Our most beautiful and easy itineraries starting out from Courchevel
- Day
- Winter
awe-inspiring beauty and accessibility for everyone while discovering the finest of Les 3 Vallées through these 2 routes
If you want to ski or snowboard to your heart's content on wide slopes that are easily accessible, not too steep, and without any difficult sections, the following itineraries are for you!
Take your time, breathe in the mountain air, and admire the scenery.
The resort of Courchevel is a perfect starting point in Les 3 Vallées for this type of itinerary, where 50% of the runs are easy greens and blues. In this vast expanse, the beautiful peaks and panoramas are not just reserved for experts, and in fact the whole of Les 3 Vallées can be enjoyed by intermediate level skiers!
Among the multitude of adventures to be enjoyed on the slopes, here are two itineraries for an easy day out across Les 3 Vallées, starting out from Courchevel.
Discover Les 3 Vallées’ hidden secrets
IN THE SKI TRACKS OF CHAMPIONS
IN THE SKI TRACKS OF CHAMPIONS
You can set off from any of the Courchevel villages. If you’re in Courchevel-Moriond, you just need to make your way to Courchevel 1850. Once you are ready for the off, start with a nice warm-up down to the Plantrey chairlift!
From the top of the chairlift, take a moment to admire the spectacular and iconic Eclipse run, created for the 2023 Alpine Ski World Ski Championships.
MEANDER THROUGH UNSPOILT NATURE
MEANDER THROUGH UNSPOILT NATURE
Then follow the Arolles run towards Courchevel-La Tania, before joining up with the Folyères run, one of Les 3 Vallées’ hidden gems, which winds its way between the immense spruce trees, and which is likely to become one of your favourite runs!
THE LEGENDARY COL DE LA LOZE
THE LEGENDARY COL DE LA LOZE
After having made it to the small family resort of Courchevel-La Tania, head for the Tania gondola lift, and then the Dou des Lanches chairlift up to the Col de la Loze.
A whole new universe awaits you from this unique panoramic viewpoint where paragliders take off, and which played hosted to the finish of a stage of the Tour de France in July 2023!
A CHALET ATMOSPHERE
A CHALET ATMOSPHERE
From here, make your way into the Méribel valley, famous for its authentic stone and wood chalets.
For a nice gentle ski down, take the Boulevard de la Loze blue run, or for more of a challenge you can take the slightly steeper Pic Bleu run.
READY FOR TAKE OFF?
READY FOR TAKE OFF?
A visit to the Altiport and its forest trails is a must. The piste des animaux animal trail with its life-size figurines of the local fauna will particularly appeal to young skiers.
Before hopping on the Altiport chairlift, you can watch the airplanes taking off and landing at Méribel’s Altiport. Once at the top of this chairlift, appreciated by groups and large families because its 8 seats mean you can all go up together, you head to Méribel centre via the Blanchot, Marmotte and Doron runs!
A COMFORTABLE LIFT UP
A COMFORTABLE LIFT UP
You’ll love the Legends chairlift with its heated seats. You can even sit on seats embroidered with the names of the great alpine ski champions who took part in the 2022 World Cup Finals on the mythical Roc de Fer run.
And the resort of Méribel will be in the thick of it again when it hosts the 2023 Alpine Ski World Championships!
Then take the new Cherferie chairlift, which takes you straight up to a quiet summit, with breath-taking panoramas.
QUIET HILLS: THE JERUSALEM
QUIET HILLS: THE JERUSALEM
Then head for Jerusalem, a run steeped in history: its name is a tribute to the victims of the Second World War. At the time, the inhabitants of the Belleville valley helped people to hide from the German occupiers.
Set amidst nature, you won’t want to miss this gently undulating blue run, offering you a lovely easy ski into the village of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville. Here, you’ll find the ideal spot for a well-deserved lunch break!
"We recommend Le Lodgi, for its refined cuisine and gorgeous interior decoration"
Foodies favourites
YOONI LE YETI
YOONI LE YETI
The Saint Martin gondola lift and chairlift take you back to the Méribel valley, where you can head for Méribel Mottaret and a loop of the fun Faon run, before moving on to the Perdrix and the end of the Yeti Park.
Fun lovers will enjoy the kingdom of Yooni the Yeti, a gentle snowman, and its Himalayan atmosphere.
A UNIQUE PANORAMA
A UNIQUE PANORAMA
Take the Pas du Lac gondola back up to the Saulire. Les 3 Vallées’ iconic summit that offers one of the most breath-taking views of:
the Vanoise glaciers,
Mont Blanc,
and the highest peak in Savoie: the Grande Casse.
A GREAT SHOW
A GREAT SHOW
Then head back to the starting point, Courchevel, by taking the Creux run, which brings you straight onto the Altiport run. Take a break here and admire the altiport:
famous for its short runway (537 metres),
high altitude (2,008 metres),
and incline (19%): the steepest in the world for an international airport!
The small tourist planes land on the uphill part of the runway, and take-off on the descent: a not-to-be-missed show!
Afterwards, you can head back to your starting point, thanks to the green Bellecôte run, for a gentle ski down after a magnificent 3 Vallées adventure!
Road
Book
The summary of your 3 Vallées itinerary:
Courchevel-La Tania > Col de la Loze > Méribel > Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
Departs from : Courchevel (all villages)
9 Ski Lifts: Plantrey chairlift , Tania gondola lift, Dou des Lanches chairlift, Altiport chairlift, Legends chairlift, Cherferie chairlift, Saint Martin gondola lift and chairlift, Pas du Lac gondola lift
13 Pistes : Arolles, Folyères, Boulevard de la Loze or Pic Bleu, Animaux, Blanchot, Marmotte, Doron, Jerusalem, Faon, Perdrix, end of Yeti Park, Creux, Bellecôte (green run)
Level: Easy blue
Timing: Day
Atmosphere: Very popular with local families, this tour allows you to reach one of the most remote valleys of the ski area, while enjoying the summits and majestic panoramas. Discover beautiful spruce forests and snow-covered peaks on wide, quiet runs. It’s a sure thing!
You don’t have to be an expert to get to the top
BREATH-TAKING PANORAMA
BREATH-TAKING PANORAMA
From Courchevel (any of the villages), The summit of Saulire is accessible via the Verdons and Vizelle gondolas or the Saulire cable car. Once you’ve reached the top of Vizelle, a photo stop to catch the incredible panorama is a must!
The 360° panorama of the most beautiful Alpine peaks is moving to say the least, with views over:
Mont Blanc,
Grande Casse,
the Vanoise glacier
and even Les Ecrins on a clear day!
IT'S A WILD RIDE
IT'S A WILD RIDE
Take the Biche, Marmotte and Doron runs to reach Méribel snow front. This is a great opportunity to see the famous finishing line of the Roc de Fer run for the 2023 Alpine Ski World Championships!
Once there, hop onto the heated seats of the Legends chairlift, and head down to Méribel Mottaret to pick up the Combes and Châtelet chairlifts. During the ride up, enjoy the show on your left at the 'Bump'N'Jump', a freestyler’s paradise!
ON TOWARDS THE HIGHEST RESORT IN EUROPE
ON TOWARDS THE HIGHEST RESORT IN EUROPE
Then take the Côte Brune chairlift, soon to be replaced by a more modern lift.
Welcome to the Mont de la Chambre at an altitude of 2,850 metres! This point is the junction with the Belleville Valley (home to Les Menuires, Saint-Martin-de-Belleville and Val Thorens). From here, head for Val Thorens via the Pluviomètre run, taking the path on the left. This track goes through the middle of the highest resort in Europe, ending at the snow front.
OPTIONAL!
OPTIONAL!
If you have enough time and energy, take the opportunity to sample the slopes around Val Thorens! Your best bet is to opt for the Peclet funitel lift, which will take you up to the eponymous glacier and let you taste the unique high mountain air before you descend the fantastic blue Tête Ronde run to the Cascades chairlift.
Did you notice that the lift pylons here are all white? This is to allow the lift infrastructure to blend in with the scenery.
A FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE
A FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE
The return trip starts with the Pionniers and 3 Vallées chairlifts.
On the first lift, watch out for a glimpse of the buzzing atmosphere at the famous Folie Douce Val Thorens and on the second lift, applaud the courageous skiers who have launched themselves down the infamous black Goitschel run!
LISTEN AND LISTEN AGAIN
LISTEN AND LISTEN AGAIN
Once you get to the top of the Col de la Chambre, take the Lac de la Chambre run. Away from the hustle and bustle of the ski area, it winds its way down to the Plan des Mains chairlift in Méribel Mottaret. Keep your eyes and ears open, because towards the end of March, the Marmots start poking their noses out of their winter hibernation!
You then aim for the Sitelle run, alongside the snowpark that you saw in the morning from the Chatelets chairlift, and then you’re back in Courchevel, via the vintage Pas du Lac gondola. Your final turns will be on the Creux and Altiport runs, before coming back to Courchevel to warm up by the fire!
Road
Book
Your 3 Vallées itinerary checklist:
Saulire > Méribel > Côte Brune > Val Thorens
Starts from: Courchevel 1850
11 Ski Lifts: Verdons gondola lift, Vizelle gondola lift, Legends chairlift, Combes chairlift, Châtelet chairlift, Côte Brune chairlift, funitel de Peclet funitel (option), Pionniers chairlift, 3 Vallées chairlift, Plan des Mains chairlift, Pas du Lac gondola lift, Saulire cable car
11 Runs: Biche, Marmotte, Doron, Grive, Perdrix (green), Martre (top) , Pluviomètre, Tête Ronde (option), Lac de la Chambre, Sitelle, Creux, Altiport
- Level: Blue easy sometimes more demanding than those of the first itinerary
- Timing: Day
Atmosphere: Enjoy snowsports in a high mountain environment without even being a pro! This itinerary takes you through some of Les 3 Vallées most iconic places, with views of the highest peaks. NB: it is preferable to do this route outside the school holiday periods.
An easy plan
Les 3 Vallées has created a whole range of skipasses to meet every need: you can ski on your own or with a group or family, for one day, a weekend, a week’s holiday or for the entire season.
Buy your skipass online before you arrive to gain time: buy your 3 Vallées skipass online to be the first on slopes, easy and comfortable. Less wait, more ski!
To enjoy this exceptional itinerary and the entirety of Les 3 Vallées ski area in the best possible conditions.
WEATHER FORECAST
Knowing the snow conditions and weather forecast for the next 3 days in the seven 3 Vallées ski resorts is a real help when organising an unforgettable holiday in the heart of the largest ski area in the world.
WEBCAMS
Here you will find all the webcams in Les 3 Vallées ski area. These cameras are situated at strategic points in each of the ski resorts and provide a mine of useful information so you can prepare and make the most of your ski outings!
SKI RUN AND LIFT OPENINGS
Each day, you can check what Les 3 Vallées has to offer you by viewing live information on the opening conditions and the times and state of the lifts, ski runs and links.
To prepare for your off-piste skiing day, consult the Avalanche Risk Estimate Bulletin. These information are essential in order to evaluate your off-piste outing. If you decide to do off-piste, think about to be accompanied by a mountain professional.
Check Les 3 Vallées app for access to live info when you’re on the ski area (ski run and ski lift opening times, opening times for links between Les 3 Vallées, weather forecasts…)
Sharing and reunion
To discoverwith the family
The shared experience of a ski holiday is a highlight for any family, bringing its members closer together, withstanding the passing of time, filling photo albums and leading to many a funny story at family dinners… Skiing as a family brings you together somewhere else, allowing you to reach new heights !