Mar 20, 2025Here in North America, we got some big, honkin' ski resorts. Big Sky. Park City. Whistler Blackcomb There's a lot to choose from if you crave serious acreage But across the pond, in the Alps of France it's a totally different ballgame: Les Trois Vallées located in the southeastern portion of the country is the world's largest conjoined ski resort Here's a tour of the behemoth from YouTuber Robbie Knox. A peek at Les Trois Vallées puts it all into perspective—this place is gargantuan That map you're looking at technically contains six ski resorts across—you guessed it—three valleys And all that terrain can be accessed via a single season's pass Part of me is mega-enticed by that prospect I've been skiing the same four-chairlift resort for the past few seasons and there's plenty of terrain I haven't checked out Alongside those hidden gems I'll always have my old reliables.  I feel like I'd get lost in the endless options And finding where you parked at the end of the day that's part of the Les Trois Vallées experience It's not just a ski resort—it comes with a complimentary orienteering challenge (read: begging locals in garbled French to help you find your way) Be one of the first to try our new activity feed The world’s largest ski area will blow your mind Let me begin by stating an indisputable fact about the sport of skiing: If thou considerist thyself a skier thou must make pilgrimage to the Alps during thy lifetime It’s the epicenter of off-piste and mountaineering The ski resorts of the Alps are unfathomably massive and staggeringly beautiful A grand domain comprised of five connected ski areas—Courchevel and Orelle—the 3 Vallées is the largest ski area on the planet You’ll ski high-alpine powder with expansive views You’ll enjoy fabulous French cuisine and party hard lift tickets are just over half the price of a pass at most major resorts of the US The French have really figured this whole skiing thing out Watch a video snapshot of the trip Home to 15 five-star hotels and two of France’s 15 Palace-designated hotels Yet it hides some of the 3 Vallées most committing skiing with the couloir-ridden Saulire and tree skiing down to the lower villages of the resort the village of Courchevel 1850 is home to the nicest hotels you’ll ever see especially considering the quality of the rooms and service or the Annapurna for the five-star experience There are plenty of more affordable options as well Every lodging property in Courchevel is ski-in/ski-out so you can stage out of your room and access the lifts Meribel is an ideal base camp for the area provides access to every corner of the area with only a lift ride or two The east face of the Saulire provides some of the longest descents of the entire region Stay: The remodeled Alpen Ruitor in Meribel-Mottaret is comfortable and convenient Party: With locations in Val d’Isére and Val Thorens La Folie Deuce is one of the most legendary après-ski bars in France—if not the world The newest location opened this year in Meribel and 1,500 vertical feet of slightly intoxicated skiing after the party closes down Les Menuires is known as a family destination yet it hides some of the best adventure skiing of the whole area Le Masse offers limitless off-piste in almost all directions Most of the backcountry allows you to get away from the lifts completely as you ski remote drainages that funnel back to charming little towns like Saint Martin de Belleville where a lift waits to take you back up for another lap Get a ski guide here through the ESF (French National Ski School) and you won’t be disappointed Stay: The lower-elevation villages of Les Menuires like Saint Martin de Belleville and Saint Marcel are beautiful Age-old farmsteads still make the butters and cheeses you’ll eat in the 3 Vallées Each village feels like skiing in a simpler time Cozy chalets and farmhouses make up the landscape instead of huge hotel structures at the top of the famous Cime Caron cable car serves up delicious fare from the Rhone Alps like Tartiflette a potato gratin with reblochon cheese and bacon It also has one of the best views in France stretching from Mont Blanc to the mountains just outside Milan innumerable off-piste areasLift Tickets: 53.00 Euros per day ($69) Get There:Air France flies from most major US hub cities to Lyon with a quick layover in Paris Lyon is the biggest regional hub for the Rhone Alps and the 3 Vallées It’s also one of the centers of French food culture which makes it a nice little place to work off your jet lag Do some window-shopping as you wander through the narrow streets of town traditional home-style meals from the region Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Complete digital access to quality analysis and expert insights complemented with our award-winning Weekend Print edition Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times The TimesOver the past three decades I’ve seen a lot of ski accessories AI bots that clip to your boots then — with the help of your smartphone and a pair of earbuds — analyse your technique and coo compliments into your ears: they’ve all had their moment in the sun has had me quite as excited as this year’s essential skiing extra which I’ve just tested in the French resort of Val Thorens the mountain region in which Val Thorens is set they’re known as diots and the best of them can be bought from La Belle en Cuisse a little deli on the pedestrianised Rue de Caron meaty fingers of pork and ground nutmeg retail at £2 a pop (or £5 for four in the local Spar supermarket nearby) and the idea is that you pack them into your rucksack at the start of a sunny day when you’ve spent three hours blasting around Val Thorens’ snowsure slopes you ski down to the piste-side Hôtel Marielle and barbecue them for lunch on a sundeck packed with your fellow snow fiends as Sean Newsom found outTOM HERBSTThe Marielle provides the big circular grills as well as a feisty garlic sauce and plenty of fresh baguettes from which you can make a diot sandwich when the meat is done From start to finish mine took 30 minutes and tasted magnificent not least because everything — apart from the sausages — is free All the Marielle asks for in return is that you buy your drinks at its bar Read our France travel guide “I’ve always enjoyed confounding expectations,” says the Marielle’s manager what could be more surprising than a lunch that costs almost nothing?” he realises the move is annoying some of his fellow hoteliers and restaurateurs To add to the mould-breaking atmosphere he’s also running lunchtime pétanque tournaments That’s the game the old geezers play in southern France lobbing steel balls across their village squares in the evening sunlight in Val Thorens — at the eye-watering altitude of 2,300m — you play it on the snow to a bubbling and irresistible soundtrack of 1970s jazz-funk Val Thorens’s reliable snow conditions are a big drawALAMYJust be sure to ring up the hotel before you buy your meat to check that it’s a barbecuing day Le Solleuz doesn’t run his parties in a blizzard He isn’t the only one shaking up the lunch scene here The snowboarder Julia Griffiths is another longing the whole time for a taste of her Vietnamese grandpa’s food back home So last winter she decided to cook it herself It’s just across the street from the Belle en Cuisse deli and it serves the best mountain lunch you never thought you’d need: Vietnamese chicken soup followed by egg noodles with chicken and crispy onions and the soup in particular is a revelation it hits you with an instant sour slap of lime juice No wonder Griffiths and her small team are working 70 hours a week to satisfy their fans students on a university ski club week: as soon as she opens at midday they come piling in with their tummies rumbling • 12 of the best great-value ski resorts in Europe And if that sounds unlike any ski resort you’ve heard of Since it opened in 1971 it has been challenging perceptions of what’s normal for a winter sports hub Back then its mountain bowl was thought to be too high too cold and too avalanche-prone to host holidaymakers Its multistorey apartment blocks quickly developed an eyesore reputation too in an era of less reliable snow at lower altitudes on its opening Grand Première weekend (November 23-24) Two weeks later it was buzzing with thousands of Spaniards who’d leapfrogged the Pyrenees to feast on its snowy intermediate-friendly pistes during their Constitution Weekend holidays In the midst of a storm that was blowing the snow horizontally across the slopes I found several hundred of them crowded on to the terrace at the famous Folie Douce après-ski venue It was a tough day to be dancing on a table in your ski boots huddled against the weather like a colony of Emperor penguins The piste-side Hôtel MarielleFABRICE RAMBERTThe Brits are just as keen “Val Thorens’ reliable snow conditions have always been a major draw,” says Robert Dixon of the winter sports specialist Skiworld “But recently its reputation for good après and the quality of its skiing has become better established This season we’re seeing particularly strong demand for our catered chalets in the resort with 100 per cent chalet occupancy so far.” No doubt the fact that Val Thorens is also part of the vast and typically expensive Three Valleys ski area deepens the appeal Not surprisingly prices have risen of late In part that reflects the resort’s rising profile but it’s also a product of a universal trend in skiing revealed last month by the 18th annual Post Office Ski Resort Report it showed that the price of a six-day lift pass had more or less doubled in 11 years across a broad range of European resorts This year Val Thorens was just over halfway up the price chart with a cost of £878.41 for a week (not including travel and accommodation) — far above cheap and cheerful Bardonecchia in Italy (£543.82) but below its high-altitude French rival Tignes (£968.77) and well short of ritzy Zermatt in Switzerland (£1,345.76) Thank goodness Le Solleuz and Griffiths are showing us there’s another way Given how popular Val Thorens is right now you might have to wait till March But that’s exactly when Val Thorens comes into its own This season the Cime Caron cable car is out of action following a preseason accident that left one of its cabins wedged into a pylon at 3,200m several of its other lifts rise above the magic 3,000m mark so its pistes remain soft and grippy when the spring sunshine is turning lower resorts to slush • How to book a cheap ski holiday: 19 tips Admittedly you won’t see a thing when it’s snowing All the local slopes are above the treeline But that’s just one more reason to join a group ski lesson or hire a private instructor — so you can follow someone who knows the way Fortunately four afternoon lessons with the friendly multilingual ESF are a reasonable £141pp five morning lessons cost twice as much — £282pp Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in EuropeWith your technique sharpened you’ll be ready for the moment when the clouds roll off the mountains to reveal the slab-sided 3,561m peak of Aiguille de Péclet it feels as though you’re skiing on the roof of the world Val Thorens’ eyesore architecture houses an unusually broad range of accommodation ski-out hotel that honours Val Thorens’ 1970s origins with its scalloped headboards old-fashioned orange telephones and a buzzing cocktail bar With the tour operator Crystal seven nights’ B&B departing on March 30 costs £1,531pp self-catering week from March 29 in the piste-side Balcons de Val Thorens apartments starts from £390pp including LeShuttle crossing (peakretreats.co.uk) please remember to pack this season’s other must-have ski accessory in your suitcase: an apron garlic sauce on your ski jacket is not a good look This article contains affiliate links that can earn us revenue Sean Newsom was a guest of Val Thorens (valthorens.com) and Fahrenheit 7, which has seven nights’ B&B for two from £1,770 (fahrenheitseven.com) The Maurienne Valley may lie just south of resorts such as Val d’Isère Courchevel and Méribel but it has none of its neighbours’ A-list allure — or their sometimes astounding prices mid-sized collection of pistes plunges down cold north-facing slopes that hold their snow well and offer a good mix of skiing above and below the treeline the resort’s six-day lift pass unlocks several neighbouring ski areas — including the incredibly remote village of Bonneval — so it’s best to bring a car to shuttle between them all Stay at the Chalets de Flambeau apartments close to the lifts and ski school meeting point.Details Seven nights’ self-catering from £318pp including Eurotunnel crossing (peakretreats.co.uk) Les Sybelles is the big French ski area no one has heard of it has gathered six villages and 190 miles of pistes into a sizeable easy-skiing area that’s well-suited to beginners and intermediates provided they ski it before mid-March is its highest place to stay and home to the ski-in which have their own indoor pool.Details Seven-nights’ self-catering from £484pp everyone’s favourite French resort for steep slopes and parties is home to catered chalets that can cost more than £100,000 a week to rent in peak season But it’s also home to a branch of the brilliant UCPA the French sport-for-all organisation whose mission is to make skiing more affordable accommodation is for the most part in four-person bunk rooms But buy a week here and almost everything — food lift pass and lessons but not travel — is included in the package along with the company of bright-eyed enthusiasts who are just as delighted as you to have found such a good deal.Details Seven nights’ full board from £1,073pp (action-outdoors.co.uk) Fly to Geneva or take the train to Bourg St Maurice Serre Chevalier’s smooth and rippling ski area encompasses 155 miles of pistes and several steep and spectacular top-to-bottom runs that will have athletic intermediates whooping The resort also offers an online booking service that packages up basic local apartments with lift passes — and in the quieter weeks of January and March they’re a steal including a six-day lift pass (worth £270) That might leave you with enough budget to buy a private guide for a day to unlock some of its playful ski-school-villeneuve.co.uk).Details Seven nights’ self-catering from £314pp (booking.serre-chevalier.com) Grilling your sausages isn’t the only way to save money on the price of lunch Check into a full-board hotel such as the ski-in and big buffet lunches as well as drinks are included in the price The hotel also has its own kids’ clubs should you need them Flaine best suits adventurous intermediates who will have the stamina and the technique to explore the full extent of its far-ranging pistes.Details Seven nights’ all-inclusive from £1,022pp Courchevel is part of the Three Valleys - the world's largest ski area If you're someone who likes to get the most out of their lift pass There are two main types of ski pass to choose from: Most people buy a six day pass if they're coming for a week You can also buy your pass at any of the ski pass offices but to get the best price we recommend you buy online at least three days in advance you pay €3 for a hands-free card to use on the turnstiles including children under five (who go free on the lifts) Hang on to your card at the end of your holiday You’ll be able to use it on future trips to Courchevel Don't forget to bring a copy of your receipt on holiday If you lose your lift pass on the mountain you'll need the receipt to get a replacement The winter season in Courchevel runs from 6 December 2024 to 21 April 2025 Because there are three main resorts in the Three Valleys actual season dates may vary from ski area to ski area.  Ski passes tend to be cheapest right at the beginning and end of the season it’s a good idea to keep an eye on our Courchevel snow report and forecast for an up-to-date view of local conditions.  Ski pass prices in Courchevel change according to your age the time of year and the area you want to ski in Courchevel offers some great discounts available for families and groups There are two ski pass areas in Courchevel; Courchevel and The whole of The Three Valleys area there's just a whole lot more of it in The Three Valleys The 3 Valleys ski pass includes access to 600km of marked pistes you can enjoy the full extent of the world’s largest ski areas You don't have to be an expert to ski the Three Valleys as there are plenty of greens and blues across the area to allow any level of skier or boarder to enjoy it. Those staying in Val Thorens for more than a couple of days, should consider buying a Three Valleys pass as they have plenty of time to explore the 328 runs on offer.See piste maps for Courchevel and the Three Valleys Three Valleys lift passes are available from four hours to 14 days You can buy your ski pass online and have it delivered to your home, or you can collect it from one of the ski pass offices in resort The Courchevel ski pass gives you unlimited access to the 58 lifts and 150km of pistes in the Courchevel ski area Courchevel ski passes are available from four hours to 14 days Prices are from 21 December 2024 to 11 April 2025 You can buy your Courchevel ski pass online and have it delivered to your home, or you can collect it from one of the ski pass offices in resort Under five and over 75 years ski free in Courchevel - on presentation of proof of age If your Courchevel ski pass is valid for at least two days, you can buy one-day extensions to the Three Valleys area. Ask at one of the ski pass offices for more information These are our top tips for saving money on your ski pass the Family Flex package is a great way to save money on what is often one of the most expensive parts of your trip to the mountains.  when you buy a Family Flex package together as a family each person in the family group pays the child's rate Your family needs to be made up of a minimum of three people one or two adults and one to six children (aged 5 to 18 years).  Offering more flexible options to single parents can now all ski at the child rate and benefit from a bonus day with the six days for the price of five offer Everyone will need their own hands-free pass to get through the turnstiles There is a one day beginner ski pass available in Courchevel, the Mini Pass, giving you access to the lower parts of the ski area. This pass can be bought online or at the ski pass offices in resort but only if you're under five years old You'll still need to pay €3 for a hands-free card to get through the turnstiles but this can be used on subsequent visits to Courchevel.  It's a good idea to take ID when you buy a hands-free card You may be asked to prove how old you or your kids are.  Pedestrians can also enjoy the Three Valleys ski area in the winter Pedestrian rates are available for one to 21 days There are also single and return trips on individual lifts available Pedestrian passes are only available to buy at the ski pass offices in resort Good news for cross country (nordic) skiers: there's no need to buy a pass. The 67km of trails in the Courchevel valley are completely free of charge poles and boots from most sports shops.  You can also pick up a guide booklet and map from any of the ski pass offices to show you where the trails are If you're coming to Courchevel for more than a week this winter there are a couple of ways you can save money on your lift journeys:  If you plan to ski at least eight non-consecutive days in Courchevel this season, the 3 Vallées Liberté pass is a great way to save money - and time in the lift queue.  There's a one time fee of €30 for your Liberté pass A season pass costs roughly the equivalent of a four week ski pass so it's excellent value if you're staying in the valley for a while You pay a fixed price and then ride the lifts as often or as little as you like it's always a good idea to buy your season pass before the start of the season They normally go on sale in November.  You can get a season pass as an individual or a family As well as being able to ride the lifts as little or as often as you like The Skiflex season package gets you 10 passages per week in the Three Vallees throughout the season with the option to buy more The sledge run in Courchevel Moriond is a whopping 3km in length and has an impressive 450m of descent Travelling under the brand new Ariondaz gondola zips over bridges and flies around the bends of an insane racecourse Children must be over five years old.  Those under 1.25m must be accompanied by an adult The prices on this page do not include insurance You’ll be given the option to add ski insurance when you buy your Courchevel or Three Valleys ski pass. This is provided by Carré Neige and normally costs around €3 a day.  You don’t have to buy insurance from the lift company but we can’t stress enough how important it is to have a snow sports policy in place before you come skiing or snowboarding in Courchevel But if you have to be helicoptered off the mountain Once you've got your ski pass, why not check out the ski schools in Courchevel and book a ski lesson.   If you're already dreaming of long hikes in the summer why not check out our summer lift pass prices SeeCourchevel.com is a SeeTheWorld destination The extensive network of Val Thorens lifts are open both summer and winter Discover the latest lift opening and closing dates this 600km network of ski runs is the number one destination for snow lovers from across the globe and its impressive lift system includes a whopping 183 lifts to get you around this vast domaine When can you ski in Val Thorens?Weather/snow conditions permitting you can usually ski in Val Thorens from December to April using the lift system typically with weekend openings in November or by ski-touring/hiking yourself up Season start and end dates may vary slightly as they are dependent on snow conditions There may be a reduced ski area in operation if snow cover is insufficient or due to early/late season ramp up/down and start to close around 16:20 (the time varies for each lift). From February onward the lifts stay open for a further half hour You can find the exact closing times for each main lift at the lift stations When are the lifts open in Val Thorens?During the summer months the lift-system is more restricted than in winter but still offers fantastic mountain access to hikers bikers and selfie-takers. Not all lifts are open every day of the week and times may vary Please note: all dates and times are subject to change due to adverse weather and events. You can keep an eye on live lift status and visit our maps page to find your way around.  SeeValThorens.com is a SeeTheWorld destination LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio Water in California is complicated … and governing water use is arguably even more complicated Local water agencies are as diverse as the communities and landscapes of California There are thousands of agencies across the state They range from a system serving a single mobile home park to huge agencies serving millions of people and businesses and thousands of acres of farmland Some water agencies’ governing boards are appointed by a county board of supervisors or city council The five-member board that oversees the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is appointed by the L.A for-profit investor-owned and operated water agencies and other types of private water companies that have neither elected nor publicly appointed officials, such as the California American Water Company which provides water for about 675,000 homes and businesses across California They’re regulated at the state level by the State Water Resources Control Board and California Public Utilities Commission (both of which have their oversight boards appointed by the Governor) Because the governing systems for these types of for-profit water agencies are not directly elected by the public we won’t talk about those any further in this guide The statewide patchwork of water regulations and agencies means your specific water provider’s responsibilities will likely vary but generally they’re making decisions on: Water agencies’ size and power vary dramatically from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California which serves nearly 19 million people across six counties to tiny water agencies that serve just a handful of customers The primary responsibility of any agency overseeing a drinking water system is to keep water safe and clean Water resilience in the face of an increasingly dry future is also a top concern Local water agencies make decisions about developing new local water supplies capturing stormwater and replenishing groundwater Water affordability is another big consideration for water agencies as increasingly severe drought-to-flood cycles and aging infrastructure affects rates Water officials today are making decisions that will affect water availability and long-term drought resilience for decades to come The agencies you’re most likely to see on your ballot are some kind of city- or county-run agency or “special district." These are local public agencies that provide many of the same services as a city government Special districts can be responsible for a specific task or they can be responsible for a wide range of public services such as flood control The most common types of special districts that act as local water providers are community services districts municipal or county water districts and irrigation districts candidates have to live in the specific area the board serves just like running for city council or the school board Some districts also require those running for election to be a landowner which can exclude many otherwise qualified candidates and is a requirement many experts consider outdated Terms are usually between two and four years from as little as no salary to more than $50,000 per year for some board directors at the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District according to California State Controller records so board members might end up serving for decades While long-term experience in water policy is helpful given it's such a complex topic that’s also something to keep an eye out for: Is someone in your district running against someone who’s sat on the board for a long time how are they planning to tackle the situation differently from the incumbent you also want to consider the background of someone who’s running and how that influences how they think about water policy and approach complex issues Some expertise in water issues is relevant you’ll see the following races on your ballot Some candidates did not reply to our requests for images Some do not have a campaign website and/or list of endorsements available online at the time of publication We will update this guide as more candidate information becomes available The CBMWD serves 1.6 million people from 24 cities and unincorporated areas in southeast Los Angeles The Board is made up of seven elected members There are three seats up for election on Nov Lemeika Rhashaan PopeNo campaign website  Lisseth Flores-FrancoFormer Bell Gardens city council memberNo campaign website The TVMWD provides water to 13 agencies in the Pomona Martin RayRetired city of Alhambra Public Works director No campaign website John MendozaFormer water board directorNo campaign website The USGVMWD provides water to 18 cities and portions of unincorporated Los Angeles County with about one million residents The WBMWD provdes water to nearly one million people in 17 cities and unincorporated areas in Los Angeles County The WRD is the largest groundwater management agency by population in the state of California serving groundwater to four million residents Elizabeth PetersonSmall business ownerNo campaign website John Paul DrayerReal estate investor and former teacherNo campaign website It is governed by a 9-member board of directors whose terms are four years Nathan BousfieldUtility planning specialistNo campaign website The CVWD provides water and sewage collection to the unincorporated communities of La Crescenta and Verdugo City as well as a small portion of the City of La Cañada-Flintridge The LPVCWD provides water to residents within parts of La Puente and the City of Industry David “Lucero” HastingsWater treatment operatorNo campaign website  Vincent Matthew SantanaFitness trainerNo campaign website The five-member board of directors serve terms of four years Frank Aguirre Jr.Public affairs consultantNo campaign website The PWD serves customers in parts of the city of Palmdale and Antelope Valley The five-member board serves four year terms Linda GodinRetired media consultantNo campaign website The SWD provides water to about 6,500 people in the city of Villa Park and a small portion of the city of Orange The IRWD provides water to about 600,000 people in central Orange County The MNWD provides water to 170,000 customers in south Orange County The SMWD provides water to over 200,000 residents in south Orange County and the unincorporated communities of Coto de Caza The EOCWD serves customers primarily in East Orange and North Tustin The OCWD manages one of the largest groundwater basins in southern California providing water to about 2.5 million people in north and central Orange County seven members are elected and three are appointed by Anaheim Nile MorganArmy forward observerNo campaign website The MWDOC serves nearly 3.2 million Orange County residents throughout Orange County with the exception of the cities of Anaheim Fullerton and Santa Ana. Each of the seven-member board members are elected by Orange County voters to a four-year term The TCWD provides water to residents of Trabuco Canyon Barbara Jean FosterBusiness ownerNo campaign website Mark AndersonCivil engineerNo campaign website  Jr.Retired civil engineerNo campaign website  Member support made these voter guides possible Our election coverage is focused on you: helping you understand the results of these races and their impact on our everyday lives you need a source of trusted reporting that will hold those in power to account and shine a light on issues important to our communities LAist reporting and voting guides are here for you But we need to hear from you now with your support to know that this work we’re doing is important We cannot do this essential work without your help We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you At a time when the need for local journalism has never been greater Member support — your support — is what will sustain a free press in Southern California so please be here for us now with a donation to power our trusted local reporting Step up right now and make the choice to give Because that’s exactly what it is — a choice If readers do not choose to step up and donate the future of fact-based news in Southern California will not be as strong LAist will remain a voice you know and trust This voter guide originally published Sept There is a total of 90km of trails in Méribel Both classic and skating forms of the sport are accommodated Tracks are maintained for both the classic and skating styles usually side by side on specially prepared pistes These trails all operate on a one-way system (for obvious reason), are free to use and you can pick up a guide booklet and map from the tourist offices The pistes are maintained each night and walkers are requested not to use the marked trails across the whole of the Three Valleys.  Méribel Méribel has 33km of prepared cross-country trails in its valley The cross-country tracks are situated in two different areas one at the Lac de Tueda in Mottaret and the other around the Altiport area of Méribel With a variation of tracks ranging from green to red you can challenge yourself at ski de fond Méribel MottaretWith slightly more gentle tracks take the green trail which is 3km long and great for those just starting tIt starts at the Plan Ravet car park or the Piou-Piou nursery school Alternatively if you feel slightly more confident take the blue marked trail which is 5km and starts from the same place Méribel’s Altiport In this area there is a short green circuit and a longer with an altitude climb of 110m that takes you through the forest and starts at restaurant Le Blanchot. Alternatively if you are well practised in ski de fond try the red track which also starts at the restaurant It's 10km long and has an altitude climb of 230m Both of these tracks offer exceptional views and mountain scenery MéribelStarting in Méribel you also have to option to take longer cross-country tracks to Courchevel or La Tania Again starting off at restaurant Le Blanchot you can take this red marked track and either continue straight to make your way to Courchevel (17km with a altitude climb of 150m) or take the left track to head to La Tania (16km with a 230m climb) Try the 67km of prepared cross-country trails in the Courchevel valley which are all regularly groomed and marked perfect for when you have explored the Méribel ones and would like to tackle something different. The tracks are groomed regularly and offer parallel tracks for classic cross-country skiing and a prepared surface for skating technique Val Thorens only has 4km of prepared cross-country trails but they accommodate both classic and skating styles and are perfect for beginners or those who just want to spend a few hours trying something a bit different.  Further down the Valley between Les Menuires and St Martin de Belleville there are 28km of marked pistes for cross-country skiing The best starting point is next to the very picturesque Plan de l’Eau in Les Menuires and the tracks are all well marked out leading towards the lower villages along the valley ending in Châtelard.  Whilst cross-country skiing appears to be just walking which it is on the flat and even on the uphill sections A lesson will provide you with the basic knowledge and skills that will allow you to tackle uphill sections and more importantly come back downhill nice and safely You will learn the basic descending style of one ski in the pre-formed track and one as a snowplough type brake Once you've mastered this try and ski downhill in a snowplough type position What to wearMany cross-country skiers you see in resort wear clothing more along the lines of cycling apparel rather than that of normal alpine skiers so wear layers that can be removed as necessary Take a rucksack for your clothing and supplies and don't forget some snacks and plenty of water The “camelbak” type hydration backpacks are great for cross country skiing room for your layers and a drink combined as well They also mean you can grab a drink without having to take your rucksack off and when you are drinking regularly this really helps You will need around one litre of liquid for a three to four hour ski session You can burn in the region of 1,500 calories in a two hour cross-country session at fairly high intensity so you will need to keep your energy levels up Bananas are always a great snack when exercising the slow release potassium really helps fight fatigue More fitted trousers will help with the technique of both classic and skating Helmets generally aren’t worn but you may want a bobble hat or headband to keep your ears warm Remember it gets really warm going uphill and cooler going downhill Gym or cycling base layers are great if you have them or something with a wicking layer The wicking fabric helps remove the sweat from your torso and keep it in the material itself which helps keep you cool when climbing and also stops you getting cold when descending Classic or skating styleAs a beginner go for classic style where you generally keep your skis in a straight line and it’s more of a walking style this is the basic style to initially master Once you’ve mastered classic style you may decide this is for you and continue with your development of the technique this is the more advanced technique that you see the biathletes using It’s more advanced and requires a more technical skill set.Top tip: To begin with stick with classic and see how you get on Skis and polesThere are different skis for classic and skating so make sure you get the right skis for the type of skiing you are going to do The skis are longer than normal alpine skis somewhere between 95% and 105% of your height the poles are much longer too (between chest and shoulder height in relation to your body) for pushing uphill so don’t be tempted to try and use your normal alpine ski poles Most cross-country skis are “wax-less” as the traction for going uphill is provided by a “fish scale” type grip pattern on the central section on the bottom of the ski If your skis don’t have a “grippy” section on the bottom you will need to wax them for traction then you need to get the right wax.Soft wax = more grip uphill but quicker downhill.Top tip: To begin with get skis with a “grippy” section to eliminate the wax issue Cross-country ski boots are more like a hiking boot in many ways similar to a winter ankle style cycling boot Ensure they fit well as you are basically walking and jogging in them whilst skiing for several hours a day Hiring equipmentYou can hire cross-country ski equipment from a number of ski hire shops in resort Find the cross-country ski maps for Meribel Take a look at this year's ski lift pass prices and if you're not sure which one to buy read our guide for more information.  SeeMeribel.com is a SeeTheWorld destination Three Big Lots stores in the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys will soon be closing their doors permanently According to a list published by Gordon Brothers the locations in Austintown and East Liverpool in the Mahoning Valley as well as Hermitage in the Shenango Valley will be closing Leases for these buildings are available until the end of the day Friday This comes after a deal was struck with Gordon Brothers to keep between 200 to 400 Big Lots locations nationwide open Those three Valley stores were not among those saved The closing locations will be holding a "going out of business" sale prior to their closure.  Big Lots will still have a presence in the Valley with locations in Boardman Big Lots to close all locations, including locations in Mahoning, Shenango valleys Big Lots agrees on deal with Gordon Brothers to keep some locations open; jobs preserved it doesn't get much ritzier than Gucci-branded gondolas All that is found in France's Courchevel 1850 Signs of wealth dust the entire 1850 village like snow Online search results on Courchevel 1850 show images and videos of an airstrip that caters to private jets five-star chalets at the bottom of snowy slopes and designer stores that fill storefronts.  Courchevel 1850 is one of the most exclusive ski resorts in the world and hopped on a train headed to Courchevel.  She told Business Insider she was en route to Courchevel 1850 for a six-month job as a chalet host she said she worked in a five-star chalet that cost between $83,000 and $104,000 for a week's stay Hogg said she remembers arriving in 1850 and being stunned by both its beauty and wealth "There are private jets flying into the ski resort There's Louis Vuitton and Fendi right off the slopes," Hogg said Hogg's routine as a chalet girl involved more dirty toilets than shopping bags While she wasn't living the same luxurious life as her guests she said that "Courchevel 1850 is the most ridiculous place on earth." The Three Valleys include three resorts: Courchevel and even after spending six months skiing in the region there were still parts of The Three Valleys she didn't explore simply because of its size Courchevel is a mountain resort tucked into the eastern side Courchevel has 52 ski lifts and nearly 500 feet of ski runs At the bottom of Courchevel are Courchevel La Tania and Courchevel 1300 which Hogg said are the most affordable villages and where many seasonal workers live including herself when she was working in Courchevel.  Courchevel 1850 is the richest of the villages.  Between skiers in designer snowsuits and endless Champagne "This picturesque hamlet is renowned for being the height of luxury during the winter ski season," See Courchevel's website states "The resort is where the rich and famous choose to holiday so don't be surprised if you are sharing a ski lift or a bubble car with someone you recognize." Wealth is experienced across the village. For instance, the average prime real estate in Courchevel 1850 is valued at about $2,700 per square foot and was ranked one of the world's top ski resorts in 2023, according to Savills Hogg compared Courchevel 1850 to the winter version of Saint-Tropez in the sense that it attracts celebrities and ultrawealthy visitors.  CoastPrivate reported that celebrities like David and Victoria Beckham and Elton John have vacationed in Courchevel 1850 along with Formula 1 representatives and Olympians.  Prince William and Kate Middleton were also spotted in the village in 2016, the Daily Mail reported Outside royalty and celebrities, Russian oligarchs go to 1850 in the wintertime, The Telegraph reported in 2022 used a more-than $10,000 bottle of Bordeaux for mulled wine Other rich Russians are said to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on chalets that sit empty for the vast majority of the season Courchevel 1850 is the only village in Courchevel to have its own airstrip and helipad for private jets and helicopters, Courchevel VIP states.  The small airstrip has earned its reputation as the shortest runway in the world and the highest in Europe. Skiers and snowboarders from the nearby slopes often pause to watch helicopters and tiny jets fly in Besides Paris, Condé Nast Traveler reported in 2022 that the greater Courchevel area has the highest concentration of five-star hotels across France.  Travelers won't find many hotels with fewer than five stars in Courchevel 1850. It's filled with hotels like Les Airelles Courchevel, which, according to Forbes is "one of the most exclusive hotels in the world," where the average room costs around $3,000 a night offers guests everything from a Hermés horse-drawn sleigh to a children's kingdom complete with a heated tree house Courchevel 1850 also has many luxe chalets five-bedroom chalet that cost guests between $83,000 and $104,000 for a week's stay.  Outside personal chefs, Greater Courchevel has the most Michelin-starred restaurants across the Alps There are seven starred restaurants in Courchevel a handful of which are in Courchevel 1850 Hogg said the ski town's fine dining was impressive and The restaurants and stuff on the mountains which is usually the cheapest thing on the menu," she said there were plenty of places for aprés or post-ski happy hour One popular spot Hogg named was Bagatelle Courchevel a lively French-Mediterranean restaurant offering 360-degree views of snow peaks.  the ultra-rich travel to Courchevel 1850 to ski Access to these slopes can cost visitors a pretty penny A six-day pass for the entire Courchevel area costs $430 Hogg added that many visitors skipped the chairlifts and opted for heli-skiing instead which is where helicopters drop skiers and snowboarders off in remote areas of mountains to ski down.  "That was a big thing in Courchevel for sure," she said A private heli-skiing experience can cost thousands of dollars depending on how many "drops" or times the person wants to ski in a day Most snowy days would end with some sort of spa treatment with five spas in Courchevel 1850 and nearly 20 across the resort Hogg said it felt like nearly every luxury designer had a storefront in Courchevel 1850 Hogg said she saw people taking advantage of the shops She remembers watching skiers go on shopping sprees Even after long days of skiing down slopes or lifting shopping bags Hoggs said Courchevel 1850 would come alive at night.  There are bars and clubs sprinkled across the village including the trendy Les Caves de Courchevel and La Mangeoire Lounge and Nightclub. Inside these exclusive clubs Hogg added that chalets often hosted parties and after-parties There were nights when Hogg said she hopped from one chalet pool to another with friends there were plenty of nights where she was up til 3 a.m serving guests drink after drink at her chalet Hogg encourages people to have the luxe experience the ski town is known for.  "Throw yourself into everything," she said the world's largest ski area with more than 600km of pistes spread over three main resorts: Méribel This ensures that buying a Méribel lift pass is money well spent most people visiting Méribel stay for a week which means that six day ski passes are the top choice among skiers and snowboarders who want to enjoy our mountain playground Buy your Meribel ski passes online | Buy your Mottaret ski passes online It's a different lift company and they haven't created a unified website for lift passes based on where you're staying but based on your accommodation you buy them from a different website (and pick them up or deal with any issues from the relevant lift company) is a contained resort higher up the valley than Méribel main resort The Méribel ski season runs from 7 December 2024 to 21 April 2025 actual season dates may vary from ski area to ski area  Ski passes tend to be cheapest right at the beginning and end of the season it’s a good idea to keep an eye on our Meribel snow report and forecast for an up to date view of local conditions Ski pass prices in Méribel change according to your age the time of year and the area you want to ski in Méribel also offers some great discounts available for families and groups There are two ski pass areas in Meribel; Meribel and The whole of The Three Valleys area You don't have to be an expert to ski the Three Valleys as there are plenty of greens and blues across the area to allow any level of skier or boarder to enjoy it. Those staying in Val Thorens for more than a couple of days, should consider buying a Three Valleys pass as they have plenty of time to explore the 328 runs on offer.See piste maps for Meribel and the Three Valleys The Méribel Valley lift pass gives you unlimited access to the lifts in the Méribel-Mottaret ski area Méribel Valley ski passes are available from four hours to 14 days Under five and over 75 years ski free in Méribel - on presentation of proof of age Yes, if your ski pass is valid for at least two days there are one day extensions available. Please enquire at one of the ski pass offices Family discounts are available for both the Méribel and Three Valleys pass with the Family Flex pass Everyone in the family group pays the child's rate! Your family needs to be made up of a minimum of three people one or two adults and one to six children (aged 5 to 18 years) Beginners skiers in the Méribel and Mottaret ski area can benefit from special deals The Méribel Mini Pass covers approximately half of the Méribel Valley and is slightly cheaper than the full Méribel Valley pass.  This pass is valid for the especially created Easy Rider areas within the Méribel Valley where you can get to grips with your chosen discipline in complete safely It gives access to the following lifts:  The Minipass also includes access to the Loupiot and Doron magic carpets as well as the Fontanyl and Ourson pull cords The mini pass is a one day price for all from 5 years to 75 years at €35.50 You will need a proof of date of birth as well as a recent identity photography There are free ski passes available to young children and seniors while a few lifts and pistes are free to use Children aged under five years old and people aged over 75 ski for free Proof of age required at the moment of purchase A €3 fee will be charged for the hands-free card Good news for cross-country skiers: there's no need to buy a pass as the cross country ski trails in the Méribel valley are completely free of charge Equipment can be hired from most sports shops and you can pick up a guide booklet and map from the Tourist Offices to show you where they are The pistes are prepared and maintained each night so pedestrians are requested not to walk on them as footprints damage the tracks and surface for the skiers There are plenty of prepared winter walking trails for hikers to enjoy instead Pedestrians can also enjoy the 3 Valleys ski area in winter.  and there are also single and return trips on individual lifts available Pedestrian passes are only available to buy at the ski pass offices in resort Méribel season pass prices depend on your age and type of ski pass There are family and group discounts available If you ski more than 18 days in Méribel during one season Holders of the Three Valley season pass benefit from a reciprocal agreement with several prestigious ski resorts around the world Get a free three day pass for Shiga Kogen (Japan) as well as a two day pass for the three Vail Resorts in the USA The Three Valleys offers a subscription-based ski pass If you plan to ski at least eight non-consecutive days in Méribel this season, the 3 Vallées Liberté pass is a great way to save money - and time in the lift queue.  You’ll be given the option to add ski insurance when you buy your Meribel, Mottaret or Three Valleys ski pass. This is provided by Carré Neige and normally costs around €3 a day.  but we can’t stress enough how important it is to have a snow sports policy in place before you come skiing or snowboarding in Meribel Once you've got your ski pass you may be thinking about booking ski lessons, check out ski schools and take a look at our where to stay in Meribel guide.  If you're doing research for a summer holiday why not check out our summer lift pass prices has enough skiing that we won’t get bored and après that’s lively but not so banging that I feel old Obviously I still want them to think I’m cool "},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"The dream for them would be the Three Valleys in France: snow-sure season-round bonkers hotel luxury in Courchevel and fast But I thought the prices there would mean that it must remain a dream."},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Then I remembered Les Menuires the small satellite resort sandwiched between Méribel and Val Thorens is where I learnt to ski as a"},"children":[]},{"name":"paywall","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":" teen not because it was cool but because it was cheap — especially after we had convinced a friend’s dad to drive eight of us there in the local scout troop’s clapped-out minibus staying in apartments with less charm than you’d find in a suburb of Leningrad (it was still called Leningrad then) Partly because of the memory of the drunken fools we used to be; partly snobbery which celebrated its 60th anniversary last year was arguably the resort that democratised skiing the 1960s architecture fared poorly over the years but the spirit was admirable: hundreds of affordable apartments It remains the most affordable entry point to the Three Valleys ski area connected by fast chairlifts and cable cars to Courchevel There’s also a huge variety of accommodation from budget self-catering apartments to full-service chalets and hotels "}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"It was nice to arrive last December in a vehicle that wasn’t falling apart — we had an easy ten-hour glide down the autoroute — but even nicer to see that Les Menuires had undergone something of a “glow-up” It’s amazing what a lick of paint and some new signage will do "}}]},{"name":"ad","children":[]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"The giant apartment blocks were still there But a smattering of smart hotels has cropped up too looked especially handsome (B&B doubles from £154; higalik-hotel.com) It is joined this season by the three-star Alpeen which has 33 bright and colourful rooms (B&B doubles from £92; alpeenhotel.com) The Alpeen is a sister property to the HO36 which is more like a hostel in style but has a good restaurant and bar (B&B doubles from £70; ho36.com) "}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"At the resort base the modernist bell tower still stands proud its sinewy metal crown like a steeple without a church — so far "}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"52446d18-e102-4478-8012-2cad0402800a","display":"fullwidth","caption":"At 1,850m part of a sprawl of new-builds with one central check-in had underground parking and was just about ski-in ski-out — try getting that in a traditional village resort crisp blue skies and snowflakes playing on the breeze were revealed and my frying pan faux pas was swiftly forgotten We had good snow and a full week to enjoy it — heaven "}}]},{"name":"inlineAd1","children":[]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"The snag in my affordability plan became apparent on the slopes: six-day full-area lift passes would cost £283 each and we’d saved even more money as my wife hadn’t wanted to come (still a mystery) And as of this season a new “family flex” pass recognises that not all families are nuclear so a combined ticket for three people of any relation could cost from £814 With all that space it seemed perverse to seek out a terrain park but the kids love them and I’m still an indulgent fool And with the budget temporarily out of the window further down the mountain in St Martin de Belleville was an extra treat (mains from £15; le-corbeleys.com) "}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Ridiculously having chosen the Three Valleys for the variety we ended up spending most of our time skiing in the vicinity of Les Menuires though we did day trips to Méribel and Val Thorens so we could boast of having reached its 3,230m peak which has a panoramic sun terrace (mains from £14; Télécabine des Bruyères 2) and Chalet de la Masse (mains from £17; Chemin dès Vallons) simply because the owners let their guinea pigs roam around the floor during quieter moments "}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"If there was cosmic pay-off for this fun it would come a day later when Miles sprained his wrist while suffering a skills shortage over some ice We walked off that mountain in a fit of misery Ava went ahead on another lunch recce — we found her sipping an Orangina in Jacks Bar though: Miles got plenty of early GCSE revision done over the next two days and we’d found a great après-ski spot so not an entirely new proposition but a welcome one nonetheless Its burgers are large and there’s a huge sun terrace with good music and they even brew their own craft beer (mains from £20; jacksbar.fr)."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"It’s all the little changes like this that make a cheap and cheerful resort into something more special but it makes Les Menuires a place to which you want to return "}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Matt Hampton was a guest of Peak Retreats which has seven nights’ self-catering for five from £232pp including return Le Shuttle crossings ("}}]},{"name":"link","children":[{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"peakretreats.co.uk"}}]}],"attributes":{"href":"http://peakretreats.co.uk/"}},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":") Six days’ ski rental starts at £40pp (intersportrent.com)"}}]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"This article contains affiliate links that can earn us revenue"}}]}]},{"name":"heading2","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Three more family-friendly Alpine ski trips"}}]},{"name":"heading3","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"1 with a central family room for movie nights Fitted with full kitchens for whipping up a quick bowl of pasta saunas and hot tubs (book ahead for your own private spa slot) — plus all of Serre Chevalier a resort in the Hautes Alpes beloved by the French but barely heard of by Brits The lifts are a six-minute walk from the ski room (terresens-hr.co.uk) "}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Details "}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Seven nights’ B&B from £810pp the Alpine town of Zell am See is an all-rounder with a sunny lakefront esplanade and a glittery medieval centre You’ve got both on your doorstep at Fish’Inn Zell a joyously remodelled bolt hole with serious culinary clout (the in-house destination restaurant focuses on elaborate barbecued ribs) Kids’ bunks in the family rooms pull down like in a train’s sleeper cabin for a fee you have access to the indoor-outdoor “water world” at the Romantikhotel next door (fishinnzell.com) "}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Details "}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Seven nights’ B&B from £749pp including flights (inghams.co.uk)"}}]},{"name":"inlineAd3","children":[]},{"name":"heading3","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"3 Babysitting and chilled après-ski in El Tarter an eight-minute walk from Andorra’s reliably snowy Grandvalira ski resort a handy ski-school drop-off service and childcare three evenings a week And the slopes — sunny and comfortably gentle — offer free lift passes for under-12s Après-ski on the sun terrace and in the fireside lounge is as lively as anywhere else here in quiet El Tarter."}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Details "}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Seven nights’ half-board from £699pp along with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times you can enjoy a collection of travel offers and competitions curated by our trusted travel partners a huge choice of accommodation and a much smaller price tag than its Alpine neighboursYou’ll save money by staying in Les Menuires — so splash out on a lunch at Le Corbeleys when you’re on the slopesVINCENT LOTTENBERGMatt HamptonSunday October 27 2024 The Sunday TimesA skiing trip with 16-year-olds is a tricky one — where to take my two for a week that won’t involve remortgaging The dream for them would be the Three Valleys in France: snow-sure season-round But I thought the prices there would mean that it must remain a dream the small satellite resort sandwiched between Méribel and Val Thorens is where I learnt to ski as a teen Les Menuires between Méribel and Val Thorens is a great place to learn to skiShame on me It was nice to arrive last December in a vehicle that wasn’t falling apart — we had an easy ten-hour glide down the autoroute — but even nicer to see that Les Menuires had undergone something of a “glow-up” The giant apartment blocks were still there looked especially handsome (B&B doubles from £154; higalik-hotel.com) which has 33 bright and colourful rooms (B&B doubles from £92; alpeenhotel.com) which is more like a hostel in style but has a good restaurant and bar (B&B doubles from £70; ho36.com) At the resort base the modernist bell tower still stands proud Les Menuires is a solid snow guaranteeGILLES LANSARDOur self-catering apartment • 10 of the best ski chalets in France• 13 best ski resorts in France for your next trip to the slopes The next morning I woke up Miles and Ava — and most of the rest of our building — with the sound of the smoke alarm protesting violently at the frying bacon (I blame the inferior rashers) The snag in my affordability plan became apparent on the slopes: six-day saving almost 9 per cent — not to be sniffed at Matthew Hampton and his daughter on the slopesYou realise why the Three Valleys pass isn’t cheap when you unfold the piste map: the ski area is a tremendous size We hunted out reasonably priced places to eat by avoiding anywhere that looked or sounded like La Folie Douce If there was cosmic pay-off for this fun it would come a day later There’s a variety of accommodations including full-service chalets such as at Les Chalets du SoleilFOUD IMAGESJacks is a welcome import from Méribel and they even brew their own craft beer (mains from £20; jacksbar.fr) It’s all the little changes like this that make a cheap and cheerful resort into something more special. It’s evolution more than revolution, but it makes Les Menuires a place to which you want to return. I just won’t leave it 30 years this time. Matt Hampton was a guest of Peak Retreats, which has seven nights’ self-catering for five from £232pp, including return Le Shuttle crossings (peakretreats.co.uk) Six days’ ski rental starts at £40pp (intersportrent.com) The lifts are just a six-minute walk from The Cristal LodgeTwo-bedroom apartments at the Cristal Lodge in Chantemerle are more spacious than vintage hotels ever get Fish’Inn Zell is close to the medieval centre of the townMICHAEL HUBERNear Kitzbuhel and Salzburg There’s a handy ski-school drop-off service in El TarterALAMYLook outside France and you can’t swing a ski pole for giveaways Après-ski on the sun terrace and in the fireside lounge is as lively as anywhere else here in quiet El Tarter.Details Seven nights’ half-board from £699pp Become a subscriber and Sign up for our Times Travel newsletter and follow us on Instagram and X Discover the best of the Courchevel ski area Courchevel is part of the Three Valleys ski area and is one of the largest linked ski areas in the world With its modern lift system and wide range of pistes it's a ski destination that will suit everyone With 85% of the area above 1,800m and one of the largest snow making operations in France you can be sure of enjoying pristine snow conditions all season Located just two hours from Lyon and Geneva airports, 1h30 from Chambéry or 30 minutes from Moûtiers train station, so convenient for transfers to Courchevel A 'Famille Plus' resort with dedicated facilities and a mini pass for those with young children or elderly relatives As a part of the Three Valleys there are virtually no limits to where you can go with an all encompassing lift pass that includes Méribel and Val Thorens From studios to luxury 15-bed chalets, there's a huge range of accommodation in Courchevel within the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region Courchevel is part of the Three Valleys.  Initially developed as a summer destination, it wasn't until 1945 Courchevel made the decision to create a ski resort, with its first lift in Moriond. By 1959, the resort boasted a cable car, six drag lifts, and accommodations for 3,000 guests. Today, it comprises five villages with diverse terrain for all skill levels Courchevel delivers diverse skiing experiences making it a standout destination in the Three Valleys The Three Valleys is a vast ski paradise with 319 pistes (600km total) and St Martin de Belleville offer terrain for all abilities.  You can buy ski passes for each resort, but to get the most out of a trip here we'd recommend you buy a Three Valleys ski pass which covers the whole area Courchevel has 150km of pistes and stunning views of Mont Blanc It’s known for challenging terrain and off-piste options The Family Park at Courchevel 1850 caters to all freestyle levels with small making it a popular ski destination for all skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts The Three Valleys offers something for everyone from serene beginner areas to advanced pistes and off-piste challenges is home to the highest point in the ski area at 3,230m It joined the Three Valleys in 1996 with the introduction of the Three Vallées Express gondola a 5km link ascending 1,470m in altitude through forests and steep terrain Orelle is a must-visit for skiers and snowboarders of all levels The winter season usually runs from mid-December to mid-April, with any early lift openings depending on snow conditions (check ski lift opening dates for this winter openings).  It's a good idea to check which lifts are open in Courchevel You might want to check the Courchevel webcams too for up to the minute view of the conditions on the pistes Courchevel is renowned for its challenging terrain and legendary couloirs that test even the most experienced skiers With a mix of legendary descents and hidden gems Courchevel delivers some of the best advanced skiing in the world When the snow is falling and visibility is poor head for tree-lined pistes where the trees provide contrast and definition Le Praz – The Jockeys and Jean Blanc black runs La Tania – The long blue Folyeres run is a great choice with tree cover and lower altitude often keeping it clearer than higher slopes Courchevel and Courchevel Moriond – Some lower runs here are tree-lined making them a good option when conditions worsen and various blue runs leading down to Moriond.  Before heading out, check the webcams for up-to-date mountain conditions The whole area above Courchevel Moriond and Courchevel itself from the Verdon bubble towards the resort are a paradise for beginners Wide and shallow as they approach the lower part of resort and with a selection of different greens These slopes give you the opportunity to get back to resort without losing your nerve even when tired at the end of a long day on the mountain.  Courchevel has a seven Easy Rider zones and 12 free lifts spread around the Courchevel Villages some of these areas are known as 'ZEN' (Zones for the Evolution of Novices) Mickey ZEN: A fenced off area exclusively for beginners serviced by a free drag lift called Mickey. The Western Ski Park Pralong ZEN/The Altiport: Two dedicated tows this large beginners area makes for a great place to start then try the slightly longer Altiport drag Other free lifts in the area are Bellecôte Etoiles and Cospilot. Golf ZEN/Jardin Alpin: A little smaller than Pralong ZEN Les Roys: Free magic carpet and the Grand Combes chairlift is free plus Mon Tania at the top of La Tania gondola Envolée ZEN: located next to the Envolée drag lift Courchevel ski area has plenty of cruisey blue pistes perfect for novices developing into intermediate skiers as well as some more challenging red runs.  The ski area is vast and it can be difficult to know where to start so we have put together some of our favourite runs throughout the Courchevel ski area steep and long descents or simply beautiful The easiest and safest off-piste is the Bel Aire area above Courchevel Moriond The tree areas in Courchevel are great for catching some fresh snow and playing off-piste With a short hike from the famous Grand Couloir piste there is excellent off-piste skiing in the Petit couloir or in the Croix de Verdons couloir if you don't mind climbing a little further a 15-minute hike from the top of the Chanrossa chair is one not to be missed out on a powder day There are also the well-known off-piste areas of Col du Fruit and Vallée des Avals that will take you far away from any pisted areas.  Always make sure you are prepared before embarking on any off-piste skiing or snowboarding. Check out our Avalanche Safety guide. It's always advisable to hire an off-piste guide who will have extensive knowledge of the area and the mountains small features as well as a park for those looking to progress their freestyle skills rails and kickers suitable for most abilities and a big air, there's something to suit everyone.  Located alongside the Verdons piste just above the village at 1850 the park is sure to entertain all levels of freestyle rider The novice freestylers can try their hand at the gentle snowcross course the speed gun and an array of green kickers and boxes.  The red kickers in the "Big Air" section are closer to black grade than red quarter pipe and swimming pool give ample opportunity to get the legs popping and the skis and boards spinning There's the airbag to test out all those gnarly new tricks without the fear of injury.  Take a look at this year's ski pass prices or The ski area is so vast it can be difficult to know where to start so we have put together some of our favourite runs throughout the Val Thorens ski area Enjoy the best pistes and slopes the Three Valleys has to offer we hope that these suggestions will hit the spot Red run Allamande winds from the top of three Marches down towards the resort of Les Menuires long shusses and steep bits to keep everyone happy All three runs from the top of the Cime de Caron are excellent Black Combe de Caron and red Col de l’Audzin run back towards Val Thorens but our favourite is the black Combe Rosael which takes you to the gorgeous ‘fourth valley’ This perfect intermediate run is rolling with gentle and steep sections and the off-piste to either side is safe and gentle – ideal for first forays into powder.  Don’t miss the highest run in the whole Three Valleys located in Orelle (sometimes called the fourth valley) Red run Coraia starts at 3,230m and offers one of the best views in the Alps plus a long and relatively easy descent into this pretty This red run starts out beautifully groomed each morning but it quickly becomes busy once the lifts from Courchevel reach it the gondolas from Méribel and Mottaret arrive earlier rolling blue runs above Courchevel Moriond (1650) are ideal for intermediates or those looking for relaxed skiing in stunning scenery Even during the busiest school holiday weeks try the little-used Grandes Bosses and Gentiane For a run that feels as close to backcountry skiing as you can get without leaving the piste It’s especially good first thing in the morning when freshly groomed The run starts off steep before easing into a more gentle section this gentle green piste winds down towards the Altiport area making it perfect for children and those looking to build confidence on the slopes The Tougnète/Roc de Fer area offers some of the most enjoyable rolling blues in the valley a scenic tree-lined blue run that descends from Altiport to Méribel Village This is a good option in flat light or bad weather One of the longest and most exciting reds in Méribel is Combe Vallon This tree-lined piste has stunning views and following recent improvements now maintains better snow conditions throughout the season snowfall allows skiing all the way down to Brides-les-Bains This off-piste itinerary starts at the top of Saulire (2,738m) and finishes at 600m after a spectacular descent through forests reward yourself with a big lunch in Brides before taking the Olympe gondola back up Take a look at this year's ski pass prices or find your way around with piste maps for Val Thorens The legendary resort of Meribel offers a wide variety of ski runs for all ages and abilities from complete beginners to freeride experts and is part of one of the largest linked ski areas in the world the Three Valleys - all of which is accessible with the same pass you can be sure of enjoying pristine snow conditions in Méribel all season with dedicated facilities for those with young children or elderly relatives Located just 2h15 from Geneva international airport 1h15 from Chambéry or 45 minutes from Moûtiers train station Centrally located within the Three Valleys there are virtually no limits to where you can go with an all encompassing lift pass that includes Courchevel and Val Thorens Méribel is one of the main resorts that makes up the Three Valleys Composed of several districts spread out across varying altitudes the main five villages are Méribel Les Allues (1,100m) Méribel Les Hauts (1,600m) and Méribel Village (1,450m) you'll enjoy incredible views of the Alps and Mont Blanc wherever you base yourself At the head of the Méribel valley you'll find Mont Du Vallon the views are stunning and the ski down even more so Try and ski to the bottom with no stops and your legs will be on fire has been a premier ski destination since 1938 Embracing traditional Savoyard architecture it played host to key events during the 1992 Winter Olympics Méribel is ideal for all levels with easily accessible off-piste areas and two great snowparks Méribel is popular with both families and experienced hard core skiers and snowboarders Our recommendation is to ski in the sun on the Tougnète side in the morning and cross over to the Saulire in the afternoon The winter season usually runs from mid-December to mid-April, with any early lift openings depending on snow conditions (check ski lift opening dates for this winter openings).  It's a good idea to check which lifts are open in Meribel You might want to check the Meribel webcams too There are several black runs in Méribel that will offer a challenge for the advanced skier The areas around the Altiport and Méribel Village are particularly good as the trees provide variation during whiteouts the Combes area in Mottaret features natural obstacles that help skiers navigate in low visibility conditions the Raffort and Villages runs below the main resort are worth exploring Raffort winds through the trees down to the village of the same name gentle piste passing traditional hamlets on the way to Les Allues you can rejoin the main ski area using the Olympe gondola or the free shuttle buses to Méribel Centre Always check the webcams before setting out as fog can settle in the valley while the summits enjoy sunshine Méribel is a great place for beginners and those improving from learning to intermediate offering plenty of nursery slopes and green runs in a relaxed easy going resort The resort has two dedicated beginner areas in Méribel Mottaret and the Altiport both with eight free lifts and beginner friendly zones Many ski schools have private beginner lifts and a "mini-pass" lift ticket provides access to suitable slopes and chairlifts for new skiers Mottaret boasts a really fabulous beginner area which leads to the Little Himalaya green run Two ZEN zones offer safe spaces to practice and build confidence on skis The Tougnète/Roc de Fer area is ideal for all abilities Highlights include the rolling Faon and the ridge-side Jerusalem with panoramic views and the competition Roc de Fer blue run provide excellent challenges for learners the green Blanchot run starts at Saulire Express 1 and leads to the Altiport area while the Forêt trail continues into Méribel resort along the Ski Cool route Lapin is a tree-lined favourite descending to Méribel Village offers stunning forest views and generally has good snow conditions a themed piste with model animals and a forest quiz adds fun for children near the bottom of Blanchot piste Blue pistes: If you want to challenge yourself there are 28 blue runs in Méribel some harder than others so it is best to do these with more experienced skiers or someone who knows their way around the pistes they do provide a great challenge for a beginner so we have put together some of our favourite runs throughout the Meribel ski area Always make sure you are prepared before embarking on any off-piste skiing or snowboarding. Check out our avalanche safety guide. It's always advisable to hire an off-piste guide who will have extensive knowledge of the area and the mountains the Plattières Park aka DC Area 34 and the long-running favourite but smaller (one for intermediates and one for experts) The video system within the park means you can film and photograph yourself on the modules Other facilities in this snowpark include free WiFi entertainment every Tuesday and regular DC parties with contests the Chemin des Ecoliers boardercross offers fun for families but is popular with adventurous adults too Elements Park is an ideal afternoon stop for budding freestylers Take a look at this year's ski pass prices or Discover the Meribel summer lifts and areas The Three Valleys has a range of lifts open for summer access to the mountains, giving you access to the hiking and mountain biking trails to explore all that Méribel or simply just to admire the summer mountain views Typical opening dates for the Three Valleys summer lifts are from the first week of July to the very end of August and you can traverse from Courchevel across to Méribel and Val Thorens/Les Menuires and back again with relative ease mid week Courchevel and Meribel valley lifts are open seven days a week through the summer but Val Thorens lifts are open Monday to Friday only three in Courchevel and seven in Les Menuires These seven lifts in the Belleville valley open on different days of the week so take a look at the lift opening dates and timetables below to help plan your days out.  The lifts are mountain-bike friendly with bike hooks, trolleys or gondola cabins that you can fit them into allowing you to access all the MTB trails in Meribel with ease.  Lifts will stop running in the case of high winds or bad weather, but you can check on this before you head out by looking at the live lift status.  Summer lift pass prices are slightly different to winter - it is worth checking the which lifts you can use before setting off Paragliders also have access to a number of lifts throughout the summer Dogs: - Must be kept on a lead at all times.Babies - Allowed on all cable cars and gondolas but not on the chair lifts. It is not recommended to expose babies or young children to sudden changes in altitude or temperature If lift staff consider your child too young to travel on certain lifts they have the right to deny access.  If you're looking for summer lift opening and closing dates there is a dedicated page so please take a look here You can buy tickets directly from the lift pass offices or buy your passes in advance online. See all the summer lift prices and options available.  If you're looking to next winter head over to our ski pass prices I thought I knew all there is to know about Les 3 Vallées in France and its ski resorts from lofty snow-sure Val Thorens to pretty St Martin de Belleville with its illuminated bell tower I can’t count the number of times I’ve visited the world’s largest ski area and explored most of its 600 km of slopes (minus the steepest of these challenging expert black runs) which are open from December to Easter But blow me – perhaps the French want to keep this secret to themselves, but just a 25-minute gondola descent from Méribel, is the hidden gem (and surprisingly affordable) Brides-les-Bains The Olympic gondola image credit: Les 3 Vallées I’ve since learned it was an Olympic village in 1992 perhaps as being lower than the other resorts Yet the big pluses here are that not only do you enjoy less risk of altitude sickness but you’ll also not faint from the cost of your accommodation bill which is likely to be 30-50% less than the neighbouring high-end resorts a little closer to the ski action Visit this pretty spa town when the snow isn’t here and you’re likely to feel quite slim as this is where the clinically obese come to lose weight with specially purposed diets healing thermal waters and exercise regimes there is no such pressure (thank goodness) and you can gorge guilt-free on as much rich food as you like especially without an elevated price tag and with the premise that you’ll be burning off extra calories on the slopes I arrived with a group of friends in mid-March, on a spring-like day when it was warm enough to eat Croque Monsieur and drink beer al fresco in the sunshine. Our chosen accommodation was the remarkably reasonable four-star Golf Hotel, where doubles are priced from just over 100 euros including a generous buffet breakfast (Golf Hotel – Image Copyright Bridget McGrouther) My extremely spacious room in this historic treasure had what I reckon is one of the best views in the Alps – overlooking the peaks and valley below from its elevated position while you could hear as well as see the gushing River Doron if you kept your window open for that bracingly fresh mountain air despite its central location (with a very handy pedestrian lift saving a steep hike back uphill) it was around a 10-minute walk to the gondola although we were able to hire lockers at the handy Intersport ski rental shop just below the Olympe station meaning that at least we didn’t need to carry all our gear back and forth The Olympe gondola recently received a multi-million-euro upgrade and now runs a little faster and more smoothly than it did to Méribel and back from mid-December to mid-April It’s quite a gentle start to the day gliding in a gondola over the trees farms and eventually pistes when we drew closer to the hub that is Méribel this is where you’d meet your instructor though taking at least 45 minutes from the hotel door to where you put on your skis does mean an earlier start is required for 9.15 am meetings the advantage is that you still have the expansive and guaranteed snow of the high Three Valleys ski area on the doorstep for a snip compared to the less aware clientele staying in the five-star luxury of Courchevel That budget saving meant to me that we could splash out on other luxuries – like a Michelin Star lunch at the intimate and stylish, ski-in Le Farcon in Courchevel La Tania where you don’t even need to take off your ski boots especially when each course of Chef Jukien Machet’s tasting menu was sublime If you agree that’s good value, you’ll be even happier to learn that this talented chef also runs the even less expensive Bistrot Machet and new for last season the inspirational and popular outdoor Mach’ Burger food stand – as far from junk food as you can imagine It was quite the treat, but families needn’t sweat, as on other sunny days, we bought delicious patisserie lunches to eat at the many picnic areas now introduced on the mountain slopes with comfy seating and panoramic views saving on more pricy indoor restaurants and snack bars One of the most stunning panoramas with picnic tables hammocks and original ‘heart huts’ is the summit of the dramatic Roc de Fer easy magic carpets and no less than 43 fun runs including themed routes such as the Animal Trail and Bump ‘n’ Jump course Half of the pistes are green and blue while there are also six snowparks and 12 toboggan areas as well as other activities such as snow shoeing and dog sledding for those wanting a break from skis and snowboards Back in Brides-les-Bains at the end of a busy ski day, the Grand Spa Thermal is one of the country’s biggest and best including several steam rooms massage jets and outdoor hot tubs plunged amid majestic mountain scenery – well worth the 35 euros entry fee We splashed out too on a 30-minute après-ski massage for 75 euros just what was required to ease the rigid calf and thigh muscles I’d forgotten I ever had This season it’s opening late on a Thursday until 10 pm though unfortunately will now have to be shared with anyone taking the opportunity of a free bus connecting the resort with Méribel to make it easier for all L3V skiers to wallow in its healing waters Après-ski entertainment is definitely low key in Brides-les-Bains although it does have the only casino in Les 3 Vallées with its basement club the Blue Night for those who want to party the resort also organises 50 hours a week of entertainment After a free concert at the park bandstand on what coincided with St Patrick’s Day we were more than happy to watch a Six Nations Ireland v Scotland international rugby game on TV in a busy especially when Scotland gave the favoured side a close run for their money in Le Golf’s elegant dining room was delicious while other recommend restaurants for local specialities like tartiflette and fondue include Le Bis Trop Savoyard and Le Val Vert France’s biggest spa and the best view from such a cosy affordable hotel certainly gave our bargain winter break the feel of a Champagne lifestyle on a mulled wine income More Info: les3vallees.com or brides-les-bains.com Accommodation: golf-hotel-brides.com In March the price is typically €250 per night for two people A one-day 3 Vallees ski pass costs €79 per adult, while six days cost €375 (lesevallees.com/en/skipass) open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch.  La Bouitte (2*) Saint-Martin-de-Belleville: €210 for a 3-course menu Grand Spa Thermal: A single entry is priced at €39 Getting there: It’s eight hours by Eurostar from London to Moûtiers Chambéry Airport is closest at around 90km Lyon (150 km) and Grenoble (160 km) are all within striking distance Image top credit: Les 3 Vallées David Andre snow reports and unmissable features direct to your inbox every week with our weekly ski update If you want to subscribe to our monthly newsletter snow reports and unmissable features direct to you inbox with our weekly ski update Sign In Subscribe Now Emcon Services has advised a second and unplanned round of avalanche-control work is happening Friday until 5:30 p.m. along Highway 1 in the Three Valley Gap a continuation of the work B.C.'s Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MOTT) carried out last night This has closed a 15-kilometre stretch west of Revelstoke between Griffin Lake Avalanche Gate and Clanwilliam Bridge, Ecmon said on X (formerly Twitter) Parks Canada will later perform separate avalanche-control work east between Revelstoke and Golden Saturday with a Highway 1 closure for 142 kilometres between Revelstoke's Townley Street and Golden's 14th Street North and no detour available according to Kieran Lee Kam of MOTT's district operations "Things are kind of fluid with the weather right now The ministry's work in the Three Valley Gap from 4 to 6 a.m due to increasing avalanche risk amid heavy snowfall Emcon's district operations manager Kody Moncrief informed Black Press Media Emcon will provide further updates at 5:30 p.m Sign up for free account today and start receiving our exclusive newsletters Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines Courchevel ski passes for this season are now on sale Whilst you may be enjoying the last of the warm summer days the majority of the French lift companies have been busy working on the release of the winter lift pass prices as we write this the Three Valleys still has to confirm it's group (Tribu) pass prices however all the other ski pass prices have been revealed They have some great deals on offer this winter Courchevel and the Three Valleys have seemingly done away with their Duo passes but whether you're coming in a group of three or more (Tribu) or with family you'll be able to benefit from some fantastic group discounts which are being made available all season long In Courchevel under 5's and over 75's ski free however with a Three Valleys pass while under 5's remain free the over 75's benefit from a much reduced rate You can find this year's lift pass prices, and in fact literally everything to do with using the lifts this winter, on our ski pass prices page plus information on the scheduled opening dates Now just pray to the snow gods to deliver the goods and it's get set There are numerous events in Courchevel organised year round The annual events you won't want to miss From quirky local affairs to large scale sporting spectacles there is always something worth seeing. We've listed the major annual Courchevel events below, but you can also check our events calendar for the latest updates This is the month the locals get their town (and slopes) back January is a great time to visit the resort it's generally quieter and the cold temperatures keep the snow nice and crisp You'll find some fun après-ski parties on, have fun after your day on the slopes at the Silver après-ski party. Dates and details February is school holidays time and the resort is full of families enjoying their spring half-term break. There will be lots of activities and events put on by the ski companies and the tourist office, so be sure to keep an eye on our events calendar Valentine's DayThere will be no shortage of places to go to celebrate with your loved one whilst in the land of romance. Be sure to book early if there's that certain spot you would like to go with your special someone. Dates and details. International Fireworks FestivalThe annual International Festival of Pyrotechnic Art tours the villages of Courchevel during February and early March, a great spectacle not to be missed and is a themed event. Dates and details Les 3 Vallées Enduro​An unforgettable day of skiing snowboarding or telemarking in the 3 Vallées with different races in each resort: Big Air Bag Join up in teams of three to take part in a host of games and enjoy a giant Savoyard buffet lunch A busy month in terms of events happening locally, take a look at our events calendar for what else is on As we get close to the end of the Winter season in Courchevel it's time for some competitions on the hill for you to spectate Usually a quiet time of the year in resort, check our events calendar for info on what might be going on Summer arrives with an array of festivities including the French national day of music As the weather ramps up so do the number of events and you'll find the resort is buzzing with activity Les Trois Vallées VTTThe Three Valleys Mountain Bike competition takes place in Méribel at the start of the official summer biking season. Dates and details. Always a busy month with a multitude of sporting events for those fit enough, crazy enough, or courageous enough - so keep an eye on our events calendar for updates A rather quiet month in Courchevel as the summer tourists leave and a sense of calm returns to the valley. There won't be too much going on, but check our events calendar to keep up to date with anything that might be happening and in October the locals enjoy some autumnal bike riding and hiking before the first snow falls November is usually a time when everyone is taking a well-earned break before December arrives and the opening of the Winter season December is always a busy month, the Christmas and New Year brings a flurry of social and sporting events, so take a look at our events calendar for more details so we all appreciate efficient infrastructure that gets you on the mountain and ready for some fun fast people will be drawn to resorts with the highest lift capacity to maximize the time on snow The most common way to measure a ski area’s lifting capability is the hourly capacity of all its lifts to remember that not all lift capacity is equal a magic carpet with a capacity of 2,000 passengers per hour (short ‘pax’) that goes up 30 feet in elevation is different from a tramway that transports you up several thousand feet it is crucial to remember that these numbers are purely quantitative and don’t say anything about the type of lift infrastructure of a resort or ski area In case you are wondering where the American resorts are in this ranking the highest capacity in North America is currently at Park City which has a capacity of 81,460 passengers an hour This may be the highest capacity on the North American continent but it is just a fraction of Les 3 Vallées’ capacity it is important to remember that 3 Vallées literally means three valleys and the ski area consists of several resorts across three valleys The Park City ski area consists of Park City and Canyons and in theory could be combined with Deer Valley into America’s largest ski area which would have a combined capacity of 132,760 pax The Three Valleys is an enormous ski area and it probably comes as no surprise to hear that in such a big place there are plenty of places to head to on a good powder day for some incredible off-piste skiing.  Méribel has some fantastic off-piste skiing and with access to the whole Three Valleys ski area, you can experience some incredible views, amazing powder and great days out. We always recommend hiring a mountain guide when you are thinking of heading off-piste You can join in guided off-piste tours, where you can head off in a group off-piste for the day. Both Méribel’s ESF and the Mountain Guides Office (Bureau des Guides) 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 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 Remember to bring energy bars or snacks and plenty of water and you'll have a fabulous day discovering the classic Three Valley itineraries and meet like-minded people Val Thorens offers some of Europe's most stunning off-piste terrain surrounded by six glaciers and endless powder fields Before you head off piste, here's a few things you should be thinking about: Read more about understanding avalanches and how to try to avoid them Take a look at this year's ski pass prices or find your way around with piste maps for Meribel Discover the top Courchevel places to stay You've made up your mind – you want to come to Courchevel on your next holiday With a global reputation for luxury and world-class skiing Courchevel definitely targets the top end of the holiday market Its charming towns and easy access to the Three Valleys have made it a favourite among the rich and famous.  There are five towns and villages that come under the umbrella of the brand ‘Courchevel’ all of which are linked to the pistes thanks to an extensive network of ski and summer lifts When it comes to booking accommodation in Courchevel there is certainly no shortage of choice.  Whether you are looking for luxury hotels, chalets for large groups or apartments that are as close to the lifts as possible Trudging around in ski boots is no fun for anyone If your kids are booked in for ski lessons you might want to consider booking accommodation near one of the nursery slopes Courchevel 1850 has best access to the ski slopes in the Three Valleys and most of it is ski-in ski-out but it is pretty expensive and gets booked up early The other areas of Courchevel all offer a selection of ski to the door accommodation You’ll want to stay as close to Courchevel 1850 as possible There are a few bars in the other villages but most of the big après-ski action is in 1850 itself the closer you get to the slopes and to the resort centre while the villages further away from the lifts will usually offer cheaper deals.  You'll find luxurious chalets everwhere in all of the Courchevel villages the most luxurious of these being in Courchevel 1850 Courchevel 1850 is the height of luxury during the winter ski season.  you will always be paying a premium to stay here For more affordable accommodation, Courchevel Moriond is probably going to be a better holiday destination than Courchevel 1850 itself Staying in Moriond is more affordable on every level and there are numerous hotels and apartments here that won’t break the bank Courchevel Village is more affordable than its two higher siblings and offers a slower pace of life Lower down the valley is the peaceful Savoyard village of Le Praz with direct lift access to the Courchevel This authentic French village has stayed comparatively untouched by all the glitz and glamour that has come to Courchevel in recent years and operates much more like a local community than a resort Courchevel Le Praz is another great family destination with good access to the main ski area. Like Courchevel Village, Le Praz offers cheaper accommodation for those looking for a quieter ski holiday in Courchevel There are numerous apartments and chalets to choose from here La Tania was built in the 80's to be the dedicated athlete and journalist village for the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics A small resort with lots of lovely stone and wood-clad buildings La Tania offers cheaper accommodation options than the other Courchevel villages The town itself has developed its own identity and is now a ski destination in its own right It is particularly popular with British holidaymakers looking for a good-value Courchevel ski holiday experience Finding luxury accommodation in Courchevel isn't exactly difficult many of which feature private swimming pools Most luxury chalets and apartments in Courchevel are situated in Courchevel 1850, the most glamorous resort in the French Alps. Not only do they offer all the high-end services and facilities you could muster, but they're all located near the ski runs and the town's upmarket boutiques and Michelin starred restaurants gourmet restaurants (including four 2-Michelin-starred restaurants) and cosy but grand bedrooms with plush beds and panoramic mountain views white snow-filled fields and cosy wooden chalets with roaring fires – a ski break can be the most romantic of holidays.  you’ll be able to make all your fairytale escapade dreams come true All of the Courchevel towns offer the quintessentially picturesque alpine holiday modern ski chalets nestled between the trees where you can relax in the hot tub at the end of a hard day on the pistes and enjoy wonderful panoramic mountain views namely a big enough space and easy access to the slopes and the resort's amenities you'll find chalets and apartments accommodating up to 10 people and more if you want to impress your guests or you want your group of friends to make the most of what Courchevel has to offer Courchevel Moriond is the second-best option with more affordable accommodation options than 1850 but an equally lively nightlife you ideally want to stay somewhere that has lots of facilities and services nearby so that you don't have to travel long distances to get to the slopes or the restaurants A quiet town with easy access to the pistes ski schools and with plenty of things to do off the slopes Courchevel Village is perfect for families with little kids La Tania is another great option as it offers cheaper accommodation options a slower pace of life and easy access to the runs Courchevel may not be well-known as the cheapest resort in the French Alps but you can still enjoy a budget-friendly holiday here Ski-to-door accommodation is very popular in Courchevel which means that it gets booked out quite quickly Prices are also usually more expensive than the accommodation a bit further away from the slopes there's no greater feeling than arriving at your doorstep with your skis on so get on booking as soon as you can if you want to experience it yourself Courchevel 1850 has the best access to the ski slopes in the Three Valley it may be worth cashing out to have the be able to ski back right to your front door There's a couple of campsites and motorhome areas in Courchevel and its surrounding area there's a few open in the winter and even during the off-season – it's better to enquire before you book There are no campsites in Courchevel itself The two closest ones are located on the way up to the resort in Brides-les-Bains and Bozel France is famous for its well-equipped motorhome areas or 'aires de camping-car' and Courchevel is no exception The resort has one motorhome area located on the Parking du Saz There's a waste disposal area and water available at the Parking Jean Blanc A mass casualty plan was set up after the accident on Tuesday morning I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice At least eight people have been injured, two seriously, in a cable car accident at the French ski resort of Val Thorens Val Thorens is an exceptionally high ski station in the Alps, making it a mecca for skiers wanting guaranteed snow as climate change hits resorts at lower altitudes. The accident occurred at around 7.30am on Tuesday morning during challenging weather conditions in the Alps above 3,000 metres (9,800 feet), according to a statement from the Savoie prefecture, or regional administration. All eight of the people injured were workers and none of the injuries are thought to be life-threatening. A cabin of the Cime Caron cable car, used for construction work, hit the arrival station while carrying 16 workers. Emergency responders, including firefighters, paramedics, ski patrollers, and high-mountain rescue teams, evacuated the injured workers using a nearby gondola, officials said. The prefecture set up a crisis management cell and a “mass casualty plan” to co-ordinate rescue efforts. Francois Ravier, the prefect for the Savoy region, said the injured had been transferred to hospitals in Annecy and Grenoble. He did not give any details about the cause of the accident. “It is too early to know the exact circumstances that led to this accident,” Mr Ravier said. “We will have to wait for the preliminary results of the investigation.” With 93 miles (150km) of runs at altitudes between 2,300 metres and 3,200 metres, the resort of Val Thorens attracts skiers from across Europe and the world and is part of the 3 Vallees grouping of ski resorts that includes the popular Courchevel and Meribel. The Cime Caron cable car was once the longest in the world at the time of its construction in 1982, the resort’s website said. The accident happened four days before the opening of the resort for the winter season, on November 23. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies {"adUnitPath":"71347885/_main_independent/in_travel/in_news-and-advice/image/gallery_mpu_sb","autoGallery":true,"disableAds":false,"gallery":[{"data":{"title":"iStock-537191567.jpg","description":"Aerial view of Val Thorens, trois vallees complex, France","caption":"Aerial view of Val Thorens, trois vallees comple Aerial view of Val Thorens, trois vallees comple The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers When you purchase through links on our site and Val d’Isère slept in emergency Red Cross accommodation Holidaymakers bound for popular French ski resorts spent the night on the floor of an Olympic hall after a landslide in the Savoie region caused a standstill on the roads A huge rockfall on the RN90 road triggered travel chaos leaving a 62-year-old woman with minor injuries on Saturday morning (1 February) Coaches of skiers headed for the Tarentaise ski resorts The French Red Cross mobilised to set up emergency accommodation with beds in the Olympic Hall According to Savoie News the former facility for the 1992 Winter Olympics housed nearly 600 people stranded roadside overnight “We have beer... so everything is fine,” some stranded tourists optimistically told the outlet Other displaced skiers took to TikTok to share the emergency accommodation set up with videos showing rows of camp beds and makeshift bedding A roller coaster of a day - from our flight being delayed 3 hours to sleeping in emergency accommodation set up by the Red Cross.” Another traveller, who claimed to be stuck in the Red Cross shelter on Reddit said skiers were given “not terrible” ham and butter baguettes and “cookies” as provisions during their stay state services in Savoie shared on X/Twitter: “Last night nearly 1,500 people were able to be accommodated in reception centres to rest thanks to the mobilisation of the municipalities traffic on the RN 90 has gradually resumed It is expected to intensify during the day and cause slowdowns.” Geologists are monitoring the site to assess if it is safe to fully reopen the road For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calder’s podcast Méribel is the largest of the Three Valleys resorts made up of several hamlets all of which are connected via regular bus services There are also frequent public buses to Val Thorens and Courchevel via Moutiers Méribus is the free bus service which runs seven days a week The real time schedule for all lines is on the 3 Vallées app The villages of Brides les Bains Les Allues and Le Raffort are all linked to Méribel by the Olympe gondola lift which runs non-stop during the day Mottaret also has a gondola lift linking the top and bottom of the resort which runs until 19:30 NB: These timetables may vary throughout the year and during holidays contact the transport companies in advance to avoid disappointment The closest bus station to Méribel is in Moutiers This is also where you will alight if you are coming by train Buses from the nearest airports usually stop at Moutiers from where you can catch a connecting bus to Méribel For more information on the best transport options from the airport see our getting here guide If you wish to explore a little further afield during your stay then there are bus services connecting Méribel to Moutiers the nearest town, from where you can take onward services to the neighbouring ski resorts of Courchevel and Val Thorens.  Children under four years old can travel for free on these services and four to twelve year olds travel at half price. Click on the route map for more details of the local bus network and connection points The Three Valleys is one of the largest ski areas in the world there is a whole host of challenging and steep skiing for the advanced skier or snowboarder In fact in the Méribel valley alone there are 23 reds and seven blacks and a total of 113 reds and 33 blacks across the domain Neighbouring Courchevel has some great couloir skiing and Val Thorens with its steep bumpy runs can really get those thighs burning The best pistes for challenging advanced skiers and snowboarders Méribel may not be the most extreme resort in the Three Valleys but it offers a variety of black and advanced red runs that challenge even experienced skiers and snowboarders a tucked-away piste from Plattières 3 gondola starting gently before quickly becoming steep and technical Offers stunning views towards Saulire.Couloir Tournier is a steep and narrow couloir beneath the Saulire Express 2 lift Fixed video cameras allow you to record your descent Méribel is a great choice for advanced skiers For expert skiers seeking thrilling descents a Three Valleys lift pass opens up access to some of the most challenging terrain in Val Thorens and Courchevel often featuring enormous moguls that will push your technical skills The highest and most remote area in the Three Valleys this sector provides excellent fresh powder and wide runs where you can pick up serious speed Best skied early in the morning for untouched snow and sunshine before the Three Valleys crowds arrive the runs here offer steep and sustained descents while the Col red run from Glacier de Thorens Having cracked the advanced ski areas, now check out the off-piste areas in Meribel Take a look at this year's ski pass prices for more information. Find your way around with piste maps for Meribel You will also start receiving the Star's free morning newsletter one of the villages within the region of Les Trois Vallées The writer’s hiking companions in the Plan de Tuéda nature reserve Even Michelin-starred restaurants such as René et Maxime Meilleur Fera fish served at René et Maxime Meilleur a family-run restaurant honouring Savoyard cuisine when winter slopes turn into empty summer hiking trails sky-high peak season prices come down to earth I’m sipping a perfectly chilled rosé on a sun-drenched terrace watching paragliders drift lazily across an endless blue sky marvelling at how I have an Alpine paradise practically to myself I’d hiked through Méribel’s Plan de Tuéda nature reserve — though when you’re surrounded by majestic mountain peaks and serenaded by the musical clinking of cowbells the effort feels more like a leisurely ramble between scenic picnic spots between bites of grilled dorade and ratatouille (my reward for that gruelling two-hour hike) I’m having an epiphany: the winter crowds have it all wrong I’m in the French Alps, in a region known as Les Trois Vallées Encompassing three valleys and multiple resort towns — including Courchevel (where I’m lunching) Méribel and Les Menuires/Val Thorens — with 600 kilometres of linked slopes between them this is best known as the world’s largest ski area The winter season here typically lasts until late April While much of the country swelters in summer Chalets that command sky-high prices during peak season now offer rates closer to earth (many up to 50 per cent off) These famous slopes transform into a playground of empty hiking trails connecting seven historic villages swiftly abandoning my paddleboarding plans when I spot a sign for a new forest-bathing trail A gentle climb rewards me with a meadow dancing with wildflowers and French placards inviting mindfulness two-kilometre “path of contemplation” weaves through zones themed after the five elements highlighting our interconnectedness with nature A QR code provides a French audio guide to follow the path but I make do with the signage and diagrams There are yoga platforms for stretching and breathing exercises and a sleek black dais that I lay upon to absorb the sun’s heat My seemingly ordinary hike has transformed into a soul-soothing retreat Les Trois Vallées boasts an unusually dense concentration of Michelin stars for a mountain region of this size making it a delight for outdoor enthusiasts with gourmet tastes I visit the village of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville to dine at one such destination restaurant, the two-starred René et Maxime Meilleur The two chefs transform local mountain ingredients into sophisticated dishes that honour Savoyard cuisine in an intimate such as the wafer-thin slices of local beef aged for 24 months and paired with a flavourful drink of boiled-off sausage water (shepherds commonly consume this at high altitudes to hydrate) endemic to Lac Léman and served atop frozen rocks on handmade ceramic dishes Les Trois Vallées is a 2.5-hour drive from Lyon, and between the two destinations lies Annecy exploring the many medieval canals criss-crossing the old town Although Annecy wasn’t actually the inspiration for “Beauty and the Beast,” its hilltop Château d’Annecy pastel-coloured buildings and Alpine backdrop create such a storybook atmosphere that I half expect Belle to appear singing around any cobblestone corner While Les Trois Vallées might be France’s best-kept summer secret I nab an e-bike and power pedal along Lac d’Annecy to escape the tourists The mainly dedicated cycle lane hugs the shoreline offering ever-changing views: the jewel-toned lake mountain peaks that rise like guardians on all sides and Belle Époque mansions peeking through manicured gardens I cool off at the many lakeside beaches and nip into cafés for a pastry or glass of rosé By the time I’ve completed the loop back to Annecy I discovered how to avoid the crowds while still soaking up the French Alps’ distinctive joie de vivre Jody Robbins travelled as a guest of Association Les 3 Vallées and Lac Annecy Tourisme which did not review or approve this article Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account Discover the top Val Thorens places to stay You've made up your mind – you want to come to Val Thorens on your next holiday With a global reputation for world-class skiing Val Thorens is one of the most popular ski resorts in the world right at the heart of the largest ski area on Earth There are several towns and villages that come under the umbrella of the brand ‘Val Thorens’, linked by an efficient and free bus service offers snow-sure skiing and a varied choice of accommodation the best place to stay depends on who you’re travelling with When it comes to booking accommodation in Val Thorens Whether you're looking for luxury hotels, chalets for large groups or apartments that are as close to the lifts as possible Les Menuires is a family friendly small resort Val Thorens has plenty of ski-in ski-out accommodation and Les Menuires offers affordable apartments You’ll want to stay as close to Val Thorens as possible There are a several bars in Les Menuires offering a good après ski atmosphere too Val Thorens has accommodations to suit all budgets You'll find luxurious chalets in most parts of Val Thorens Martin de Belleville offers several luxury chalets and unstated luxury Staying right in the centre of Val Thorens means you'll be able to walk to and from the resort’s main facilities and attractions (even if you've had a few) Val Thorens basically has it all, from hotels catering for every budget (with some fantastic luxury options including a rooftop igloo) to ski-in/ski-out self-catered apartments dotted throughout the resort high and low If you want to go back to basics there is even the option of a youth hostel in Val Thorens If you want to be first on the lifts in the morning and last out of the bars in the evening then booking accommodation in Val Thorens itself is a must While other resorts in the Belleville valley have spread out into adjoining hamlets Val Thorens accommodation is really centrally located all attaching itself to the pistes that run through the resort The resort has also in recent years ensured that they maintain their no-car policy so there's limited roadside parking. Worry not, however, there are several car parks available so that you can leave your car for the week with shuttle buses working their way around day and night of which many offer a ski-in/ski-out location Most accommodation tends to be in the centre of St Martin itself with a couple of chalet companies venturing into the nearby village of Villarabout from where you can still walk to St Martin (most actually provide a shuttle service) Over the past few years, the number of catered chalet companies in St Martin has steadily increased with most providers now tending to offer a luxury service aimed at those that love to ski but also like to be taken care of in the evening with fine dining and fine wines. With just three bars in the village a catered chalet is a very popular option in this low-key resort The resort of Les Menuires (1,850m) won’t be winning a beauty competition any time soon with the majority of its apartment residences having been constructed in the 70s is that the resort offers a large amount of accommodation at La Croisette Les Menuires also has a sports centre with swimming pool squash and badminton courts and other facilities The planning restrictions have also been stepped up in these hamlets meaning they have a much quainter look about them than the main resort At a slightly lower altitude but still under the 'Les Menuires' umbrella the village of Le Bettaix is also a growing choice at 1,400m This location provides quick access to the Three Valleys while a lovely gentle blue run will take you back to your accommodation at the end of the day Catered chalets and self-catered apartments are the main choices here Facilities are more limited with no restaurants or bars but this is a good option for a quiet location with easy Three Valleys access without breaking the bank If you're searching for luxury accommodation in Val Thorens The resort offers plenty of high-end options Where are luxury chalets and apartments located in Val Thorens?Luxury chalets and apartments can be found all around Val Thorens If it's a bustling atmosphere with plenty to do on and off the slopes what you're after then Val Thorens centre is your best choice you should opt for St Martin de Belleville or Les Menuires As it's located slightly out of the resort it offers a chauffeur service to take you to St Martin to start your ski day your holiday will centre around the hotel and restaurant white snow filled fields and cosy wooden chalets with roaring fires a ski break can be the most romantic of holidays.  What’s the best place to stay in Val Thorens for couples?St Martin de Belleville offers the quintessentially picturesque Alpine holiday traditional ski chalets nestled between the trees where you can relax in the hot tub at the end of a hard day on the pistes and enjoy wonderful panoramic mountain views Where in Val Thorens can you find large apartments and chalets for groups?All around the Belleville Valley if you want to impress your guests or you want your group of friends to make the most of what Val Thorens has to offer you ideally want to stay somewhere that has lots of facilities and services The last thing you want to do is trek miles with little people - especially if they're in ski boots!  What’s the best area for families with children to stay in Val Thorens?Val Thorens offers plenty of things to do including free nursery slopes right in the centre it may be a bit too high for those with younger children plus easy access to the slopes including wide and easy beginner runs It's not only lower but also generally quieter than Val Thorens Generally marketed towards the wealthier skiers Val Thorens isn't well-known for being affordable But this doesn't mean there aren't any budget-friendly options on offer Les Menuires tends to offer cheaper prices than Val Thorens you may be able to find a bargain in Val Thorens itself but you'll need to time your trip outside the main school holidays Ski-to-door accommodation is very popular in Val Thorens Where can you find ski-to-door accommodation in Val Thorens?In the winter Val Thorens' streets turn into pistes so most of the chalets apartments and hotels in the centre offer ski-to-the-door access Les Menuires also has some apartment buildings located on the side of the slopes Val Thorens isn't really a camping destination The nearest ones are located in the neighbouring valleys in towns like Orelle The best choice for those visiting the area is the public campsite in Orelle linked to Val Thorens thanks to the Three Valleys gondola water and electricity and even tennis courts France is famous for its well-equipped motorhome areas or 'aires de camping-car' and Val Thorens is no exception. You can stay with your motorhome or campervan at the P2 car park, on rue du Soleil – we recommend you book in advance if you're coming during the high season Les Menuires also has a motorhome area just 50m from the slopes February is a popular month with entertainment for children over the school holidays A busy time in resort coinciding with some great skiing conditions There is rarely a quiet moment on the slopes in February on the slopes and throughout the resort it's buzzing with activity Méribel lays on plenty of entertainment with regular events and parties going on in the bars Read on for a look at what we like to do in resort throughout February February generally sees great conditions in Les 3 Vallées Méribel is often blessed with abundant snowfalls in February averaging 11 days snowfall which is usually mixed with plenty of sunny days the average daily temperatures generally fall between a high of freezing and a low of -7°C still very much time for wearing a thermal underlayer or two The lengthening afternoons also allows the lift companies to extend the lift opening period at the end of the day During the school holidays you will find plenty of entertainment for all the family Forest kids night walksEvery Wednesday during the school holidays, join ESF on a forest walk as night falls in search of the magic cauldron take your pick of the best restaurants in town from our list below and if you're after some entertainment after dinner many places will put on live music February is a popular month for families so the slopes are noticeably busier as soon as the four-week French holidays begin that even in high season you can find quiet slopes and minimal lift queues Here are our insider's top tips for the school holidays: Family fun on the slopesYounger kids will adore Méribel’s various fun zones on the slopes Méribel’s game-filled Piste des Inuits and Inuit Village are always a huge hit with smaller skiers husky petting and ice sculpting shows are just some of the extra half term activities held here Mottaret’s Yeti Park is equally popular with the children Here they will find Himalayan trumpets to blow magic whispering tunnels and even a yeti’s grotto to explore Budding freestylers should visit Méribel’s Elements Park a child-sized terrain park with zones for all levels or the beginner’s Turn and Run area of Mottaret’s Snow Park where there are mini-jumps and tunnels with picnic spots and hammocks to relax in while the kids hunt for dragons while the Animal Piste is a perennial favourite with smaller children who enjoy searching for life-size animal models in the Altiport woods Addicts of the Frozen movies will enjoy the specially themed Frozen 2 piste For more events and activities in February, see our events calendar North American group Mountain Capital Partners has purchased a controlling interest in 2 of the '3 Valleys of The Andes' resorts in Chile with a view to create the world's largest ski area Chile has long been home to an area with three linked but separately run ski areas marketed as ‘The 3 Valleys of the Andes’ (or 'Tres Valles') Not a lot has been happening with these three areas for three decades or so beyond occasional lift upgrades has begun purchasing a controlling interest in them Colorado-based Mountain Capital Partners currently own ski areas in Arizona Oregon and Utah and describes itself as the largest ski resort operator in the US Southwest.  It’s two Chilean resort purchases are its first outside North America James Coleman says it was the beginning of a lifelong dream to develop a skiing experience of global proportions 40 named trails and over 3,000 feet of vertical with access to over 200,000 acres of heli-skiing giving guests access to the world’s longest continental mountain range and the highest mountain chain outside of the Himalayas Valle Nevado and La Parva share borders and guests can ski both resorts with an easy-to-access interconnect system of lifts and trails While shared day and season products are still being developed (including La Parva access on the collective’s season pass product Coleman said that beginning this winter 2024 guests visiting the Chilean resorts will be able to enjoy a combined total of nearly 5,000 skiable acres 84 named trails and a maximum elevation of 12,041 feet (3,670m) with a total vertical of 3,281 feet (1,000m) from the base of La Parva to the summit of Valle Nevado MCP has invested more than $78 million at its ski areas and bike parks to deliver the company’s signature “Skiing First” improvements including new chair and gondola lifts  While capital investments have not yet been finalized at La Parva Coleman said the company will prioritize building new lifts adding snowmaking and developing more trails but a new high-speed gondola has put this Trois Vallées' satellite on the map for budget-conscious travellers who want to get some serious miles under their skis From the highest point of the Trois Vallées the top of the Bouchet chairlift at 10,958ft There’s the long descent to Val Thorens on a choice of blue or red pistes (or off-piste if I have the legs for it) Europe’s highest zip-line that launches riders across a yawning 1,000ft void Or I can simply ski down into the Orelle Valley Having tried the first two options on previous visits here I opt for Orelle and hooning down the perfectly groomed Bouchet piste a wide open red that begs you to let rip  it’s clearly the right choice When I eventually skid to a halt at Plan Bouchet I reflect that I’ve arrived in what’s essentially the fourth of the Trois Vallées titular three valleys Despite the fact there’s been a ski lift here providing access to the other three valleys since 1989 It doesn’t augment the Trois Vallées’ name and only features on its piste map as a small insertion in the top right-hand corner this forgotten fourth valley offers accommodation for a fraction of the cost of such pricey Trois Vallées resorts as Val Thorens and Courchevel with the same access to the world’s biggest ski area Val Thorens.Photograph by Alban PerneI had based myself way down at an altitude of 2,953ft but thanks to Orelle’s recent €40m (£35.8m) investment in a brand new 10-person gondola at the staggering 10,499-foot summit of Cime Caron there’s plenty of traffic from non-skiing panorama seekers but also lots of options for onwards chairlifts and gondolas deep into the heart of the Trois Vallées it’s a mystery that Orelle isn’t better known in that there isn’t an ‘Orelle’ as such it’s an area made up of 10 traditional alpine villages all stone architecture and winding streets none of them actually called Orelle  just a region that straggles across steep slopes on the edge of the Vanoise National Park Place du Village du Bonvillard in Orelles.Photograph by Alban PerneConsidering its location Orelle is much easier to access than the other Trois Vallées resorts There are two train stations within less than 10-minute’s drive and both have direct rail access from Paris three times a day the area’s villages are just a few minutes from the A43 autoroute Geneva and Milan airports all within about two hour’s drive I plumped for a stay at Residence Hameaux des Eaux basic self-catering accommodation set above the new gondola where a week’s stay costs around the same as a six-day Trois Vallées lift pass (€330/£286) There’s a shuttle bus to the gondola or free parking for drivers Val Thorens.Photograph by Alban PerneIt’s a far cry from the glitz of but as someone who comes to the mountains to ski rather than sashay around resort bars and restaurants And Orelle has a modest amount of apres-ski action: there’s one small bar set in the busy village square beside the ski lift tourist info and that most essential feature of any ski trip Meanwhile up on the mountain where all Orelle’s pistes converge at Plan Bouchet bustling mountain restaurant Chalet Chinal Donat is a win for decent-value meat focused Savoyard fare and post-run beers three reds and one black) and one boarder cross racing run Orelle’s local ski area may not be extensive it doesn’t take long before my legs start complaining As might some people’s lungs this is some of the highest skiing in Europe that the season runs long here at such lofty altitudes one of Orelle's affordable self-catering options.Photograph by Alban PerneOff-piste with runs allowing for a swift return to the pistes if things get tricky And there’s plenty for more experienced off-pisters I revel in the fact that the extensive ‘ski hors piste’ surrounding all the marked trails isn’t even tracked out by lunchtime on a day after a fresh fall of perfect powder snow And once I’ve exhausted all that Orelle has to offer I’m right on the edge of the biggest ski area on the planet A long day’s skiing takes me to Courchevel at the opposite end of the Trois Vallées I manage to find fresh ski legs for the return in the inevitable race for the last lift of the day the two-hour taxi ride back to Orelle would cost more than a flight home But there are easier pleasures: exciting off-piste adventures above snow-sure Val Thorens; the loud excesses of the Folie Douce restaurant in Meribel; or the long undulating descent down ‘Jerusalem’ to the pretty village of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville (with a pit stop at Maya Altitude restaurant at the top of the run for the best chicken tikka skewers in the Alps) there’s more skiing here than I could discover in 10 full seasons and all of it accessible from a little forgotten valley A week’s self-catering at Residence Hameau des Eaux in Orelle costs from €329 (£285) Published in the Winter Sports 2022/23 guide, distributed with the December 2022 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK) We all know that bigger is better when it comes to ski resorts and many other things where are the biggest ski resorts on Earth One may guess that they are mostly in the Alps but there are a couple of others outside of the Alps in North America that must be included checking out some of these enormous ski resorts would be extremely rewarding In 2019-2020, German ski resort professional Christophe Schrahe, who owns Montenius a ski resort and lift operations consulting company measured the largest ski resorts using digital techniques to create a list of the world’s largest ski resorts as per the kilometers of runs they have He advanced on his measurements with a ranking by skimiles which also took other parameters into account As it is hard to compare on one metric alone we have assembled a list of the top 13 ski resorts by size using a combination of skiable acres and kilometers of ski runs It is important to note that acres for Europe are often estimates as European resorts don’t typically use this metric The kilometers are self-reported by resorts but ranking has been adjusted to reflect Schrahe’s finding about some resorts exaggerating their kilometers A post shared by SnowBrains (@snowbrains) A post shared by SnowBrains (@snowbrains) Vail is a freaking parking lot……flat as a pancake I want to let you know that I am not Swiss but German and that the figures and the ranking of resorts has nothing to do with the results of my measurements Disagree Europe is much better and cheaper Vail is easily the best ski resort there is Vail isn’t even the best ski resort in Colorado American tree huggers are preventing us from having resorts on the scale !Las Lenas Argentine 10,000 acres In the ski area Access to At least 200+ thousand acres!And able to ski back to A lift Powder Mountain (Utah) isn’t on there – they claim 8,464 acres https://www.powdermountain.com/resort/the-mountain/mountain-statistics We have a little thing called “public land” that belongs to all of us and has to go through processes in order to change But you are the know it all and want to tell us how the US can have massive ski areas and also be green Europe also has double the wolves (the boogey men of our rural welfare lovers) in the same But tell us how you are so worldly because Euros are forced to put up with you once a year and you have all the answers Sorry its so hard for you to understand basic economic principals like “supply & demand” And actually I’m very enviro friendly I just get a kick out of all the misplaced efforts and enjoy seeing it backfire on our society That’s kind of what I feel about the environmental movement You have Billionaires flying PJ’s around the world lecturing us on what do with the land we grew up on and enjoyed for generations Land can be used and conserved like it has been in Europe You don’t just have to conserve and never touch I don’t care that the post has been recycled for years now Funny how Europe is so much more enviro-friendly and conscientious Somehow they have navigated environmental red tape and made the biggest most amazing resorts in the world Ask your narrow minded friends at the Sierra Club and similar groups but it’s kind of silly to compare sizes of ski areas in North America to those in Europe This guy tries to compare on length of runs which only really works for comparing the European resorts in terms of pistes European ski areas generally have pistes (groomed runs) and then everything in between that is not marked or “patrolled” (and as a result North America has inbounds and out of bounds Everything inbounds is generally marked in some form European ski areas generally span much larger areas but may it’s hard to talk about them in terms of “controlled acreage” The ranking of Zell am See is not quite correct it is 408km of slopes which makes it 5th largest and not 7th A significant amount of that is not lift accessed doesn’t get anywhere close to the advertised 500″ and went from a mom and pop ski area to a real estate investment for tech bros Park City bigger than Whistler-Blackcomb??? Park City it 7,300 acres and Whistler is 4,757 acres Park City absorbed the Canyons a couple years ago Park City is boring and flat but it’s technically bigger than Whistler in terms of lift accessed acres Seems pretty incredulous having skiied at both many Powder Mountain is larger than Park City in total size It’s funny how Europe is greener than America AND has more/bigger ski resorts The Sierra Club Whackos running around America will never let our government approve large massive ski resorts like these Thank God most of our ski resorts were created well before the Sierra Club came about Had the Sierra Club come 1st lift access skiing in America wouldn’t have been allowed to exist Down with the Sierra Club… Yes towards opening more land “like Europe” to make some BA ski resorts The Sierra Club…was founded on May 28 Then we had a massive expansion of permanently closed areas in the mid 1980’s spearheaded by the Sierra Club And now we have tiny resorts that can’t expand because we have these die hard Sierra Club type people that think its horrible and sacrilegious to put anything new anywhere The reason housing is so expensive in places like Truckee is you can’t build anything new without jumping through a million hoops to satisfy the regulations By the time you navigate all the red tape you have spent so much money only rich people can afford it Sierra Club = good intentions with unexpected negative consequences Europe has bigger ski areas because the US has a few environmental non profits that you can name Unchecked ski area development=good intentions with unexpected negative consequences in your rankings I have skied 1-9 then number 12 Whistler & without doubt the largest ski area in the world is The Super Dolomiti aprox 1500 km Brides lea bains is the lowest attitude of the 3 valleys It’s super difficult to use piste km as a reaort size measure because some resorts also consist of an astronomically large freeride/ off piste areas inbetween marked runs etc Only 100km odd pistes is accounted for but the off piste terrain is pretty extensive there and is not at all part of this calculation Espace Killy (Val d isere/tignes) is also like this with vast off piste inbetween areas and hidden nicely 4 vallies is a special one where there is probably more ski routes/ tours there (non maintained icey and usually quite difficult) than anywhere else so it’s sort of counted as both mark trails and off piste like the north american double blacks etc Cloudsplitter says there will never be consensus on biggest or best my butt says it doesn’t matter as long as you loved it…i’ve skied five continents …and love’em all for different reasons…some are gone do to warming….or politics Sybelles also claims to have 310km of runs But this talk regarding off piste seems foolish to me I know many resorts do count mogul runs and narrow off piste trails (especially in france) then I can just make my own death run and ski down a suicidal path just to add the kilometers to the count So unfortunately we need a heavy review on many of these resort maps Alpe d’huez and others cheat like mad when it comes to this… And moguls are not runs either You need to get some pussy critical thinker I want to take my family skiing for the February break from school what are suggestions for a nice place to go http://www.lesarcs.com/domaine-skiable.html The list needs to be updated because especially the Austrian resorts are growing big time at the moment I’m also surprised because of Portes du Soleil because I thought that was not fully connected by ropeways To get an idea how big Paradiski is, check out this video: https://youtu.be/CsYhKXsoIfw Too bad they cheat by counting about 20 different ‘Natur’ runs Adding up somewhere around 60-80km which in reality is off piste and never groomed I hope one day EU will hand out big fines fot this type of bad marketing practises Never been as disappointed as when I tried out some of these french resorts or a narrow laughable trail with a 10 degree angle Since this year Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn is the largest ski resort in Austria with 270km I’m not sure which is the better metric for size; skiable acres or total distance of runs Whistler-Blackcomb is significantly larger than Vail and Big Sky based on skiable acres sometimes trail maps count multiple runs that utilize the same terrain) it certainly makes no sense to include terrain that’s only served by bus contiguous terrain must be fully-served by lifts/gondolas/trams in order to be considered in any comparison it’s a really interesting discussion and I would love to see the author take a thoughtful look at everyone’s feedback and try to come up with an indisputable ranking for the rest of us to enjoy Scientist Schrage measures the total length of the runs (mid-line ) in km at a skiable domain where all such runs are connected by skiing Dolomiti superski is indeed the largest in the world but not all runs are connected by skiing; you need to take a bus to cover some areas So: the largest “connected” domain is the Trois Vallees = courchevel + meribel + val thorens My favourite ski town in the world is Ortisei Dolomiti Superski as well as my favourite skiing domain And my favourite restaurant is La Cornette at La Chapelle d’Abondance in Portes du Soleil ski domail (France+Swiss) With no hesitation my most loved run is “peak to creek” at Whistler an 8km run with 1800m vertical and the best hut for a lunch is Looking fwd to the next season and wish you all bon-ski ⛷⛷⛷ Elias NP at 13.2 million acres trumps them all;) A lot of french mega-resorts have been left out of this list: Chamonix-Mont Blanc And not sure you are using the right metrics for the ranking size Chamonix can barely be known as one Ski area The Portes du Soleil beats all the others as it has 400km2 surface area but 650km of marked pistes/trails These numbers are Christophe Schrahe’s numbers In Italy Dolomiti Superski has 1,200 km of terrain and 450+ lifts But Dolomiti Superski adds several resorts you need a car in order to reach Such as Cortina d’Ampezzo and Kronplatz… I believe the largest skipass perhaps is the Salzburg area skipass with nearly 1800km of runs and about 17 or 18 different systems… I realize someone always freaks out about these lists…not my intention here However it doesn’t really make sense that in the article you mention Big Sky as the biggest ski area in the USA and then add Vail to the list and not Big Sky yeah i always tell my american friends to come ski in The Trois Vallées where i spend most of winter season… The backcountry domain is endless… i still discover new spots… i’ve been skiing in many places and i think this is the best They count off piste runs into the total slope kilometer count Thus sometimes boosting the kilomeyers of slopes by maybe 25-30% and you see ‘Natur’ labelled on over 25% of the runs And even in 3 Valleys they count a few off piste runs into the count Verbier is also terrible at this even if they are in switzerland and even Arlberg (Sonnenkopf) in austria also count kilometers of runs that are not fully connected these NA resorts are not #11 nor #12 on the list They are merely just #1 and #2 for NA resorts There are a bunsh of european resorts between them and Tignes as well… Also of note perhaps is that The Sybelles claim to have 310km of slopes now Kaiser Brixental (which easily could also count the Kitchbühl area too if handling this like some other resorts) is at 284 km without the Kitchbühl area (170ish km) Grand Massif is at 265km and Megeve is at 263km Although both of these are in the highly questionable country of France Alpe d’huez is another area boasting 250km if not 100 km of these should never be counted Have you ever tried to operate a snowcat with grooming implements If so you would understand why large resorts cannot groom everything and leave “natur” or bump runs Some steeper runs could be winched but it would not be cost effective I have spent 40 years at Paradiski (La Plagne & Les Arcs) and I can tell you that it is massive Take every mountain in CO or UT and combine them together and they are still smaller than Paradiski 7,000 vertical feet spread across more than 15 villages and about 10 miles There is nothing like it in NA and only one or two other spots in the world that compare the place is definitely not juicing its reporting Just off the top of my head: Arlberg is missing – it has merged with Warth/Schröcken and now has 350km+ of skiing. http://www.bergfex.at/lech-zuers-arlberg/ next year this will be the largest ski resort in Austria with 304km Sell am See and Saalbach is 408 km officially… I know it my comment was more then 4 years ago Big Sky and Moonlight merged..bigger than Vail as long as they maintain two different names Good thing it is all one name: Big Sky Resort Moonlight is now referred to an area of Big Sky Resort At least five of the resorts listed above are made up of two or more resorts In some cases offering a ticket good for an entire region Yup…the 3 valeys is made up of Courchevel Using piste length to measure size is an exercise in perception that would leave out a lot if prime terrain The only logical way to measure would be acreage of skiable terrain which would be easy enough to do for a cartographer especially with software available now days The ski and snowboard site with intelligence You've made up your mind – you want to come to Meribel on your next holiday Méribel is one of the most popular ski resorts in the world There are several towns and villages that come under the umbrella of the brand ‘Méribel’, linked by an efficient and free bus service.  When it comes to booking accommodation in Meribel Whether you are looking for luxury hotels, chalets for large groups or apartments that are as close to the lifts as possible Meribel Centre has best access to the ski slopes and a lot of it is ski-in ski-out but it is pretty expensive and gets booked up early Most other areas of Meribel offer a selection of ski to the door accommodation You’ll want to stay as close to Meribel Centre as possible There are a bars in the other villages but most of the buzzing après-ski action is in the centre itself You'll find luxurious chalets everwhere in all of the Meribel villages the most luxurious of these being in Meribel Village Méribel itself is the biggest and best-known holiday resort in the valley stretching from 1,450m in the town centre to 1,700m at the Altiport Some people refer to the main town of Méribel as Méribel Centre it should not be confused with Méribel Village itself The town centre is ideal if you want to stay at the heart of the action, close to the slopes, ski schools, bars and nightclubs There are several hot spots in and around Méribel Centre At the entrance to the resort, the original village of Mussillon offers authentic, vintage chalets as well as swanky new ones Also close to the town centre is La Chaudanne the main lift and piste hub and ski school meeting point while a 10 minute walk above the centre of town is Morel based around a traditional hamlet with both traditional and new chalets The Altiport has its own restaurant and shops and is located by the nursery slopes Note that some tour operators will advertise accommodation in Méribel meaning the Méribel Valley rather than in Méribel itself (nerdy side note: although the Méribel Valley is usually called just that it is more correctly known as Les Allues Valley) from where an easy blue run returns to the village It is linked to the ski area by the Olympe gondola lift and the free Meribus service It is possible to ski back to Les Allues via a blue ski run though this usually closes before the end of the ski season due to its lower altitude If you want to experience a slice of true Savoyard life There are several hamlets in the valley which offer traditional chalets and an authentic village atmosphere only Le Raffort is linked by lift to the ski area Nantgerel and Chandon are linked to Méribel by the Meribus service If you are staying in any of the other villages Brides-les-Bains (600m) is a spa town at the bottom of the valley linked with Méribel by the Olympe gondola lift resulting in an eclectic mix of clientele – fit skiers rubbing shoulders with the arthritic and overweight If you're searching for luxury accommodation in Meribel Le Belvedere is Méribel Centre's upmarket neighbourhood Far from the hustle and bustle of the centre it boasts excellent piste access from its luxury chalets and apartments Méribel also boasts a couple of gated communities favoured by the rich and famous filled with top end chalets: Le Domaine de Burgin Méribel has a few five-star hotels including Le Kaila which was the resort's first luxury establishment while Le Coucou was opened at the start of 2020 in the upmarket Le Belvedere neighbourhood. They both boast stunning spas gourmet restaurants and cosy but opulent bedrooms with plush beds and panoramic mountain views All of the Méribel towns offer the quintessentially picturesque Alpine holiday if you want to impress your guests or you want your group of friends to make the most of what Méribel has to offer Try La Chaudanne for its closeness to the pistes or Le Plateau-Le Rond Point for the selection of bars and restaurants Méribel Centre is the best place for piste access and to be near the ski schools while the Altiport is a good choice for those looking for a quiet spot near Méribel Centre's amenities Also popular with families is Méribel Village because of its slower pace of life Méribel has a huge number of catered chalets and self-catered apartments on offer many of which are on the affordable end of the spectrum purpose-built centre of La Tania offers some nice but affordable apartments This is where most of the local community lives year-round so there are plenty of services available here Bride-les-Bains is undoubtedly the cheapest place to stay in the area It offers direct access to Méribel via the Olympe gondola and has a couple of bars and restaurants but it's world's away from Méribel Centre's lively atmosphere Those willing to pay a bit more can try Les Allues and Méribel 1600 Ski-to-door accommodation is very popular in Méribel ski-in and ski-out resort so many of its apartment buildings can be accessed from the pistes it's the upmarket areas like Le Belvedere and Les Chalets that are as close to living on the actual runs as possible also offers a decent selection of apartments and hotels near the slopes There's a campsite and a couple of motorhome areas in Méribel and its surrounding area The closest one is located in the spa town os Brides-les-Bains and is open from April to October only.  France is famous for its well-equipped motorhome areas or 'aires de camping-car' and Méribel is no exception The closest motorhome area is located by Le Martagon restaurant This paid-for area known as 'Caravaneige' offers a bar There's also a free motorhome area on the Parking du Saz A new ski resort called Three Peaks will soon open in the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan the operator of the elite Courchevel resort in France will build slopes with a total length of 200 kilometers in the villages of Jyrgalan The first stage of construction will require an investment of $165 million This money will be used to build 60 kilometers of ski slopes as well as the full suite of hospitality infrastructure: hotels The works are planned to be completed by the end of 2026 Representatives of a consortium of French companies that develop and manage ski resorts came to Kyrgyzstan in the spring of last year the French ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic announced the construction of a large tourist facility in Issyk Kul Southwest Ohio is a region rich in fertile agricultural land fed by dozens of streams that crisscross the landscape, with pockets of protected forest and grassland reminiscent of pre-settlement ecosystems dotting the map. Behind hundreds of plots and thousands of protected acres is the Three Valley Conservation Trust a non-profit with deep ties to the Oxford community Founded as a trust in 1993 to “preserve open land in the Four Mile Creek Valley in southwest Ohio,” Three Valley now owns or helps to preserve more than 24,000 acres of land in Southwest Ohio The trust has also assisted private landowners in receiving nearly $40 million in state and federal funding through easements “We want to make sure that the ecosystem services on that property and the habitat on that property remain at least as good as they are when we get it or get better,” said Randy Evans the executive director of Three Valley Conservation Trust Three Valley undertakes a wide range of conservation projects native habitat restoration and property management they have allowed hundreds of property owners to transform their land into more functional and healthy ecosystems “It's our way of making sure that water quality increases air quality increases in the area [and] biodiversity increases in the area,” Evans said The trust operates in multiple counties in Southwest Ohio and Butler County is one of the biggest in terms of properties managed and partners worked with This has led to deep ties between Three Valley and the Oxford community Evans said some of the trust’s partners include the Miami Valley Audobon Society Project Dragonfly and the Oxford Community Foundation These connections extend to Miami University “All of our full-time employees at Three Valley started as interns from Miami University,” said Evans the board of Three Valley has two active Miami professors two retired professors and multiple other Oxford residents an assistant professor who helps run the graduate program Project Dragonfly “I volunteered to be part of the outreach and education committee and also join the board,” Sullivan said “Currently I’m the secretary taking minutes for all of the board meetings.” Sullivan has been encouraged with the restoration of wetlands on private and public properties around Oxford She is especially glad to see that the property closest to the university Ruder Preserve is a 160-acre wooded property off of Bonham Rd It is a popular spot because of its connection to the Miami Natural Areas and accessibility “We had some wonderful community members who provided donations to put in a parking lot and start building a boardwalk,” said Evans “Our goal there was to make that parking lot and boardwalk too accessible for everybody in the community.” As one of the few properties that the trust fully owns the team is constantly working to maintain and preserve the rich biodiversity of this plot This includes both planting native species and removing invasive ones “If you went to Ruder just a few years ago you would have seen an area that was very different from what’s there now,” Sullivan said and it’s primarily student groups which have cleared that out.” One of those student groups volunteering in Ruder is the Miami Naval ROTC students in the Naval ROTC assisted in invasive species removal in the preserve and then we went and applied herbicides to the stumps,” said Michael Halter a sophomore diplomacy & global politics major “We would go through and clear everything out dragging [it] into specified big piles Halter volunteered multiple times throughout the last school year removing the invasive bush amur honeysuckle and other Naval ROTC students helped to manage different invasive species also helped Three Valley with the removal of garlic mustard “I think a lot of students overestimate how hard it would be to get started volunteering in the community,” Baer said small portion of our Sunday and got us outside being active and … we get to meet some cool people and have some really interesting experiences.”Along with funding from donors such as the Oxford Community Foundation Three Valley heavily relies on volunteers to help maintain and restore their properties Evans said more than 200 volunteers helped out in Ruder Preserve alone in 2022 “The work that we do helps preserve the visual viewshed the character of this area,” Sullivan said “But also it is super important for water quality for maintaining our ability to continue to produce food on these lands Individuals or groups interested in volunteering can visit the trust’s website for more information nortonsm@miamioh.edu