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The Three Valleys - or Les 3 Vallées, as it's known locally - is the largest linked ski area in the world. Spread across three connected valleys in the French Alps, it's a place where you can ski for a week and still have new runs to find. Each valley has its own personality, from the lively altitude of Val Thorens to the tree-lined slopes above Méribel.
The area covers 600 km of marked piste served by 156 lifts, sitting between 1,300 m and 3,230 m. There are 328 runs in total: 36 green, 112 blue, 118 red, and 62 black. The season typically runs from early December through to late April, with glacier terrain above Val Thorens sometimes extending skiing into May. Eight resorts share a single lift pass, making it one of the most extensive areas you can explore on one ticket.
The resorts range from car-free Val Thorens at 2,300 m to the thermal-spa village of Brides-les-Bains at the valley floor. Whether you want slope-side convenience, a quieter base, or easy access to everything in between, there's a resort here that fits. Browse Three Valleys ski deals on WeSki to start planning your trip.
Courchevel is really four distinct villages at different altitudes - Le Praz (1,300 m), Courchevel Village (1,550 m), Moriond (1,650 m), and Courchevel 1850. Each has a different feel: Le Praz is a genuine Savoyard village with an Olympic ski jump; 1850 is the one with the designer boutiques and five-star hotels. The skiing above all four is excellent, with long blues through the trees and some of the area's best north-facing terrain. Families often base themselves in Moriond or Village for a bit more space and a slightly quieter pace.
Méribel sits right in the centre of the Three Valleys, which makes it the best-connected resort for skiing all three valleys in a day. The main village has a proper alpine-town feel with wooden chalets, good restaurants, and a lively après scene. Mottaret, higher up at 1,750 m, is more functional but puts you straight onto the slopes. Méribel's skiing is well balanced - a strong mix of blues and reds through the trees, plus direct access to the Saulire ridge and the link over to Courchevel.
Val Thorens is the highest resort in Europe at 2,300 m, and it shows - the snow record here is among the most reliable anywhere in the Alps. The resort itself is purpose-built and compact, so everything is walkable and most accommodation is ski-in, ski-out. The skiing is big and open above the treeline, with glacier access on the Peclet and a huge variety of reds and blacks. It's also where the area's most committed nightlife lives. If snow certainty and direct slope access are your priorities, this is the one.
Les Menuires gets overlooked, and that works in its favour. Sitting between Val Thorens and Méribel, it has full access to the Three Valleys lift system but at friendlier prices. The resort has invested heavily in recent years - the Croisette area at the centre is modern and well-designed. The local skiing is strong for intermediates, with long red runs down to the village and easy links up to Val Thorens. The newer Reberty quarter is particularly good for families.
La Tania was built for the 1992 Albertville Olympics and still feels like a well-kept secret. It's a small, car-free village set in the forest between Courchevel and Méribel, with direct lift access into both valleys. The local runs through the trees are beautiful and well-sheltered on stormy days. It's a popular pick for families and anyone who wants the full Three Valleys ski area without the bustle of the bigger resorts.
St Martin de Belleville is a traditional Savoyard village with a church, a handful of good restaurants, and a relaxed pace. A gondola links it directly into the Les Menuires-Val Thorens lift system, so you've got the full ski area on your doorstep. It's quieter and more characterful than the purpose-built resorts higher up, which makes it a strong choice if atmosphere matters to you as much as skiing.
St Martin de Belleville ski deals
Brides-les-Bains sits at the bottom of the Méribel valley at just 600 m, connected by a gondola that takes about 20 minutes to reach the slopes. It's a small spa town - not a ski resort in the traditional sense - but that gondola link gives you direct access to the entire Three Valleys. If you don't mind the commute at the start and end of each day, it's a comfortable and quiet base with thermal baths for tired legs.
Les Allues is a small village on the road between Brides-les-Bains and Méribel, connected to the slopes via the Olympe gondola. It's a quieter alternative to central Méribel with a more local feel. Accommodation tends to be self-catered chalets and apartments, and you're a short gondola ride from the full Méribel ski area. A good option if you like being slightly off the beaten track.
Several resorts in the Three Valleys have well-designed learning areas. Courchevel 1850 has a free beginners' lift right in the village, and the gentle blues above Moriond are ideal for building confidence. Méribel's Altiport area is another strong option - it's a wide, mellow plateau separated from faster traffic. La Tania's nursery slopes are sheltered and quiet, and Les Menuires has a dedicated beginners' zone at the Croisette.
Ski and snowboard lessons are available through WeSki in Courchevel, La Tania, Méribel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, and St Martin de Belleville, for adults and children.
WeSki tip: If you're a first-timer, the green runs above Courchevel Village (1,550 m) and through the trees towards La Tania give you proper scenery while you're finding your feet - a much more rewarding start than doing laps on a nursery slope.
With 112 blues and 118 reds, the Three Valleys is built for intermediates. The long blue from the top of the Saulire (2,738 m) down into Méribel is one of the most satisfying cruises in the Alps. From Méribel you can cross into Courchevel for the sweeping reds off the Col de la Loze, or head the other way to Val Thorens for wide-open runs above the treeline. The circuit from Méribel through Les Menuires to Val Thorens and back makes a brilliant day out - expect to cover serious kilometres.
WeSki tip: Start early from Méribel and head to Val Thorens via the Plattières gondola before the crowds build. You'll get fresh corduroy on the Combe de Caron and can work your way back through Les Menuires at a relaxed pace.
The 62 black runs are spread across all three valleys, but the steepest terrain is concentrated around Courchevel's Grand Couloir, the Combe de Caron above Val Thorens, and the Tougnète ridge above Méribel. Off-piste, there's a huge amount to explore - the Combe de Vallon Blanche between Méribel and Courchevel is a classic long descent, and the backcountry off the Glacier de Peclet opens up serious touring routes. A mountain guide is strongly recommended for anything beyond the marked itineraries.
WeSki tip: After fresh snow, the north-facing slopes between the Col du Fruit and Méribel Mottaret hold powder longer than almost anywhere else in the area. Get there before midday for the best conditions.
The Three Valleys ski pass covers all 600 km of piste and 156 lifts across every resort in the area on a single ticket. Passes are available from one day up to the full season, and there are discounts for children, teens, and seniors. Family pass options are also available during school holiday periods. If you'd rather ski a smaller area, individual valley passes (Courchevel-La Tania, Méribel, or Belleville Valley) are also sold at a lower rate, with upgrade options if you change your mind.
You can add the lift pass directly to your WeSki booking, along with ski equipment hire at Courchevel (1300, 1550, 1650, 1850), La Tania, Méribel (Centre, Mottaret, Village), and Val Thorens - so everything's sorted before you arrive.
WeSki tip: If you're staying for six days or more, the full Three Valleys pass usually works out at a similar daily rate to the single-valley options. It's well worth the upgrade, even if you only cross valleys a couple of times - those days out are often the highlight of the trip.
The closest airport is Chambéry, around 1 hour 15 minutes' drive from most resorts. Lyon Saint-Exupéry and Geneva are both roughly 2 hours 15 to 2 hours 30 minutes away, with more frequent flights from UK airports. Grenoble is a similar distance. By train, the Eurostar and TGV run to Moûtiers, the railhead for the Three Valleys - from there it's a 25-minute drive to Méribel or 45 minutes to Val Thorens. Free shuttle buses connect the resorts within each valley, and the lift system links everything on the mountain during ski hours.
WeSki has private and shared transfers to Courchevel, La Tania, Méribel, Val Thorens, and Les Menuires. Private transfers are available to all eight resorts including St Martin de Belleville, Brides-les-Bains, and Les Allues. Val Thorens also has scheduled transfer services. Add them to your booking for a straightforward door-to-door trip.
The season runs from early December to late April, with the most reliable snow conditions from mid-January through to mid-March. Val Thorens' altitude means it tends to open first and close last, and the glacier terrain above it can extend the season into early May in good snow years. December and early January are quieter, with shorter days but often excellent early-season conditions at altitude.
School holiday weeks - particularly UK half-term in February and French holidays through February and March - are the busiest periods. If you've got flexibility, the weeks either side of half-term tend to hit a good balance between snow conditions and quieter slopes. Late March and April bring longer days, warmer weather, and spring snow - especially enjoyable on the south-facing runs above Les Menuires.
Yes. Courchevel, Méribel, La Tania, and Les Menuires all have dedicated nursery areas separated from faster traffic. Once you're linking turns, the gentle blues above Courchevel Village and through the trees towards La Tania are ideal for progression. Ski and snowboard lessons for adults and children are available through WeSki in Courchevel, La Tania, Méribel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, and St Martin de Belleville.
The Three Valleys covers 600 km of marked piste served by 156 lifts, ranging from 1,300 m to 3,230 m. There are 328 runs in total: 36 green, 112 blue, 118 red, and 62 black. Eight resorts share the same lift pass. It is the largest linked ski area in the world.
It depends on what matters most to you. Méribel is best for accessing all three valleys easily from a central base. Courchevel has the widest range of accommodation and terrain. Val Thorens is the pick for snow reliability and slope-side convenience. Les Menuires and La Tania are great for families. St Martin de Belleville and Brides-les-Bains are quieter, more traditional villages. Les Allues is a good option if you want a local feel close to Méribel.
The Three Valleys season typically runs from early December to late April. Val Thorens often opens a week or two before the rest of the area and closes last. Glacier terrain above Val Thorens can extend skiing into early May in good snow years.
Fly to Chambéry (1 hr 15 min drive), Lyon (2 hr 15 min), Geneva (2 hr 30 min), or Grenoble (2 hr 30 min). Alternatively, take the Eurostar and TGV to Moûtiers, then a short transfer to your resort. WeSki has private, shared, and scheduled transfers available depending on the resort.
No. During ski hours, the lift system connects all three valleys. Free shuttle buses run within each valley, linking the resorts to the main lift stations. The only resort that requires a gondola commute rather than a direct ski-in is Brides-les-Bains, which is connected to Méribel by a 20-minute gondola.
Yes. Ski and snowboard lessons are available through WeSki in Courchevel, La Tania, Méribel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, and St Martin de Belleville. Ski equipment hire is available in Courchevel (1300, 1550, 1650, 1850), La Tania, Méribel (Centre, Mottaret, Village), and Val Thorens. You can add both to your booking along with your lift pass and transfers.
Yes. The Glacier de Peclet sits above Val Thorens, reaching 3,230 m. It helps extend the season at altitude and provides reliable snow cover throughout the winter. It's accessed from the Cime de Caron cable car and the Peclet funicular.
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