Skier’s Paradise: Vallée des Allues, France

There are few places in Europe more appealing for skiers than Vallée des Allues. Skiers flock to this valley in the French alps every year to enjoy luxurious all-inclusive ski holidays, and when you see the standard of some of the accommodation options and wealth of facilities available it’s easy to see why it is so popular. Here is a guide to luxury skiing in Vallée des Allues in case you are planning your own winter getaway.

Méribel SkiÉole / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

Méribel: The Main Resort in Vallée des Allues

Méribel is the main ski resort in the area, and it is one of the most popular resorts in the Three Valleys, or Trois Vallées as it is known locally. Not only is it an excellent choice for all-inclusive luxury ski chalets, but it is also right in the centre of the Three Valleys, providing you with 600 kilometres of slopes in what is the largest connected ski area in the world.

Founded back in 1938, Méribel has grown to become one of the most popular resorts in the Alps, and part of that is down to its style as well as its location. With its wooden chalet-style buildings, Méribel is a very attractive resort that is pleasant to stay in, which makes the experience even more enjoyable for skiers.

Explore the Surrounding Area

Méribel may be the main resort in Vallée des Allues, but it is not the only settlement in the area. Another popular place to stay is Brides-les-Bains, a spa town eight miles from Méribel. This is a popular base for skiers, and comes with numerous health spas and even a casino, making it another good option.

Méribel-Mottaret is an even smaller village about a mile further up the valley from Méribel. It is not as attractive as Méribel, but it is still pleasant, and there is a free bus service to Méribel and excellent access to the slopes of the Three Valleys.

Méribel-Village is a very small hamlet with a small supermarket, bar and some restaurants, and Vallon is another attractive village where you will be able to enjoy some fantastic views of the surrounding mountains.

All of these pleasant villages gives Vallée des Allues a pleasant atmosphere and makes it an interesting place to stay for people planning all-inclusive luxury ski holidays. But of course, one of the main attractions remains the quality of the skiing.

Skiing in Vallée des Allues

Snow reliability is not exceptional in Vallée des Allues, but the slopes are still fantastic. The west-facing slopes tend to freeze overnight, but there is no problems with any lack of snow due to the excellent snowmaking facilities. And of course, being in the Three Valleys, there are plenty of exceptional slopes to check out across the region.

You can find a number of ski holidays in France that include ski schools, with ESF and Magic Snowsports Academy being two of the biggest. Both have English-speaking instructors, so if you want to improve your ski skills you will have no problem signing up for lessons.

Other Activities to Enjoy

Skiing is not the only activity in Vallée des Allues by a long way. When you stay in the area during the winter months, you may also want to try out husky sledding, paragliding, snowshoeing, glacier hiking and even helicopter tours.

Discover Vallée des Allues for Yourself

Vallée des Allues is one of the best ski areas in Europe, and it is suitable for any type of ski holiday, especially if you are booking a luxury all-inclusive holiday. Have a look for the perfect luxury accommodation, and then start looking forward to your next holiday in a region that is widely regarded as a skier’s paradise.

Alex Norman is a travel coordinator. He enjoys blogging about his experiences and insights.