About Val Thorens & Three Valleys ski areas

The Three Valleys is a vast ski paradise with over 500 marked pistes (600km total), just under 200 lifts, and 2,300 snow cannons covering over 56% of the area. 

It's made up of eight resorts: Courchevel, La Tania, Méribel, Brides-les-Bains, Les Menuires, Val Thorens, Orelle, and St Martin de Belleville offering skiable terrain for all abilities. 

Val Thorens

Val Thorens offers skiing and snowboarding for all levels, from beginner areas to advanced glacier runs and a top-tier Plateau snowpark with kickers, rails, and boxes. Highlights include the scenic Jerusalem blue run, sunny Pointe de la Masse with long blues and challenging blacks like Lac Noir and Dame Blanche, and wide pistes on the Funitel Peclet Glacier ideal for sunset skiing. Off-piste enthusiasts can explore Orelle and routes from Boismint, while quieter areas such as Glacier de la Pointe Renod offer serene runs. For optimal skiing, avoid busy Méribel access lifts in the morning and late afternoon. Combining reliable snow, varied terrain, extensive freestyle options, and modern amenities, Val Thorens is a premier destination for skiers and snowboarders seeking variety and adventure.

Courchevel

On the northern side of the Three Valleys, Courchevel has 150km of pistes and breathtaking views of Mont Blanc. It's renowned for challenging terrain, technical couloirs and favourite runs like the freshly groomed Chapelets red run. La Tania adds further excitement with the Dou des Lanches black and the Freeride Face. Off piste, options abound, from the vast powder fields of Les Avals Valley to steep, technical descents around Saulire Couloirs, Roc Merlet, and the Dou des Lanches area with cliffs, trees, and varied terrain. For freestyle, the Family Park at Courchevel 1850 caters to all levels, with gentle features ideal for beginners and progressive riders.

Méribel

Méribel, located in the Tarentaise Valley of Savoie at 1,450 metres, is a central resort in the Three Valleys. Surrounded by forests, valleys, and Alpine peaks, it offers stunning views of Mont Blanc. Founded in 1938 by Scotsman Peter Lindsay, it blends traditional Savoyard architecture and was chosen to host events during the 1992 Winter Olympics. Suitable for all levels, Méribel features accessible off-piste terrain, two snowparks, and attracts both families and expert skiers. Mont du Vallon, at 2,952 metres, offers challenging descents for the adventurous. Composed of several districts spread out across varying altitudes, the main five villages are:

• Méribel Les Allues (1,100m)
• Méribel Centre (1,450m)
• Méribel Village (1,450m)
• Méribel Les Hauts (1,600m)
• Méribel Mottaret (1,750m)

Orelle - the fourth valley

Orelle is a must visit corner of the Three Valleys, offering superb snow, modern lifts, and breathtaking scenery. It joined the Three Valleys in 1996 with the introduction of the Three Vallées Express gondola, a 5km link ascending 1,470m in altitude through forests and steep terrain. The new gondola ensures faster, safer journeys, whilst the Orelle Caron Gondola soars 820m to Cime Caron in just seven minutes, with panoramic views from its glazed cabins. 

The area boasts runs ranging from gentle greens to challenging blacks, including the Coraia red, the highest piste in the Three Valleys at 3,230m. Off-piste enthusiasts will find the best terrain near the Bouchet lift, where fresh powder and exciting routes await. Suitable for beginners, intermediates, and experts alike, Orelle combines reliable snow, varied skiing, and cutting edge lift technology, making it a rewarding destination for all.

Val Thorens and Les Menuires combined have in the region of 65 lifts, giving access to over 300km of pistes.

The winter season usually runs from mid-December to mid-April, with any early lift openings depending on snow conditions. January is ideal for quiet slopes and fresh snow, February is geared towards families on their school holidays, and in March and April expect sunny pistes and relaxing on mountain restaurant terraces.

If you're coming early or late in the season

It's a good idea to check which lifts are open. You might want to check the webcams too, for up to the minute view of the conditions on the pistes.

Val Thorens and Les Menuires are fully linked though a network of lifts and pistes, allowing skiers and snowboarders to move seamlessly between the two, whilst also accessing the entire Three Valleys network with a single lift pass. 

From Val Thorens you can also link to Saint Martin de Belleville, Meribel and Courchevel all under the same lift pass, offering endless skiing options without needing to get in a car or on a bus.

Val Thorens is a paradise for advanced skiers and snowboarders, offering a wide range of steep, challenging runs across three glaciers and four summits. The top of the Cime Caron lift is a highlight with runs that test even the most skilled. 

For fresh powder and wide, quiet slopes, the Bouchet area in Orelle’s fourth valley is hard to beat, ideal for picking up speed. Pointe de la Masse features four demanding black runs - perfect for early morning skiing with excellent sunshine. 

Slightly busier, the Funitel Peclet area offers steep, long runs such as Christine and the Col red from Glacier de Thorens, providing thrilling descents and variety for expert skiers.

Val Thorens is, for beginners, quite simply one of the best places to learn and improve. If you extend across the whole of the Belleville Valley, learners have access to over 20 green runs and around 60 blues. 

Unlike many resorts, this valley features gentle connecting pistes, allowing learners to access the full ski area and enjoy as much variety as advanced skiers without repeating the same runs. 

Val Thorens features a 70,000m² snowpark on the Plateaux Pistes, accessible via the Moutière chairlift. Best in the afternoon, it offers five zones: an 800m boardercross, three freestyle areas for all levels, and a Jump’Air with airbag. With kickers, whoops, rails, wall rides, and a half pipe, it’s ideal for practicing tricks and filming stunts, making it a top destination for freestyle skiers and snowboarders.

Some of the best runs in the Three Valleys are in Val Thorens. From the Cime de Caron, the black Combe de Caron, red Col de l’Audzin, and the steep black Combe Rosael lead into the scenic ‘fourth valley.’ Jerusalem, a quiet red run with gentle and steep sections, is perfect for intermediates and safe off-piste practice. 

In Orelle, the red Coraia, starting at 3,230m, is the highest run in the Three Valleys, offering breathtaking Alpine views and a long, enjoyable descent into a hidden valley.

Val Thorens is a prime destination for off-piste skiing and ski touring, surrounded by six glaciers that offer endless powder in spectacular Alpine scenery. Experienced skiers can explore recognised off-piste routes from several peaks, including Pierre Lory into the Maurienne Valley, Lac du Lou from Combe de Rosael, and La Masse down Vallée des Encombres. 

The area between Jerusalem and Pramint is also popular, especially with instructors. Weather and snow conditions must be carefully considered due to the high altitude, which can make some itineraries precarious. The glaciers of the Vanoise provide breathtaking descents and some of the best off-piste in the Three Valleys.

Navigating the vast Three Valleys ski area can feel overwhelming, especially with its hundreds of pistes and dozens of lifts spanning multiple resorts. To make your skiing experience more enjoyable and stress-free, we’ve put together a selection of detailed itineraries. These guides highlight key runs, lift connections, and scenic routes, helping you explore the best of the region without getting lost. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or expert skier, these itineraries will make your day on the slopes smoother and more memorable.

If visibility is poor, try skiing lower pistes near the resort, which may be below the cloud, such as the gentle blue Dalles or the black Cascades from the Cascades chairlift, or the Plein Sud blue down to the Cairn bubble. Conversely, if the valley is cloudy, conditions may be clear higher up - use a bubble or cable car and choose an easy descent if needed. Snow in the valley usually means fresh powder above, offering quiet, excellent skiing.