Best of Les Trois Vallées: Three valleys, one common denominator
The winter holiday is postponed for the time being - but we can still be inspired. The best from the Côte d'Azur of the Alps.
27 January 2021
The winter holiday is postponed for the time being - but we can always get inspired. Not only Austria has an amazing winter paradise to offer, also France convinces with an exclusive ski region and brilliant views of the French alpine region.
From Courchevel to Méribel, it's all about superlatives. The Côte d'Azur of the Alps attracts the same buoyant crowd as Saint-Tropez in summer.
Les Trois Vallées is undoubtedly a ski resort of superlatives - freely according to the motto: higher, bigger, further. The gigantic ski circuit with its countless downhill runs, entertainment options and gastronomically diverse offers extends - as the name suggests - over three French valleys; the length of the pistes of the largest connected ski area in the world is 600 kilometres, eight individual ski areas belong to this association. The three valleys Vallée des Belleville, Vallée de Méribel and Vallée de Courchevel are spread over an oversized area, which brings the guests closer to the French Alps in an impressive way. The offer in the ski area is so broad that there is something for everyone - for every skill level, but also for every taste: from the high alpine, challenging downhill to the gently sloping beginner's slope, from perfectly groomed slopes to pristine freeride slopes, from challenging moguls to perfectly shaped fun parks - there is also an offer for beginners, pro riders, but also for families (!).
The best hotels
A winter paradise like this invites you to stay. Here you will find the five most beautiful hotels of the French ski resort.
L'Apogée
5 Rue Emile Allais, 73120 Courchevel, France
T: +33 4 79 04 01 04
Opened in December 2013, the five-star luxury hotel "L'Apogée" defines itself as a "cocoon of lush warmth in the midst of a pristine snow panorama". Designers India Mahdavo and Joseph Dirand created an architecturally successful ensemble with an exceptional, coherent concept. Located directly on the ski slope, the hotel exudes pure alpine luxury - wood elements and stone dominate the exterior. In the rooms, plaid is the trend, and the textiles conjure up an extremely pleasant atmosphere. Culinary-wise, you're right at the top of Courchevel's restaurant scene - literally. There is even a Japanese restaurant in the house - the "Koori". The restaurant "L'Apogée" is also located in the luxury hotel - French specialities and highlights of gourmet cuisine are on the menu here. The "Le Bar de L'Apogée" is not only recommended for a casual lunch, in the evening it transforms into a chilled cocktail bar. Another tip for the evening: the Cigar Lounge. The wellness area also leaves nothing to be desired - particularly soft skin is the result of a visit to the salt sauna. Double room from € 1557.
Altapura
Rue du bouchet, 73440 Val Thorens, France
T: +33 4 80 36 80 36
"The hotel will captivate you", is promised on the homepage of the five-star luxury hotel "Altapura". And it does. The hotel in "Boutique Hotel Design" is built in contemporary Scandinavian style - including an invigorating interior design. Bleached wood dominates the interior as well as shaped dry stone, ornate furniture or a wall made of vintage skis. Also exciting is an outdoor bar made from nostalgic 1980s ski boots. Very unique is the in-house spa area, even a hammam can be found in it, plus an "Igloo space" - in addition to indoor and outdoor pools, Jacuzzis and much more. Culinary the hotel also dances out of the row - in the positive sense, however. The hotel has a seafood and oyster bar in the restaurant "Les Enfants Terribles". In the main restaurant, it's "showtime" for the hotel's chefs in the evenings, with a choice of dishes from the rotisserie and Asian woks, as well as a variety of pasta specialities and local cheeses ... Speaking of cheese: In the "La Laiterie" there are exclusive fondues and raclettes - the chef of the house himself has put together this selection together with a local cheese producer. Double room from € 346,-.
Hotel Le K2 Palace
238 Rue des Clarines, 73120 Courchevel, France
T: +33 4 79 40 08 80
Feel like a king - this is guaranteed at the five-star luxury hotel "Le K2 Palace" in Courchevel. At an altitude of 1850 metres above sea level, the hotel - a spacious complex resembling a charming chalet village - blends harmoniously into the high alpine landscape. Not insignificantly also by its external facade, predominantly from wood and stone. The hotel combines discreet luxury and authentic sophistication. Culinary excitement is a guarantee, for example in "Le Kintessence," an in-house restaurant that has been awarded two Michelin stars, or the equally distinguished "Le Sarkara." This culinary offer is rounded off by a number of other restaurants and bars in the hotel. The wellness area is also top-notch, covering more than 500 square metres - the "Goji Spa" is also known for its specialisation in skin treatments: The Swiss brand Valmont, known for its anti-aging cosmetics, is used. Double room from € 1480,-.
Cheval Blanc
Rue du Jardin Alpin, FR-73120 Saint-Bon-Tarentaise
T: +33 4 79 00 50 50
Ski-in/ski-out, sleep-in/sneak-out. With these keywords and the slogan "The cool spirit of the French Alps" the luxury hotel "Cheval Blanc" in Courchevel beckons, which defines its hotel design as "bold" according to its homepage. You could say the hotel is absolutely exquisite. What else is it? Radiant in color, anyway, with striking accents of color in the rooms. "Every detail is a reason to stay," is what the hotel further advertises on its website. A reason to stay can also be attributed to the culinary delights - "Le Triptyque", for example, is the name of the hotel's own brasserie. There's also a bar in the house and - this is a special highlight - a cigar bar. A must is also a visit to the spa area, which will bewitch body, mind and soul alike. This includes an indoor and outdoor whirlpool, where there is also a "Russian banya" (= Russian bathhouse) - tired muscles will benefit from the ice fountain of the spa area. Prices on request.
Le Kaila
124 Rue des Jeux Olympiques, FR-73550 Les Allues
T: +33 4 79 41 69 20
The five-star luxury hotel "Le Kaila", located directly on the ski slope, fully meets your expectations of a perfect winter holiday domicile. Le Kaila" in Meribél skilfully combines traditional design with modern elements. Wood and stone dominate the exterior of the hotel, which is built in traditional Alpine style. Inside, too, wooden floors and - in the accommodation on the upper floor also wooden ceilings - exude an extremely cosy atmosphere. Textiles in subtle colours underline this noticeable trend towards alpine cosiness. The hotel has a number of restaurants - including the starred restaurant "L'Ekrin". The breathtaking mountain panorama around the hotel can also be enjoyed from the hotel bistro - a tip for all those who prefer simple and quick dishes, for example during a short lunch break. You can round off your skiing day perfectly in the "Nuxe Spa" - the wellness area also leaves nothing to be desired. Junior suite from € 1857,-.
The best of Les Trois Vallées
Best shops
Delicious, organically produced and homemade chocolate specialities are available in the speciality shop "Piste Noire" in Courchevel. Tip: Homemade chocolates are a perfect souvenir.
At the Place du Rocher in Courchevel there is a Chanel store - you can't miss it - the name of the luxury brand is positioned with red neon letters directly in front of the shop. You can also find winter outdoor fashion here!
Comfortable and trendy boots from renowned brands for a guaranteed stylish winter holiday can be found at the Sport Boutique in Méribel. A wide range of sports and leisure clothing is available there.
Best wines
A rustic wine cellar with a first-class selection of wines can be found at the "Cave des Lys" in Courchevel - the menu features dishes from the Savoie region.
Best restaurants
At the gourmet restaurant "Le Cèpe" in Méribel, regionality is a top priority: Porcini mushrooms or fish from the neighboring lakes are used to create creative dishes. Lobster salad or cappuccino soup are popular with guests.
The two Michelin-starred restaurant "Le Sarkara" in the hotel "Le K2 Palace" in Courchevel convinces with its creative gourmet desserts, created by patissier Sébastien Vauxion. The courses that precede them are also sure to score points ...
Le Cap Horn" is not only a top culinary address, but also easy to reach. If you wish, you can arrive by helicopter - there is a landing pad directly in front of the restaurant.
Best slopes
600 kilometres of pistes - making the ski area "Les Trois Vallées" the largest connected ski area in the world. More than 180 lifts are available.
There are 5 snow parks here: In addition to the alpine ski areas, Les Trois Vallées also boast numerous and versatile snow parks that are ideal for beginners and pros alike. There is something for every skill level! The ski area is 3200 metres high at its highest point; the lowest point of the area is at 1300 metres. Due to this altitude, long skiing fun - until May (9 May 2021) - is guaranteed.
3 valleys make up the Les Trois Vallées region: this is a ski circuit between the Vallée des Belleville, Vallée de Méribel and Vallée de Courchevel. The network also includes cableways from the Vallée de Bozel and the Maurienne Valley.
In 1969-1971, the Val Thorens ski area project was created, at a time when the rise of winter sports resorts often led to controversy. In spite of everything: Europe's highest ski resort in Val Thorens was created exactly in this time period ...
Picture Credits: Trois Vallees/David Andre, Courchevel Tourisme/Baptiste Assémat, Unsplash/Carson Masterson, Marc Berenguer, Romero, David Andre, Stefano Candito, Provided.
This article appeared in the Falstaff TRAVEL issue Winter 2020.
