The Arlberg lift pass covers both the St Anton area and Lech and Zurs area so no need to stop to get a lift pass. What is essentially a large ski area, you will definitely need more than one day to do the area. We only had one day, so we decided to take the White Circle Route which takes a route “fleetingly” around the whole area. More about our day later, onto giving you a general idea about the Lech and Zurs area.

Lech (1450m) is undeniably Austria’s most exclusive resort, along with Zurs and high altitude Oberlech there are six large 5 star hotels here. However it is not entirely exclusive with a chalet in Lech or Zurs costing no more than a similar option in Val d’Isere, Coourchevel and other top ski resorts. Unlike St Anton round the corner, Lech has a refined feel. The hotels are of an excellent standard, and people are just as likely to be seem wondering down the river as they are skiing. However unlike other top resorts there aren’t arcade’s of designer shops here. The real luxury of the resort is it’s charm, with a river running through the centre, the pretty alpine architecture and the warm, friendly, family hotels.

Centre of Lech ski resort

The centre of the resort can however become clogged with traffic, especially at weekends with the base station of the Rufikiopf cable car from the centre. The other cable car from the centre is also the only access available to Oberlech and runs until 1am. Guests staying in Oberlech leave their cars in lech and get up their by cable car. There luggage is delivered through a series of underground tunnels, which in bad weather guests can use too.

Zurs, is the highest of the three resort areas, at 1716m. There is not much of a village here, just a collection of high end hotels built along the busy road. Zurs is the nearest resort to Haus Rauz so you can be in the St Anton ski area in less than half an hour if you’re based in Zurs. Buses are extremely efficient from what we experienced, so make sure you’re on time!  From Zurs you can also get the bus to Lech, as in actual fact the ski is a rather long one.

Zug is the last base in the area and is the cheapest of the three. You can link directly onto the wide pistes above Lech by a 2 man chair lift from Zug, which makes it a handy option.

Zurs ski area looking towards the Trittkopfbahn lift and the free car parks

The skiing in Lech and Zurs seems to contrast completely with technically difficult St Anton. There are only a couple of blacks here and the runs in general feel wider and flatter your ski standard! The snow record is excellent, and they reportedly receive twice the snow of round the corner St Anton (yes unbelievable I think!)  The pistes felt very very quiet, but then we found St Anton to be very crowded so maybe the pistes in Lech were just averagely busy. The lift system is a mixed bag, you’ll ever get high speed 4/6/8 seater heated chairlifts with covers, or old 2 seaters! Luckily these days it is more of the former than the latter.

The main collection of slopes are found on the Oberlech sector and are largely well pisted reds and blues perfect for motorway crusing. Like St Anton the piste map also marks off piste runs (called ski routens), these are marked by diamonds instead of circular piste markers. Most of these are to be avoided if you’re not into off piste, but several are worth a go for the intermerdiate skiier, including the run down from Zurs to Zug (33), part of the White Route. This was a slightly bumpy red run, but wide and with plenty of room to turn.

For off piste officianados then there are some options, don’t be fooled into thinking St Anton is your main option. Probably best to hire a guide to seek out the best areas, but the one thing that is better than St Anton is that it doesn’t all get tracked out within hours.  Off course if you do have time then the off piste in St Anton is legendary and you can take the trip back via the back of the Valluga which can only be navigated with a guide.

The White Ring (Der Weisse Ring) is definitely a great one day activity. It takes you in a circular route around the main areas of Lech sk area and it is this route that we took around the area. You can start from key points, all marked on the map, we started from Zurs. Here is an overview of The White Route as started from Zurs.

As for apres ski in the areas, then it’s certainly not as mad as St Anton, there’s no Mooserwirt equivalent, well not that we could find. Most of the apres ski centred on the hotel bars from the afternoon hotspot of the hotel Montana in Oberlech to almost any of the hotel’s discos. As most people tend to be on Full Board holidays the only restaurants tend to be in the hotels, rather than independent restaurants, but there are plenty of options available.

Personally I loved Lech and the areas around. The skiing really does have that free, expansive feeling, unlike local St Anton. I’d compare it more to Tignes, but perhaps without the difficulty, as it’s quite bleak, but with brilliant motorway pistes. It’s probably a great resort for anyone who’s skiied between 0 and 6 weeks, after that you may get a bit bored unless you’re already throwing yourself down off piste or are happy to commute to St Anton for some harder runs.

St Anton has 2 lift linked ski resorts, St Christoph and Stuben. St Christoph is famous for the Hospiz, it has an extensive history, starting life as a monestary and being rebuilt many times, it is now an exclusive 5 star hotel. The Hospiz dominates St Christoph village which is geared towards affluent visitors who shun noisy nightlife.

Stuben is quieter still, with several affordable family run hotels. Until 2001 Nasserein was a poor relation to St Anton, being linked only by bus, but in 2001 the Nasserein Bubble was added that will take you up to Gampen, now Nasserein provides cheaper accommodation with excellent access to the skiing and with only a quick bus ride or 10-15 minute walk to St Anton itself.

St Anton Ski Area

View from Kapall, with the lift open / close signs availbale at all major points

The St Anton ski area includes three main areas, the south facing Galzig / Valluga area pistes, accessed mainly by the Galzig bahn and the Kapall area, accessed to Gampen by the Gampen Chair or the Nasserein bahn. The other St Anton ski area faces north, Rendl and is accessed from the new Rendlbahn.

There are beginner nursery slopes located on the main St Anton pistes and in the Nasserein area. I’d recommend using the beginners slopes in the Nasserein area as it’s more extensive and seemed to be quieter. However St Anton is really not a beginners resort, usually about 3 days into the first week of lessons you would progress up the mountain, but I can’t think of a single blue that I would have fancied going down after 3 days of lessons! If you’re adventurous and with some gusto then I’m sure you would improve at St Anton far quicker than you would at any other resort.

It is advanced and expert skiiers that will enjoy St Anton the most. For intermediates the blue runs are potentially red runs in other resorts, although I did feel that the red and black runs weren’t massively harder than other resorts. For those looking to progress to expert skiiers then you have the option of the Ski Routen runs, marked by diamond piste markers instead of circles. These are marked off piste runs which are provided to provide a safer route down (note they are not patrolled though and avalanche care still needs to be taken.) In reality though most were well trodden and a good, safe challenge. For experts there is plentiful off piste to be tried within the resort, including the famous run off the back of the Valluga only accessible from the Valluga II cable car, which you are only allowed up if accommpanied by a guide. This run leads back to Zurs and is the only way to reach Zurs without getting on a bus or driving.

Intermediates may best enjoy Stuben’s North slopes, they will be best in the area in warm weather, but of course will be on the chilly side! There are several great reds here with views up the mountain to Zurs and Lech. When we went this was definitely a quieter area that the main St Anton areas. There were certainly no lift queues here, but you will be riding several old 2 man chairs so don’t be in a rush to get anywhere here.

The design forward Galzig Bahn - St Anton

Speaking of lift queues, at Easter there weren’t really many considering it was the holiday season. At the Nasserein bahn, yes the queue looked longish, but actually was not more than 10 minutes in the morning “rush hour”. At other times there was around a 2 minute wait to be had. The other lifts barely had queues at all, but the one we struggled with most was the connector chairlift between Kappall and Galzig areas, the Zammermoos, this provides good access without going back to St Anton but you may have a 15 minutes wait on your hands, this is made worse by the fact it’s also at the end of the only black run in the Galzig area (number 2). Most other chair lifts are fast and new 4 / 6 seaters, some of which are heated, a godsend in colder weather. The other thing to add about the lift system, is that the designers really have thought about the usability of the lifts, the Galzig bahn now is accessed at the ground and then loops up to reach the wire (see picture), there are escalators at the Rendlbahn and Nasserein bahn from ground to bring you up to the lift, at most lifts there are moving carpets to ease you on and many have heated seats.

The Kappall area provides what feel like less skiing as it’s more compact but does have several good blue and red runs, and also a lovely black that runs all the way from the top lift down to the Nasserein bahn. The other area is the Rendl area, this year December 2009, the new Rendl bahn was opened, moving the access to this area into the centre of town (100 metres from the Galzig bahn). The bubble is an 8 seater and heated and cuts the lift time on the previous bubble by a third. The Rendl is again an intermediates playground with some good reds and the only snow park in St Anton. There are also several blues but the only way down is by a windy long red, however you could get the bubble back down instead of navigating this.

St Anton Apres Ski

The legendary apres ski bar in St Anton - The Mooserwirt

The apres ski in St Anton is legendary and centres around several piste side mountain restaurants until the early evening. The Krazy Kangaruh, just off the main run from the Galzig area was the first. However in more recent times the Mooserwirt, on the other side of the piste, has become more popular. This plays traditional German folk music mainly and is pumping by mid afternoon. Be warned it will be absolutely rammed, so get there earliesh to get a space for a large group. The ski back to town (they both close at 8pm) is a snow cannon slalom, short but often performed imperfectly.

Hotel Tirolerhof - St Jakob near St Anton

There is plenty of accommodation in and around St Anton, we stayed in St Jakob, just 2km down the road from Nasserein and only 4 minutes on the number 5 bus (leaving at 08-40, 9am and 20 minutes there after in the mornings. The hotel was called Hotel Tirolerhof and it really is a great option if you’re looking for a good value hotel in or around St Anton. However if you really must stay in St Anton, try Crystal Ski . There are also many many Pensions (B&B) find all of these on the St Anton tourist website, but one very reasonable one is the Haus Rali from 275 euros per person for a week including a 6 day lift pass. Buses connect all the main area, and they are extremely efficient, don’t be late, because they won’t wait (as we discovered)!

Our verdict on St Anton ski resort

All in all we loved St Anton ski resort, it’s a great area for progressive skiers, though not a great area for beginners, and a brilliant area for apres ski lovers.

Also check out our posts on the lush Arlberg Well.com spa and Lech and Zurs ski areas (available to ski on your lift pass though only accessible by road.)

Morzine is at 1,000m, thus in 1960 Avoriaz was born to allow higher skiing and lifts above Morzine. This then was the start of the now famous Portes du Soleil ski area which now includes 12 resorts, 8 on the French side and 4 on the Swiss side.

Skiing in and around Morzine is best suited to beginners and early intermediates. This area is also tree lined, making it a good option in bad weather. This and the brilliant resort facilities makes Morzine a firm favourite with families. There are three areas main areas to ski in and around Morzine, Pleney, Nyon Chamosserie and Super Mozine.

Pleney is the main area and where you will likely spend time if you are having lessons. Nyon Chamosserie is for the more intermediate skier, with plenty of blues and reds back to Morzine or Les Gets. Super Morzine offers the route into Avoriaz for more intermediate skiing, but the runs in this area are also well worth a go. It offers some wide inviting blue runs for beginners/intermediates to practice on.

You have two lift pass options, choose a Morzine / Les Gets pass for 150 euros for 6 days, alternatively if you want a larger area to ski opt for the Portes du Soleil area pass at 205 euros. If you choose the Portes du Soleil lift pass then you can venture into the intermediate area of Avoriaz. It’s a little bit of a hike up the Prodains lifts, but well worth it for powder hounds.

If you’re looking for a good ski school then we recommend Sally at the Snow Institute in Morzine. Choose from group lessons or private lessons from a well respected, English speaking company. Alternatively opt for BASS .

There are some really good options for mountain restaurants in the area, including Le Vaffieu which is at the top of Pleney, if you’re on foot then you can walk there from Morzine in about 40 minutes. Alternatively try Chez Nannon on they Nyon Plateau, it offers excellent food, and therefore is likely to be busy in good or bad weather, you must book!

In the evenings there are plenty of choices in Morzine, try Dixies, the Irish pub, the Buddha Bar is better for those looking for a quieter drink. For our top restaurant venture slightly out of resort to The Auberge at Ardent, whose tag is that “Food is an art and art take time, so please be patient. Believe us it’s worth the hike and the wait”. Though sometimes we think they keep us waiting so we drink more! It’s pretty small so do book. Alternatively for something in town and at good value try Le Café Chaud, which offers great traditional Savoyard menus.

For other activities in Morzine then try dog sledding, if you practice in January or February you can take part in the yearly International competition. There’s also an ice skating rink with an ice hockey team so you can try and catch a game. Morzine is a proper town and therefore the shopping is very good, so try and make time around the skiing.

Travelling to Morzine is easy by plane, car or train. If flying then Geneva airport is only 50 miles from Morzine, about 1 hour 30 minutes by bus or taxi. Flights are available from most UK airports to Geneva including the usual low cost carriers. Morzine is one of the nearest major resorts to Calais, and will take around 8 hours to travel, without breaks. Tolls cost will be around 70 euros each way. Alternatively, and a lesser known option is to travel to Morzine by train. Take the Eurostar to Paris and then change for the direct train to Thonon, it takes around 4 and a half hours and if you book early the seats can be as cheap as 80 euros return. The transfer up the mountain will take around 40 minutes.

All in all, Morzine is a fantastic resort with great skiing, and access to a massive ski area. The town itself is a traditional mountain town with an unspoilt feel. It’s a must visit for families, beginners, intermediates and mile eaters looking to explore the wider Portes du Soleil area.

Surely there are few adrenalin rushes like the ones which come from skiing like a Demon because you have to get back to the chairlift to your own resort before it closes, otherwise you have to climb in the chilly shadow of the mountain carrying your gear and dreaming of the pub on the other side that seems very very far away … This year, we nearly didn’t make it because we were too excited exploring the abundance of runs in Espace Diamant, France.

I first went to Les Saisies Winter 2003 with my mum who had been there the previous year with Classic Ski. At that time, Espace Diamant had not yet opened, but Les Saisies did and still does cater for all skills. Even now, a ski-lift pass for just the Les Saisies area is really loads to explore, especially for those just starting out on green and blue runs.  The red and blacks are also damn fine and there resides my favourite name for a black run to date – Kamikaze!

But hey, why stop at one ski resort when you can have 5? Diamant Space opened in 2005 connecting the Savoyard village resorts of Les Saisies/Hauteluce/Bisanne 1500 in the Beaufortain and Notre-Dame de Bellecombe , Crest-Voland/Cohennoz, Flumet and Praz sur Arly in the Val d’Arly, covering 185 km of slopes and 154 pistes. This past week has been my 4th season at Les Saisies and I managed to explore loads, one day getting as far as the other side of Espace Diamant to Ban Rouge ( – albeit alone unfortunately because Ian had a wipe out that rendered him chained to painkillers and an arm-sling but more about that later) and back to Les Saisies in one day.

The whole week I heard three English voices and a few Germans but that was about it. And note, take that translating dictionary! My french speaking skills were challenged when ordering food, sorting accommodation or discussing products for hygiene at the pharmacy. I assume this is because English just isn’t a language thats come through the door much. I truly love it when my charades skills are used more than my language skills as it makes me feel like I’m really not in Kansas anymore and it livens things up! But in saying that, there was no trouble when getting ski gear or such things. There was always someone around at these places that spoke English and jumped at the chance to practice. And my mum tells me there are ski instructors who speak English if you want to take any lessons, but you have to ask for them specifically.

Taken from my mum’s research, she claims the area is excellent for ski schools and those with children who are learning. Certainly the children’s ski school area was always full of tots and there was a healthy balance of helmeted little puffballs zipping past me with seemingly no fear factor on the lower slopes. I did note a broad spectrum of skiers with snowboarders of all ages to young families and balance of ski levels. The slopes just felt a little more social somehow, unlike my experiences of places like Whistler which often felt like a swarm of wasps in ski googles would cut you off without a second thought at any moment. But I may also have noticed this more because the slopes were simply not crowded – at all. I don’t think I queued once at lifts and there was more than enough room for all. Its that sort of thing that can make that first try at a new black run not so tense.

Snow-wise, I’m not expert of quality but the skiing was glorious bar a few times on the first day when I could hardly see the tips of my skis from the whiteout of snow. This cleared by day 2 and the rest of the week was fabulous. The two heavy snow falls during the week kept the runs as fresh as I’ve ever known them.

More postings of spills n’ thrills to come from this Les Saisies trip for accommodation / getting there / tips / gear.

Lindsay Perth

After a few (literally) warm-up runs we decided to take the Verdons Nord chair lift over to the Champagny ski area. We hadn’t realised quite how large the ski area was on this side of the mountain and took a few minutes   to take in the amazing view from the top of La Grande Rochette. The snow was fantastic and we took the Kamikaze red run down to the bottom of the Verdons Sud chairlift. From there we were going to go back up and come down a blue the other side but the queue was pretty long so we decided to keep going towards Champagny itself. At the top of the Les Bois red run leading down into Champagny was a sign saying that the run was for ‘Very good skiers only’. This put a slight element of doubt in our heads as to what we were about to experience but in actual fact the run was no harder than any other run we’d been on, just a bit narrow. Although having said that I’m sure if the snow conditions were poorer it might not have been the same story!

Champagny looked like a  lovely little village and being just a quick bubble ride up to the main ski area would be an ideal option for those looking to stay in a more traditional alpine village. From the top of the bubble we took another chairlift and spent the next hour practicing our off-piste mogul technique on a great spot of powder between the two blue runs coming down from the Borselierss chairlift. After tiring ourselves we headed to the restaurant at the bottom of the lift for a much needed lunch. Because of the glorious conditions the sun terrace was packed and we were slightly concerned that we’d be spending the rest of our final day in a queue for a horribly overpriced baguette but were pleasantly surprised at both the speed of service and the food.

After lunch we endured three very cold chair lift rides to take us back to the top of the Rocher de Mio. Our plan had been to then take the Bellecote bubble up to the glacier but with no feeling left in our fingers and toes we decided that we just needed to get moving again! We took the glorious Les Inversens red run down to the bottom of the Inversens chair lift. From there we spotted an interesting looking black run and after a trip up the chair and another run down the red to get full feeling back in our extremities we decided to try the black, Les Crozats. It wasn’t the hardest black run we’ve ever skied but it was narrow and the main mogul field was pretty carved up with powder on one side and sheet ice on the other. Needless to say it was challenging and we all felt we’d had a good work out by the end. Five minutes later we’d have given anything to be back on that black run when we were poling along the incredibly flat Route des Bauches blue run towards Montchavin. There had been a warning sign at the start of the run telling us that it was ‘flat for 1km’ but for some reason we hadn’t believed it and had carried on regardless, how sorry we were!!

We then took the long trek back across to La Plagne Centre, encountering by far the biggest queue of the day at the Colosses chair lift. From the top of there we skied our final run back down to the UCPA wishing that we didn’t have to go home…

And that’s us signing off from the #TwiSkiTrip to La Plagne. Keep an eye on our blog and twitter feed for more useful ski information.

The Ski-C girls

Photo’s © Arthur Bullard

Courchevel is the most glamorous section of Les Trois Vallees, with a private airstrip (altiport) that spits out a constant stream of celebrities and Parisan high society throughout the season. However, though you could spend your mortgage deposit in a week of glamorous excess here, there are many cheaper accommodation and culinary alternatives, even in Courchevel 1850, though prices drop considerably in the other 3 valleys resorts. The atmosphere is certainly not stuffy and remains resolutely more French than the thorough anglicised Meribel across the hill.

Courchevel skiing

Most seasoned 3 valley veterans would agree that Courchevel has the best breadth and variety of skiing of the ski resorts in the 3 valleys. Starting with the magnificent couloirs from the top of the Saulire (2,738m / 8,983ft) down to some tremendously characterful woodland runs down to Le Praz and La Tania, it also encompasses secluded powder bowls, intermediate favourites and high quality nursery slopes.

The heart of Courchevel skiing is the area directly above 1850, leading up the twin peaks of Vizelle and Saulire, from where there are some excellent steep reds and a number of steep sided couloirs. Heading skiers right takes you down the ever popular Creux, from where you can continue up Chanrossa before dropping down into 1600′s wonderfully secluded reds around Bel Air.

The main beginners area is Pralong which has recently been specially customised to focus almost wholly on beginners, with rope tows and other short lifts designed to help novices maximise their time with their instructors. There are also good beginner facilities at 1650.

Though the slopes are primarily north facing (meaning good snow conditions) there is great variety. Skiers left of 1850, gentle runs feed back to the centre, while looping around the underside of Loze opens up an entire flank of excellent runs pirouetting out from 1550 all the way around to La Tania. The blacks of Jockeys and Jean Blanc are sensational runs in good conditions, as are all the reds and blues dropping down into La Tania. Above here is the Col de la Loze, which us one of the two points where you can drop into Meribel, the other being off the back of Saulire.

Key Facts – for the whole Three Valleys
Pistes   600km / 379miles
Lifts  200
Green Runs 17%
Blue Runs 34%
Red Runs 37%
Black Runs 12%
Snowmaking 90km
Resort   1300 – 3230m /4270 – 10600ft
   
Other on snow activities

Cross Country
Snow-shoeing
Tele-marking
Paragliding
Disablity Skiing
   
   
Courchevel Ski Schools

ESF Courchevel 1550 http://www.esf.net/en/ecoles/index.php?
Rue des Rois
73120 Courchevel 1550
tel :479082107
fax :479081731

ESF Courchevel 1850 http://www.esfcourchevel.com/index.php
La Croisette / BP 38
73122 Courchevel Cedex 
Tel. +33 (0)4 79 08 07 72
Fax. +33 (0)4 79 08 14 59

ESF Courchevel 1650 http://www.esfcourchevel1650.com/en/accueil/
Maison de Moriond
73120 Courchevel 1650
Phone. 33 (0)4 79 08 26 08
Fax 33 (0)4 79 08 03 27
E-mail : esf-courchevel-1650@wanadoo.fr

Supreme Ski and Snowboard School http://www.supremeski.com/default.asp
3 rue des verdons, Courchevel 1850, 73120, France.
Tel: (Courchevel or La Tania) 0479 08 27 87
UK booking tel: +44 (0)1479 810 800
info@supremeski.com

Ski Excel for private ski lessons http://www.skiexcel.com/
E-mail : skiexcel@skiexcel.com
Phone : +44(0)7949387699

Courchevel Creches

Maison des Enfants http://www.esf-courchevel.com 
ESF 1550 Rue des Rois
73120 Courchevel 1550
Tel.: +33 (0) 479 08 21 07
Fax : +33 (0) 479 08 17 31
contact@esf-courchevel.com

Village des enfants http://www.esfcourchevel.com
La Croisette
BP 38 – 73120 Courchevel
Tel.: +33 (0) 479 08 08 47
Fax : +33 (0) 479 01 18 24
ski@esfcourchevel.com 

Les Pitchounets http://www.esfcourchevel1650.com
Maison de Moriond Rue du Marquis
73120 Courchevel 1650
Tel.: +33 (0) 479 08 26 08
Fax : +33 (0) 479 08 03 27

Courchevel Restaurants (a selection)

ALPES HOTEL DU PRALONG – Courchevel 1850   http://www.hotelpralong.com
Alpes Hôtel du Pralong – 73120 COURCHEVEL 1850
Tel.: +33 (0) 479 08 24 82 – Fax : +33 (0) 479 08 36 41
reservation@hotelpralong.com 

AZIMUT – Le Praz
Immeuble l’Or Blanc – 73120 COURCHEVEL 1300/LE PRAZ
Tel.: +33 (0) 4 79 06 25 90 – Fax : +33 (0) 4 79 06 29 44 

LA CREPERIE DU TREMPLIN – Courchevel 1850 (shown right)http://www.letremplin-courchevel.com
Place du Tremplin – 73120 COURCHEVEL 1850
Tel.: +33 (0) 479 08 10 90

CARLINA – Courchevel 1850 http://www.hotelcarlina.com
Hôtel Carlina – 73120 COURCHEVEL 1850
Tel.: +33 (0) 479 08 00 30 – Fax : +33 (0) 479 08 04 03
message@hotelcarlina.com

CREPERIE TITINE ET LILOU – Courchevel 1650
Résidence 1650 – 73120 COURCHEVEL 1650
Tel.: +33 (0) 479 08 95 53
titinelilou@wanadoo.fr 

IL VINO D’ENRICO BERNARDO – Courchevel 1850 http://www.ilvinobyenricobernardo.com
La Porte de Courchevel – 73120 COURCHEVEL 1850
Tel.: +33 (0) 479 08 29 62 – Fax : +33 (0) 479 08 31 91
info@ilvinobyenricobernardo.com 

L’ALAMBIC – Courchevel 1650
Place du Marquis – 73120 COURCHEVEL 1650
Tel.: +33 (0) 479 01 18 93

L’ETERLOU – Courchevel 1650
Rue du Marquis – 73120 COURCHEVEL 1650
Tel.: +33 (0) 479 08 25 45
jacquesetfrancoise@free.fr 

L’OEIL DE BOEUF – Courchevel 1550
Rue des Rois – 73120 COURCHEVEL 1550
Tel.: +33 (0) 479 08 22 10 

LA CAVE D’A COTE – Le Praz
Rue de la Chapelle – 73120 COURCHEVEL 1300/LE PRAZ
Tel.: +33 (0) 479 08 42 90
infos@lespeupliers.com 

LA SIVOLIERE – Courchevel 1850 http://www.hotel-la-sivoliere.fr
Rue des Chenus – 73120 COURCHEVEL 1850
Tel.: +33 (0) 4 79 08 08 33 – Fax : +33 (0) 4 79 08 15 73
lasivoliere@sivoliere.fr

LA TABLE DU LANA – Courchevel 1850 http://www.lelana.com
Hôtel Lana Route de Bellecôte – 73120 COURCHEVEL 1850
Tel.: +33 (0) 479 08 01 10 – Fax : +33 (0) 479 08 36 70
info@lelana.com

LE 1947 – Courchevel 1850 http://www.chevalblanc.com
Hôtel Cheval Blanc Le Jardin Alpin – 73120 COURCHEVEL 1850
Tel.: +33 (0) 479 00 50 50 – Fax : +33 (0) 479 00 50 51
info@chevalblanc.com 

LE CAVEAU – Courchevel 1550 http://www.caveaucourchevel.com
Rue des Rois – 73120 COURCHEVEL 1550
Tel.: +33 (0) 479 08 09 42 – Fax : +33 (0) 479 01 08 32
info@caveaucourchevel.com 

Courchevel Bars (a selection)
 
BAR LE JUMP – Courchevel 1850 http://www.hoteldelacroisette.com
Hôtel de la Croisette Place du Forum – 73120 COURCHEVEL 1850
Tel.: +33 (0) 479 08 09 00 – Fax : +33 (0) 479 08 35 58
hotel.croisette@wanadoo.fr 

BAR LE WHITE – Courchevel 1850 http://www.chevalblanc.com
Hôtel Cheval Blanc Le Jardin Alpin – 73120 COURCHEVEL 1850
Tel.: +33 (0) 479 00 50 50 – Fax : +33 (0) 479 00 50 51
info@chevalblanc.com 

HÔTEL COURCHENEIGE – Courchevel 1850 http://www.courcheneige.com
Piste de Bellecôte – 73120 COURCHEVEL 1850
Tel.: +33 (0) 479 08 02 59 – Fax : +33 (0) 479 08 11 79
info@courcheneige.com

BAR DES AIRELLES – Courchevel 1850 http://www.airelles.fr
Hôtel Les Airelles Le Jardin Alpin – 73120 COURCHEVEL 1850
Tel.: +33 (0) 479 00 38 38 – Fax : +33 (0) 479 00 38 39
info@airelles.fr 

LE FUN HOUSE – Courchevel 1850 http://www.funhouse-courchevel.com
Le Forum – 73120 COURCHEVEL 1850
Tel.: +33 (0) 479 08 34 80 – Fax : +33 (0) 479 08 34 80

Thinks to do in Courchevel off skis

Toboganning
Walking
Ice Skating
Mountain Flying
Bowling
Cinema
Climbing
Torchlit Descent
Gym
Spa
Helicopter flights
Air ballooning
Skidooing
Paragliding

We have written a series of posts about travelling to the Three Valleys, read more about driving to, flying to and getting the train to Courchevel ski resort.

Meribel skiing

Meribel provides a great central base for skiing in the Three Valleys. This central location allows you to get to the top of the adjoining valleys extremely quickly. The skiing may not be as diverse as at Courchevel or as high altitude as Val Thorens, but experienced skiers will more than likely drop into at least one of the other valleys every day. That said there is also plenty of skiing for all levels in the Meribel Valley itself. This is perhaps exemplified in the case of a mixed ability group. There are countless itineraries difference skiing levels can follow while still arranging to meet for lunch. It is only real beginners who are tied to a particular area with the gentle slopes of the Altiport an ideal learning ground. The slopes around Mottaret are geared more towards intermediates but from a purely skiing perspective this is the best base from which to explore the Three Valleys.

Key Facts – for the whole Three Valleys
Pistes   600km /  379miles
Lifts  200
Green Runs 17%
Blue Runs 34%
Red Runs 37%
Black Runs 12%
Snowmaking 90km
Resort   1300 – 3230m / 4270 – 10600ft
   
Other on snow activities

Cross Country
Snow-shoeing
Tele-marking
Paragliding
Disablity Skiing
Ski-dooing
   
   
Meribel Ski Schools

E.S.F. Méribel www.esf-meribel.com
Maison du Tourisme
BP 17 – 73550 MERIBEL
04 79 08 60 31
Fax 04 79 08 60 80 

E.S.F. La Chaudanne
04 79 08 58 81

E.S.F. Rond-Point
04 79 08 89 42

E.S.F. Méribel-Mottaret
04 79 00 49 49
Fax 04 79 08 54 45
 
MAGIC www.magicfr.com
Galerie des Cimes
73550 MERIBEL
Tel 04 79 08 53 36
Fax 04 79 00 31 40

SNOW SYSTEMS www.snow-systems.com
Les Trolles
73550 MERIBEL
04 79 00 40 22
06 07 15 50

SNOW DLIGHT www.snowdlight.com
Précision Ski
Centre – 73550 MERIBEL
06 64 81 60 10
Tel  / Fax 04 79 55 19 86

Meribel Creches

 ”Les Saturnins” kindergarten www.esf-meribel.com
04 79 08 66 90 – Fax 04 79 08 60 80
Le Parc Olympique – La Chaudanne
73550 Méribel   

Things to do in Meribel other than ski!

Toboganning
Walking
Ice Skating
Mountain Flying
Bowling
Cinema
Swimming Pool
Climbing
Torchlit Descent
Gym
Spa
Helicopter flights
Air ballooning
Skidooing
Paragliding
Flying School
Horse drawn tours
Museum
Library
Church

We have written a series of posts about travelling to the Three Valleys, read more about driving to, flying to and getting the train to Meribel ski resort.

Pictures courtesy of http://www.les3vallees.com 

Pluviometre takes you into the heart of Val Thorens where the options are endless for to choose your next run. We took the Moutiere lift, from where we skied the wide Altiport, Lagopede and Gentiale blue runs back to the Moutiere lift, thanks to @emilyshipway for recommening this area. We then went back up Moutiere lift and skied down Linotte (blue) and Traverse des 2 Lacs (green) to the Porteite lift. At this point it did not seem too cold but this all changed during the journey on Portette. Going over a small ridge the temperature seemed to drop 10 degrees and freeze every water molecule in my body. After some hurried pictures of the amazing view we skied the long the red run Portette down to the mountain restaurant Fabrique for a body warming vin chaud.

After warming the cockles the next stop was Val Thorens latest additions, the covered Magic Carpets (a tunnelled converyor belt). Absolute genuis idea and surely must catch on in other resorts. Obviously we had to try them out. We then headed to the Funitel Peclet lift which would take us to 2950m, as unfortunately the Glacier chair lift was closed. Spending some time to enjoy the view we skied the fantastic Beranger (red) run back down into Val Thorens for lunch, stopping to watch some freestyle skiers jumping into a large inflatable safety matress. Thanks to @Laradunn for recommending La Cabane for lunch but unfortunately we didn’t make it that far up. We ate lunch at the La Galoubet restaurant where a pizza and salad (yet again) cost 26 euros, 5 euros more than the exact same meal in the centre of Les Menuires.

With the day drawing closer to the end we decided to head back to Reberty, this was done by first taking the Plein Sud chair lift, then a short ski down to the Bouquetin Funitel back to the Col de la Chambre. From here we skied down the mogully end of day David Douillet (red) back into Reberty and straight into the hot tub.

Considering the lack of recent snow the ski conditions are really good, especally the higher you go (full marks to the snow cannons and pisteurs). Unfortunately not all the runs are open (currently you can’t ski back to Les Menuires from Val Thorens without getting a lift) but as the season progresses and hopefully with some more snow things can only get better (as D-ream once sang).

Check out our youtube site for a video snow report from Val Thorens…

Val Thorens skiing

In skiing terms the Val Thorens valley is bigger than both of the other two in the Three Valleys put together (Courchevel and Meribel) with over 330km of pistes, 71 ski lifts and 8 peaks above 3,000m. Most of the skiing in Val Thorens ski resort takes place across the north and east facing slopes. Val Thorens ski resort has a number of large cable cars, including the 25 seater up to the Peclet Glacier. From here there are some excellent reds off piste and one particularly fun bumpy black off Cascades. There are some excellent intermediate slopes, plus some good accessible off piste for experts.

New for season 2009 / 2010 is the addition of 3 covered magic carpets in Val Thorens centre. These will be a godsend for learners, especially for boarders who won’t have to negotiate a button lift!

The new covered magic carpet in Val Thorens centre

Key Facts – for the whole Three Valleys
Pistes 600km / 379miles
Lifts 200
Green Runs 17%
Blue Runs 34%
Red Runs 37%
Black Runs 12%
Snowmaking 90km
Resort 1300 – 3230m / 4270 – 10600ft

Other on snow activities

Cross Country
Snow-shoeing
Tele-marking
Paragliding
Disablity Skiing

Val Thorens Ski Schools

ESF Val Thorens www.esf-valthorens.com
Maison de Val Thorens
Phone: +33 (0)4 79 00 02 86 – Fax: +33 (0)4 79 00 00 10
E-Mail: info@esf-valthorens.com

The Prosneige International Ski School www.prosneige.fr
Le Montana Soleil residence
Phone: +33 (0)4 79 01 07 00 – Fax: +33 (0)4 79 01 07 01
E-Mail: info@prosneige.fr

The Ski Cool International Ski and Snowboard School www.ski-cool.com
Les Hauts de la Vanoise et rue du Soleil
Phone: +33 (0)4 79 00 04 92 – Fax: +33 (0)4 79 00 09 08
E-Mail: mail@ski-cool.com
Web: http://www.ski-cool.com

Free School Attitude www.fsa-snow.com
Galérie Caron – magasin Ride and Style
Phone: +33 (0)6 74 86 91 87 or +33 (0)4 79 06 57 72
E-Mail: info@freeschoolattitude.com
Web: http://www.fsa-snow.com

Val Thorens Creches

Ecole de Ski Internationale Prosneige (Jardins d’enfants)
Résidence le Montana Soleil
Telephone : +33 (0)4 79 01 07 00 – Fax : +33 (0)4 79 01 07 01
E-Mail : info@prosneige.fr
Web : http://www.prosneige.fr

Ecole du Ski Français (Villages d’enfants)
Maison de Val Thorens
Telephone : + 33 (0)4 79 00 02 86 – Fax : +33 (0)4 79 00 00 10
E-Mail : info@esf-valthorens.com
Web : http://www.esf-valthorens.com

Val Thorens Restaurants

Oxalys (l’)
Mentionned in the Michelin, Champerard, Pudlowski, Routard et Bottin Gourmand Guides
Résidence l’Oxalys, entrée station
Telephone : +33 (0)4 79 00 12 00 – Fax : +33 (0)4 79 00 24 10
E-Mail : restaurant@loxalys.com
Web :http://www. jean-sulpice.com

Blanchot (le)
Mentionned in the : Routard et Pudlowski Guides
Rue de Caron
Telephone : +33 (0)4 79 00 05 91 – Fax : +33 (0)4 79 00 05 91
E-Mail : leblanchot@wanadoo.fr
Web : http://www.leblanchot.com

Trappeur (le)
Mentionned in the Michelin, Pudlowski Guides
Hôtel Mercure – Place de la Lombarde
Telephone : +33 (0)4 79 00 04 04 – Fax : +33 (0)4 79 00 05 93
E-Mail : h0457@accor.com
Web : http://www.mercurevalthorens.com

Mountain Restaurants

Chalet Chinal Donat
TS Rosaël ou télécabine d’Orelle
Telephone : +33 (0)4 79 56 53 01 – Fax : +33 (0)4 79 56 53 01

Chalet de Caron
TC Cairn ou TC Caron
Telephone : +33 (0)4 79 00 01 71 – Fax : +33 (0)4 79 00 77 62
E-Mail : chaletdecaron@free.fr
Web : http://www.chaletdecaron.net

Chalet Le Caribou
TS Moraine
Telephone : +33 (0)6 11 18 06 71
E-Mail : chaletcarribou@yahoo.fr

Les Chalets du Thorens
Rue du Soleil, sur les pistes
Telephone : +33 (0)4 79 00 02 80 – Fax : +33 (0)4 79 00 21 78
E-Mail : info@leschaletsduthorens.com
Web : http://www.leschaletsduthorens.com

Other things to do in Val Thorens

Toboganning
Walking
Ice Skating
Mountain Flying
Bowling
Cinema
Climbing
Torchlit Descent
Gym
Spa
Helicopter flights
Air ballooning
Skidooing
Paragliding

We have written a series of posts about travelling to the Three Valleys, read more about driving to, flying to and getting the train to Val Thorens ski resort.

The whole of Les Menuires ski resort now has internet access throughout, most chalet companies will provide you with the relevant passwords, or you can pay for access. Alternatively many bars / restaurants offer free wifi.

What Les Menuires resort lacks in charm, it’s makes up by being the affordable option in the Three Valleys. A pint will cost around 5euros or less here, which compared to it’s more expensive neighbours is a bargain! Eating is also cheaper, a good lunch for two can cost from around 25euros. It is also set up well for children, there are several ski companies with children as the focus, and the skiing is well set up for youngsters, with some good blues into resort.

Ski holiday companies we like in Les Menuires ski resorts (and surroundings)

Ski Famille – we’re staying with Ski Famille whilst on our #TwiSkiTrip to the Three Valleys. I can firmly say the chalets are fabulous, the childcare facilities look great and the chalet hosts are wonderful too. The chalets are 20metres from the pistes in Reberty and round the corner from La Ferme de Reberty which is great for après ski and dinner.

Green Mountain Chalets – a chalet company run by a great couple in St Martin de Belleville. The chalet sleeps up to 13 people and has a stunning cavern dining room. St Martin de Belleville is a picturesque option, perhaps the prettiest resort in the area.

Les Menuires skiing

Les Menuires comprises two main ski areas a predominantly west facing flank stretching all the way from the Tougnete peak above Saint Martin to Mont de la Chambre with the greater proportions of runs situated directly over the resort and wide flanks of off piste between the resort and Saint Martin. Stay high for the best flank for the best snow and you can drop over the other side to Meribel. The real feather in the Les Menuires cap is the mountain on the other side of the valley, one that surprisingly few people visit. Point de la Masse is a wonderfully sculpted mountain with the runs twisting around the steep couloir rock formations. The runs are challenging but rewarding and there is excellent off piste.

There’s more about skiing in the Les Menuires area in the ski reports from our #TwiSkiTrip to the Three Valleys just click here.

Key Facts – for the whole Three Valleys

Pistes  600km / 379miles

Lifts                  200
Green Runs      17%
Blue Runs         34%R
Red Runs         37%
Black Runs       12%
Snowmaking     90km
Resort              1300 – 3230m / 4270 – 10600ft

Les Menuires Ski Schools

ESF Les Menuires
La Croisette
tel. 04 79 00 61 43

Les Bruyères
tel. 04 79 00 60 25
E-mail : contact@esf-lesmenuires.fr
www.esf-lesmenuires.fr

Ski School
Les Menuires
Tel. 06 67 58 67 77
http://www.skischool-lesmenuires.com

International Ski School Snowbow
Reberty – 73440 Les Menuires
tel. 04 79 00 47 07 – 06 84 89 04 11

Proneige Ski and Snowboard School
Immeuble ACONIT
Quartier des Bruyères
73440 les Menuires
Tel : +33 (0)4 79 01 07 00 – Fax : +33(0)4 79 08 40 57
Email : info@prosneige.fr
http://www.menuires.proneige.fr

Les Menuires  Creches

La Croisette
Les Bruyères
73440 LES MENUIRES
Tel after 13 December : +33(0)4 79 00 63 79 (la Croisette)
and +33(0)4 79 00 69 50 (les Bruyères)
E-mail: contact@esf-lesmenuires.fr
http://www.esf-lesmenuires.fr

Les Menuires Eating and Drinking (a couple of choice options.) 

There are some great mountain restaurants all over Les Menuires, just take your pick.

If you’re looking for something in the evening  then here’s our pick.

Restaurant – café – Au Village
Croisette, galerie de l’Adret
tel: +33 (0)4 79 41 20 39 / wifi free

Restaurant Bar l’Hacienda
La Croisette
tel: +33 (0)4 79 00 69 66
info@au-village.fr

Restaurant pub Les Marmottes
Les Bruyères
tel: +33 (0)4 79 00 24 11

Restaurant, bar La Ferme de Reberty
Reberty 2000
tel: +33 (0)4 79 00 77 01

Restaurant l’Ours Blanc
Reberty 2000
tel: +33 (0) / +33 (0)4 79 00 61 66
info@hotel-ours-blanc.com

Restaurant, bar Chalet 2000
Reberty 2000
tel: +33 (0)4 79 00 60 57
chalet2000@wanadoo.fr

Les Menuires Bars 

Bar – Le Tilbury
La Croisette
tel: +33 (0)4 79 00 64 18

Things to do in Les Menuires that don’t involve skiing

Toboganning
Walking
Ice Skating
Mountain Flying
Bowling
Cinema
Climbing
Torchlit Descent
Gym
Spa
Helicopter flights
Air ballooning
Skidooing
Paragliding

We have written a series of posts about travelling to the Three Valleys, read more about driving to, flying to and getting the train to Les Menuires ski resort.