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Where to go for...
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With such a big ski area to explore, it's sometimes good to have a little bit of inside information… For your pleasure, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite runs throughout the Three Valleys and suggested some itineries for you to try. There's also sections on how to get around the whole three valleys area using only blue runs, where you're most likely to find the quietest pistes, and where to find the nicest mountain restaurants for lunch. Happy exploring! |
| Cruise the Blues! |
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Our Courchnet reporter has gone to great lengths to plot a route that can be taken by a group of ‘Plough/Parallel’ skiers with ease and will take you into each of the 3 Valleys. Although the itinerary begins and ends in Courchevel, it can be picked up from the point most convenient to where you're staying and followed in a circle. It takes you into the Belleville Valley above St. Martin & Les Menuires and back up to the the Roc de 3 Marches at 2704 metres with one of the great views in the whole of the 3-Valleys. You then get to ski down the run ‘Grand Lac’ followed by ‘Pelozet’ which is the longest and best blue in the 3-Valleys with the added benefit of terrific views. ... see "Three Valleys Blue Run Tour" for more |
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last updated 31-Jan-2008 |
| Our Favorite Runs |
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The Three Valleys ski area is so vast it can be difficult to know where to start skiing. So we have asked a number of local enthusiasts to nominate their favorite runs throughout the Three Valleys. Whether you're into moguls, steep and long descents, or simply beautiful, quiet pistes with great snow, we hope that these suggestions will hit the spot. ... see "Three Valleys Best Runs" for more |
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last updated 31-Jan-2008 |
| Suggested Itineries |
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It’s easy to become bewildered by the choice of 330 pistes. So we have compiled half a dozen routes that we hope will help you discover new terrain throughout the Three Valleys. Follow these routes to discover the best pistes, best snow, great views, and where to go on those bad weather days. Lift names are given in capitals. ... see "Three Valleys Itineries" for more |
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last updated 31-Jan-2008 |
| Bad Weather Ski Areas in Courchevel |
When visibility is difficult due to snow or white-out, there’s one important thing to remember. The poles marking the edges of the piste are the colour of the difficulty of the run (green, blue, red or black). Have you ever noticed that the poles on the right side of the piste (looking down) have a 20 cm band of orange at the top? This is so that in a white-out when you really can’t see very much, if you come across a pole with an orange top, leave it on your right. If the pole is one colour all the way to the top, leave it on your left. That way you’ll stay safe & on piste!
Visibility tends to be better in amongst the trees when there’s a whiteout. So head for the black runs into Le Praz (Jockeys & Jean Blanc) or the red run (Brigues ). The long blue run into La Tania is also a good bet (Folyeres). |
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last updated 28-Jan-2008 |
| Mountain Restaurants |
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There is a whole range of mountain restaurants in the 3 Valleys that suit all tastes and budgets’, so going hungry whilst out skiing is not something you need to worry about! In this section we’ll introduce you to a few of our favourites.
If you prefer to picnic when you’re on the slopes, then you’ll find a number of areas with picnic tables which have been created just for this purpose - at the top of Chapelets chairlift; at the top of Biollay chairlift and just below Bel Aire restaurant. ... see "Three Valleys Mountain Restaurants" for more |
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last updated 21-Feb-2008 |
| Off Piste Skiing in Courchevel |
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After a recent snowfall, the easiest and safest offpiste is in the Bel Aire area above 1650, either side of Pyramide/Signal/Chapelets. |
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last updated 31-Jan-2008 |
| Deserted Pistes |
Courchevel 1650 is always much quieter than neighbouring 1850. La Tania and Courchevel 1300 are crowd-free too. The runs above St Martin are usually deserted even during the French holidays. Avoid the most obvious routes from one valley to another: use the lift map to plan a slower but queue-free route.
Skiing in Courchevel
Up and over. Take the Loze Chairlift. This is the queue-free way to get from Méribel to Courchevel
Courchevel 1600. This tucked-away area isn’t nearly as busy as 1850 and there are some gorgeous wide blue runs (eg Grande bosses)< and more challenging reds (Chapelets, Rochers, Bel air)
Courchevel 1550 It’s easy to miss the start of the blue run Tovets (by the mini ski jump at Courchevel 1850) so no one ever uses it. Shame, because it’s great
Courchevel 1300 When the snow is good lower down don’t miss the Brigues and Jockeys runs
La Saulire Seek out M and Pylones (the piste, not the things holding up the chair-lift!)
The Belleville Valley.
Trois Marches. Everybody howls down Allamande, and misses the ‘ Trois Marches ’ run. It’s quiet even in Feburary.
St Martin de Belleville. The reds Jerusalem and Pramint are delightful and uncrowded.
Val Thorens. The runs from the Boismint chair are almost never busy
If you dislike busy pistes try to avoid: the main runs from the Saulire / all of Couchevel 1850 / the Doron piste into Méribel at the end of the afternoon (take the bubble down, or wait in a restaurant until they throw you out and enjoy being the last off the mountain). Try booking your next ski holiday in January when almost everywhere is quiet
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last updated 31-Jan-2008 |
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