Overview of Les Menuires
Les Menuires offers a fantastic base for a week exploring the world's largest ski area, the 600km of skiable runs in the Three Valleys. With a foundation of purpose-built accommodation, more recent developments have led to more picturesque and traditional mountain architecture in the 8 micro-villages of Les Menuires.
Unlike many little sister resorts, Les Menuires is a veritable Cinderella with features that many skiers look for - ski-in/ski-out accommodation, high altitude (1850m) and connected to a huge ski area. It is famously snow-sure and a hidden gem in the area - there is an enormous amount to do in the resort as well as arguably some of the best skiing in the world.
3 Things We Love About Les Menuires
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High resort base at 1850m, making it very snow-sure
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Easy access to the massive 600km Trois Vallees/3 Valley ski area
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Mostly ski-in/ski-out accommodation
Skiing and Boarding in Les Menuires
Les Menuires enjoys a fortunate position in the heart of the Three Valleys, below Val Thorens. This means guests are situated on the side of the Three Valleys with the highest runs, and the best guarantee of great snow all season long. Skiing is easily accessible, with plenty of ski-in/ski-out accommodation in the resort. It is a great area for beginners, with a good selection of easy green and blue runs nearby. More advanced skiers have the whole of the Three Valleys to explore, meaning all levels of skiing and snowboarding abilities are well-catered for in Les Menuires.
The Trois Vallees is arguably one of the largest and most famous linked ski areas in the world. The Les Menuires local pass is ok for first-time beginners or for those who do not want to venture too far. To make the most of the terrain a full area lift pass is available from each resort that covers all three valleys. Due to the great links between resorts and a variety of runs connecting each, anyone from intermediate ability and above will benefit from the full area lift pass which will allow them to enjoy and explore a world-class ski area.
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Les Menuires offers a great cheaper way for beginners to get a first taste of skiing in the Three Valleys, with four free lifts accessing the beginner area, and a local pass for those just progressing off the nursery slopes.
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For intermediates there are 41 blue and 33 red runs just in the Les Menuires area, let alone the rest of the Three Valleys. When the snow is good, the whole mountainside from Roc de Fer (2294m) above St Martin, to Col de la Chambre (2879m) above Les Menuires is a great place to head for blue and easy red pistes.
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For advanced skiers, most thrills in Les Menuires will be found off-piste. For the best expert runs we recommend exploring the massive ski area you have access to in the whole 3 Valleys area – Courchevel being just a 90 minute ski away.
Lift Passes in Les Menuires
A local lift pass will get you skiing access for all the ski lifts in the Les Menuires and St Martin de Belleville areas only. This is around 160km of slopes. Although this limited range might be suitable for novices or a family with small children, for a week’s skiing it’s well worth upgrading to the full area pass which covers the entire 3 Valleys. Even if you only want to explore the extent of the Belleville Valley and up to Val Thorens, the upgrade fee is probably worth it.
Activities in Les Menuires
Les Menuires has its own Leisure Centre which features a gym, table tennis plus basketball, badminton and squash courts. There’s an indoor ‘fun park’ for children with trampolines, obstacles and bridges, plus a swimming pool with saunas and Jacuzzis as well as a full service spa.
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Piste Basher Ride - The Service des Pistes in Les Menuires invites you to go behind the scenes on a snow groomer. On a one-hour ride, find out what these technicians in the shadows do to maintain, groom, and smooth out the hiking trails. Includes a Savoie-style aperitif in a mountain chalet.
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Sledging Roc n Bob - Experience once again those childhood sensations on a 4km snowy slope with 22 bends and a 450-metre elevation drop. The Roc’n Bob experience is a magical moment to share with family or friends.
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Rail luge - A luge on rails with twists and raised turns for a thrilling descent. You control your speed with the side brakes.
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Ice rink – Outdoor ice rink found in the centre of Val Thorens
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Cinema - Les Flocons cinema at La Croisette and Les Bruyères cinema propose 2 screenings per day of the latest film releases. Additional afternoon screening in case of bad weather. Les Flocons
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Swimming pool - To unwind, there's nothing quite like diving into a pool surrounded by mountains. The Sports Centre swimming pool, Le Break, in Les Menuires provides dedicated lanes for serious swimmers and there’s also a jacuzzi, sauna and hammam area. The family-friendly fun pool at Les Bruyères has a paddling pool, massage jets and a river with currents that will delight children and adults alike.
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Axe throwing - You don't have to be a barbarian to throw axes. To hit your target, you will have to find the balance between strength and finesse. For a unique moment of sharing between friends.
Other activities include basketball courts, escape games, fitness classes, massage and treatment rooms, squash courts, table tennis, snowmobile rides and paragliding.
Après Ski in Les Menuires
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Bar Pub Le Challenge Chilled-out spot in La Croisette with pool, darts, live music, and poker nights.
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Chalet du Sunny Sun-drenched terrace with drinks, live music or DJ.
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Le Leeberty Classic Europop club, great for party-goers.
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La Mousse Underground bar with laid-back vibe and popular happy hour.
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L'Atelier du Capricorne South-facing terrace, fireplace, DJ sets, tapas, Savoyarde specialities, pizzas, accessible by ski.
Places to eat in Les Menuires
As in all ski resorts, especially in peak season (or when heavy snow brings everyone on the mountain!) it is best to book your restaurant in advance.
Dining in Les Menuires can vary from pizza takeaways in the centre of La Croisette to more gastronomic options in Reberty.
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Au Village – A small and typical mountain restaurant, with farm-y décor and authentic home cooking - jacket potatoes, tartiflette, fondue, raclette and pierrade, plus hearty steaks, duck and osso bucco.
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L'Igloo – Relatively new in town, this place serves superb Italian food - popular options include the Full Monty pizza with apple and blue cheese, or the Savoyarde pizza with onions, bacon, potatoes and reblochon cheese.
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La Maison de Savoy -Enjoy great mountain staples, like steaks, pizza, pasta and big desserts. On Monday, you can join a cooking class to learn how to make perfect fondue. | |
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La Ferme de Reberty - For a taste of gourmet dining, choose from the huge menu of burgers, fish, meats, charcuterie and cheesy fondue and raclette. There are set menus and a kids' menu too.
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Le Comptoir - This place puts a modern twist on traditional alpine dishes, from loaded burgers to rich chocolate desserts. To make dinner time extra special. why not book a table in their heated gondola?
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L'Atelier - Located at the foot of the slopes, enjoy tasty Italian cuisine with popular favourites including pasta, risottos and pizzas.
Family Features Les Menuires
As a past winner of the World Snow Awards’ Best Family Resort, Les Menuires is well set up to provide all the amenities and service you may need on your family ski holiday.
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Augmented-reality treasure hunt – The magic portal is a fantastic adventure that will appeal to the whole family. It follows an outdoor trail scattered with puzzles, brain-teasers, augmented-reality tests and questions about your surroundings. Go to meet the 3D characters who appear in your real environment. Interact with them, open the chests and avoid the traps.
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Fun Park – A children’s paradise in a 500m² fun facility with discovery games, trampolines, slides, ball pools and rope bridges. Unmissable!
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Ski patrol experience - Go behind the scenes of the jobs in the slope management department.
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Dog Sledge Ride - Dany and her team of dogs offer 25 minute rides between Les Menuires and Saint-Martin-de-Belleville from Monday to Friday.
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Igloo Building - The fun session starts with a sledging run down to base camp, children then get to work on building the igloo in which they will later enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. Return trip by cable car.
Other activities include the ESF mini club and children ski school, ice skating, swimming pool, cinema and indoor games.
