From villages to pastures

Les 3 Vallées, an extraordinary story

When you make your way around the world's largest ski area, passing through spectacular valleys and picturesque villages and using the state-of-the-art facilities of its seven resorts, it is hard to believe that only a few herds of cows occupied these vast areas at the beginning of the last century. Before they were discovered and became the large-scale ski area they are today, Les 3 Vallées was nothing more than mountain pastures stretching as far as the eye could see. Fortunately, it has managed to preserve its rural character... This is a story of authenticity and escape in the heart of a beautiful natural area!

Once upon a time, there were 3 Valleys

It all began in 1920, when the British skier and mountaineer Arnold Lunn was sent to scout the Saint Bon Valley. The objective of his visit, which had been organised by British businessmen and skiers, was to create a ski resort in France, inspired by neighbouring countries such as the Austrian Tyrol or the Swiss Grisons. The inventor of the slalom returned from his exploration dumbstruck. He reported: "There is an exceptional site in Savoie, made up of three valleys that are more or less parallel: the Saint Bon, Allues and Belleville valleys.” He had found magnificent slopes, that were very well oriented with minimal avalanche danger - the dream of every keen skier. Thus the story of the giant adventure of Les 3 Vallées began.

Little by little, the 3 Vallées resorts took shape and came to life, and the first connections were built. The first links were installed in the 1950s between Courchevel and Méribel. At the beginning, each resort was independent, but from the 1970s onwards, a network of ski lifts linked the whole area. This was the ideal time to offer a range of 3 Vallées skipasses which were valid in all the resorts of the ski area.

In 1996, Les 3 Vallées invited a fourth valley to join them: the Maurienne Valley. This gave Italian visitors easy access to the ski area. In this way, the largest ski area in the world was born: 7 resorts, 600km of slopes and 35,000 hectares of nature for year-round leisure activities.

Mountain pasture and ski villages; a successful marriage

As the villages gradually transformed themselves into the resorts which today make up Les 3 Vallées they managed to preserve their authenticity and spirit and the values they hold dear. It’s the ideal way to make the most of the natural areas which were here before us, while respecting local traditions.

Cheese

Here, you can enjoy the pleasures of the mountains and the Savoyard know-how that has been passed down for generations. For example, if you want to discover locally produced cheese, simply visit one of the Belleville Valley farms. Here you can immerse yourself in the traditional, agricultural life of the valley, taste the local cheeses and discover the secrets of how they are made.

Discover our 7 wonders and find your own snow-covered paradise...

Everyone can find what they love in Les 3 Vallées, as each resort has its own treasures and surprises to offer, each with its own unique atmosphere. This delightful variation shares a common theme: the mountains are for everyone!

You can discover skiing on a grand scale in Courchevel or immerse yourself in the elegance of Méribel, a blend of contemporary inspiration and Savoyard traditions. In the thermal spa village of Brides-les-Bains, a holiday in the mountains becomes a chance to unwind. For a family holiday, head to Les Menuires to enjoy the small things that put a smile on your face, and the thrills of snowsports. Unless you would prefer a festive and sporting holiday in Val Thorens... Enjoy a cosy and discrete holiday in Saint Martin-de-Belleville, a gem of a small village, or wander through the traditional hamlets in Orelle for a picturesque getaway from everyday life... The hardest thing will be knowing which destination to choose !