What's New In The Three Valleys For Season 20 - 21
The Three Valleys have lots of developments for the coming season. They include the following.
La Masse mountainside in Les Menuires, a must-see area of natural beauty, is now home to a unique destination, in partnership with the Vanoise National Park: the Friendly Natural Park. Challenge yourself as a family and get to know the local wildlife. Did you know that a marmot eats over 100kg of food before winter?! Welcome to an area dedicated to the animals living in the Vanoise National Park. Black grouse, golden eagle, rock ptarmigan,and of course the famous whistling marmot all await you on a run filled with fun challenges: parallel slalom, pitfalls to avoid, Frog tunnel... And after the hard work, a bit of culture!
Make the most of the Friendly Natural Park terrace to learn more about these animals’ lives.Accessible to everyone, this fun run will entertain all ages in an exceptional setting!
VAL THORENS / Mini Riders Lessons
Brand new for this winter: Val Thorens’ ESF French Ski School is running beginner snowboarding sessions for 4-6 year olds. With the “Mini Riders” course, the ESF French Ski School will give little ones a completely safe introduction to snowboarding in the snow kindergarten. From Monday to Friday, budding riders can enjoy a gentle introduction to the basics, under the watchful supervision of instructors.
MÉRIBEL / A makeover for La Piste des Animaux
One of the marvels in Méribel’s Altiport sector is the Piste des Animaux, an easy, enjoyable route through the heart of a protected forest. After a few years of good, loyal service, the run is getting a makeover with the same goal as ever: to delight children. This green run aims to be both fun and educational, transforming little skiers into real
wildlife explorers in Les 3 Vallées. Use all 5 senses to recognise ibexes, chamois goats and marmots with the help of their tracks, calls and coats. Also accessible without skis thanks to the footpath running alongside it, the Piste des Animaux is an unmissable place to spend time with the whole family
The latest ski lockers? You’ll find them in Orelle. At the gondola lift departure station, 150 new lockers are waiting to keep holidaymakers’ skis safe. Luxury chalets!
New! LES MENUIRES
Pure Valley Chalet Lodge New luxury accommodation at the foot of le Bettaix run in the Preyerand district, this winter, the Pure Valley Chalet Lodge is home to 5 duplex apartments (from 8 to 16 people). A new take on luxury expressed through materials, finish and facilities, all of which befit a prestigious hotel. A ski school and ski shop will be installed at the foot of the chalet for the ultimate in comfort and convenience. In December 2022, this exceptional new addition will be joined by a 4* hotel.
Luxury chalets
New ! SAINT-MARTIN-DE-BELLEVILLE / 3 new luxury chalets are opening their doors • Chalet « Québec » : ”: a “Slow Chic” atmosphere for this stunning chalet! Ski-in/ski-out and covering a surface area of 380m2, set over 3 floors, it’s made up of 6 bedrooms and can cater for up to 14 guests.
It took two years of customised building and design work in conjunction with local artisans and architects for the owners to achieve the perfection they dreamed of. With its understated elegance, the décor showcases the modern furnishings and wool work (Filature Arpin spinning mill) with hints of metal.
Chalet « Le Nid » : An all-new idyllic cocoon in the hamlet of Caseblanche (35 chalets with surface areas of 30 to 200m2) is ready for its first winter. Enjoying the perfect location at the foot of the slopes, just 5 minutes from the village, this cosy 30m2 chalet is the ideal place for a romantic getaway in the snow. With a double bedroom and fully equipped kitchen, guests can nestle by the fireside, admiring unspoilt views over the surrounding mountains. What could be more enjoyable after a day on the slopes than having a drink together on the beautiful west-facing balcony to keep the magic going? You’ll never want to leave this cosy nest!
Chalet « Les Mémoires de Marcel » : This beautiful early 20th century village house has been renovated to the most exacting standards. Set in the pretty village of Saint Marcel, this Maison de France-ranked chalet covers a surface area of 200m2, extends over 3 floors and has retained all of its yesteryear charm. Wood-cladding has been added as a reminder of its previous life as a barn. Its five bedrooms, including a master bedroom on the top floor, can cater for up to 10 guests.
Hotels
New !VAL THORENS / 4-star Hôtel Marielle
At the heart of the highest resort in Europe, this winter a new 4-star address will welcome holidaymakers looking to get away from it all and unwind. Its name, Marielle, is a tribute to ski champion Marielle Goitschel, a legendary figure in international skiing and one of the resort’s pioneers. She built the original building in the 1970s, christened it the “Snow Academy”, and used it to welcome families and children, introducing them to the joys of snowsports.
Comfort and contemporary refinement come together to create a “sport chic” atmosphere, which perfectly sums up the world of this pioneering resort figure, and of the resort itself.
New ! SAINT-MARTIN-DE-BELLEVILLE / 4-star Hôtel le Lodji
In an ideal location at the bottom of the Saint-Martin- de-Belleville chair lifts, the 4-star le Lodji offers 47 fully renovated rooms (including a 46m2 suite and 6 family rooms), plus 3 top-of-the-range apartments (including two that are split-level). The owners, who are from Liège in Belgium, wanted to breathe a little simplicity and elegance into this new family project, whilst adding a few Liégeois touches of their own (Lodji means “where are you going to sleep?” in Liège dialect...).
An impressive extension was undertaken on 3 sides of the hotel, creating a Spa area, two outdoor Jacuzzis, three treatment rooms, a sauna/steam room and gym. The outside has also been updated with the addition of a beautiful 150-cover terrace and “Volle pétrole” - a Liegeois-style snack bar open at lunchtime and in the evening, selling crêpes, Liégeois waffles and takeaway pizzas.
SAINT-MARTIN-DE-BELLEVILLE / Edelweiss chalet, for groups looking for non-stop holiday fun Who can top a chalet for 34 people? A gamble as bold as the idea was ingenious! Large groups can meet up in this former 3-star hotel with 16 bedrooms that’s been transformed into a giant chalet with a surface area of 570m2 over 3 floors. Located at the heart of the village of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, 5 minutes from the ski lifts, this chalet boasts everything you need to keep up with the frantic pace of a group holiday: 16 bedrooms, 3 living areas (lounge bar, dining room and TV lounge), a fully equipped kitchen, 6 fridges, 2 dishwashers, a professional coffee machine, a heated ski room and a sauna are all available for guests’ use. Without a doubt “the place to be” for a buzzing stay!
New ! VAL THORENS / The 1st “100% electric” ice-driving circuit
The resort’s famous ice-driving racetrack is pushing automobile innovation to the max this winter! It’s the first ice race track in France to welcome a fleet of 100% electric vehicles. Throughout the season, 4 electric Andros two-wheel drive cars will be available to test on Val Thorens’ ice, with fabulous thrills, snow- spraying corners and an extraordinary experience
VAL THORENS / The resort’s 1st ice rink
Val Thorens is getting its skates on in November 2020! This brand-new activity will welcome all ages to Place Péclet (at the top of the resort) to discover the joys of a different kind of gliding in Val Thorens, where everybody can go at their own pace... on completely natural ice!. The Ice Rink will offer a welcoming atmosphere livened up by sound and light effects, covering a surface area of 400m2 devoted to free skating. Ice skating, and much more besides! To provide the best possible welcome, the Ice Rink will also serve snacks from its chalet, with a warm and welcoming area for enjoying crepes and hot chocolate with family and friends.
New ! VAL THORENS / Go-Karting on ice.
This winter, all ages will be able to enjoy an introduction to go-karting on ice thanks to the opening of a specially dedicated driving school. This school will welcome budding drivers and train them specifically in ice-driving techniques. Drivers and their specially equipped 270cc go-karts with studded tyres can speed off for a thrill- packed 2hr 30min lesson. On the programme: how to pull off a controlled slide, applying the right amount of pressure to the pedals and brakes, achieving the right balance and, it goes without saying, having a great time...
New ! SAINT-MARTIN-DE-BELLEVILLE / Sylvothérapie,
In this mountain environment where nature invites us to reconnect, finding and maintaining your inner balance couldn’t be easier. Sabrina runs sylvotherapy sessions to guide those keen to get back to basics: derived from yoga and meditation, sylvotherapy uses the positive energy emitted by trees, symbols of strength, balance and longevity. Available in March and April, this re- energising experience is becoming increasingly popular, with its scientifically proven beneficial effects sure to win over even the most skeptical.
New ! VAL THORENS / A drone for keeping an eye on the ski area
Equipped with 2 on-board cameras, one with thermal imaging and another with a x 180 zoom, this drone lets VT quickly identify avalanches or any other area they may need to, so the situation can be evaluated, and a custom response strategy put into action if required. It also features a loudspeaker, allowing broadcasting information and offer specific advice while waiting forski area professionals to arrive and get to work. Thanks to the drone, the ski patrol team will be able to quickly determine the exact position of anybody buried under the snow, using specific clues to alert them, survey risk sites (avalanches, risk of landslide, flood, avalanche triggering systems, etc.) and to follow events on the ski area in real time to prevent potential dangers, in every season, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, conditions permitting.
The thermal camera identifies the presence of a heat source, i.e. a person buried under the snow, and the ultra-powerful zoom pinpoints that location and evaluates the nature of the terrain and conditions for rescuers. This gadget can help save precious minutes and lives.
