If you are heading out to the Three Valleys later on this season or already planning your next luxury ski holiday you should give this blog a read. It’s for those looking for different pistes to ski than the normally slightly crowded popular boulevards of the Three Valleys. I spent a week in Les Trois Valleys this March and experienced fantastic conditions, better than I had in my 6 seasons prior to this year. Take a look below at my list of the best pistes in the Three Valleys. Click the name of the piste to open the piste map!
Verdet, St Martin de Belleville
The Verdet piste that leads down to the traditional ski resort of St Martin de Belleville in the Three Valleys is most definitely one of the best pistes in the Three Valleys, but it does come with a slight twist. You can only access the piste via the Olympic chairlift in Meribel. From the summit of Olympic you head along the Belleville Valley before taking a right turn down towards St Martin de Belleville. The piste is nice and wide and suits beginners and experts with great carving opportunity with good varied rolling terrain.
Top Tip: Enjoy a demi at Le Corbeleys afterwards!
Plan du Bouquet, Les Menuires
The Plan du Bouquet is a underrated piste in Les Menuires that not too many people know about. The main Mont de La Chambre piste is always great but if you cut off half way down and head towards Val Thorens (the highest ski resort in Europe) you will find the Plan du Bouquet behind the Montaulever drag lift. The piste winds its way down the edge of the Les Menuires part of the Three Valleys and has great views of Val Thorens. Make sure you stay to the left to experience the whole piste.
Top Tip: You can ski from here to Chez Pepe Nicolas, one of the best mountain restaurants in the Three Valleys.
Choucas & Gelinotte, Meribel
For those who like to explore the outer reaches of the pistes in Meribel, then the combination of Choucas and Gelinotte is worth an adventure. Not by any means a popular way into the centre of Meribel but a great couple of pistes to experience. The beginning is nice and wide with rolling terrain and the second half is nice and cruisy down to resort level through the trees. These are definitely a couple of the best pistes in the Three Valleys.
Top Tip: Be careful not to take the red piste on the left or you will end up in Le Raffort!
Mouflon, Meribel
A short sharp dive into the Meribel Valley in the heart of the Three Valleys is the best way to describe the Mouflon. Accessible from the Plattieres 3 gondola, Granges Chairlift and St Martin Express the piste is only about 800m long but is exhilarating from start to finish. Being north facing the snow here is usually at it’s best.
Top Tip: Ski it first thing in the morning to have great access into Meribel and beat the crowd into Courchevel.
Rochers, Courchevel Moriond
If you are ever in Courchevel Moriond ski area be sure the ski the Rochers piste. Rochers meaning rocks is a great piste and not often skied by the masses. The beginning is moderately steep and then going into a cruisy section with dips and banked turns before a couple of rollers. The piste is in two parts and the second part is where most of the speed is at. Often used by the ski club, the second half is like a downhill ski race with tight turns and steep faces before leveling out and finishing at the Chapelets chair.
Top Tip: Make use of the affordable Le Bel Air restaurant!
Gentiane, Courchevel Moriond
Once you’ve skied around Courchevel 1650 and want to head back over towards Courchevel 1850 and you don’t fancy the often icy Roc Mugnier red you should try the Gentaine piste. You can catch it by taking either the Signal or the Chapelets chair and keeping right so to avoid the icy red. Gentiane is a really wide blue ideal for all abilities and has a great view over Courchevel Moriond.
Top Tip: Don’t miss the turning! This is really an underrated run in the Three Valleys.
Dou du Midi, Courchevel 1850
The Dou du Midi piste offers advanced skiers a steep and wide red slope to really practice your carving on. This slope also leads down to the Chenus region of Courchevel 1850 where you can find some superb ski in ski out chalets such as Chalet Bastidons and Shemshak Lodge. The Dou du Midi is most certainly one of the most challenging and best pistes in the Three Valleys.
Top Tip: Make sure you spot the sharp rise in the piste which is almost like a ski jump.
Marquetty, Courchevel 1850
If you are used to visiting Courchevel 1850 you may of skied the Marquetty piste by accident, it’s not one that usually gets very busy. North west facing means that the snow is well protected from the sun, this slope is regularly groomed and it ideal for intermediates and advanced skiers who like to carve GS style turns.
Top Tip: Head to Nammos for great apres ski at the end of the day.
If any of these pistes are ones you know or are keen to explore, make sure you make the most out the excellent terrain in the Three Valleys on your next luxury ski holiday to the largest interlinked ski resort in the world. Get in touch for last minute deals or for next season so we can help find you your perfect accommodation. You can either give us a call on +44 1202 203650 or send us an email and we will be happy to help.
