The Trois Vallées (or Three Valleys) covering Courchevel, Méribel and Val Thorens needs little introduction. It is one of the world’s most famous resorts, with over 600km of marked pistes and 200 ski lifts making it the largest ski area on our planet! The high altitude, many North-facing pistes and 1230 snow cannons ensure snow cover is maintained to optimal conditions throughout the season which runs from early December until late April. To back up its celebrated status, there is huge investment into the lift system, with updates every year reducing queues and improving efficiency.
The runs into La Tania are tree lined and both the green and blue pistes are supported by snow cannons should the natural snowfall be lacking. The forest setting means that visibility is good even on snowy days, which is hugely helpful for beginners and, indeed, powder hunters!
In the Three Valleys you have at your fingertips (or should that be ski tips?) some of the best skiing in France, and the connections between the resorts of Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Méribel and Courchevel are easy and accessible even for intermediate skiers.
There’s no driving or buses involved in moving between the resorts, in fact there is often a choice of route. With a Three Valleys pass you can explore a vast area and rarely need to repeat your route during a week-long holiday. The furthest point from the Courchevel Valley is Orelle (known as the 4th Valley), the other side of Val Thorens. From La Tania, strong skiers will be able to explore these pistes easily during the week.
As you would expect, given the enormous size of this area and variety of pistes, there is something for everyone here in the Three Valleys, from the perfectly groomed green runs for the absolute beginner to wide cruisey blues and reds for the intermediates and experts. Advanced skiers will enjoy multiple black pistes and varied off piste terrain from steep couloirs to tree skiing in La Tania.
Recent improvements to the Family park in Courchevel 1850 have added fun areas with gentle introductions to freestyle skiing as well as more advanced rails, kickers and boxes.
The ski cross course is fun even for those on their first week. In Meribel there are two snowparks, the Moon Park and the DC Area 43 Project which has seen recent development and investment with new groomers, shapers and equipment to create some fantastic rails and kickers as well as two half-pipes.
Both these Meribel parks have a video camera, whereby you can record your run and watch it online later – simply swipe your lift pass over the camera to start and again at the finish and watch it on the screen or download it on the chalet WiFi later.
As a beginner skier or boarder staying in one of our chalets, we can help you to make the most of your new adventure. We would recommend lessons which will help you to progress more quickly, and can help you to book these as well as organise your ski equipment.
There is no need to buy a lift pass for at least the first day – there is La Tania’s nursery slope where you can learn the basic techniques. Your instructor will advise when you are ready to purchase a lift pass and venture onto the gondola to access a number of easy blue runs above Courchevel later in the week.
the tree-lined blue bringing you down into La Tania, a fantastic home-run every day for our lucky guests!
Heading over towards St Martin de Belleville, this lovely undulating red has fun rollers to enjoy.
Choose either run down from the top and enjoy the lovely views. The challenge is to get to the bottom without stopping.
The route of the famous Roc Merlet Derby — can you ski it without a rest?
A good first black run — caught after grooming it's a joyful wide, steep piste without being overly challenging.
From the Funitel Glacier in Val Thorens — a lovely long blue with spectacular high-altitude scenery.
Take in the views at 3,200m and ski the red Col de l'Audzin — one of the great runs in the Three Valleys.
Feel like a pro and try Face from the top of Olympic — the genuine racers' run. Fast, steep and exhilarating.
A wide, pretty red in Moriond with secret tracks through the forest if you venture into the trees.
Explore the 4th Valley by taking Grand Fond over to Orelle. A full-day adventure for strong skiers.
of ski-in, ski-out interconnected ski runs, from beginners' slopes to vertiginous couloirs
modern high-performance ski lifts
artificial snow making machines — 1/3 of the ski area equipped with artificial snow
piste groomers for 1,512 hectares (3,700ac) of groomed runs
Minimum skiing altitude: 1,300m / Maximum skiing altitude: 3,230m
of the ski area situated above 1,800 metres
The highest mountain you can see if you look North from the top of La Saulire is Mont Blanc. Or in fact, Monte Bianco (we’re looking at the Italian side)
GoldenEye – James Bond rides a motorbike down Courchevel’s altiport to jump into a plane!
Being the ski resort of choice for the rich & famous, you could rub shoulders on the chairlift with Posh & Becks, Roman Abramovitch or even One Direction…
… And William & Kate had lunch in La Tania’s own Bouc Blanc restaurant!
La Tania was a small farming village until 1992 when the winter Olympics arrived – the apartments were built to house competitors and journalists covering the event
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