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Where to go for...
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With such a big ski area to explore, it's sometimes good to have a little bit of inside information… For your pleasure, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite runs throughout the Three Valleys and suggested some itineries for you to try. There's also sections on how to get around the whole three valleys area using only blue runs, where you're most likely to find the quietest pistes, and where to find the nicest mountain restaurants for lunch. Happy exploring! |
| Suggested Itineries |
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It’s easy to become bewildered by the choice of 330 pistes. So we have compiled half a dozen routes that we hope will help you discover new terrain throughout the Three Valleys. Follow these routes to discover the best pistes, best snow, great views, and where to go on those bad weather days. Lift names are given in capitals. ... more |
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last updated 19-Nov-2007 |
| Our Favorite Runs |
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The Three Valleys ski area is so vast it can be difficult to know where to start skiing. So we have asked a number of local enthusiasts to nominate their favorite runs throughout the Three Valleys. Whether you're into moguls, steep and long descents, or simply beautiful, quiet pistes with great snow, we hope that these suggestions will hit the spot. ... more |
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last updated 31-Jan-2008 |
| Cruise the Blues! |
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Our Courchnet reporter has gone to great lengths to plot a route that can be taken by a group of ‘Plough/Parallel’ skiers with ease and will take you into each of the 3 Valleys. Although the itinerary begins and ends in Courchevel, it can be picked up from the point most convenient to where you're staying and followed in a circle. It takes you into the Belleville Valley above St. Martin & Les Menuires and back up to the the Roc de 3 Marches at 2704 metres with one of the great views in the whole of the 3-Valleys. You then get to ski down the run ‘Grand Lac’ followed by ‘Pelozet’ which is the longest and best blue in the 3-Valleys with the added benefit of terrific views. ... more |
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last updated 19-Nov-2007 |
| Deserted Pistes |
Courchevel 1650 is always much quieter than neighbouring 1850. La Tania and Courchevel 1300 are crowd-free too. The runs above St Martin are usually deserted even during the French holidays. Avoid the most obvious routes from one valley to another: use the lift map to plan a slower but queue-free route.
Skiing in Courchevel
Up and over. Take the Loze Chairlift. This is the queue-free way to get from Méribel to Courchevel
Courchevel 1600. This tucked-away area isn’t nearly as busy as 1850 and there are some gorgeous wide blue runs (eg Grande bosses)< and more challenging reds (Chapelets, Rochers, Bel air)
Courchevel 1550 It’s easy to miss the start of the blue run Tovets (by the mini ski jump at Courchevel 1850) so no one ever uses it. Shame, because it’s great
Courchevel 1300 When the snow is good lower down don’t miss the Brigues and Jockeys runs
La Saulire Seek out M and Pylones (the piste, not the things holding up the chair-lift!)
The Belleville Valley.
Trois Marches. Everybody howls down Allamande, and misses the ‘ Trois Marches ’ run. It’s quiet even in Feburary.
St Martin de Belleville. The reds Jerusalem and Pramint are delightful and uncrowded.
Val Thorens. The runs from the Boismint chair are almost never busy
If you dislike busy pistes try to avoid: the main runs from the Saulire / all of Couchevel 1850 / the Doron piste into Méribel at the end of the afternoon (take the bubble down, or wait in a restaurant until they throw you out and enjoy being the last off the mountain). Try booking your next ski holiday in January when almost everywhere is quiet
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last updated 5-Nov-2007 |
| Off Piste Skiing & Boarding |
 |  | Off-piste group guiding
(ski découverte) |
The Three Valleys enjoys excellent off-piste skiing – but please only venture off the marked runs in the company of a guide or instructor. Only they have the essential local knowledge necessary to avoid avalanche-prone and dangerous terrain, and they will also find the very best snow.
An alternative to hiring a guide for the day is to join one of the two off-piste guiding groups.
You can spend a whole day off-piste with a guide – all for the price of a group lesson. Both Méribel’s ESF and the Mountain Guides Office offer off-piste guiding groups for good skiers. Expect to walk or skin uphill for anything up to an hour, in return for untouched snow and deserted descents. Depending on snow and weather conditions you may picnic on a summit or in a local restaurant, and may ski anything from deep powder, to crud, to spring snow. You need to be a strong skier with some off-piste experience to take part. The guide provides avalanche transceivers; you need to bring a ‘can-do’ attitude.
The French Ski School runs a ‘Ski Discovery’ programme for 61 Euros per day. Tel. 04 79 08 60 31. The local Mountain Guides Office offers group guiding for 88 Euros per day. Tel. 04 79 00 30 38.
Adrenaline factor: 6/10
Top tip: bring energy bars and plenty of water.
Merinet verdict: a fabulous way to discover the classic 3 Valley itineraries and meet like-minded people. Contact details for Mountain Guides or Ski Schools
To whet your appetite, buy the guide book ‘Les 3 Vallees. Hors Pistes – Off piste’ available at the Maison de la Presse in Méribel. Price 24 Euros. Also available from 'Snow and Rock' in the UK.
Mountain & Ski Guide Listings
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last updated 27-Feb-2008 |
| Mountain Restaurants |
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The Three Valleys has a fabulous choice of lunchspots on the mountain. Avoid the self-service stops, and try some of these insiders’ favourites in Meribel, Courchevel, Val Thorens and St Martin. Remember, it’s always a good idea to book in advance. ... more
Mountain Restaurants Listings
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last updated 21-Nov-2007 |
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