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Skiing in Les Menuires
A purpose-built ski resort, Les Menuires forms part of the impressiveThree Valleys ski area – the highest ski resort in Europe and the largest interconnected ski domain in the world, with famous neighbouring resorts like Méribel and Courchevel on the other side of the mountain. The resort’s split into five different districts: La Croisette, Les Fontanettes, Grand Reberty, Preyerand and Les Bruyères, with each district connected by a network of free buses, public lifts and walking paths.
Les Menuire's high-altitude elevation of 1850m pretty much guarantees snow-sure conditions throughout the entire ski season – especially given that the resort was created in 1964 to provide ski fanatics with a whole new high-altitude skiing area. And with access to over 600km of epic slopes to play on across the entire ski area, the resort has more than enough varied terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all skills and abilities, from newbies to pros, to get their fill of snow-time. Les Menuires has so much to offer off the hill, too. After a long and exhausting day skiing, you can make a pitstop at one of the many restaurants that cater for all types of customers. There are also loads of shops, bars, cafes and fun amenities to explore when there aren’t two planks strapped to your feet! Plus, whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned skier, a family looking for a for a fun-filled winter adventure or small group of friends, there’s a wide range of accommodation options to suit your tastes and budget.
"Les Menuires is a wonderful all round resort. Great green runs for learning (with excellent hot chocolate options), airbags for tricks and easy access to whole Three Valley's ski area."
Rebecca Dodson, Sales Manager
Les Menuires mountain facts
Les Menuires sits at an elevation of 1,850m in the Belleville valley. Its highest point, Pointe de la Masse, towers at an awe-inspiring 2,804m, offering incredible panoramic views of the valley and the main skiing bowl below. It’s connected to the Three Valleys ski area, which offers over 600km of pistes, 159 ski lifts, 344 runs and 4 glaciers. Skiers also have access to the slopes that cascade down from Val Thorens and the Peclet, Pointe du Bouchet and Glacier de la Pointe Rénod. The Three Valleys pistes are made up of 16% green runs, 42% blue runs, 32% red runs and 10% black runs. That’s a lot of slopes to explore!
Snow conditions in Les Menuires
With high-altitude slopes and a ski season that typically runs from December through to April, you’re guaranteed excellent snow conditions throughout the season in Les Menuires. 85% of the runs are above 1,800m, which pretty much means they’re as snow-sure as you can get. Plus, there are 418 snow cannons at the ready to cover 65km of pistes (which makes up about 40% of the terrain), so you can be sure the snow is always fresh and well-covered. If you’re skiing in January or February, the south-facing areas stay warm under the mountain sun. Later in the season, the colder north-facing slopes tend to maintain good snow, meaning you can maximise your ski time throughout the entire season.
Why ski in Les Menuires?
There are 600 reasons to ski in Les Menuires; one for each kilometre of pistes you will have direct access to at the resort! Les Menuires is an incredible gateway to the Three Valleys and its state-of-the-art ski lift network provides unlimited access to the jaw-dropping slopes on offer across the entire ski area. Here’s a snapshot of what to expect when you choose Les Menuires for your ski holiday:
- The resort has two main beginner areas - Bruyères and Croisette, with free lifts connecting beginners to some of the resort’s quieter slopes. The Tortollet area located just outside of the main resort centre also has a free magic carpet that’s perfect for first-timers learning the basics.
- Confident beginners looking to take the next step and build their confidence should take the 8-minute gondola up to Pointe De La Masse for the blue Bouquetin run at 2804m, which offers a slow and scenic run along the side of the mountain back down to the village.
- Pointe de la Masse isn’t only ideal for beginners – it’s also a great launchpad for intermediates looking for a fun challenge. From the peak, you’ve got a couple of trickier reds with smooth, rolling slopes to sink your skis into. Plus, with Val Thorens close by and Méribel on the other side of the Valley, there’s no shortage of epic terrain to discover.
- Experienced and advanced skiers will be in their element with the off-piste ‘Liberty Ride’ zones and hair-raising black runs on offer – like the legendary Cime de Caron or Le Grand Couloir, the steepest run in the Three Valleys that’s absolutely not for the faint-hearted!
Snowboarding in Les Menuires
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If you’re all about shredding on one plank instead of two, Les Menuires really is an absolute playground for snowboarders regardless of skill level. Here are some of the highlights for boarders.
- The BK Park in Les Menuires has a friendly and accessible atmosphere for snowboarders of all levels and abilities. There’s even something for the little ones. The park has three zones – Roller Coaster, The Slide and Mini Rodeo, where you’ll find a selection of easy and intermediate level runs, rails, jumps, tabletops and a freestyle and boardercross area. It’s easily reached via the Becca stairlift.
- If you’re a confident freerider who’s up for more of a challenge, head to the Val Thorens Snowpark in the Plateau area which covers 70,000 square metres and features table-top jumps, an airbag and quarter-pipe jumps. It’s more than ideal for park rats wanting to master flips, boardslides, tail grabs, lipslides, jibs and jumps.
- There are three different off-piste ‘Liberty Ride’ zones throughout the Val Thorens valley where you can ride fresh powder and practise your off-piste snowboarding in a safe and controlled environment. You can find these areas at La Masse (via the Masse 2 cable car), La Riondaz (via the Saint Martin 2 ski lift) and Les Pylônes (via the Sunny Express ski lift).
- There’s also the gnarly off-piste run from Lac du Lou to Vallée des Encombres, which offers confident and experienced freeride skiers a fun challenge across more varied terrain.
All ski resort accommodation in Les Menuires
Les Menuires offers plenty of accommodation options, most of which are ski-in, ski out with the slopes right on your doorstep. The majority of the accommodation ranges between self-catered apartments, chalets and hotels; some of which come with extra holiday-making amenities such as wellness facilities, kids’ areas and on-site restaurants.
All Ski Resort Accommodation in Les Menuires
Ski Holidays in Les Menuires
Apres-ski in Les Menuires
Unlike its high-energy neighbours (Val Thorens and Méribel, we’re looking at you!), a night out in Les Menuires is a little less table-stomping and more low-key après beers after an exhausting day skiing – although you can still find a couple of brilliant nightclubs that will keep you partying into the early hours. Still, it has loads of bars and restaurants where you can watch sports, refuel and reminisce over the day’s events with mates. If that sounds like your kind of night out, here are a few Les Menuires après ski highlights:
- If you’re planning a ski holiday to Les Menuires, it would be almost criminal not to mention La Folie Douce – aka the world’s highest dancefloor at an incredible 2,600m elevation! Technically it’s located in Val Thorens, but its position right on the slopes means it’s easy to reach from Les Menuires. Stop by mid-afternoon and you can expect legendary live DJs, tabletop dancing, perpetual champagne showers, cold beers, saxophonists and signature shots. But be sure to keep an eye on the time so you don’t miss last lifts!
- If you fancy partying into the early hours, Le Leeberty is your late-night option. Located in Les Bruyères, it’s open every day from 5pm till 5am serving up an eclectic mix of live music, happy hour deals and accompanying refreshments – basically everything you need after a full day on the hill.
- Le Tilbury is a warm and welcoming traditional French pub in La Croisette where you can unwind with locals and visitors alike after an energetic day on the slopes. We also think it plays home to some of the best pastries and sweet treats on offer in the Three Valleys!
Facilities in Les Menuires
There’s practically no shortage of things to do in Les Menuires! There are plenty of ski hire shops, pubs and cafés, as well as a bi-weekly market, a huge range of accommodation options and a state-of-the-art sports centre. You’ve got multiple points to pick up ski passes, and options to arrange ski transfers. The resort also operates a free inter-district bus/shuttle service that runs 7 days a week, as well as an inter-village service that runs between Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Les Menuires and Val Thorens.
Facilities for children in Les Menuires
Les Menuires has a reputation for being an excellent family-friendly resort – so much so, it’s “Famille Plus” accredited, meaning it has facilities designed specifically for children. When it comes to snow-time activities, the resort has something for children of all ages with a snow park, toboggan runs and ski lessons tailored for kids. Plus, the ski-in, ski-out accommodation makes the logistics of planning a holiday with the little ones that much easier. Off the hill, there’s a cinebus, outdoor ice rink and an indoor swimming pool with massage jets and a river with currents. There are also more niche activities to do across the resort, like axe throwing, igloo building, indoor badminton, guided snowshoe hikes and escape games... The list is almost endless! And that doesn’t even cover everything. Les Menuires has excellent childcare options for babies and toddlers aged 3 to 30 months, as well as kids’ clubs for children aged 31 months to 5 years that offer fun things to do both on and off the slopes.
Why choose Erna Low for Les Menuires skiing holidays?
Frequently asked questions about Les Menuires skiing holidays
Is Les Menuires good for families, and how does accommodation in Les Menuires support family holidays?
Les Menuires holds official ‘Famille Plus’ status, which is a French government accreditation awarded to resorts that meet rigorous standards for family-friendly facilities and services. In practical terms, this means excellent ski school provision, dedicated children's areas on the slopes, and a resort layout that takes families' needs seriously. The Les Bruyères district, with its aquatic centre and local lifts, is particularly well-suited to families with younger children. The prevalence of ski-in, ski-out apartments also makes the daily rhythm of a ski holiday with kids dramatically easier.
Are all accommodations in Les Menuires ski-in, ski-out?
The vast majority of accommodation in Les Menuires offers direct or near-direct slope access, a defining feature of the resort. That said, it's worth being precise when you book. Properties in the central La Croisette and Preyerand areas tend to have the most direct access, while some accommodation in Les Fontanettes and on the periphery of the resort may require a short walk or a ride on the free shuttle bus to reach the nearest lifts. It's always worth checking the specific slope access for any property before you book.
How far is the transfer from the airport to Les Menuires accommodation?
Transfer times depend on which airport you fly into. From Chambéry, the closest airport, Les Menuires is approximately 100km and typically takes around 1.5 hours by road. From Geneva, the distance is around 180km, with transfer times of roughly 2.5 to 3 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. Lyon Saint-Exupéry is another option at a similar distance to Geneva. Grenoble also serves the resort well. Pre-booked shared or private transfers are the most straightforward way to get to the resort from any of these airports.
Can I access the full Three Valleys area easily from Les Menuires accommodation?
Absolutely - and this is one of the strongest arguments for basing yourself in Les Menuires. Val Thorens is accessible in around 20 to 30 minutes via lift, making it perfectly viable to ski there for the day and return in the afternoon. Méribel and Courchevel are further afield but still very much reachable as day trips via the connected lift system. Les Menuires' position in the Belleville Valley puts you close to some of the Three Valleys' best high-altitude terrain, while keeping the option of the full 600km network open whenever you fancy a change of scenery.
Are there non-skiing activities near Les Menuires accommodation?
Plenty. The sports centre in Les Bruyères is a genuine asset, offering swimming, climbing walls, and other indoor activities - ideal for rest days or when the weather closes in. Tobogganing is a firm favourite with families and best enjoyed on the dedicated run in the resort. There are also well-maintained walking and snowshoeing paths for those who want to enjoy the mountain environment without skis. The village of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, a short bus ride down the valley, provides a lovely change of pace with its traditional Savoyard architecture, authentic restaurants, and a charming church - well worth an afternoon away from the slopes.
"Les Menuires is really friendly and a good option for skiers wishing to explore the 3 Valleys whilst benefitting from lower accommodation prices than in some of the neighbouring resorts."
Jane Bolton, Product Director
