Les 3 Vallées
Three valleys, 600 kilometres of piste
With 600 kilometres of pistes, Les 3 Vallées is the largest linked ski area in the world. Seven official ski resorts together form a single area: via the pistes and lifts you ski from Courchevel to Méribel and on to Les Menuires or Val Thorens. No bus or car needed — as long as you start the journey back in good time.
Those impressive figures only tell part of the story. Because although everything is connected, each valley has its own villages, atmosphere and clientele.
The three valleys
Saint-Bon - the Courchevel valley
The first valley takes in the different villages of Courchevel: Saint-Bon, Le Praz, La Tania, Courchevel Village, Courchevel Moriond and Courchevel 1850. You will find everything here, from quiet chalets among the trees to five-star hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants and some of the most exclusive addresses in the Alps.
The Méribel valley
In the middle lies the Méribel valley, with Brides-les-Bains at the bottom, followed by Les Allues, Méribel Village, Méribel Centre and Méribel-Mottaret. Thanks to its central location, Méribel is an ideal base for exploring the entire ski area. The strict building rules, with plenty of wood and natural stone, also give the villages their recognisable charm.
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The Belleville valley
The third valley consists of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Les Menuires and Val Thorens. At the bottom you find the village charm of Saint-Martin, above it the practical and family-friendly Les Menuires and right at the top Val Thorens, known for its high altitude and snow reliability.
Orelle is the odd one out. It lies on the other side of the mountains, in the Maurienne valley, but is linked by lifts to Val Thorens and is officially part of Les 3 Vallées too.
The villages
Courchevel
Made up of six villages at different altitudes: Courchevel 1850, Courchevel 1650 (Moriond), Courchevel 1550, Courchevel 1300 (Le Praz), La Tania and Saint-Bon. Courchevel 1850 in particular is known for its unrivalled luxury, Michelin-starred restaurants and international jet set. The lower villages are more affordable. The whole valley is very beginner-friendly. Courchevel is stylish and enormously versatile, but if you are after a relaxed atmosphere, you may feel more at home elsewhere.
Méribel
Includes Méribel-les-Allues, Méribel Village and Méribel-Mottaret. Thanks to its central position in the middle valley, you can easily reach the other two valleys. Méribel is very family-friendly, known for its charming chalet style and has traditionally attracted many British visitors.
Val Thorens
The highest ski village in Europe and therefore exceptionally snow-sure. It has been named the world's best ski resort by the World Ski Awards several times. With no trees and a popularity among students, it can sometimes lack a little charm.
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Les Menuires
One of the most affordable resorts. Very family-friendly, with ski-in, ski-out almost everywhere and a fast connection to the rest of Les 3 Vallées. The village was purpose-built for winter sports and lacks charm as a result. On the plus side there are wide pistes, a central location and good snow reliability. Not the prettiest village in the ski area, but one of the easiest and best-value bases.
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
A small, authentic village with several long blue pistes. Usually a lot quieter than nearby Les Menuires. It also has some fantastic walking trails.
Brides-les-Bains
Known for its thermal baths, but it lies much lower in the valley and therefore has less après-ski and little snow throughout the winter. A comfortable gondola takes you straight up to Méribel.
Orelle
A group of traditional hamlets in the Maurienne valley, linked via the 3 Vallées Express
The villages, by altitude
Where you sleep shapes your week
Higher is more snow-sure, lower is more charming and cheaper. Everything in between is a choice — and that is exactly where I help.
- 2300 m Val Thorenssnow-sure · après-ski
- 1850 m Courchevel 1850luxury · gastronomy
- 1850 m Les Menuiresfamilies · value for money
- 1750 m Méribel-Mottaretkeen skiers
- 1450 m Méribelthe heart · combine everything
- 1450 m Saint-Martin-de-Bellevillecharm · peace
- 900 m Orellequiet · Maurienne
- 600 m Brides-les-Bainsthermal baths · smaller budget
A ski area that draws the whole world
People come to Les 3 Vallées from all over the world, but by no means all for the same reason. Some want to tick off as much of those 600 kilometres of piste as possible. Others fall for the charm of Méribel, the luxury and gastronomy of Courchevel or the altitude and snow reliability of Val Thorens. Families appreciate the convenience of Les Menuires, while Saint-Martin attracts people who mainly want peace and an authentic mountain village.
On the piste everything is connected. But where you stay does determine what your holiday looks like: how much time you spend getting around, where you can eat in the evening, what atmosphere you find off the piste and how easily non-skiers can get about.
So the best village doesn't exist. What does exist is the village that best suits your party, expectations and pace.
