Wishlist
When thinking of the world’s greatest ski area, featuring a huge variety of slopes, a myriad quaint villages, extraordinary beauty and a vibrant après scene – then one place instantly comes to mind - Les Trois Vallées. Known and loved by avid skiers across the globe, the vast 600km of piste crowns the region as the largest interconnected ski area in Europe.
Each village has its own special qualities and although they are geographically close to one another, the resorts differ in a multitude of ways. Therefore, we’ve delved into each one to make sure you visit the one that caters to your interests the most (even though we are sure that they all will)!
Courchevel
Possibly the most well-known of the regions, Courchevel is also the oldest ski resort in Les Trois Vallées with its first ski lift being built in 1946. This prestigious resort rightly enjoys a reputation for luxury properties, high-end designer shops, Michelin star restaurants and celebrity spotting.
One of our favourite aspects of Courchevel is that its four villages act as a microcosm of the whole of Les Trois Vallées. For a more peaceful and quiet stay, Le Praz (1300m) is the perfect place with traditional French restaurants and charming cobbled streets. La Petite Bergerie is a favourite restaurant of ours which is well worth a visit for its delectable dishes and cosy atmosphere.
Further up at 1550m is Courchevel Village. This is great for those who want excellent proximity to the slopes but want to avoid lively crowds and a bustling atmosphere. We usually recommend 1550 to families who want a tranquil stay with easy access to the chair lift transporting you to each village.
Up high at 1650m we have Courchevel Moriond. This village is filled with extraordinary modern developments such as Sundance Lodge and Steamboat Lodge which offer every amenity one could ever dream of having. The village boasts an energetic atmosphere with plenty to do at any hour of the day/night. The AquaMotion is another main attraction featuring facilities such as indoor surfing and an indoor climbing frame.
Last but certainly not least is the famous Courchevel 1850 – the height of luxury. This traditional village has seen royalty and international celebrities visit time and time again. Filled with over 20 five-star hotels, countless prestigious restaurants and every high-end boutique imaginable, 1850 is a resort of class and prestige.
Meribel
Positioned in the heart of Les Trois Vallees, Meribel leaves a mark on everyone who visits. Its charm, beauty, vibe, and essence leave every visitor eager to visit again with some fortunate enough to invest in a property of their own.
The slopes offer multiple runs that cater for every level of skier from absolute beginner to expert thrill-seekers.
The beauty of the slopes dotted amongst the trees adds to the magical feel of racing down the mountains. As a former home to the winter Olympics, Meribel has some famous slopes which tempt skiers to try for a personal best - The Combe du Vallon and Le Face to name two.
If you’re looking for après – look no further. Meribel will always delight people with its après and party scene. You can find the iconic La Folice Douce or Le Rond Point in the village as well as a plethora of others. The one guarantee of Meribel is that there will always be someone dancing somewhere in the village.
The beauty doesn’t end on the slopes or on the dance floor however, as the village itself has the perfect blend of traditional Savoyard buildings with interior contemporary elegance. The new developments are expertly designed to blend in perfectly with the existing village so that views are not spoilt by unsympathetic infrastructure. To see some of the properties in Meribel, click here.
Val Thorens
Adding another medal to the region, Val Thorens wins as the highest resort in Europe situated at a grand elevation of 2300m. The snow quality is always sublime and attracts many who love to powder ski and explore off-piste. As the skiing is so excellent and snow-sure, most properties have ski in, ski out access so that no time is lost on the journey to the slopes. To see our available properties view here.
A few of the renowned slopes are the majestic blue Tête Ronde, the exhilarating black Cîme Caron and the highest slope of all at 3230m - Pointe du Bouchet.
People come to Val Thorens for two main things: skiing and après. Like Meribel, Val Thorens is a village bursting with energy. La Folie Douce, Bar 360 and Saloon bar are some of the famous après attractions.
St Martin de Belleville
If partying isn’t your scene and you prefer peaceful serenity, then St. Martin de Belleville would be our top recommendation. Radiating authenticity, this attractive village dates back to the 17th century and is filled with historical monuments including a striking Baroque church.
The tranquillity and picturesque nature attract families to invest in beautiful Savoyard chalets in the village experiencing pure bliss when they come to visit. For those wanting a bit more of a lively scene, the journey to neighbouring villages is completely hassle-free with the efficient and fast lift system throughout Les Trois Vallées.
St Martin de Belleville is truly a lived-in French village with the slopes being a plus rather than the main reason for visiting. Filled with family run restaurants and establishments, one of our most visited places for a guaranteed exceptional meal is Au Tore.
Les Menuires
Another family favourite is Les Menuires with its many blue and green runs making it great for beginners. The resort was built in the 1960s making it more of a purpose-built resort rather than the older French villages. However, this does not stop Les Menuires from exuding its own special charm.
Positioned at 1850m, the majority of properties are highly desirable with ski in, ski out access at more affordable prices than the rest of Les Trois Vallees. Having 600km of slopes on your door is a privilege like no other! The après scene in Les Menuires is also quite dynamic with multiple bars, restaurants and clubs open most nights of the week, with some even featuring live music.
For families with non-skiers, the resort offers many other activities such as snowshoeing, tobogganing, ice skating, and paragliding.
If you’re visiting Les Trois Vallées or considering buying property there, please don’t hesitate to get in touch for more expert advice.
