France - Three Valleys (Trois Vallees) snowboarding in mid-feb!

Hi all,

I'm finalizing plans for a week-long trip @ the famed three valleys mega ski resort. It's my first time venturing to EU for snowboarding and I'm finding not finding a similar guide/site like tripadvisor but french specific. Does anyone know of such site?

Also, does anyone know if there are US-operated hotels at any of the slopes under the 3 valley moniker? I can't seem to find any from the major US chains.

Much appreciated!

please continue to follow this thread in our france forum :)

regards,

chrissxb
co-moderateur
europe forum

about the only "chain" that has lots of hotels in nowhere europe is best western. they actually are a booking company. go to their website. otherwise, use venere.com to find a hotel.

this 3 valley marketing site a marketing deal the place is huge, but it is sort of like tying all of central colorado together and calling it a single area.

Hi all,

I'm finalizing plans for a week-long trip @ the famed three valleys mega ski resort. It's my first time venturing to EU for snowboarding and I'm finding not finding a similar guide/site like tripadvisor but french specific. Does anyone know of such site?

Also, does anyone know if there are US-operated hotels at any of the slopes under the 3 valley moniker? I can't seem to find any from the major US chains.

Much appreciated!

Mid Feb is a very bad period to go in the french alps...SCHOOL HOLIDAYS !!!

Maybe you should have a look to http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/france/1006116-french-skiing-thread.html

Mid Feb is a very bad period to go in the french alps...SCHOOL HOLIDAYS !!!

Maybe you should have a look to http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/france/1006116-french-skiing-thread.html

Well, mid-Feb was the only time my buddy and I could book a trip... Does it matter that much though? Three Valleys IS the biggest and it's like not the "blues / blacks" will be be overrun with kids...

Thanks a bunch for the link to the other thread. I googled for three valleys and did not come across that thread.

Well, mid-Feb was the only time my buddy and I could book a trip... Does it matter that much though? Three Valleys IS the biggest and it's like not the "blues / blacks" will be be overrun with kids...

Thanks a bunch for the link to the other thread. I googled for three valleys and did not come across that thread.

Hi randomtask123,

If you have any question on the 3 Valleys, I will be happy to answer it on http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/france/1006116-french-skiing-thread.html

Hi all,

I'm finalizing plans for a week-long trip @ the famed three valleys mega ski resort. It's my first time venturing to EU for snowboarding and I'm finding not finding a similar guide/site like tripadvisor but french specific. Does anyone know of such site?

Also, does anyone know if there are US-operated hotels at any of the slopes under the 3 valley moniker? I can't seem to find any from the major US chains.

Much appreciated!

Hello randomtask123,

Which resort will you stay in : Courchevel (if so, which one?), La Tania, Meribel, Mottaret, Brides (valley), St-Martin, Les Menuires, Val Thorens or Orelle (valley)?

I would avdise to chose a resort before chosing a lodge ; the location might have a significant impact on your stay because, as mynameismud said, the slopes might be more or less crowded in February (French winter holidays).

Also, what sort of snowboarding do you want to take : slopes, free-ride, snow park?

Val Thorens is notorious for receiving more snowboarders than Courchevel. Plus, the snow is better there because it is a higher resort. But Val Thorens might be crowded.

There really is a decent snowpark in Mottaret but there again, the lines at the lifts can be long since Meribel/Mottaret valley is a transit one in the middle of the resort.

Best off-pistes itineraries can be found between Les Menuires and Val Thorens. But Les Menuires is not the nicest resort (talking about architecture I mean).

Courchevel is the bling-blingest resort, receiving happy fews from allover the world : it even has a de-iced altitute airport.

Meribel might be the cosiest, very British atmosphere.

And so on.

Hello randomtask123,

Which resort will you stay in : Courchevel (if so, which one?), La Tania, Meribel, Mottaret, Brides (valley), St-Martin, Les Menuires, Val Thorens or Orelle (valley)?

We're thinking Val Thorens then Courchevel 1850 because that is the highest. Meribel is possible too since there seems to be snow (and not mud) this year. Def not Brides since that's 20+ minutes gondola ride away from Meribel. Have not considered any of the other resorts... should we?


I would avdise to chose a resort before chosing a lodge ; the location might have a significant impact on your stay because, as mynameismud said, the slopes might be more or less crowded in February (French winter holidays).

Does it really make that much of a difference for such a big conglomeration of resorts? Are we talking about 10 minutes waiting for lifts and gondolas, or 30 minutes? Ideally, we'd opt for a less crowded resort if it's really that crowded. I can't just imagine so many people, esp when the economy is in the ruts in europe...


Also, what sort of snowboarding do you want to take : slopes, free-ride, snow park?


50% on piste, 45% off-piste. 5% park. You mentioned val thorens and mottaret for snowboarding. So this seems consistent with our choice in val thorens...

Thanks!

Queues are usually the longest at Les Menuires and the shortest in Courchevel. Even during the peak weeks of February, I have never had to wait too much in Courchevel (and I sure hope it still is the case this year ;) !).

Does it really make that much of a difference for such a big conglomeration of resorts? Are we talking about 10 minutes waiting for lifts and gondolas, or 30 minutes? Ideally, we'd opt for a less crowded resort if it's really that crowded.

Lots of skiers want to go from other resorts to Val Thorens to taste the good snow (as you said, VT is the highest resort). Therefore, expect more than 10 minutes of waiting between 9:00 and 11:00 in Meribel / Mottaret (Tougnète and Plattieres gondolas), on the way to Val Thorens. Of course, the same people will be back to Courchevel between 16:00 and 17:00 at the same places (Saulire and Pas du Lac gondolas). Plus, the Saulire side of Meribel / Mottaret is the sunny one in the afternoon.

Cime Caron cable car in Val Thorens is also notorious for being crowded.

50% on piste, 45% off-piste. 5% park. You mentioned val thorens and mottaret for snowboarding. So this seems consistent with our choice in val thorens...

Then with Val Thorens, you will be fine :)