What's New in The Three Valleys Ski Area This Winter?

New lifts

The queue-prone St Martin 2 chairlift above St Martin de Belleville has been replaced with a higher capacity 6-seat chair. Called the St Martin Express, it will relieve afternoon queues in this popular area and the pull-down shield will make the exposed ride much more pleasant on cold days. Cost: 12 million euros.

The old 4-seat St Martin chairlift is being reused, replacing the last 2-seat chair in the 3 Valleys, le Bettex below Les Menuires.

Mottaret centre sees a major redevelopment of its beginner areas. A new, two sectioned, Combes 6-seat chairlift replaces 3 former lifts, the old Combes, Table Verte and Arolles chairlifts. Two beginner lifts have been added to create a self-contained beginner zone at the top of the resort.

New Pistes

Les Menuires’ La Masse summit is now accessible to all skiers of every level, thanks to the new blue piste Le Bouquetin. Access via Masse 1 then Masse 2.

The new La Chasse red run provides a new route to Val Thorens’ ski area avoiding the busy resort centre. Access from Col de la Chambre, via the blue Pluviometre piste. This new red runs leads to the recently upgraded Plan de l’eau chairlift and so onto le Cime Caron without needing to take the busy slopes through Val Thorens centre. It also brings piste access to Chez Pepe Nicolas restaurant.

Les Menuires is in the process of upgrading its beginner areas. This winter sees a new green run, Les Montagnettes, in the Croisette area. Though steep for a green run, it does allow an easier descent into the resort than the busy main blue Menuires run.

A new long blue run opens up a new access to the Orelle (fourth) valley. The 4km Lory piste starts at the top of the Thorens funitel lift at 3,000 metres, running down to Orelle’s ski lifts. Skiers of all levels can now enjoy the spectacular views and off-piste ambience of this deserted valley.

Snow Parks

Val Thorens has created an Easy Park so learners can practice freestyle on specially adapted springboards. Located next to the existing Expert Park, by the Plateau draglifts.

Fun Zones

Méribel’s new Altai Dragon trail offers children fun finding full-sized dragons hidden all along this new trail plus picnic areas in the forest. Located at the top of Loze chairlift.

The parallel slalom formerly in Méribel’s Moonpark has found a more easily accessible home at the Altiport. Filmed and timed from the start, you can share your race on social networks. Located beneath the start of the Dent de Burgin chairlift.

Mottaret sees a new themed beginner and children’s area, the Yeti Park on the new green beginners' Little Himalaya green run. Base camps offer a host of activities day and night for little ones. Access from the mid-station of the Combes chairlift.

Val Thorens has created a new 900m-long Fun Slope with more than 50 obstacles including snow tunnels, bridges, spirals and banked turns for skiers and snowboarders of all ages. Located next to the 2 Lacs chairlift.

Mottaret now boasts two sledding areas in the centre of the resort. These spaces are closed-off and free, and the largest one has a magic carpet. In addition, night sledding sessions from the top of the new Combes chairlift will be organised once or twice every week from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

Cultured Snow

Snow cannons now cover almost 50% of Les 3 Vallées ski area. A total of 2,189 snow guns guarantee snow throughout the season in this, the world’s largest ski area.