Les 3 Vallées, the largest ski area in the world

Located in Savoie, the Trois Vallées ski area, with its 600 kilometres of pistes, is the largest ski area in the world. Known as the Eldorado of skiing, it includes the resorts of Brides-les-Bains, Courchevel (the most showbiz), Les Menuires, Méribel (the most discreet and refined), Orelle, Val Thorens (the sportiest and highest) and Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, all linked by a network of ski lifts.

As well as boasting an exceptional natural panorama, the Trois Vallées ski area is very close to the Vanoise National Park and Moûtiers, in the Tarentaise valley. In summer and winter alike, the resorts offer a range of sporting activities to suit all tastes. While downhill skiing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and tobogganing are all the rage in the cold, mountain biking, hiking and water sports are all the rage in the heat.

With its seven resorts, the 3 Vallées ski area offers skiers 36 black runs, 110 red runs, 145 blue runs and 48 green runs, not to mention dozens of mountain restaurants! Fans of new winter sports can choose from around forty facilities, including snowparks, a boardercross, a fun triple slalom, video zones, music zones and zen zones.

Snowshoe trekkers can also indulge in their activity, along the 130 kilometres of cross-country trails. With 85% of these trails above 1,800 metres and as high as 3,200 metres, Les Trois Vallées is a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts of all kinds.

Who said skiing was absolutely essential? There are special passes for pedestrians, allowing you to discover part of the ski area, dine in mountain restaurants, take a zip-line ride, hurtle down giant toboggan runs, drink mulled wine in an igloo, ride a Fat Bike (a mountain bike with wide tyres) or admire fabulous panoramic views, particularly of Mont Blanc.

With the splendid sun reflecting off the immaculate white snow, the desire to sit on the terrace and bask in the light is irresistible. In the 3 Vallées ski area, there are plenty of restaurants on the slopes, filling the surrounding area with the fragrance of Savoy. In Les Menuires, the L'Etoile restaurant welcomes gourmet skiers every day. Platters of cold meats and cheeses, burgers and blueberry tarts immerse visitors' taste buds in the heart of Savoie.

Practical information

📍 Address: Restaurant l'Etoile, 102 Rue des Sapins, 73440 Les Belleville

⏰ Opening times: 10am - 4.45pm / 7pm - 10pm Tuesday to Saturday, 10am - 4.45pm Sunday to Monday

For the more party-loving holidaymakers, head for La Folie Douce, a restaurant-bar that doubles as a nightclub, or rather a dayclub... If you're a fiesta-lover, you'll love this 2,600 metre-high venue, where the music starts at 2pm! It brings together all the resort's clubbers in an atmosphere of... madness, as its name suggests, and not exactly gentle. Watch out, though, for the somewhat perilous ski descent afterwards !

Practical info

📍 Address: Piste Plein Sud, 73440 Val Thorens

⏰ Opening times: 9am - 5pm every day in winter

⭐ L'Annapurna

In the luxurious resort of Courchevel, palaces and 5-star hotels share the luminous lanes of the Diamant des Neiges. At L'Annapurna, comfort, well-being and privileges punctuate the stay of lucky holidaymakers for whom pleasure is priceless!

The highest resort in Europe, Val Thorens attracts winter sports fans who come to enjoy the snow-covered slopes and their panoramic views. At the Résidence Le Chamois d'Or, your stay is synonymous with independence, socialising and conviviality.

As a family, the flats in the Résidence Pierre & Vacances Les Ravines are ideally equipped to make the most of the 3 Vallées ski area. Ideally located right in the centre of the resort of Méribel, a pool table and a table tennis table are even available for a relaxing moment after skiing.