All the 3 Valleys resorts have their own identity, their clientele and their price level.
Les Menuires is the benchmark family destination, at the heart of the immense Savoyard area (600 km of slopes), and has been for three generations.
Holidaymakers who love great skiing but wish to benefit from appropriate supervision for their children and adolescents, childcare solutions for the little ones or even après-ski activities for the whole family will find this rare compromise in the Belleville resort.
Read the fileSkiing and winter sports: the
Figaro
2021/2022 guide
35 minutes from Moûtiers, Les Menuires occupy the center of the Belleville valley between Saint-Martin and Val Thorens.
The ski area is directly linked to Méribel and "Val Tho" by the Mont de la Chambre cable car.
The concept of ski-in ski-out resort, inherent in the DNA of Les Menuires, remains more relevant than ever with the search for holidays with a responsible carbon footprint.
Not only is the use of the car unnecessary during the stay, but transfers from the Moûtiers TGV station are provided by direct shuttles.
The Friendly Natural Park, one of the five play areas in Les Menuires.
It is intended for families and children.
Infonews
The resort's 30,000 tourist beds are divided into five districts. Each sector has its own atmosphere, starting with
the Croisette
, in the center, where there is a large shopping arcade and the main leisure facilities: swimming pool, cinema, sports center as well as a huge snow front animated and popular with children. The other four districts are organized all around and are connected by tracks, pedestrian paths and shuttles. The
Bruyères district
is the most autonomous with its swimming pool, its ESF, its nursery, its shops and the
Speed Mountain
, a sled on rails of 1000 m. The
Reberty
, located just above, is surrounded by the slopes. No tall buildings like at La Croisette, but rather chalet-club-type residences and beautiful hotels. A few mini-markets and skishops provide the essentials of this cozy and upscale district where après-ski is organized in the cocktail bars of the beautiful hotels. Finally, the
Fontanettes
and
Preyerand districts
, which are essentially residential, are located on the downstream part of the station. They benefit from recent constructions such as the
MMV
Coeur des Loges
residence
or the Belambra
Hameau des Airelles
which include a children's / teenager's club and a swimming pool.
The village of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, 10 minutes by shuttle, reveals an authentic face with preserved architecture and very high-end addresses such as La Bouitte (***** hotel and *** Michelin restaurant) by the Meilleur family.
Read alsoSki: the best hotels tested by
Le Figaro
Big ski enthusiasts, parents or not, will not be disappointed. On the only area of Les Menuires - Saint-Martin (110 km of slopes), they will be able to express themselves a good week, especially in the morning in the Masse sector, its 1,500 m of vertical drop bathed by the first rays of the sun, and its brand new gondola. In the afternoon on the opposite slope - Mont de la Chambre, 3 Marches - terrace skiing fans will stay in the sun. An extension of the 3 Vallées ski pass (12 €) allows you to compete in La Saulire (Courchevel side) and Mont Vallon (Méribel). For intermediate level skiers, two routes have been designed to discover the 3 Valleys via the blue slopes. Finally, the "Nordic" find their happiness at the Plan d'eau and along the Doron while pedestrians benefit from 75 km ofroutes traced at the bottom of the valley and on the balcony to enjoy the panorama.
New for winter 2021/2022: the Masse gondola
The Masse sector, very popular with good skiers, becomes much more accessible with this infrastructure.
Opening on December 11.
Vincent lottenberg
The new 10-seater La Masse gondola lift is one of the two fastest in France (25km / h) and connects the bottom of the slopes to Pointe de la Masse (2,804 m) in 8 minutes compared to 25 previously.
This project made it possible to deconstruct three old lifts and remove 30 pylons.
It serves a semi-underground arrival station with an 800 m2 terrace with a circular panorama.
This investment of 22 million euros opens up the fantastic playground of the Mass.
Les Menuires ski area: our favorite slopes
The ski area has 110 km of slopes (40 blue; 22 red; 12 green and 8 black) and 30 ski lifts.
The
red
Fred Covili
slope
located in the Masse sector is one of the iconic slopes of the 3 Valleys.
The new gondola greatly facilitates its access.
After a part of sliding on the ridge, the route plunges into the slope with a succession of ground movements, slopes, breaks in slope and compressions which make it a demanding trail, to be done in the morning when it is well groomed.
Less exotic sports but,
of
Jerusalem,
a beautiful blue
from the summit of St Martin Express (2250 m), offers a double view of the ridge between Meribel and Les Menuires then down to St. Martin (1450 m) on a hilly profile, far from all ski lifts and dotted with fir trees.
Or sleep ?
The Kaya, in Reberty, freshly renovated.
The Kaya
Holidaymakers who appreciate the warm atmosphere of hotels with a good table and a lounge area for a cocktail by the fire and a spa that contrasts with the cold outside have the choice with two hotels, the Kaya **** and L ' Ours Blanc ****, both located in Reberty and recently renovated.
The Polar Bear (from € 130 per night) with its Chesterfield sofas and light woods combines the past and the present while the Kaya (from € 170 per night) is inspired by the Native American lodge style.
In a completely different spirit, the Club MMV du Cœur des Loges residence, located on the slopes of the Preyerand district, offers all the advantages of a modern residence equipped with para-hotel services, swimming pool, ski shop and children's club 4 to 15 years for budget from € 725 per week for four people.
Read also From Megève to Menuires, the new mountain hotels to test this winter
Where to eat?
The Roc Seven, serves Italian-chic cuisine at an altitude of 2300 m, at the top of the Roc 1 cable car. A snack-chalet is located outside.
Roc Seven
The
Roc Seven
is the new attraction in Les Menuires in the lunch and after-ski category, lively on the slopes (Roc 1 pedestrian access).
Perched at an altitude of 2,300 m and boasting a large terrace, this trattoria offers the great classics of Italian cuisine: osso bucco saffron risotto (€ 30), linguine vongole (€ 23) or even Neapolitan pizza (€ 18) .
It is in the heart of Les Bruyères but in furnished cabins that
the Marmite
sets up a few tables by reservation.
The chef revisits certain regional specialties such as crozet risotto and pumpkin cream with Beaufort (€ 21) or Dauphiné ravioli with truffle cream (€ 22).
Finally, the Alpin Steak House stands out for its saloon atmosphere and grilled meats: café de Paris entrecôte (€ 38), Rhône veal cutlet (€ 26) and Angus flank steak with shallot sauce (€ 20).
To see, to do this winter
The Roc'n Bob, a toboggan run that offers 4 km of descent.
Vincent lottenberg
The après-ski activity that is most successful with children (from 7 years old), teenagers, young adults and even parents who want to share a dynamic activity with the family is the Roc'n Bob.
A secure 4 km toboggan run where 22 turns are linked.
The ascent is by cable car and the descent aboard a bob that can carry an adult and a child between 7 and 10 years old.
The service includes the rental of the bob, a helmet and a headlamp for the night version.
Price: € 13 per rotation / person and free for children aged 7 to 10 on the parents' sled.
2021/2022 ski passes: prices and tips
Two passes allow you to ski in Les Menuires: the Vallée des Belleville pass and the 3 Vallées pass.
Belleville Valley (Les Menuires / Saint Martin de Belleville): 110 km of slopes.
Adult day: 54 €;
6 adult days: € 267;
6 family days: 213.60 € / pers.
(based on 4 people)
3 Valleys: 600 km of slopes.
Adult day: 66 €;
6 adult days: € 330;
6 family days: € 264 / pers.
(based on 4 people)
The good plan: skiing on Saturday
Since Saturday is traditionally a day of arrival and departure, the slopes are rarely used.
Saturday pass: € 29 (Belleville) and € 52, 80 (3 Vallées).
Read alsoFive ideas to pay less for your ski pass
Go
From Paris
: direct TGV to Moûtiers (from € 79) and Altibus shuttle (€ 8.40)
From Lyon
: direct TER (from € 31) and Altibus shuttle (€ 8.40)
From Geneva
: Altibus shuttle (from € 65 / person decreasing rate for families)
