Savoie Ski Resorts

Savoie: Typical Savoyard Villages; Lively Après-Ski - Savoie, located in the Rhone Alps, features 58 ski resorts scattered across the large linked areas of the Three Valleys, Espace Killy, and Paradiski. The resorts of Meribel, Courchevel, Les Menuires, and Val Thorens belong to the Three Valleys - among the largest lift-linked ski... Full Overview

Savoie: Typical Savoyard Villages; Lively Après-Ski -

Savoie, located in the Rhone Alps, features 58 ski resorts scattered across the large linked areas of the Three Valleys, Espace Killy, and Paradiski.

The resorts of Meribel, Courchevel, Les Menuires, and Val Thorens belong to the Three Valleys - among the largest lift-linked ski areas in the world - which boasts a massive 600 kilometres of pistes.

Meribel is famous for its lively après-ski scene and offers a dizzying array of bars, restaurants, and late-night clubs. Despite its party atmosphere, the resort manages to retain a traditional French atmosphere. Meribel stretches between 1450 and 1700 metres altitude and features plenty of ski-in/ski-out accommodation.

Courchevel is a winter playground for the rich and famous. The resort is made up of separate villages: Courchevel 1850, 1650, 1550, and Le Praz 1300. Courchevel 1850 is the most expensive with luxurious chalets, exclusive hotels, gourmet restaurants, and lively nightlife. Courchevel 1650 and 1550 are quieter villages popular with families. The resort offers plenty of skiing for all levels, from gentle beginners' slopes beneath the Saulire cable car to the red and black runs above La Saulire.

The sunny purpose-built resort of Les Menuires is noticeably less expensive than its neighbouring villages. Families flock to its uncrowded beginners' slopes, good ski schools, and wealth of village amenities, including a sports centre with indoor pool and spa facilities, ice-skating rink, and children's club with round-the-clock activities. The resort's local runs are best suited to beginners and advanced skiers; experts will find plenty of challenging runs from the top of La Masse.

Val Thorens - at 2300 metres - is the highest ski resort in Europe. The resort is often regarded as snow-sure thanks to its high altitude and the Glacier de Peclet. Many of its slopes are north-facing, which means good snow conditions but shady slopes. The resort itself faces south and features plenty of bars with sunny terraces. Val Thorens is also home to five terrain parks giving access to bordercross tracks, quarter pipes, and jumps.

The resorts of Tignes and Val d'Isere belong to the Espace Killy ski area - home to some of the beautiful skiing in the world - and offers a combined ski area of 300 kilometres. Val d'Isere hosted the 2009 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships and is known for its well-kept slopes and reliable snow cover.

Tignes boasts the Le Grand Motte Glacier, 3030-3455 metres, which offers a good choice of terrain with blue, red and black runs. It is open between mid-June and the end of August; access to the glacier is via an underground funicular as well as chair and drag lifts. A free shuttle bus runs between Tignes and Val d'Isere every five minutes. Both villages offer a good selection of bars, restaurants, and clubs.

The resorts of Les Arcs and La Plagne make up part of the Paradiski area with a total of 420 kilometres of skiable terrain. Both resorts are linked by the new Vanoise Express cable car, which travels over 40 kilometres per hour, making it one of the fastest of its kind in the world. The area offers a good choice of wide open runs and wooded runs.

The major international airports of Lyon and Geneva serve the Savoie Alps. The nearest railway station is Moutier Salins. If driving, you'll find a good network of roads and motorways.

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