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3 Vallées: how to make the most of your ski pass (and the slopes)

2021-11-14T08:26:33.693Z


From Courchevel to Val Thorens, from Méribel to Menuires, our guide to the immense Savoie ski area. Seven legendary winter sports resorts in the Alps, a ski area that claims to be "the largest in the world" and fresh snow. The 3 Valleys opened with fanfare the skiing season in Savoie on December 7, to end it on April 26, 2020. Val Thorens extends the fun until May 3. Ideal for enjoying the school calendar and holidays. Composed of resorts with varied profiles - Courchevel , Val Thorens , Méribe


Seven legendary winter sports resorts in the Alps, a ski area that claims to be "the largest in the world" and fresh snow.

The 3 Valleys opened with fanfare the skiing season in Savoie on December 7, to end it on April 26, 2020. Val Thorens extends the fun until May 3.

Ideal for enjoying the school calendar and holidays.

Composed of resorts with varied profiles -

Courchevel

,

Val Thorens

, Méribel,

Brides-les-Bains

,

Saint-Martin-de-Belleville

,

Les Menuires

and

Orelle

-, the 3 Valleys area has 600 km of descent and 339 slopes between forests and great white, at altitudes ranging between 1100 (Les Allues) and 3230 meters (Val Thorens).

»Read also -

Our selection of the best mountain hotels in the Alps

And this is where its strength lies: "85% of the area is located over 1,800 meters and 25 summits are accessible by ski lifts, ten of which are over 2,500 meters," recalls Olivier Desaulty, general manager of the 3 Valleys.

This high altitude, combined with an ever-increasing capacity to produce snow - 53% of the area is covered by cannons - guarantees it a comfortable white coat all season long.

A luxury for skiing in the present day!

Especially since its inter-valley links are all located at more than 2,000 meters.

The ski slopes: the choice between easy routes and expert routes

This vast white circus wants to remain accessible to the greatest number of sliders.

"The extent should not be scary, on the contrary it gives more latitude to everyone to choose their track", promises Olivier Desaulty.

With 339 ski slopes, the 3 Valleys area claims almost perfect equality between expert routes (red and black runs), and easier (green and blue runs).

A “Les 3 Vallées Easy Rider” label, which you will recognize in pink on the piste map, has been designed to guide novice skiers on wide routes with gentle slopes.

Activities: family, for children, freeride

28 play areas ("snowparks", "familypark" ...) link the Savoyard area.

In Courchevel, a FreerideLab, a secure and marked area, is expanding the winter sports offer this 2019-2020 season.

As for children, they are spoiled for choice with 42 thematic tracks.

This winter, they will even be able to follow in the footsteps of Elsa and Anna, the heroines of

Frozen 2.

, thanks to an exclusive partnership between Walt Disney and the 3 Valleys.

»Read also -

Three good ideas on the track for winter 2019-2020

Ski lifts: the competition effect

With the new arrival of the Praz gondola under the Croisette de Courchevel 1850, a whole snow front has been re-examined.

David ANDRE

The slopes are served by 160 efficient ski lifts.

The latest investments bear witness to this desire to optimize their services, in addition to the approach of the world ski championships, organized in 2023 by the

Méribel-Courchevel

duo

.

This season, for example, you can take the new Praz gondola, equipped with ten-seater cabins, which connects

Courchevel-Le Praz

(1350m) to

Courchevel 1850

in six minutes.

The one in

Saint-Martin-de-Belleville

has new cabins and its flow has jumped from 1,800 to 2,700 people / hour.

»To read also -

Sliding, walking, diving ... Ten novelties to make the most of a vacation at the top

2020 ski pass prices: how to choose

The ski resorts offer consists of a unique "3 Valleys" pass.

Until April 10, the high season rate applies.

It comes in a day version (from € 63 for an adult; € 50.40 for 5-13 year olds);

weekend ;

week ;

season;

duo;

tribe (for three or more friends).

The good plan?

If you book your solo package online, you benefit from the Saturday promotion (€ 50.40) or the weekend (€ 113.40).

The senior package (65-75 years old) starts at € 56.70 per day.

The family ski pass includes two adults and two children aged between 5 and 17 years old.

Advantage: everyone pays the child rate for the six-day Family Pass (from € 249.60 / person).

There are also resort packages, based on the same principle.

On

Orelle-Val Thorens

(89 slopes, 150 km of descent, 29 ski lifts), the Family Pass costs at least € 209.60 for six days per person and on Les

Menuires-Saint-Martin-de-Belleville

(79 slopes , 34 ski lifts), at a minimum of € 249.60.

Courchevel, Méribel or Les Menuires ... Our favorite slopes in the 3 Valleys

OR SKI IN COURCHEVEL

Courchevel is made up of six villages linked by ski lifts or free shuttles.

David ANDRE

● The Grand Couloir, for committed skiing


In a high mountain atmosphere with the Croix des Verdons at the start, take a nice steep couloir (maximum slope, 80%).

As a bonus, from start to finish, an exceptional panorama of the Saulire valley and the resort.

The trail is secure but not groomed.

Black track

.

Access by the Saulire Express cable car from Méribel or the Saulire cable car from Courchevel.

● La Combe de Saulire, a star An


obligatory passage ... The Combe de la Saulire is a legendary piste in the area, with snow that is always exceptional from the start to the end of the season.

Naturally bordered by the mountain on both sides and facing due north on the slope of the Saulire, it is accessible to the greatest number thanks to its very wide layout, which allows you to express yourself as you wish.

Red track.

Accessible on skis or on foot, by the eponymous cable car.

● The Jean Blanc, the historic


The Jean Blanc is one of the oldest slopes in Courchevel.

OT Courchevel

Named in homage to Jean Blanc, former champion of the French alpine ski team and pioneer of the resort, this black slope of Praz, which connects Courchevel 1850 to the village of Praz, is one of the oldest in "Courch '".

Its succession of walls and small ledges gives the sensation of diving into the valley.

It is an exceptional playground whatever the weather.

● Must do this season: the Jockeys

Located in the heart of the forest, the black Jockeys slope (42% average slope) is still located away from the flow of skiers.

But it quickly gained notoriety: it will host the men's events of the 2023 World Ski Championships.

She will then join the club of atypical and demanding slopes, which have become legendary following major alpine skiing competitions.

Like the Lauberhorn in Wengen, the Streif in Kitzbühel, the Saslong in Val Gardena, the face of Bellevarde in Val d'Isère or the Verte des Houches, in the Chamonix valley.

Black track.

Several accesses possible, including the Forêt chairlift from Le Praz.

OR SKI IN MÉRIBEL

La Mauduit, a must-see in Méribel, winds between the pines.

Sylvain Aymoz

● Roc de Fer, the track for champions The


venue for the finals of the Alpine Skiing World Cup in 2015 and especially the World Championships in 2023, the Roc de Fer track has definitely become a legend.

We can no longer count the French and international ski champions who have left their mark on this route of nearly 2.5 kilometers.

A slider's dream!

Red track.

Access via the Olympic chairlift.

»To read also -

Roc de Fer, the track of the champions

● La Face, an Olympic descent


Located next to the Roc de Fer piste, this piste is uncompromising with a very sustained start. After the steep part, the flat parts that follow leave more freedom of expression. It is on this track that the women's events of the Albertville Olympic Games were held in 1992.


Black track. Access via the Olympic chairlift.

● Mauduit, the inescapable


Georges Mauduit, alpine skier of international renown in the 1960s - and who still lives in Méribel - gave his name to this track with a strong character, wide at the top, steep and narrower as soon as it entered the Forest. It offers a long descent, with a height difference of more than 1,000 meters, and it is perfectly suited for large winding curves.


Red track. Access via the Saulire Express 1 & 2 gondola.

● La Combe du Vallon, a jewel of the 3 Valleys


Take a break on arrival to admire the sublime panorama with a glacial atmosphere, then set off on the legendary 3 km long, relatively demanding track of the Combe du Vallon and often bumpy… From the top, dive straight into the great ski, technical, with a view of the beautiful Méribel Valley below.

The icing on the spatulas, the bird's eye view of Lake Tueda!


Red track.

Access via the Mont du Vallon chairlift.

● Must do this season: Roc de Tougne


The northern exposure guarantees quality snow.

Sylvain Aymoz

A wild environment and snow that is always of good quality, thanks to a northern exposure, characterize two of the most demanding slopes in the Valley, often unknown to the general public.

Dive first on the black of Bartavelle, after a steep slope, admire the Arolles perched on the rocks in the small flat area of ​​the valley that looks like the Dolomites.

Then switch back to a very hilly slope where you can draw beautiful curves.


Black slopes.

Access via the Roc de Tougne chairlift.

»Read also -

Méribel, the heart of the Three Valleys

OR SKI IN LES MENUIRES AND SAINT-MARTIN DE BELLEVILLE

● Léo Lacroix, for experienced skiers


It is in tribute to a great name in French skiing, Léo Lacroix, Olympic downhill medalist, that Les Menuires has chosen to rename this slope which has hosted numerous international competitions.

A must for experienced skiers, it starts from Mont de la Chambre to the center of the resort.

It presents a series of large curves and steep slopes.


Black track.

● Jerusalem, the scent of off-piste


The red Jerusalem slope starts at the top of Méribel (Tougnète and Cherferie) at an altitude of over 2,100 m and reaches the village of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville.

It is distinguished by its pleasant hilly layout and its traditionally high-quality snow.

Off-piste sensations await you!


Red track.

● Must do this season: La Masse

La Masse, on the northern slope of Les Menuires, offers optimal snow conditions.

A.Elissade

Pointe de la Masse is one of the highest points in Les Menuires at an altitude of 2,800 meters.

La Masse, the eccentric islet of Menuires offers a different ski compared to the southern slope, with its optimal snow conditions all season long, preserved by a northern exposure.

Wide choice of uncrowded slopes with a slight preference for the red Fred Covili slope followed by the blue Vallons slope which follow one another naturally.

For the more athletic, go up by the Masse ski lift and go down the black Dame Blanche slope.

Red, blue slopes.

OR SKI IN VAL THORENS

Val Thorens, in the Belleville Valley is the highest resort in Europe and the highest point in the 3 Valleys area.

DAVID ANDRE

● La Combe de Caron, a real black slope


First, take the time to admire the 360 ​​° panorama, at the top of the Caron peak, at an altitude of 3,200 meters, over more than 1,000 summits of the French Alps , Swiss and Italian.

Then follow the Combe de Caron.

Sloping down on the first section, passing through a small bottleneck followed by large valleys, it requires endurance and technical mastery.

You benefit from the full north orientation and quality snow.

Then join the last beautiful curves of the red slope of the Col de l'Audzin.


Black track then red.

Access by the Cime Caron cable car.

● La Christine, unspoiled atmosphere


Over 700 meters of vertical drop, the Christine gives the impression of being in a small remote valley, wide and pleasant with its changes of rhythm.

All along the descent, take the time to look up to observe the west face of the sumptuous Péclet glacier.

Red track.

Péclet sector, Funitel access.

● The Goitschel, steep and sustained


It starts at the Col de la Chambre (3 Valleys link) facing south with a breathtaking view of the Val Thorens ski area and the Belleville Valley.

It bears the name of the Goitschel sisters (Marielle and Christine), multiple Olympic and World Ski medalists in the 1960s, and pioneers of “Val Tho '”.

Black track.

● To do (or not) this season: the zip line


The resort's original attraction, the zip line flies over Val Thorens for 1.8 kilometers.

David ANDRE

You will first hear them scream and then see them looking up.

The “BEE” double zipline (pronounced in the English way, like a bee) is taken from the top of the Moutière chairlift in Val Thorens, arriving at Place Caron, in the center of the resort.

1.8 km overflight, reaching a height of 65m above the domain.

Thrills guaranteed on this course divided into three sections, which can be enjoyed by two thanks to a simultaneous departure of the zip lines.

The BEE is accessible to skiers and pedestrians.

But it is chargeable (35 € per person) and not included in your ski pass.

OR SKI IN ORELLE

● Coraïa and Peyron: more than 800 meters of skiing


After enjoying the panoramic alpine view at the arrival of the Bouchet chairlift at 3,230 meters, set off on the long Coraïa, often with excellent snow.

Continue with the Peyron, which winds its way up to Plan Bouchet at 2,350 meters, a course of more than 800 meters of vertical drop benefiting from ideal sunshine, thanks to a beautiful northern exposure.

Red slopes.

The 3 Valleys in practice

Go

By train.

Several stations including Albertville and Moûtiers are served by TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon (count between 4:30 am and 5:15 am for Moûtiers) and other French stations (Lille, Nantes, Rennes ...).

The ascent to the station is then ensured by coach shuttles (vente-bellesavoieexpress.fr) or by taxi.

Practical: the piste map

The 3 Valleys application provides access to information on restaurants, the piste map, the ski lifts' closing times ... Good news: you will generally have a good connection throughout the ski area.

See also -

3 Vallées Enduro: the Figaro team takes up the challenge on skis

3 Valleys Enduro: the Figaro team takes up the challenge on skis - Watch on Figaro Live

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2021-11-14

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