Dreaming Of Three Valleys Skiing? Les Menuires Is The Answer

Whether you’re already familiar with the extensive Three Valley’s ski area in the French Alps, or you’ve heard lots of wonderful things about it and are yearning to try it out, you’ll find the modern, purpose-built resort of Les Menuires a great choice. Famously family-friendly (it has been awarded the Family-Plus accreditation for its excellent children’s facilities), and priced well below its glitzy neighbours (Courchevel, Méribel and Val Thorens), Les Menuires offers great skiing both on its doorstep and beyond.

Excellent Snow Cover

Set at a reassuringly high 1850m, the season here is amongst the longest in the French Alps, and the network of snow-making machines guarantees that you can enjoy good snow cover from its begin to its end. Above Les Menuires (accessed by lifts to Val Thorens) is the glacier Pointe De Thorens at 3266m with its summer skiing options, and above Les Menuires itself is the Mont de La Chambre which soars to 2850m.

Skiing Les Menuires

The resort has an impressive 160km of pistes (and that’s before you venture into the 600km of pistes across the Three Valleys). Its fast lifts swoop you quickly up the mountainside towards Val Thorens on one side and Méribel on the other. While there are, of course, nursery slopes for beginners, and a number of black and challenging red runs for the more advanced, the majority of runs in and out of Les Menuires are perfect for intermediate skiers. With just over half the runs being labelled red or blue, this is a fantastic choice for anyone who wants to improve their technique or just enjoy some stunning, intermediate level slopes.

The best skiing Les Menuireshas to offer intermediates can be found on the Mont de la Chambre. With its breathtaking views come blues that will push beginners to a new level and reds that are never too much to handle. If you happen to be out with a mixed ability group and there are those looking for more of a challenge, head over to Pointe de La Masse with its 1000m verticals that will put a quiver of excitement in even the most advanced skiers’ hearts. Thankfully there’s also a more tranquil way down on the Bouquetin blue so that all members of your group can enjoy the same mountain together.

Fun on the Slopes

If you’re skiing with kids, or you’re a big kid yourself, it’s worth stopping off at the Walibi Gliss snow park. Time yourself against your companions on the boardercross run, or challenge friends and family to a try out on the blue slalom run for a bit of healthy competition.

Whether you use it as a base to access the expanse and range of runs across the vast Three Valleys or you just want to enjoy its own excellent range of skiing, Les Menuires is an ideal, budget-friendly way to experience some of the best snow conditions in the Alps. With the price of its fantastic ski-in-ski out accommodation at around a third less than its more famous neighbours, this really is a ‘no brainer’ for winter sports enthusiasts looking for a snow-sure bargain.

Author Plate

Belinda Smythson works for Ski Amis, a specialist ski travel agency and booking service that has been helping avid skiers craft their perfect winter holiday for over a quarter of a century. With a team that has years of experience sending guests to enjoy the best skiing Les Menuires, La Plagne and Tignes have to offer, Ski Amis is the go-to company for winter sports fans looking for a holiday of a lifetime.