The 3 Valleys: 600km of connected runs across seven resorts
The 3 Valleys lay claim to the title of world’s largest connected ski domain, with 600km of runs linked across seven resorts, principally distributed among three Tarentaise valleys (Belleville, Allues, Saint-Bon), with Orelle on the Maurienne side. A single lift pass grants access to the entire domain from Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens and their satellite villages.
Three valleys, seven resorts
The domain is organised around three Tarentaise valleys, plus Orelle on the Maurienne side:
The Belleville valley encompasses Val Thorens (2300m, Europe’s highest resort), Les Menuires (1850m) and Saint-Martin-de-Belleville (1450m, an authentic village).
The Allues valley comprises Méribel (1450m, with Méribel-Mottaret at 1750m) and Brides-les-Bains (600m, accessed by cable car).
The Saint-Bon valley contains Courchevel (1850m) and its villages (1650m, 1550m, Le Praz 1300m, La Tania).
Orelle, on the Maurienne side, is linked to Val Thorens by cable car.
600km, but above all 334 connected runs
The “600km” figure is the sum of run lengths measured by the resort operators. More telling: the domain comprises 334 runs, of which 37 are black, 108 red, 136 blue and 53 green. The defining characteristic is the connectivity: a skier can, in a single day, leave Val Thorens, traverse across to Courchevel and return.
The linking passes structure the traverse: the Col de la Loze (2304m, between Méribel and Courchevel, which gained prominence during the Tour de France), Col de Chanrossa (2540m, towards Courchevel), la Saulire (2738m, between Méribel and Courchevel).
The Péclet glacier at Val Thorens
Above Val Thorens, Cime Caron reaches 3200m and the Péclet glacier extends the season. The Cime Caron cable car (3200m) leads to Val Thorens’ highest point.
A historical note: summer skiing on the Péclet glacier was discontinued long ago. Today, the glacier operates only in winter.
The 3 Valleys lift pass
The 3 Valleys daily adult lift pass exceeds £80 and the 6-day pass £400 (2026/2027 season), offering unparalleled domain coverage.
For skiers remaining within a single valley, a local pass is more economical. The calculation is worthwhile only if the skier remains in their chosen valley for the entire week.
Val Thorens
Travel Book AEC CollectionWho it’s designed for
The 3 Valleys attract:
Intermediate to advanced skiers, who can fully explore the variety and connectivity over several days.
International clientele, particularly at Courchevel 1850 and Val Thorens.
Families, in the village resorts (Saint-Martin, La Tania, Le Praz) which combine access to the domain with a less ostentatious atmosphere.
Season
Winter season from late November (Val Thorens and Orelle) to late April, sometimes extending into early May at Val Thorens. Peak season spans mid-December to late March. For spring skiing, Val Thorens and the Péclet glacier remain operational longest (until early May in certain years).
Planning a stay in the 3 Valleys
AEC Collection curates and represents quality chalets and apartments across the 3 Valleys: Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Saint-Martin-de-Belleville. The lift pass can be purchased online via the official S3V website, or at the resort, with credit loaded onto a reusable contactless card valid season to season.
By the AEC Collection team
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