French Holiday Ideas | Skiing holidays in France: Discover Les 3 Vallees

Every winter, cute and quaint villages and otherwise sleepy small towns nestled in the spectacular hills of eastern France come to life and begin to fill with eager outdoor types as the Alps are transformed into the centre of the skiing universe.
For many British ski and snowboard fans, increasing numbers of whom are choosing to spend their hard-earned money on a skiing chalet in France, the annual pilgrimage to this glorious region is the highlight of the year.

A skiing holiday in France is about so much more than just bombing down icy slopes and the thrill of speed. It’s about escape, about fresh air, about friends and family, and about immersing yourself in French mountain life with all the entertainment and gastronomic enjoyment that goes with it.

Here we take an introductory look around one of the Alps’ most famous regions dedicated to winter sports: Les Trois Vallées (The Three Valleys).



Set in the Tarentaise valley in the heart of the Savoie department, the ski domaine (the French word that describes a skiable area that often interlinks more than one village or resort), Les Trois Vallées comprises such luminary resorts as Courchevel, Méribel, La Tania, Les Menuires, St-Martin de Belleville and Val Thorens, all of which make it the world’s largest ski area connected by lifts (there are an astonishing 180 of these in use!)

British visitors will be impressed by the fact that way back in 1925 it was some innovative British businessmen who first struck upon the notion of creating a ski resort here similar to those which they had seen in Austria.

One intrepid skier, Arnold Lunn (later of Lunn Poly travel agency fame) was dispatched to assess the suitability of area for the creation of a new resort. Here is what his findings reflected: 'In Savoie there is an exceptional site that comprises three almost parallel valleys: Saint-Bon, Les Allues and Belleville. In spite of their different features, they lend themselves well to the development of large resorts.”

How right he was! Given that this includes over 600kms of ski runs all to be explored on one ski pass, you can see why the area is so massively popular.

What’s more, the skiing is rich and varied, with those of all abilities having suitable slopes to enjoy, plus plenty of off-piste for the most experienced down-hillers.

There are also many snow-parks and half-pipes for fans of new winter board-sports. And because there are eight resorts in total, the range of accommodation to choose from provides choice for all budgets and tastes, from top-end hotels to excellent family chalets, both catered and self-catering.

Even when you don’t have your skis on, all aspects of your winter holiday have been taken into consideration in Les Trois Vallées. Why not get back to nature and try the increasingly popular sport of snowshoeing, which opens up otherwise inaccessible open spaces, forest trails and provides guided peeks at mountain wildlife and flora.

More adventurous visitors can get a bird’s eye view from a paraglider, while for the not so adrenaline-fuelled, a bit of gentle sledging or husky-dog sledding can be enjoyed in most resorts.

These days, ski resorts have more special events, parties and festivals than ever before, and Les Trois Vallées is no exception, so make sure you make the most of your stay by timing it with a great event. You could even spend Christmas or New Year there, just to soak up an extra magical festive ambience.

Crucially for its visitors, the region is very easily accessible: the nearby travel hub is the town of Moûtiers, which is accessible by train direct from London with Eurostar, while for many a flight into Geneva, Chambéry or Grenoble leaves a straightforward, short transfer.

For more information on the resorts, please visit www.les3vallees.com

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