The reputation of the 3 Valleys can be heard beyond the French and European borders. During the winter, enthusiasts from all over the world are attracted to the world’s largest ski area. The 3 Valleys is a skiing paradise and above all a guarantee of good snow conditions.
Snow cover
5 months of skiing guaranteed! The entire ski area is located between 1,300 and 3,230 metres in altitude, 85% of which is above 1,800 metres. In addition to this, and only when necessary, the 3 valleys have 2300 snow cannons on the slopes. The favourable altitude and topography guarantee the skier 150 days of skiing per year. What makes the 3 Valleys different from other resorts is the connections between the different resorts. Where in some areas you join another resort at the bottom of the valley, in the 3 valleys the resorts are linked by the ridges. This ensures not only snow on the slopes but also exceptional panoramas. Added to this, every night, more than 70 snow groomers prepare the slopes for the next day’s skiers to welcome you every day in the best conditions.
The largest ski area in the world
The figures are enough to measure the size of this playground; 20 km as the crow flies separate Courchevel and Orelle and 600 km over more than 1500 hectares of slopes cover the ski area.
- Les 3 Vallées (France), 600 km of runs
- Les Portes du Soleil (France-Switzerland), 450 km
- Les Quatre Vallées (Switzerland), 412 km
- Via Lattea (Italy-France), 400 km
- Zermatt-Cervinia (Switzerland-Italy), 360 km
- Les Sybelles (France), 310 km
- Espace Killy (Val d’Isère-Tignes) (France), 300 km
- SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental (Austria), 280 km
- Le Grand Massif (France), 265 km
- Big Sky Resort (USA), 250 km
- Serre Chevalier (France), 250 km
- 12.Alpe d’Huez (France), 249 km
- Ischgl-Samnaun (Silvretta Arena) (Austria-Switzerland), 238 km
- Snowmass (USA), 237 km
- Megève (France), 235 km
- Arosa-Lenzerheide (Switzerland), 225 km
- La Plagne (Paradiski) (France), 225 km
- Les Deux Alpes (France), 225 km
- Laax-Flims-Falera (Switzerland), 220 km
- Grandvalira (Andorra), 210km
A few figures
163 SKI LIFTS
Cable cars: 3
Funitels and funiculars: 4
Gondolas: 32
Chairlifts: 61
Ski lifts: 5
Capacity: 288,550 people/hour
339 TRACKS
Black: 36
Red: 110
Blue: 145
Green: 48
History of the ski area
In the 1920s, the British Arnold Lunn, inventor of the slalom, discovered and explored the Saint-Bon valley, at the request of businessmen and experienced skiers. The aim was to create a ski resort in France similar to those already existing at the time in Austria and Switzerland.
He organised several expeditions to find the ideal location. When Arnold Lunn discovered the 3 Valleys, he found an exceptional site in Savoie made up of three roughly parallel valleys: Saint-Bon, Les Allues and Belleville.
Despite their different characteristics, they lend themselves to the installation of important resorts. The slopes are favourable, the sunshine is good, the avalanche dangers minimal, easily accessible, and the legend of the 3 Valleys was born!
The first links took place in the 1950s between Courchevel and Méribel, then later, in the 1970s between Courchevel and Méribel-Mottaret.
The Olympic Games
The Albertville Olympic Games, organised in 1992, allowed Méribel and its neighbouring communes of the 3 Valleys to develop considerably. The Olympus cable car was built to link Brides-les-Bains, Les Allues, Le Raffort and Méribel is an example of this. The Albertville Olympic Games represented a total of 12 billion euros of investment, which allowed the 3 valleys to change dimension and become the area we know today.
Slopes for all levels
From the beginner’s area, to learn gently, to the Vertical Xperience, the steepest black runs of the 3 Vallées at the top of the mythical Saulire, passing by off-piste itineraries and easy mythical runs such as Les Creux in Courchevel or Tête Ronde in Val Thorens, how could one dream of a more varied playground than the one offered by the 3 Vallées. Half of the slopes are green and blue, and the other half red and black, a perfect balance for skiing with family or friends. Beyond the sublime panoramas visible from any slope, take advantage of an XXL off-piste domain. With an experienced guide or instructor, you can go off the beaten track to make your own mark.