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Ski Holidays in Les Menuires
Les Menuires ski resort lies in the heart of Les Trois Vallées and although not the most aesthetically pleasing, it is an efficient and friendly resort. Split in to two centres, La Croisette and Reberty/Les Bruyères, each with their own shops and restaurants and some newer more traditional style buildings.
Les Menuires is nestled in the stunning Belleville Valley – it’s a stone’s throw from St Martin de Belleville and in a great location to enjoy the renowned Les Trois Vallées ski area.
This is a quiet, family-friendly ski resort which is a brilliant base for exploring the 600km of pistes for skiers of all abilities in the wider Trois Vallées, which includes iconic destinations like Val Thorens, Méribel and Courchevel and is arguably the most famous ski area in the world.
Les Menuires is an inclusive, efficient and friendly French ski resort which is split into two centres, Reberty/Les Bruyères and La Croisette, each of which has its own unique ambience, with shops, restaurants and attractive traditional style buildings.
This is a quiet, family-friendly ski resort which is a brilliant base for exploring the 600km of pistes for skiers of all abilities in the wider Trois Vallées, which includes iconic destinations like Val Thorens, Méribel and Courchevel and is arguably the most famous ski area in the world.
Les Menuires is an inclusive, efficient and friendly French ski resort split into two centres, Reberty/Les Bruyères and La Croisette, each of which has its unique ambience, with shops and restaurants and attractive traditional style buildings.
Linked to the awesome Three Valleys ski area network, here is a preview of what awaits you at Les Menuires.
A sophisticated lift system connects Les Menuires to a vast network of pistes and nearby resorts in the Three Valleys.
There is a good selection of nursery green and blue slopes for families with children and beginners taking their first strides at skiing.
There is also an expansive network of blue, red and black runs (plus off-piste skiing) that awaits more adventurous intermediate and advanced snowsports enthusiasts.
Les Menuires is a great gateway to the Three Valleys and French Alps snowsports culture in general – give it a whirl and you’ll soon understand why visitors keep coming back for more.
Freeriders will love the secure but unpisted ‘liberty ride’ marked areas where you can find fresh powder and ride safely. There are three such zones – one at La Masse which you reach via the Masse 2 cable car, another at La Riondaz accessed by the St Martin 2 ski lift, and the final at Les Pylones, which you reach by the Sunny Express ski lift.
An excellent alternative freeride option is the gnarly off-piste run from Lac du Lou to Vallée des Encombres.
The BK Park is awesome fun and aimed at snowboarders of all ages and aptitudes and you reach it by the Becca stairlift. The park has three zones – Roller Coaster, The Slide and Mini Rodeo.
Snow Conditions in Les Menuires
Les Menuires is at an altitude of 1850m and enjoys a ski season that runs from December through to April. It has expertly maintained pistes and a great geographical position – so you’ll find superb snow conditions here and the surrounding Three Valleys. Here’s the lowdown:
85% of the ski area in Les Menuires is above 1800m and the ski area has 418 snow cannons along 65km of pistes that equate to around 40% of the terrain and ensure great snow cover.
The pistes in Les Menuires cascade down from Val Thorens and the Peclet, Bouchet, Thorens and Pointe Renod glaciers. You’ll find some of the freshest powder and fantastic conditions on the blue Grand Lac run, the red Longet and the black Lac Noir.
In the deep midwinter months of January and February, the south facing ski areas in Les Menuires provide some much-needed light and warmth which enhance your entire experience.
In April and May, the cooler and shaded north facing trails offer the best snow preservation.
On the rare occasions snow conditions aren’t as satisfactory as expected on some slopes, you’ll find the best local snow in La Masse, and access to neighbouring Val Thorens is easy too – it’s Europe’s most snow-sure resort, with plenty of slopes above 3000m and two glaciers.
Official statistics show that in its most recent season, Les Menuires had a total snowfall of 391cm, a total of 33 snowfall days, a largest snowfall of 34cm, maximum base depth of 182cm, average base depth of 103cm maximum summit depth of 329cm and average summit depth of 209cm.
Les Menuires might not quite have the same reputation for revellers as Val Thorens and Méribel, but there’s still a marvellous selection of eclectic spots to eat, drink and be merry. Here are some of the après-ski highlights in Les Menuires:
Le Tilbury is a warm and welcoming pub in La Croisette where you can unwind with locals and visitors alike after an energetic day on the slopes – the atmosphere is convivial and it’s a brilliant place to slake your thirst with a cold beer.
L’Oisans is also in La Croisette and offers a fine range of imported beers and some spectacular cocktails.
Le New Pop is situated close to the hotels in La Croisette and it’s one of the resorts two nightclubs – a soundtrack of Europop classics accompanied by ample alcoholic refreshments will help you dance like no one’s watching!
Le Leeberty is your other late night option – located in Les Bruyères, this French-run disco has fab DJs and a banging sound system that keep the dance floor packed into the wee small hours.
Le Plan B is at the bottom of the slopes in Les Bruyères and is open for business between 10:30am and 2am, serving beer, wine and cocktails on its sun-kissed terrace. With regular live music and fancy dress theme nights, partying in Le Plan B is always a night to remember.
Le Kube is a chic bar and restaurant combo where you can enjoy fine cuisine then chill out on a comfy sofa with a lip-smacking cocktail while the resident DJ spins ambient tunes on the wheels of steel.
Facilities in Les Menuires are magnificent – there are shops, pubs, clubs aplenty, a biweekly market, awesome accommodation options and a well-appointed sports centre. With a wide choice of on and off-slope activities for adults and children, you’re well taken care of in this ski resort, which prides itself on customer service and inclusive culture.
As you’d expect, there are several places to hire ski equipment in Les Menuires, but save yourself the hassle of making your own arrangements by allowing Erna Low to take care of it for you. We’ve been working with trusted ski equipment partners here for years so can easily recommend the best quality kit for each member of your party and reserve it from the closest outlet to your location. It’s much more convenient to pick up your gear on arrival than stand in a long, cold queue. Contact us for a chat if you would like us to include ski hire in your holiday deal.
Most people wait until they get to the resort before they purchase their ski passes but we will always advise that pre-booking your Les Menuires ski passes with Erna Low is also a savvy move if you want to save time, stress and cash. We’ll advise on the best passes for your skiing ability and style and we send your passes before arrival so that you can get out on the slopes without delay when your much-anticipated ski break begins. It is a quick and easy process that takes little to no time at all. Check out our Les Menuires ski pass page for additional information on how to purchase your ski pass and all the details you will need to be aware of.
Information coming soon.
Shopping in Les Menuires might be more practical than glamorous, but nevertheless, there are plenty of retail outlets where you can pick up everyday essentials, Alpine fashions and gifts. Take your pick from funky ski couture backpacks, hats and jackets at Extremountain in La Croisette, La Mie des Bruyères Bakery is one of the best place to pick up pastries that tantalise the taste buds and nearby Label Savoie is a delightful delicatessen where you can grab local Savoie delicacies like fine wine and cheese as gifts for friends and families back home. There’s also an indoor shopping centre in La Croisette with a range of stores and the resort is peppered with ATMs, dry cleaners, photographers, newsagents, hair salons and pharmacies.
Les Menuires might be the most family-friendly ski resort in the Three Valleys and it offers bucket loads of brilliant entertainment for kids of all ages. Find out more below.
If you’re staying in La Croisette, Prosneige is the most conveniently located ski school in Les Menuires and it offers expert lessons for adults and older children as well as kindergarten classes for kids between 3-4 years old. Meanwhile, if you’re lodging in Reberty/Les Bruyères, ESF is the more convenient option. This is an internationally renowned ski school outfit where kids of all ages and stages benefit from quality instruction and lessons that are aligned with the French national learning and certification programme.
There’s a popular children’s play park in La Masse, but the 4km long Roc ‘n Bob sledging course is another excellent family activity for children aged seven and over. A thrilling rail-mounted toboggan course allows children to race against the resort’s mascot Boukty, which always goes down a treat with little ones. Meanwhile, the Boukty Snow Camp Play Area in the centre of La Croisette encourages young children to embrace Alpine culture, with fun activities like igloo hide and seek, snowball fights and sledding.
In La Croisette and Les Bruyères, there are two Piou-Piou Clubs which welcome kids aged 2-6 years old and are open from 9am to 5pm daily. Younger children are catered for by the nursery in La Croisette, which accepts children between three and 30 months old.
A super-efficient lift system and access to high-altitude skiing locally and in the surrounding Three Valleys ski area means that a Les Menuires ski holiday suits all types and levels of snowsports enthusiasts. Set at an altitude of 1850m and with access to much higher slopes above, Les Menuires offers outstanding on- and off-piste skiing opportunities for advanced skiers, its bountiful blue and red runs make it a haven for intermediates and its dedicated beginners area means its one of the best places in the world for novices to build their confidence.
