Region

Les Trois Vallées

Sleep in one base resort (Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens or the valley town Brides-les-Bains) and ski the whole 600 km (373 mi) network by lift; changing accommodation mid-week costs a day of skiing.Sleep in one base resort (Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens or the valley town Brides-les-Bains) and ski the whole 373 mi (600 km) network by lift; changing accommodation mid-week costs a day of skiing.

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Key facts · France

Visa: Depends on your passport
Currency: Euro (EUR, €)
Language: French
Plugs: C · E · 230 V
Time zone: CET, UTC+1

Month by month hereIn detail ↓

Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…

Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.

Les Trois Vallées is the world's largest interlinked ski area, with 600 km of pistes and 180 lifts across Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens and Saint-Martin-de-Belleville. Each base has a different character: Courchevel is luxury and wide groomers, Méribel is central and family-friendly, Val Thorens is high-altitude snow-sure and lively, and Brides-les-Bains is the budget valley option with a gondola up to Méribel. You ski the whole area from any of them.

Where to sleep

5 places in this region

CourchevelCity guide
Luxury, wide groomers, Altiport for private jets; expensive. Best for intermediate skiers and families who want high-end service.
Best Dec–Mar
JFMAMJJASOND
Open Courchevel →
MéribelCity guide
Central location, good for all levels, lively après but not as wild as Val Thorens. Best for families and mixed-ability groups.
Best Dec–Mar
JFMAMJJASOND
Open Méribel →
Val ThorensCity guide
Highest resort in Europe (2300 m), snow-sure from December to May, lively nightlife. Best for advanced skiers and snowboarders.
Best Jul–Sep, Dec–Apr
JFMAMJJASOND
Open Val Thorens →
Saint-Martin-de-BellevilleCity guide
Traditional village, quieter, cheaper than the high resorts. Best for couples and those who prefer a relaxed base.
Best Dec–May
JFMAMJJASOND
Open Saint-Martin-de-Belleville →
Brides-les-BainsCity guide
Valley spa town, budget option, connected by gondola to Méribel. Best for skiers on a tight budget.
Best Jun–Sep, Dec–Apr
JFMAMJJASOND
Open Brides-les-Bains →

Plan the nights

How to split the nights, day-trips and what to do with your bags

Open Plan the nightsClose Plan the nights3 partsNights · Day-trips · Bags

Night sequences

7 nights: 7 nights in one base (e.g. Méribel) and ski a different valley each day.
5 nights: 5 nights in Val Thorens for snow-sure skiing; day-trip to Courchevel via the Cime Caron lift.

The 600 km (373 mi) claim includes all marked pistes; some runs are linked by long chairlifts or gondolas — plan your route to avoid backtracking.The 373 mi (600 km) claim includes all marked pistes; some runs are linked by long chairlifts or gondolas — plan your route to avoid backtracking.
Altitude in Val Thorens (2300 m) can cause altitude sickness for the first day; drink water and take it easy.
School holidays (February and early April) mean lift queues and full accommodation; book months ahead.

Day-trips door to door

To	From	Door-to-door p50	Last return	Note
Courchevel	Méribel	45 min	check	Ski over via the Saulire gondola; last lift back is around 17:00.Ski over via the Saulire gondola; last lift back is around 5:00 PM.
Val Thorens	Méribel	50 min	check	Ski over via the Cime Caron or the Orelle gondola; last lift back is around 17:00.Ski over via the Cime Caron or the Orelle gondola; last lift back is around 5:00 PM.
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville	Méribel	30 min	check	Easy blue/red run down to the village; last lift back is around 17:00.Easy blue/red run down to the village; last lift back is around 5:00 PM.

Bags between cities

Luggage transfer between resorts is available (check with your accommodation); most ski shops offer overnight storage for skis.

When to go

Months and weather

Open When to goClose When to go2 partsSeasons · Climate

Seasons at a glance

From each city's month table

Pick a month to see where to go.

Only good-now countries

Show all 12 months, country by countryHide the 12-month table

Country	JJan	FFeb	MMar	AApr	MMay	JJun	JJul	AAug	SSep	OOct	NNov	DDec
Courchevel	go	go	go	ok	ok	ok	×	×	ok	ok	ok	go
Méribel	go	go	go	ok	ok	ok	×	×	ok	ok	ok	go
Val Thorens	go	go	go	go	×	ok	go	go	go	ok	×	go
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville	go	go	go	go	go	ok	×	×	ok	ok	ok	go
Brides-les-Bains	go	go	go	go	×	go	go	go	go	ok	×	go
France (country-wide)	ok	ok	ok	go	go	go	ok	ok	go	go	ok	ok

Go: the good monthsFair: workable, mixedPoor: heat, rain or hazeAvoid: storms, floods, closuresno data yet

Computed from each country’s own data; hover a country name for the source. Advisory countries are left out.

Climate strip

Month by month

Zone	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Val Thorens (2300 m)High altitude	cold	cold	snow	snow	snow	cool	cool	ok	ok	snow	cold	cold
Courchevel / Méribel (1100–1850 m)Mid-altitude	cold	cold	snow	snow	snow	cool	ok	ok	ok	snow	cold	cold

ok: workablecool: jacket, grey

Val Thorens (2300 m): Snow-sure from December to May; summer lifts run for hiking from late June to early September.
Courchevel / Méribel (1100–1850 m): Ski season typically December to April; lower slopes may be thin in early December and late April.

Best months for skiing are January–March for snow quality and shorter queues (outside school holidays). Summer (June–September) offers hiking and mountain biking on the lifts.

Getting in and passes

Arrival times and regional passes

Open Getting in and passesClose Getting in and passes2 partsGet in · Passes

Get in

Door-to-door p50, 2026 estimate

From	To	How	p50	Note
Geneva Airport (GVA)	Courchevel / Méribel / Val Thorens	Shared shuttle (e.g. Ben's Bus, Altibus) or private transfer	~2 h 30 to Courchevel, ~2 h 45 to Méribel, ~3 h to Val Thorens	Most common airport; book shuttle in advance. Road can be slow on Saturday changeover days.
Lyon-Saint Exupéry (LYS)	Courchevel / Méribel / Val Thorens	Shared shuttle or private transfer	~2 h 30 to Courchevel, ~2 h 45 to Méribel, ~3 h to Val Thorens	Slightly longer than Geneva but often cheaper flights.
Chambéry Airport (CMF)	Courchevel / Méribel / Val Thorens	Shared shuttle or private transfer	~1 h 30 to Courchevel, ~1 h 45 to Méribel, ~2 h to Val Thorens	Closest airport but limited flights (mostly UK charters in winter).
Courchevel Altiport (CVF)	Courchevel	Private plane or helicopter	check	Small airstrip for private aircraft; no scheduled flights.
Paris	Moutiers (TGV station)	TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Moutiers-Salins-Brides-les-Bains	~4 h 30	Then take a local bus or shuttle (30–45 min) to your resort. Book TGV early for the best price.
London	Moutiers	Eurostar to Paris then TGV to Moutiers, or direct Eurostar ski train (winter only)	~7 h via Paris, ~6 h direct	Direct Eurostar ski train runs Saturdays in winter; check availability.

Regional passes

Verdict first

Les Trois Vallées lift pass (all area)

buy

Covers all 600 km and 180 lifts; buy online in advance for a discount. 6-day adult pass 2026 estimate: €350–€400.

Local resort pass (e.g. Courchevel only)

skip

Only makes sense if you never leave your base; most skiers want the full area.

Ski hire package

check

Hire in resort is easy but more expensive than booking online in advance; book with a shop that has a depot near your accommodation.

Eat and move on

Regional food and where to go next

Open Eat and move onClose Eat and move on2 partsFood · Go next

Regional food

Where and when it works

Dish	Where	Timing / trap
Fondue and raclette	Any mountain restaurant	Lunch staple; expect €20–30 per person. Book a table for dinner.
Haute cuisine (Michelin-starred)	Courchevel (12 Michelin-starred restaurants in the valley)	Reserve weeks ahead; lunch menus are cheaper than dinner. 2026 estimate: €100–300 per person.
Crêpes and gaufres (waffles)	On-slope snack huts	Quick, cheap (€5–10), and good for a mid-morning break.
Tartiflette	Mountain restaurants	Potato, reblochon cheese, bacon and onion; hearty and filling. €15–20.

Go next

Annecy

Car or bus ~1 h 30 from Moutiers

Lake town with old town and canals; a good stop on the way to Geneva.

Chamonix

Car ~1 h 45 via the Mont Blanc tunnel

Another world-class ski area; combine with Les Trois Vallées for a two-centre trip.

Lyon

planned

TGV from Moutiers ~2 h 30

Food capital; a good city break after a ski week.

Geneva

planned

Car or bus ~2 h

International airport and lake city; fly home from here.

Planning aids

Built from this guide's own data

Open Planning aidsClose Planning aids2 partsIn numbers · Going in…

Region in numbers

Where to sleep: 5 bases
Day trips: 3, 30 min to 50 min
Nights suggested: 5–7 nights
Ways in: 6 listed
Best months: No month is best in every zone

Going in…

Pick a month for the weather in each zone of the region, plus the country-wide rating and holidays.

Pick a month.

Explore Savoie Up to France

Deep dive

Photos, reading and every source

Open Deep diveClose Deep dive1 partSources

Sources

officialLes Trois Vallées official site
officialSavoie Mont Blanc tourism
officialFrance Montagnes
secondaryWikivoyage: Les Trois Vallées, revision 4678200 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Ask about Les Trois Vallées

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