The Three Valleys is one of the most famous ski areas in the world and personally one of my favourite ski areas and a place I once called home, it truly offers something for every type of skier. From world class restaurants, to 5* hotels and chalets, children’s play areas, nightclubs, ice hockey games, over 20 ski schools, and 600 kilometres of pistes, it is no wonder thousands of skiers make the journey to the Three Valleys each winter to enjoy what all these resorts have to offer.

Covering the incredible resorts of Courchevel, Meribél and Val Thorens, not to mention the hidden gems of La Tania, Mottaret, St. Martin, Reberty and Les Menuires, every resort within the Three Valleys offers a different feel and experience. Traditionally known as being fantastic for all types of holiday-makers, hopefully this guide will help you to choose which resort you would like to visit on your next trip to the Three Valleys, and show you that they are accessible to all.

To start in more details, on one side of the Three Valleys is Courchevel 1650 a smaller, family-friendly resort. It tends to be a little quieter, there is excellent ski access to the more cruisy blue and green runs, as well as exquisite hotels and fantastic restaurants. Some ski schools meet in 1650 making it easy in the mornings and an excellent place to stay without the high cost of Courchevel 1850.

Moving across, there are a number of properties in Le Praz (Courchevel 1300), down the mountain a little, this is a small and quiet village, with a few chalets but primarily self-catered accommodation and privately owned chalets. It can be a long ski back at the end of the day and the bubble going up to Courchevel 1550 can be slow, however it is excellent for value for money.

Up to Courchevel 1550, a busier resort but not when compared to the likes of 1850. With easy ski access and a number of hotels and chalets, it is a brilliant compromise with good connections to Courchevel 1850, another great family-friendly destination.

This leads me to Courchevel 1850, a high class and infamous ski resort, home to the rich and famous, if you are looking for luxury, look no further. Courchevel has become increasingly popular with British clients and each year more uber-luxurious properties appear. With excellent ski access and five michelin star restaurants, if you are looking for a high class ski resort, Courchevel definitely hits the mark. There are a number of ski schools which meet in Courchevel 1850 around the base of Verdons bubble which gives you immediate and quick access to the rest of the Three Valleys, taking you to the top of the Saulire at 2,738 meters high. A popular place to stay for those wanting to experience adventure, you can go husky sledding, parapenting, or visit the climbing wall and Aquamotion Center. I must not forget to mention the spa, shopping, cafés and restaurants in the town centre as well. There is almost as much to do for the non-skier here as there is for the skiers.

La Tania is a small family-friendly resort set between Courchevel and Meribél, still within the Courchevel lift pass area, if you are not looking to venture too far from home. With a beautiful cruisy long blue home run, it is a lovely way to end the day, and The Ski Lodge offers a touch of aprés in this quiet village. Everything here is close to one another, including the chalets, town centre with spa and ski hire shops, as well as the ski school meeting points.

Moving further over you first come to Meribél Village, a beautiful little village, with an excellent bakery and patisserie and lots of charm and character. The chalets are generally close together and nothing is too far from the Golf chairlift. Saying this many of the chalets do offer a driver service, as in order to get to the ski schools you need to go to La Chaudanne in Meribél centre. It is not far, and in some cases it is shorter a drive than when you are staying in Meribél itself. There are lots of excellent chalets here and they are especially well suited if you are looking for a more spacious and quiet chalet. Filled with luxurious touches and excellent chefs, it is the preferred choice for many.

Meribél, know as the heart of the Three Valleys, is the ideal place to stay if you want to make the most of this vast ski area. With a huge range of mid to high end luxury chalets and hotels, there is accommodation for everyone, whether you want to fly into the Altiport on a private jet, or self drive from the U.K., Meribél offers it all. A beautiful chocolate box village, with the town spread across the mountain from the Morel area over to Mussillon, each part has its own charm. With a Folie Douce and the Ronnie for guests there is plenty of aprés ski as well as nightlife to enjoy. There are excellent mountain restaurants, a weekly market, creperies and a new health juice bar in town, there is plenty for all to do. Childcare here is excellent with over 10 different options for nannies, creché and childrens safe ski area, it is a wonderful place for families.

Mottaret, on the far side of Meribél is a lesser known and less pretty village, it is one for keen skiers, the accommodation and restaurants are more basic, however it has direct access to Mont Vallon, excellent if you get a powder day, and Mottaret is just a quick lift up to Val Thorens or over to Courchevel. Set higher up the mountain from Meribél the slopes keep the snow well and can be less busy at the end of the day.

Between Meribél and Val Thorens are a number of villages which can be perfect if you are looking to go away with your family, or for a quieter stay. With fewer chalets you can avoid the New Year and half-term lift queues, and easily access the slopes around Meribél and Val Thorens. First up is St. Martin, a beautiful traditional village centered around the local church. Here you will find some excellent restaurants including Le Ferme and high end chalets with rustic charm and excellent cuisine with a personal service.

Heading higher to Reberty and Les Menuires, there are lots of ski-in/ski-out family-friendly chalets, a little more purpose built, it doesn’t have the charm of St. Martin however most chalets are ski-in/ski-out and have the extra facilities such as hot tubs, and in-house creche facilities.

If you’re looking for a snow-sure resort (although most of the Three Valleys fits this criteria) and glacier skiing then Val Thorens is the place for you. Unfortunately with high rise chalets and block apartments it is a modern and purpose built resort. Which has its cons in terms of a picturesque holiday, however it does have its advantages. There is more than one access point for skiing in the resort, with a number of ski school meeting points and a magic carpet lift. It is becoming more and more popular with some new luxurious hotels popping up in the best ski-in/ski-out locations. One being the newly renovated Club Med Val Thorens Sensations which not only offers modern and chic en-suite accommodation but has a climbing wall as well.

Staying in Val Thorens will also give you access to the highest point of the Three Valleys and a chance to ski over into Orelle, the 4th hidden valley, with empty pistes and excellent off-piste it is a fantastic way to spend a day skiing.

Throughout the Three Valleys there truly is something for everyone, the main draws stay the same, incredible and accessible skiing for all abilities from beginners and little ones to advanced skiers, fantastic charm and excellent restaurants, it is somewhere every keen snowsports enthusiast should have a chance to visit.