Where to ski: best intermediate runs in the Three valleys
With over 600km of groomed pistes, including 129 blue runs and 125 red at last count, the Three Valleys is an intermediate’s paradise. What’s more, the quality and frequency of grooming is second to none, which, when combined with world class snow making facilities, means that whenever you visit there'll be plenty of options for intermediates looking to explore. In our latest blog, we share some of the best runs for intermediates in the Three Valleys, including some local favourites and hidden gems.
Courchevel
With 150km of pistes to explore including around 70 blues and reds, Courchevel is the perfect spot for intermediate skiers and boarders. Think long, wide and open pistes, across varied terrain from wide open runs to tree-lined routes snaking round bumps and bends. Here are a small selection of some of the best intermediate runs in Courchevel.
Gentianes (blue)
Often mistaken for neighbouring Grandes Bosses (we’re sure they must have renamed them in recent years), Gentianes is a gentle blue in Courchevel Moriond which is almost always immaculately groomed and the perfect gradient to practise carving. This is hero skiing at its best - with a gentle roller thrown in for good measure to keep it fun for kids, big and small.
Folyeres (blue)
Popular favourite Folyeres, is a really fun tree-lined blue run which snakes through the trees to Courchevel La Tania. In our opinion, it is a little steep in places for a blue, so perhaps not the first one to tackle if you want to build up confidence on your first day back. But it's a stunning route and the twists and turns, with several rollers along the way, make it super fun and definitely worth a ski or two.
Chapelets (red)
Situated on the far side of the piste map, above Courchevel Moriond, one of the best things about Chapelets is the fact that even in busy weeks, it's often surprisingly quiet. After a relatively steep start, it mellows out quickly and offers incredible views of the Dent du Villard mountain range to skiers right, on the far left of the Three Valleys.
Creux (blue)
Previously a red, Creux was changed to a blue a few years ago - considered by some a political change, to offer a blue option back to Courchevel from the top of Saulire. But whether it is more accurately blue or red, it’s a great run for intermediates, best tackled early in the day as it can get busy and chopped up as people arrive from neighbouging resorts. The toughest part of Creux is a steepish section at the top. However it is quite wide, and once you navigate that it flattens out and includes a beautiful and gentle descent to the valley bottom.
Biollay (blue)
Just one ride up from the centre of Courchevel (1850), Biollay sits in the centre of a myriad of blues and reds, which sit below the Biollay and Pralong chairs, which can keep you entertained for hours. Although tough to choose a favourite from some great contenders in the area, Biollay just takes the gold, for gentle gradient, great views and some fun rollers.
Murettes (red)
Little known red run Murettes is easily the best run down to Courchevel Le Praz, but certainly the least skied, and its best kept secret. Offering a scenic route through the trees, with barely another skier in sight, it’s a fun ski with a decent amount of descent.
Méribel
Of all the three valleys, Méribel is perhaps the least well suited for intermediates, due, in part, to somewhat icier conditions on its shadier face, slightly steeper terrain than neighbouring Courchevel the Belleville valley, and often busier runs. That said, there are some pretty routes and fun pistes, you just need to know where to ski. Here are a few of our favourite intermediate runs in Méribel.
Lapin (blue)
Snaking through the trees towards Méribel Village, Lapin offers several hairpin bends which make it fun to ski, and popular with skiers and boarders of all ages and levels. It’s also a pretty descent that winds through the trees. For that reason, it’s also a great option when visibility drops, with the trees offering better definition to help you navigate your route down.
Choucas (blue)
Guiding you down from the ridge between Méribel and St Martin, blue run Choucas is a short but fun piste with several rollers, spread across a gentle gradient. It gets the sun in the morning, so it’s a great run to hit early doors.
Biche (blue), followed by Chamois (red)
Leading you down from the top of Saulire on the Courchevel side, blue run Biche, which later becomes a red (Chamois), is a nice gradient, perfect for intermediates. Combined, they offer a long and satisfying descent, overlooking the whole of Méribel and are best hit later in the day once they’ve had the sun and had time to soften up.
Combe du Vallon (red)
One of two reds which descend from the top of Mont Vallon, taking skiers right, Combe de Vallon, offer stunning views and, when pisted, a lovely ski. It’s definitely one of the more challenging on this guide, but it’s a great achievement, once you’ve got your ski legs back. And for a real workout we like to tackle it in a oner, without a break - you’ll definitely feel the burn.
Roc de Fer (blue)
Descending from the top of the Olympic chair on the Belleville side of the valley, Roc de Fer is a lovely blue that offers great views, with a long, sunny descent.
The Belleville valley and Val Thorens
With countless gentle blues stretching the length of the valley down to St Martin and Les Menuires, the Belleville valley is the ideal location for intermediate skiers looking for gentle slopes in the sun. And while Les Menuires and Val Thorens might not be the most attractive resorts, once you add in the amazing skiing and stunning views from the Pointe de la Masse and the snow-sure conditions of high altitude Val Thorens, you can see the appeal of skiing here.
Jersualem (blue)
Previously a red, Jerusalem often makes the cut of the best runs in the Three Valleys and with good reason. With rollers aplenty, Jerusalem is fun and playful, and one of the best routes down to the pretty resort of St Martin. On sunny says, it also benefits from sunshine the whole day long, making it pleasant and warm.
Pramint (red)
Unlike neighbouring Jerusalem, red run Pramint is too often overlooked in our opinion. It offers similar terrain to Jerusalem - although, admittedly, it is a bit narrower and steeper in parts. And when it’s freshly groomed it’s a real joy to ski and oftens a bit of balance to the myriad of long flat boulevards along the Les Menuires valley. For some reason the snow is usually better on Pramint too - perhaps due to the slightly different aspect or the reduced number of skiers tackling it.
Bouquetin (blue)
Bouquetin is the blue option from the Pointe de la Masse and should definitely be on the itinerary for intermediates skiing in the area. The high speed lift makes it quick to reach and easy to lap. It has stunning 360 degree views from the top, including a great vantage point to view all the surrounding peaks with identification stations for geography buffs, or those keen to get their bearings. But, arguably, the best thing about Bouquetin is the lengthy descent of almost 1000 vertical metres over several kms of stunning piste.
Moraine (blue)
On the far side of Val Thorens, accessible from the top of the Moraine gondola is the blue Moraine piste. With over 2km of gentle terrain to ski, it’s perfect for carving.
