters to all types of skiers. All the accommodation at the resort are ski in and ski out, making it very convenient for holiday makers to go skiing straight away without the hassle of taking a lift.

Brides-les-Bains

The ski resort is famous for its affordable skiing. Located at an altitude of 600, it is 30% to 50% cheaper that high altitude resorts. Accommodations at the resort are high quality offering great holiday packages. At Brides-les-Bains holiday makers can go skiing as well as go to the spa.

Val Thorens

This ski resort is the highest resort in Europe standing at 2300 metres. It is renowned for the quality of the snow and the remarkable sunshine which is due to the high altitude. The resort is surrounded by 6 glaciers, 6 mountain peaks and a view of more than 1000 peaks of the French, Swiss and the Italian Alps.

Orelle

This resort is the quickest access to the Three Valleys located in a small village in the Maurienne valley. The village is at an altitude of 880 meters with its ski areas located at 2300 and 3230 meters. Skiers can enjoy skiing as well as experience the authentic village life in the mountains.

Saint Martin de Belleville

Saint Martin is a village ski resort situated at an altitude of 1450 meters. The resort is best suited for beginners and snowboarders but there are terrains for intermediates and experts as well. Saint Martin is also the ideal destination for a quiet and relaxed skiing vacation with the entire family.

Some detailed facts about The Three Valleys

• Ski slopes: 600km
• Number of ski lifts: 200
• Number of skiers transported hourly: 260, 000
• Number of snow cannons: 1,500
• Hectares of groomed runs: 2,500
• Number of ski patrollers: 320
• Piste bashers: 70
• Ski instructors: 1,500
• Cross-country ski tracks: 130 km