Ski Area
History
Here 1400 km2 are fitted out for winter sports activities during the winter months and numerous other activities in the summer such as hiking, climbing, fishing and mountain biking. The 3 Valleys have come a long way since 1925.
At that time several English businessmen and experienced skiers wanted to create a resort in France like those that already existed in Austria and the Swiss Grisons. In order to do so they asked Arnold Lunn, the most senior of the British skiers and inventor of the slalom, to go and explore the Saint-Bon valley. He organised a small expedition to methodically prospect the Dauphinoise and Savoyard Alps. His verdict of the 3 Valleys was as follows : "in Savoie there is an exceptional site that comprises three almost parallel valleys : Saint-Bon, Les Allues and Belleville. In spite of their different features, they lend themselves well to the development of large resorts.
At that time several English businessmen and experienced skiers wanted to create a resort in France like those that already existed in Austria and the Swiss Grisons. In order to do so they asked Arnold Lunn, the most senior of the British skiers and inventor of the slalom, to go and explore the Saint-Bon valley. He organised a small expedition to methodically prospect the Dauphinoise and Savoyard Alps. His verdict of the 3 Valleys was as follows : "in Savoie there is an exceptional site that comprises three almost parallel valleys : Saint-Bon, Les Allues and Belleville. In spite of their different features, they lend themselves well to the development of large resorts.
The slopes are magnificent, very well positioned, the risks of avalanches are minimal, they are easy to locate and therefore easy to stop. "The legend of the 3 Valleys was born"
The creation of the 3 valleys ski-pass
Up until 1970, each ski-lift provider was independant. Anyone wishing to ski all over the 3 Valleys had to buy lift tickets from various different companies : a skier-friendly system needed to be set up and the ideal solution would be a 3 Valleys pass.
In 1971, Joseph FONTANET, Minister and Mayor of Saint Martin de Belleville, Eugène BLANCHE, Maire for les Allues and Maurice MOREL, Maire of Saint-Bon, helped by the different Tourist Office Directors took the decision to promote the " 3 Vallées ". concept and label.
Their idea of creating a " 3 Valleys " ski-pass was warmly accepted by the lift companies and from the summer of 1971 a whole range of 3 Valleys ski-passes went on sale.
In 1971, Joseph FONTANET, Minister and Mayor of Saint Martin de Belleville, Eugène BLANCHE, Maire for les Allues and Maurice MOREL, Maire of Saint-Bon, helped by the different Tourist Office Directors took the decision to promote the " 3 Vallées ". concept and label.
Their idea of creating a " 3 Valleys " ski-pass was warmly accepted by the lift companies and from the summer of 1971 a whole range of 3 Valleys ski-passes went on sale.
