As the cheapest base from which to explore the Three Valleys, the world's largest ski area, Les Menuires is a great choice for a good value short break skiing in France. The resort offers fantastic local slopes and extensive snowmaking ensures good snow reliability. Good prices and uncrowded, sunny skiing attracts younger, less pretentious crowd, and families. Les Menuires is divided in to 'quarters' - although there are eight of them. The main facilities are in La Croisette, the original centre and les Bruyeres.
Les Menuires and Saint Martin de Belleville, with pistes peaking at an altitude of 2850 m, benefit from an exceptional natural snow cover. This is reinforced by more than 400 artificial snow making machines covering 40% of the ski area. They offer a great snow guarantee, which means that if less than 80% percent of pistes are open due to lack of snow and this makes you decide to leave the resort, you can be reimbursed for your accommodation and ski passes (Les Menuires / Saint Martin de Belleville) for the unused days. Pretty sweet deal!
In Les Menuires you'll find skiers travelling with families and those looking for steep runs. The skiing is wide open on the west-facing slope with lifts running up toward Val Thorens. An abundance of beginner and intermediate runs pass picturesque shepherd huts on the way down the valley toward the traditional village of St. Martin de Belleville. The east-facing side of the valley offers more challenging skiing from Pointe de la Masse (9,213 feet), which can be reached quickly by riding a combination of two high-speed lifts. In the afternoon the area is deserted as skiers follow the sun.
The off-trail skiing from here and nearby Cîme de Caron is exceptional, especially in spring when skiers can drop over the backside of these mountains with certified guides. One of the best family spots in the Les Trois Vallées, there is a lot on offer - from hot outdoor pools to a snow castle that kids can slide down. Take in a little history as well with a visites aux flambeaux de Saint Martin. You'll visit the village of Saint Martin by torchlight and learn its history by discovering its buildings, heritage and secular traditions.
More on Les Menuires
Les Menuires Ski Schools
Prosneige Ski & Snowboard School
Prosneige Ski & Snowboard School is present in the largest and highest ski areas in the world: Les Menuires and Val Thorens. They offer everything including small group sizes, quality of teaching and instruction from a dynamic, professional and ambitious team. For children, adults, snowboarders, telemarkers, cross-country skiers, freestylers, freeriders and sit-skiers - Prosneige offers something for everyone. Children from 3 years will love the private children’s garden with ‘magic carpet’. There are also full day lessons with Lunch Club for children and activities organized in the Fun Park. All lessons are taught in your own language.
www.prosneige.fr/english.php
