Les3Vallees Gears Up for the Season

1st October 2024

The largest linked ski area in the world has unveiled all that is new for next season. We look at what is on offer. NEW

The French ski area needs little introduction.

There are 600kms of skiing on 330 marked pistes.
The Vanoise piste is the longest at 12km.
The area has 183 lifts that can move 260,000 skiers per hour.
The runs are located between 1,100m and 3,230m.
85% of the ski area is above 1,800m.
25 summits are accessible including 10 above 2,500m.

It is one of the most popular ski areas with British skiers and snowboarders:

Courchevel
Meribel
Brides-les-Bains
Les Menuires
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
Val Thorens
Orelle

Les3Vallees, France. Image © PlanetSKI

“Nestled in the heart of the French Alps, Les 3 Vallées embodies the very essence of adventure and freedom,” said a statement from the ski area as it prepares for the coming winter season.

“The ski area – the largest in the world – offers expansive terrain where every moment on piste is an invitation to enjoy being in the mountains.

“Rich with the unique personalities of its seven resorts, the Les 3 Vallées area is a destination with countless delights.

“Every visitor can live unique, vibrant, and unforgettable experiences. Here, everyone can feel truly alive.”

At PlanetSKI we visit numerous times each winter to report on all that is on offer.

Last season we set off to ski the whole of the area in a day with our friends from Ski France.

L3V in a day. Image © PlanetSKI

Things didn’t quite go to plan:

PlanetSKI sets off to ski Les3Vallees in a day

This year we will be in Val Thorens in early December and then reporting from Les Menuires over Xmas.

A TASTER OF WHAT’S NEW:

The “La Saulire” cable car is back linking Courchevel with Meribel. This unforgettable ascent, made possible following a €10 million investment, features new panoramic and comfortable cabins equipped with the latest lighting and sound technology designed to take 1,500 skiers per hour.

The new ultra-modern complex at Caron 3200 is opening this winter in Val Thorens. One of the highest buildings in the Alps, Caron 3200 features a brand new restaurant, wine bar and observation terrace (with snack bar) along with a 80 sqm space for events and exhibitions. With 360° views, including Mont Blanc, the building is located right next to the “Cime Caron” gondola which connects Val Thorens to Orelle.

This winter, Val Thorens is also opening a new gondola to replace the “Les 2 Lacs” chairlift. Costing €16 million, it will operate at up to 15 mph, and features 61 cabins each with 10 seats and has a capacity to whiz 3,500 skiers uphill per hour. It opens on November 23, 2024 providing ski-in/ski-out access to “Grand Fond”, between the “La Bee” zip line and the “Moutière” chairlift. Beginners and children will also benefit from a specifically designed boarding gate.

In St Martin de Belleville, the “La Bellevie” wellness centre opens this season, thanks to a €17 million investment. This peaceful haven has indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna, a jacuzzi and an event space for 500 people, all designed with energy efficiency in mind. It’s an invitation to discover the art of well-being in a serene, calming and modern setting.

The big news in Orelle is the first hotel in the resort is opening. The “Evi Hob Orelle” hotel-hostel hybrid stands out for its strategic location right by the Orelle cable car and has extensive communal spaces including a lounge, a bar, games area, a restaurant and coworking space.

Everyone knows of Michelin star resturants. Michelin has launched a similar scheme for hotels called Michelin Keys. In Meribel, Hotel «Le Kaila» has been awarded one – the first hotel in the resort to achieve this new accolade.

In Les Menuires, the team behind the value for money HO36 hotel is opening a new property next door called Hotel Alpeen which has wonderful views of Pointe de la Masse and – weather permitting – is ski in/out.

In Meribel and St Martin de Belleville new viewing decks have been built to give guests rest and observation areas with super mountains views.

In Brides-les-Bains, the famous Grand Thermal Spa is opening late every Thursday (until 10pm) with a free bus connecting the resort with Meribel to make it easy to get to this retreat and enjoy its facilities.

Also in Brides-les-Bains, the new Meri Bellecombes Villa Parc apartments are opening this season – comprising 22 luxurious flats – which are right by the Olympe ski lift for easy access to Meribel.