A legendary track is a story, sensations, grandiose landscapes, anecdotes, commitment, a unique atmosphere or a zest of madness... something indefinable which has made it part of the legends.
From locals, to vacationers and 3 Vallées addicts, all the opinions counted to make your spatulas vibrate on the legendary slopes of the 3 Vallées.
Are you with family, sporty, contemplative or amateur? There is something for everyone, so let’s share some treasures of the 3 Valleys together. But first, a little history!
What is the 3 Valleys?
The 3 Valleys area is the interconnection of 7 resorts: Courchevel, Méribel, Brides-les-Bains, Les Menuires, Saint Martin de Belleville, Val Thorens et Orelle for the best of skiing and the mountains!
“We also come for that in Les 3 Vallées, the exceptional is around the corner like at the bend of a ridge”, vacationer's word.
One idea, 3 valleys, 75 years of history…
In 1925, Arnold Lunn (British inventor of Slalom) made an incredible geographical discovery, an exceptional site made up of three valleys: Saint-Bon, Les Allues and Les Belleville.
The many pioneers, visionaries and intrepid, took up this audacious challenge, making these three valleys the largest ski area in the world with skis on their feet. Challenge taken up and perpetuated by other champions and visionaries like Jean Blanc or Emile Allais for the most famous.
En some numbers is :
- 600 km of slopes the equivalent of a journey Val Thorens - Paris
- 45 hectares of nature is the surface area of Seychelles
- 105 km2 of slopes is more than the great Paris
- 318 tracks from 1 to 300 meters above sea level
- 172 ski lifts
- 50% easy slopes (green and blue) and 50% expert trails (red and black)
- 1 common package : the famous 3 Valleys package
- 25 peaks accessible by ski!
- 1 agents ski lifts at your service
- 62 meters of altitude difference cumulative, i.e. 7 times the slopes of the Himalayas…
The extra thing? Download the 3 Vallées app to have all the practical information, restaurants, weather, list of groomed slopes, piste map, ski lift closing times… And the icing on the spatula is to join the largest community of connected skiers on SKI + by participating in challenges, recording your performance, elevation, distance, altitude, speed and sharing it all with your friends!!
Application available on the App Store and Google Play.
Essential in your backpack for a 3 Valleys day:
- A water bottle
– A few cereal bars or chocolates for when you’re feeling peckish
– A tube of high protection sunscreen
– A piste map
You are equipped, Les 3 Vallées is yours!
The legendary slopes in the 3 Vallées area:
Béranger, Red piste (Val Thorens)
Height difference 600m
Named after the name of one of the greatest figures in French skiing (and Val Thorens !): Jean Béranger. Actor of the foundation of Val Thorens, he also created the ESF there, and held the position of director and president of the Tourist Office. Coach of the French alpine ski team during the successful years of the Goitschel sisters, he then chaired the French Ski Federation for several years.
When you put down your spatulas at the arrival of Funitel de Péclet, turn right. There, a rhythmic descent, with a bird's eye view of the station. Val Thorens, and at your back the legendary Péclet glacier awaits you! Don't hesitate to take breaks to enjoy the magnificent views throughout the descent.
Goitschel, Black piste (Val Thorens)
Elevation: 300m
The Goitschel sisters, Marielle and Christine, wrote the legend of French skiing. Each multiple medalist at the Olympic Games and World Ski Championships in the 60s, Officers of the Legion of Honor, their respective careers will remain engraved in the memories of alpine skiing. The two sisters are also pioneers of the station of Val Thorens, and contributed to its creation in the 70s.
The Goitschel slope is a reflection of the sisters' brilliant career: you will need a little commitment and technique to venture onto this black-sided slope, with the reward of a breathtaking view of the majestic mountain circus which shelters the resort of Val Thorens.
La Masse, Red piste (Les Menuires)
Elevation gain: 1 m
Pointe de la Masse is one of the highest points in Les Menuires at an altitude of 2 meters. La Masse, the off-center islet of Les Menuires offers you different skiing compared to the southern slope due to its optimal snow conditions all season long preserved by its northern exposure. You will appreciate the wide choice of uncrowded slopes, with a slight preference for the Fred Covili red slope followed by the Vallons blue slope which follow each other naturally. For the more sporty, go up the Masse ski lift and go down the Dame Blanche black slope.
Yves Bonnemains, director of the piste management – Vallées des Belleville, advises you to ski there in the morning due to its altitude and ideal exposure. The essential: “ a breathtaking panorama of Mont Blanc and the entire Belleville valley! »
Léo Lacroix, Black piste (Les Menuires)
Elevation gain: 1 m
The famous downhill track which has hosted numerous international competitions. It is in homage to a great name in French skiing, Léo Lacroix, Olympic downhill medalist, that the resort of Les Menuires has chosen to rename this slope.
It is essential for experienced skiers, which runs from Mont de la Chambre to the center of the resort. Its upper part is the most interesting. The snow is exposed to the effects of the sun due to its south/southwest exposure. It presents a series of large curves and steep slopes. A long, varied track to train your thighs, after such a descent be proud, you are one of the champions 😉
Grand Lac, Blue slope (Les Menuires)
Elevation: 550 m
Go to the top of the 3 Marches, follow the directions towards the Grand Lac piste. The big plus of this slope is its western exposure which allows you to enjoy snow of exceptional quality. For all tastes, it alternates pleasant curves, schuss while maintaining a beautiful width and delighting all skiers. A slope for peaceful skiing, to be done without moderation at any time of the day! Open your eyes wide and take out your cameras, an endless panorama of the Belleville valley.
Jerusalem, Red Trail (Saint Martin de Belleville)
Elevation: 440 m
A little history. This is a beautiful tribute to the victims of the Second World War whom the Savoyards helped, in particular by hiding them from the Germans in the barns which lined this track. It was a high point of resistance and today a place of pilgrimage and memory for the families of the victims.
An unmissable route for peaceful skiing in the 3 Valleys. The track begins from the summits of Méribel (Tougnete and Cherferie) at an altitude of more than 2 m and easily reaches the village of Saint Martin de Belleville. Explore this pleasant hilly route suitable for everyone (this red slope is more of a dark blue slope) accompanied by quality snow; you will have the impression of going off-piste.
La Combe du Vallon, Red slope (Méribel-Mottaret)
Elevation: 960 m
From Mont du Vallon at 2 meters above sea level, the highest skiable peak in the Méribel Valley. La Combe du Vallon, renowned for its wild and engaging side, has a regular slope for more than 950 km, both enduring and hilly. It maintains excellent snow quality all season thanks to its northern exposure. Without a doubt, it is THE legendary slope to go down in Méribel Vallée and will definitely please you, especially you lovers of beautiful curves!
La Mauduit, Red piste (Méribel)
Elevation gain: 1 m
Take the Saulire Express Gondola to reach the summit at an altitude of 2 meters, where you will be greeted with a unique panorama of the peaks of the Alps. Put on your shoes and head for the red Mauduit slope. Its name refers to the great local alpine ski champion, Georges Mauduit.
This track is renowned for its significant difference in altitude, its varied and sustained route while taking pleasant passages in the forest: enough to enjoy yourself in complete peace of mind!
Roc de Fer, Blue slope (Méribel)
Elevation: 700 m
A champion track. It is the Olympic Ladies' slope of the Albertville Games in 1992 and the Roc de Fer slope will host the finals of the 2015 Alpine Skiing World Cup!
You access it by the Roc de Fer then Olympic chairlifts, enjoying its breathtaking view over the entire Tarentaise Valley. It descends over more than 800 m in altitude, from the Summit of Roc de Fer at 2290 m to La Chaudanne at 1440 m. You will appreciate its changes of rhythm.
Combe de la Saulire, Red slope (Courchevel)
Elevation: 620 m
From its summit at an altitude of 2 meters, Courchevel's star and historic piste runs a 700 km wide route. Playful, sustained or quiet to vary the pleasures, it is renowned for the quality of its snow. Renamed “the Courchevel glacier”, it is generally the slope to favor at the start and end of the season. You can also climb 3 m in altitude, from the summit of Saulire, admire Mont Blanc less than 1400 km away as the crow flies, to find yourself in Courchevel 50.
Little secret: it’s a carving enthusiast’s paradise as soon as the slopes open.
The Jean Blanc, Black piste (Courchevel)
Elevation: 680 m
A little history: The Jean Blanc took the name of one of the founding fathers of Courchevel when it hosted the World Cup in 1966. It was the first time that the average speed on a downhill track exceeded 100 km/h.
Also called the descent of truth, it is a technical slope for experienced skiers. Don't be surprised by its steep wall with a slope of more than 40%. The mogul walls, to train your thighs, combine with walks in the forest to offer you on arrival a magnificent dive into the Saint Bon valley and the village of Praz.
Les Chapelets, Red piste (Courchevel)
Elevation: 450 m
The slope is accessible by the Chapelets and Signal chairlifts from Courchevel 1650. At the western end of the 3 Valleys, the Chapelets slope offers a breathtaking panorama of the Vanoise glaciers and the crumbling gypsum mountains, don't forget to look up to enjoy it. Here you have an appointment with Mother Nature, bordered by fir trees, you descend without ever coming across a single ski lift in your landscape.
The mixture of steep parts and easier plateau parts offers you a long, varied slope for leisurely skiing.
La Folyères, Blue slope (La Tania)
Elevation: 515 m
A track, originally traced by Emile Allais, which descended from the Col de Loze to Brides-les-Bains. When the Tania station was created, Jean Bérard and Gilbert Garnier revised the route while keeping the identity of the track, wide and straight. The track starts at the top of the stadium and ends in the center of La Tania.
You will progress on a pleasant route of more than 3 km with the pleasure of skiing between the fir forests. La Folyères is the perfect illustration of family skiing, at a pace suitable for everyone and in a splendid setting.
Little advice: Ideal the day after a snowfall! Fall under the spell of the sumptuous fir trees carrying thick layers of fresh snow at arm's length, something to amaze the whole family.
It's up to you to ski! Remember to take a map of the slopes and don't forget to note the closing times of the ski lifts to return to the correct valley 😉
PS: I wrote a complete article some time ago on the tracks of Val Thorens and Orelle, the highest point of the 3 Valleys, I invite you to discover it and react: The legendary tracks of Val Thorens.
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