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Les Menuires Ski Resort
Together with Saint Martin De Belleville and Val Thorens, Les Menuires (say it Lay-Men-Weer) is part of the Vallée des Belleville and is the cheapest base for skiing in the 3 Valleys.
This purpose-built resort is more focussed on the practical than the aesthetic. Le Menuires is split into five villages - Preyerand, La Croisette, Les Fontanettes, Reberty and Les Bruyères, all linked by walking paths, ski runs, shuttle buses and lifts. Les Bruyères or Reberty have the sloping roofs and wood-cladding the Alps are famed for, while the original centre of town, La Croisette, is huddled around a wooden steeple that's magnificent when lit up at night.
The tourist board has knighted Les Menuires with a shining Family Plus label because it has terrific offerings for children. Including clubs, ski schools, snowparks tobogganing, husky rides and, the pièce, the "Boules de Notes" children's festival.
You have a tough choice ahead at the lift office: with a local ski pass, you'll gain entry to 160km of piste between Les Menuires and St Martin. Beginners won't need a lift pass straight away as six free lifts serve a clique of nursery runs to get you warmed up. Those looking to expand their horizons should go the whole hog with 3 Valleys pass. Wielding one of those, 600km of piste's all yours, extending to Courchevel and Meribel.
Stats & FAQ
Location: French Alps
Established: 1964
Open: December - April
Downhill: 160km
View our detailed Les Menuires snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Les Menuires snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Geneva (GVA) | 150 mins, 2 hrs 30 |
| Chambery (CMF) | 112 km, 1 hr 30 |
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| Top Altitude: | 2850m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 1450m |
| Resort Altitude: | 1850m |
| Longest run: | 8km |
| Slope Orientation: | SE E N W |
| Vertical Drop: | 1400m |
| Skiable Vertical: | |
| Night Skiing: | No |
| Glacier: | in Val Thorens |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 160km |
| Beginner slopes: | 53% |
| Intermediate: | 36% |
| Advanced slopes: | 9% |
| Lift Pass Price: | €321 (Adult 6-day 3 Valleys pass) |
| Nearby resorts: Saint Martin de Belleville, Val Thorens, Meribel, Courchevel, La Tania, Brides les Bains, Three Valleys | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Les Menuires
The resort has aimed to provide a wide variety for all abilities – and the proof is in the pudding! The opportunities are outstanding for skiers and snowboarders, but you would expect no less considering it is a part of the world's largest ski area.
Novices will find five free lifts either end of the resort for getting to grips on gentle little green runs and longer greens such as La Violette at the top of the gondola from La Croisette.
With a healthy mix of reds and blue runs covering the vast majority of the slopes across the valleys, the skiing and snowboarding is brilliant for flourishing beginners and intermediates. Long cruising runs up to 8km in length reach right across the mountains for some spectacular sights and carving action. Perhaps the best options are the Col De La Chambre's descents, such as the long and winding Alpage.
Experts will appreciate the steep black runs down from the Pointe De La Masse for their technical challenge and north-facing nature, meaning excellent snow conditions throughout the season. Dame Blanche is a real challenge, arguably the most challenging slope in the resort, or the Lac Noir and Masse are known for developing some serious moguls. Off-piste opportunities are naturally vast considering the 3 Valleys' expansive nature, and cross country fans can find 28km worth of marked trails to cover. There is one snowpark in Les Menuires featuring moguls, jumps, rails and tables, separated into different difficulties for novices to pros.
Les Menuires Apres Ski
End a day of skiing on the large sun terrace in L'Oisans and sit down in the sunshine with a jug of beer. Kick back with a cocktail or shoot some pool in the cosy Piano Bar Le Kube. Sports games can be watched on the TVs at Café Snack. If you ski over to Val Thorens be sure to go for some drinks at the famous Folie Douce. Those looking for some late-night action have 2 night clubs to choose between; Le New Pop in La Croisette or Le Liberty in Les Bruyères - an intimate underground bar with seats fashioned like ski lifts!
Stop for lunch at the classic mountain restaurant Les Sonnailles. La Ferme de Reberty is also popular for serving a good mix of tasty meals. You'll find many pizzerias such as La Perdrix Blanche in La Croisette or L' Igloo in Reberty. Gourmet food and Savoyard specialities can be found in Le K - great for special occasions.
Non-skiers are certainly not short of things to do here! There are four toboggan runs– the Roc'n Bob is a 4km long run down the slopes, for a vertical descent of 450m back down to town. Mountain bikers needn't wait for summer as they get stuck into the snow down an 8km long reserved piste for an extreme alternative to the skis! Other potentials include snowshoeing, paragliding and skidooing. Indoor entertainment is found in the modern health centres at La Croisette and Les Bruyères, well kitted out with swimming pools, wellness facilities, gym, sports courts and a bouncy fun park for kids. There is also a cinema in Les Bruyères.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Les Menuires
Best time to visit & ski Les Menuires
Les Menuires has a fair share of lovely sunny slopes, and the best conditions can usually be found earlier in the season during January and February when snow is aided by lower temperatures. However, with top altitudes at soaring peaks of 2850m, the tourist office has been confident enough to offer their own ‘Snow Guarantee’ all season. For late-season skiing get the lifts up the Col de la Chambre and ski over to the snow-sure glacial areas of Val Thorens to find the very best snow in Europe’s highest resort. A direct link to the huge 3 Valleys and slopes facing all directions means there is never really a bad time to make your way over. 411 snow cannons heavily cover the slopes above the resort which will keep things together in case there are delayed deliveries of fresh powder.
Peak Dates
Santa and his elves make a torchlight descent at Christmas in Les Menuires. Traditional festivities are put on and Christmas trees adorned with tinsel decorate the villages. Les Menuires Christmas ski holidays ‣
A giant concert is usually arranged for New Year in Les Menuires and whizzing fireworks light up the skies. Grab a mulled wine or hot chocolate and enjoy the show as the local ski instructors participate in their torchlight display. Les Menuires New Year ski holidays ‣
There is so much to do during February Half Term in Les Menuires, with fantastic facilities for all ages. Families get the chance to ski the amazing 3 Valleys minus the steeper price-tags found in other areas. Les Menuires Half Term ski holidays ‣
Things get really sunny and some skiers ditch their jackets for t-shirts at Easter in Les Menuires. Enjoy the radiant views and sunbathe by the slopes on a deckchair after a fantastic morning skiing the 3 Valleys. Les Menuires Easter ski holidays ‣
Families in Les Menuires
We love Les Menuires for families, and it even has the Famille Plus label to prove it. Some hotels offer great childcare clubs and facilities – ask us about these if they'll make your family ski holiday easier. The Hotel Neige et Ciel is a relaxed stay, and you can ski virtually to the door which makes it brilliant for a hassle-free family holiday. Self-catered apartments cut down the cost Les Balcons De La Rosiere offers chalet-style apartments at the foot of the pistes in Les Eucherts, 5 minutes' walk to the ice rink and bowling alley.
The resort has accredited ski schools which will look after children of all ages whilst parents enjoy some time off in the mountains. Groups of kids learn to ski on the safe little enclosed green runs fitted with magic carpet lifts to make things easy. Five of the chairlifts from town have been reinforced with specifically designed rails to keep little ones safe on their journey up. Teens are taken up the mountain in groups too, where they can try out race tracks, slalom runs and freestyling in the B.K Park and Walibi Gliss snowparks. There are four toboggan runs across the villages which all ages will love – the Roc'n Bob is a 4km long run to town bound to go down a storm! There's also an ice rink in Bruyeres, and the sports centre in La Croisette features a bouncy fun park to play in.
With packages covering flights and transfers you can organise your trip in one easy booking. We've got cheap child rates for families available – give our holiday specialists a call and see what deals we can offer you.
GroupsGroup Holidays Les Menuires
Les Menuires is a very good choice for groups looking to ski the 3 Valleys for less. It’s a part of the largest ski area in the world so there is more than enough terrain to keep all abilities entertained.
As for accommodation, big hotels with plenty of vacancies for large bookings are a good option for groups. With B&B, half-board or full-board options, you can all meet up to dine on delicacies prepared by the in-house chefs. The Hotel Les Bruyères presents amazing mountain views with direct access to the lifts, or the Residence Soleil Vacances apartments offers doorstep skiing from the resort centre. Traditional ski enthusiasts love staying in chalets for a more intimate alternative – take a look at the Chalet Eva. Self-catered apartments can work for groups too – check out the restaurants in town or prepare your meals together and save money. Les Valmonts Apartments offer doorstep skiing in Les Bruyères quarter just a short walk from the gondola and shops.
For any non-skiers tagging along there’s plenty to get up to – lots of our accommodation features wellness facilities and the sports centres in the resort offer relaxing spa treatments to keep non-skiers occupied. Excitement can be found on the slopes at the toboggan run – race your mates down the 4km Roc’n Bob. You can also venture off on a snowshoeing trek to enjoy the stunning surroundings. In terms of après, there are some great bars to enjoy a drink at happy hour. Stop for a drink up the mountain on the sun terrace at Les 4 Vents. L’Original Café is a good choice for relaxing with a quiet sherry. If you fancy a night out then the New Pop is a great discothèque for letting your hair down and dancing to cheesy tunes!
Our best packages include flights and transfers to keep things simple. We’ve got great deals below – ask about our group discounts to save even more.
Which are the best ski holidays in Les Menuires?
| Accommodation | Number of nights | Price (per person) from |
|---|---|---|
| Les Chalets du Soleil | 7 | £ 340 |
| Les Clarines | 7 | £ 412 |
| Le Coeur des Lodges | 7 | £ 475 |
| Residence Cret Voland | 7 | £ 476 |
| Residence Pierre Blanche | 7 | £ 485 |
| Le Hameau de La Sapiniere | 7 | £ 523 |
| Residence Le Coeur des Loges | 7 | £ 709 |
| Residence Les Chalets de l'Adonis | 7 | £ 719 |
| Résidence Les Clarines | 7 | £ 929 |
| Hotel Les Bruyères | 7 | £ 1045 |
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