Les 3 Vallées boasts the world’s largest linked ski space, encompassing three distinct resorts, every with its personal DNA. Within the morning, you is usually a downhill racer at Val Thorens, for lunch you possibly can hobknob with celebs at Courchevel, and within the afternoon you possibly can cruise some straightforward runs, family-style at Méribel.
Why go? For one, you’re snowboarding within the French Alps! Secondly, for my fellow US skiers, your carry ticket is a discount. Snowboarding Val Thorens moderately than, say, Vail, Colorado, you’re saving over $200 a day. With a slight upcharge to entry Méribel and Courchevel too, you’re getting 600 km of groomed “pistes” compared to Vail’s 234 km of groomed “runs.”
Choices, selections…
So that you’ve determined to ski Les 3 Vallées. The problem is to resolve which resort of the three–Val Thorens, Courchevel, or Méribel, to make residence base.
Beneath, I’ve teased out one phrase that describes every resort and what’s new for 2026 relating to getting folks up the mountain (for getting down, you’re by yourself). I’ve talked about one new lodge and one new restaurant for every resort.
Val Thorens: Excessive altitude, larger octane
Val Thorens is the best level within the Alps, and younger adults just like the quick tempo and quick pistes, day and night time. It’s the latest of the Les 3 Vallées resorts and boasts having the longest ski season in Europe. Certain, households and skiers of every kind are welcome, however I received the impression my 20-something youngsters would like it!
Ski updates embody a 10-seater gondola referred to as Face Nord, which improves skier circulate and supplies much more entry to the opposite mountains. The Cime Caron Cable Automotive is ready to reopen in 2026 with two new cabins. This journey provides each skiers and pedestrians entry to the tippy-top, at 3,200 meters, it’s the cash shot of the French Alps.
Caron 3200 is a vacation spot unto itself. That includes a restaurant, wine bar, rooftop terrace, and extra, its panoramic views of 1000 mountain peaks will make you’re feeling such as you’re on prime of the world, and also you type of are.
Celebrating its tenth anniversary, five-star Hôtel Pashmina Le Refuge, additionally located on the prime, has launched a brand new out of doors spa. Did somebody say jacuzzi with a view?
Courchevel: The height of Alpine luxurious
Celebrating its eightieth 12 months in 2026, Courchevel is the stuff French Alps goals are product of. Sure, it’s trend fabulous, movie star stylish, and splendid as might be, however its pure magnificence turns heads, too.
Courchevel includes six small villages, all accessible to 1 one other and to the Les 3 Vallées slopes. Every has considerably completely different influences, however all rejoice the artwork de vivre!
A brand new-generation gondola debuts for the 2026 season at Les Chenus. It guarantees to remodel the departure and summit stations, enhance passenger circulate, and get extra skiers up (and down) the mountain quicker.
Baumaniére 1850 has earned its second Michelin star, and is price a reservation, particularly should you’re accumulating star experiences. Observe: Courchevel has extra Michelin-starred eating places than some other mountain resort on the earth.
Should you’re hankering for a French smelly formage (who isn’t!?), dip into the redesigned connoisseur expertise at Grenier Des Alpages for raclette. Mais Oui.
Opening in December, luxurious lodge residence Atmosphère 1850 is the speak of the slopes. Over-the-top, ski-in ski-out, luxurious suites accommodating as much as eight company are pure swank with each amenity you possibly can consider.
Every little thing you have to plan your journey in 2026
Méribel: The guts and soul of the valley
Méribel est le cœur des 3 Vallées. It’s just like the Grand Dame of the three resorts, offering consolation, cosiness, generosity, and caring. It’s comprised of 4 websites. Search for charming structure in Méribel Centre, performance in Mottaret, small village vibes in Les Allues, and the sensation of being tucked away within the forest of Meribel Village.
When making services updates annually, Méribel at all times strikes towards modernization with sustainability in thoughts. The brand new Leitner gondolas (linking Val Thorens, the place a chairlift used to suffice) will probably be able to transporting 2,600 skiers per hour, comfortably!
Whereas conventional chalet-type lodging proliferate in Méribel, a contemporary tackle Alpine model might be discovered on the new Alba lodge. Once more, it’s an apartment-style lodge with slope-side entry, in addition to wellness and health areas.
The brand-new Tipi restaurant, with its groovy ambiance, terrace views, fancy cuts of meat, and charcuterie platters, appears engaging. it’s a mid-mountain expertise accessible to intermediates and superior skiers.
The ski takeaway
Go to Les 3 Vallées in quest of that giddy skier’s feeling when turns are easy, your shadow is your companion, après-ski is magnificence or bubbles, and the French Alps change into your backdrop. Which resort? Who cares! Once more, there aren’t any improper decisions.
Cathie Arquilla
Cathie Arquilla is a journey author from New York Metropolis. When she’s not touring, she helps girls look their finest as a NYC trend stylist.
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