French Alps Resorts – Six of the Best In Trois Valleys

If you’re the type to get all hyped-up at the thought of amazing slopes, breathtaking surroundings and throbbing nightlife, chances are the Three Valleys would be a mecca for you. Taking the title for the largest ski area not just in the French Alps but on the face of the Earth, the Three Valleys serves up the most all-encompassing ski experience imaginable. Covering the needs, desires and downright fantasies of newcomers and pros alike, the facilities on offer here really do set the standard the rest of the world wishes it could come close to.

Take home a ski pass for the Three Valleys and you’re granted access to an astonishing 330 runs and over 100 km of cross-country trails – all served by a dizzying 183 lifts. Needless to say however, chances of you actually being able to cover the whole of the region in the course of your trip are pretty low to say the least, therefore whether looking for a fortnight, a week or just a couple of days in this jewel of the French Alps, be sure to choose your base resort carefully.

True, the snow is the finest quality in the world as is the general hospitality, but with a total of six largely different resorts making up this prime piste paradise, have a quick read to find out which would be the most suitable for you:

Meribel
Visitors to Meribel will find themselves right in the core of the Three Valleys, surrounded by the best nightlife the French Alps have to offer and some truly heart-stopping off-piste ski opportunities. Or roughly translated – a resort from adrenaline junkies and party-heads, less for sleepy-heads.

Courchevel
Moving to a little more exclusivity now, chalets here deliver something of a more refined feel and offer access to more slopes than you’ll manage to cram into any holiday. The nightlife is excellent, though not in the same league as Meribel.

La Tania
Those looking for family-friendliness will be more at home in La Tania, which boasts some of the most gentle slopes in the region and an equally gentle atmosphere to keep the whole family entertained.

Les Menuires
Probably the best resort of all in the French Alps for those with moderate levels of competence though not quite all the way there yet. Les Menuires offers a myriad of red and blue slopes, along with super nightlife and wonderfully relaxed accommodation options.

St Martin de Belleville
Cozy, quaint and traditional, this is the Three Valleys resort for those looking to kick-back old-school, enjoy the slopes from the early mornings and do away with the late-night noise and revelry. That being said, the après-ski certainly isn’t to be sniffed at.

Val Thorens
Taking the title for the highest in Europe, the Val Thorens ski resort is a force to be reckoned with and offers visitors the ability to literally ski in and out of their own accommodation’s front door. And just in case you needed an excuse for an eye-opener, the region also boasts the highest pub in Europe!

Alps2Alps will get you there, on time, safely and affordable

Photo sources: flickr.com/photos/mountainlight – flickr.com/photos/123_456 – flickr.com/photos/uncle-leo – flickr.com/photos/12298117@N08