The Area · Les Menuires, France (1850 metres altitude)

Les Menuires sits at 1,850 metres in the Vallée des Belleville, in the heart of the French Alps. Thanks to that altitude, and with 85% of Les 3 Vallées lying above 1,800 metres, good snow is virtually guaranteed throughout the season. The village has developed considerably in recent years, with a lively centre (La Croisette), shops, restaurants and a large wellness centre.

Together with Saint-Martin-de-Belleville and Val Thorens, Les Menuires forms the Vallée des Belleville. This valley alone offers around 300 km of pistes, roughly half of all of Les 3 Vallées, so even without leaving the valley you will easily fill a week.

With 600 km of connected pistes, 334 runs and 161 lifts, Les 3 Vallées is the largest interconnected ski area in the world, spread across seven villages: Courchevel, Méribel, Brides-les-Bains, Les Menuires, Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Val Thorens and Orelle. The area ranges from 1,300 to 3,230 metres.

The area offers opportunities for skiers of all levels. There is a wide range of green, blue, red and black pistes in the area. For the beginner there is a beginner's meadow with a roll band around the corner. The advanced skier can make beautiful trips to Courchevel.

Beyond skiing there is plenty to do in Les Menuires: hiking, cross-country skiing, sledging, ice skating or a quad or snowmobile trip. The wellness centre with gym is perfect for a rest day, and countless activities and events are organised throughout the season.

The area is also a treat for food lovers: from cosy mountain restaurants (56 in total) to true gastronomy · Les 3 Vallées counts 17 Michelin stars across 11 restaurants.

From Calais it is about 850 km (roughly 9 hours) via the A26 and A43 towards Albertville and Moûtiers, followed by a climb of about 27 km through the Vallée des Belleville (roughly 40 minutes). In winter, winter tyres are mandatory in the French mountains (Loi Montagne) and it is wise to carry snow chains. Expect traffic around Moûtiers on changeover Saturdays during school holidays.

Parking at the chalet is taken care of: space for one car in the garage and free parking on the parking deck for any other cars.

In the winter season, direct Eurostar ski trains run to Moûtiers from London St Pancras, and every Saturday the Eurostar Snow does the same from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp and Brussels: board in the morning, arrive in the mountains that afternoon. Outside those days, travel via Paris: Eurostar to Gare du Nord, then a TGV from Gare de Lyon to Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-les-Bains.

Geneva has the widest choice of flights and lies 146 km away (transfer around 2.5 hours). Chambéry is closest (about 100 km, around 1h45), and Lyon and Grenoble are good options too. Shuttle buses (Altibus/Alpskibus, daily in the winter season) and private transfers run from all airports to Les Menuires.

From Moûtiers station a shuttle bus reaches Les Menuires in about 45 minutes (around 12 to 15 euros); taxis are available as well. Once in the village you do not need a car: from our Preyerand neighbourhood the free gondola (daily 8:00 to 23:00) and the free ski bus take you everywhere.