Playgrounds for experts

Making the perfect turn, carving and slicing through the snow… Then feeling the speed, a force that pushes you to confront both the slope and yourself, suspended in that unbelievable second when you’re the one to decide where and when the next turn begins… There’s such intense joy in mastering the moves, and doing so with ease, as if you’re dancing with the slope to music chosen by you, to your rhythm, an intimate tryst you’ve been waiting impatiently for, where nothing else matters.

Like the other connoisseurs who come from all over the world to glide on the slopes of Les 3 Vallées, you know that this is where you come alive, satisfying your need for vertical drops, quenching your thirst for ascent and descent, walls, moguls and powder snow… Until your thighs tell you to stop.

Once you’ve experienced this unique feeling, it becomes your mission.
You know that you’re in the right place.

Somewhere you can soak up the raw, mineral, almost otherworldly atmosphere of high mountains like these to your heart’s content, along a forest trail; somewhere villages are connected via mountain peaks, with classic runs and legendary off-piste, where the power of a shared passion has given rise to a white paradise.

Between the perfectly designed runs, walls with just the right exposure, and panoramic views that will stay etched on your memory forever, there’s doubtlessly still more to discover, places that are still a little bit secret, whose names are shared discreetly under cover of ski jacket…

Les 3 Vallées ski area boasts an excellent reputation when it comes to snow grooming. With the largest fleet in the world, totalling 70 snow grooming vehicles spread over the whole ski area, 160 snow groomer operators work in shifts from the moment the slopes close, until 7am the next day. A genuine work of art is created overnight, to provide all skiers with perfect, easy-to-access snowsports conditions…. And every so often, to let them experience the sweet sensation of being a world champion.

Whilst these famously velvety slopes prompt die-hard ski fans to get up at the crack of dawn to be the first to enjoy them, some black runs are also left deliberately ungroomed for the satisfaction of technical skiers on the lookout for powder snow and moguls. It’s also a chance to realise… that there’s still a little way to go before becoming a world champion!

Les 3 Vallées ski area boasts an ultra-reliable network of high-performance, comfortable ski lifts. They’re one of the reasons there are so few queues across the whole ski area. A well-managed rate of flow and optimal capacity offers skiers much-prized smooth movement around the ski area’s 342 runs, and obviously means more skiing for everybody!

Some of them are legends, such as La Saulire in Courchevel, Cime Caron in Val Thorens, Les Granges bubble chair lift in Saint Martin de Belleville and the Altiport chair lift in Méribel…

To make things even more comfortable for skiers, and as part of an overall target of reducing energy consumption, the ski lift fleet is regularly updated. Most recently: Les Plattières 3 gondola lift in Méribel was replaced with the state-of-the-art 6-seater Bouquetin chair lift. And there’s no need to take your skis off to get to the summit; in just 2 minutes and 30 seconds and a 320-metre climb, you can turn off either towards the Saint Martin de Belleville or Les Menuires runs!

Certain runs on Les 3 Vallées ski area stand apart from the others and have their own special status. They’re part of the legend of skiing thanks to their history, geographical profile, the panoramic views they offer, or what they represent symbolically. They give those who descend them a very special feeling, and always the most amazing skiing.

From Saint Martin de Belleville’s magnificent Jérusalem, which exudes history at every turn, to the Boismint & Plan de l’Eau’s beautifully varied 1,000-metre descent in Val Thorens, not forgetting Meribel’s Olympic Roc de Fer and the new Eclipse in Courchevel, which will be in the thick of the action during the 2023 World Championships, as well cared-for as they are adored, these ‘classic’ runs are unmissable routes to descend time and again, or to discover as soon as possible!

1. Ease back:
At least a few weeks before you go skiing, stop using lifts and the underground… make your legs your mode of transport. A bit of cycling or running will also help to improve your muscular and cardio fitness.

2. A healthy lifestyle:
A good sleeping pattern, combined with healthy, balanced food will be the perfect accompaniment to your little fitness purge.

3. Check your equipment:
Check your equipment, especially the state of your ski edges: it’s impossible to carve a turn if your skis aren’t sharp! Well-prepared and maintained skis, comfortable boots, a working helmet, a mask with protective lenses, the right- sized ski poles.

4. Spend some time studying the piste map:
That way, when you arrive, you won’t have to keep getting it out to check! to have a quick look at the piste map before your holiday. It will stop you having to get off and look at every ski lift!

5. In the morning:
Before you go out, pack your rucksack with water, snacks, an extra layer for warmth and a spare pair of gloves… just in case.

6. That reminds me:
Check the weather forecast, so you can adjust your equipment to suit the conditions.

7. Skiing is a sport for early birds:
Fresh snow and freshly groomed slopes… The slopes are at their best in the early morning, so you know what you’ll have to do if you want a piece of that.

8. Before you set off on your first run:
At the top of the slopes, admire the landscape and warm up at the same time: neck, legs, shoulders, arms and wrists! Especially for the thighs: 3 repetitions of 10 squats, separated by a minute and a half recovery time.

9. Don’t rush:
Start off with one or two easy to medium runs at a gentle speed before attempting the steeper slopes.

10. Take extra care later on in the day:
After lunch and towards the end of the day are the key times where attention can start to drift. Slow your pace and, in the evening, remember to stay hydrated and to stretch!