France is well-known for its vast ski areas, which link the hills above many neighbouring villages. The importance of the Three Valleys and the Espace Killy cannot be overstated. These two ski regions are home to some of the world's most well-known ski resorts.
But how do two of the world's largest and most well-known resorts compare on certain crucial factors when it comes to your vacation?
We analysed the data for the three valleys (Briodes les Bains, Courchevel, Les Menuires/Reberty, Meribel, and Val Thorns) and 'the Area Formerly Known as Espace Killy' - Tignes and Val d'Isere.
Resorts Overview
The Three Valleys Ski Resort
The Three Valleys
The Three Valleys is the world's largest ski domain. Hundreds of kilometres of slopes, 80 per cent of which are at 1800 metres or above, are accessible thanks to the superb ski lift network. The Three Valleys are recognised for their limitless ski routes that cater to skiers of all abilities. Explore Val Thorens, Meribel, Les Menuires, and Courchevel by skiing from one Club Med Ski Resort to the next.
Important details:
Between 1300 and 3200 metres
Approximately 600 kilometres of slopes: 35 black, 110 red, 104 blue, and 68 green.
A total of four snow parks
120 kilometres of cross-country skiing
Espace Killy Ski Area
Escape Killy
With 300km of ski slopes and 44km of cross-country skiing, the Espace Killy ski region, named after the great French champion "Jean-Claude Killy," who learned to ski here, provides perfect conditions for novices to experienced skiers according to their needs. The Espace Killy Ski Area, which combines Val d'Isere and Tignes, is regarded as one of the best ski regions in the world.
Important details:
Between 1550 and 3920 metres
300 kilometres of slopes: 26 black, 41 red, 67 blue, and 20 green.
2 Ski Resorts
44 kilometres of CrossCountry
Beginner Vs Advanced Skiers
Which one is best for beginner skiers?
Val d'Isere offers a free lift for beginners on the nursery slopes near the town centre. Meanwhile, Tignes boasts good nursery slopes in its main settlements, Val Claret and Le Lac. Both resorts are teeming with excellent instructors and have about 30 ski schools between them.
Neither, however, can compete with Courchevel. Two of its towns, 1850 and 1650, have not just fantastic ski schools and easy-peasy starting slopes but also plenty of confidence-boosting terrains to which you can move, so newbies don't feel stuck in a knock-kneed ghetto of no-hoperdom for the whole week.
Which one is best for advanced skiers?
The 3V has several jaw-dropping inbound obstacles for advanced skiers, most notably the chutes off the top of the Saulire into Courchevel and Meribel, as well as the Grand Couloir and the Couloir Tournier. These are tough routes: highly steep, sometimes mogulled, and a humbling experience even for those who regularly ski blacks.
Instead, we'd choose what many consider to be the best steep groomed piste in the Alps: Le Face, which runs from the Rocher de Bellevarde down into Val d'Isere. It's still a challenge, but more importantly, it's a route that most expert skiers will want to return to and perform again and again - rather than something to check off before retiring quietly to the next lavatory.
How to Get to Les 3 Vallées
You can fly to Les 3 Valleys from four airports near each resort: Geneva, Lyon, Chambéry, and Grenoble.
Several airlines offer flights to the major Alpine airports during the winter season. After landing at one of the four airports closest to Les 3 Vallées, you have a few options:
Taking the bus. From the airport, take a bus. Regular bus transfers connect the airports and the resorts.
Taking the bus or a taxi. Travel by train or bus to Moûtiers and then by bus or taxi to the resorts. To save time in Moûtiers, we recommend purchasing your tickets in advance!
The Best Way to Get to Val D'isere
It is extremely simple to get to Val d'Isere from anywhere globally because the ski area is only 225 kilometres from Geneva International Airport, Switzerland's second-largest airport (about 3 hours on a good day).
How helicopter friendly is each resort?
Helicopter Transfers to Courchevel
Helicopter Transfers to Courchevel
A private helicopter transfer takes you in the stunning snowscape of the Three Valleys (Les Trois Vallées). The helicopters land at Courchevel Airport, located at an elevation of over 2000 metres. Landing at this airport is an unforgettable experience because it has only one runway 535 metres long by 40 metres wide and has a gradient of 18.5 per cent. The views here are some of the most spectacular of the Three Valleys due to its location on the mountain's edge.
Courchevel Airport is only open to small private planes and helicopters due to its unique characteristics and landing here is risk-free. The airport is well-known worldwide as the location for some scenes in the James Bond film "Tomorrow Never Dies" were shot here.
Panoramic helicopter flight
Christian Blugeon, recently named a Knight of the Legion of Honour for his passion and professionalism (over 29,000 flying hours under his belt), accepts orders to fly over the most beautiful Alps peaks.
Take off from the resort's new helipad at the base of Val Thorens' slopes.
3 Valleys Flight: A bird's-eye view of the world's largest ski area.
Flights lasting 15 to 20 minutes cost €1,300. (1–5 people.)
Helicopter Transfers to Escape Kelly
You can fly into and out of Tignes by private or shared helicopter. You may take specialized airport transfers by helicopter to and from all airports and ski resorts. Many firms collaborate with local helicopter operators to provide their clients with the most affordable helicopter transfer for the type of helicopter they have ultimately decided to travel in.
The Best Nightlife
Val d'Isere boasts a fantastic nightlife culture, with something happening every night of the week, from apres-ski until the early hours of the morning.
Apres-ski
La Folie Douce is a famed piste-side apres-ski pub that opens early afternoon. Around 15:00, the DJ begins his set and gets the event going with professional singers and dancers. Almost every day, the vast outdoor decking area is packed with visitors and seasonaires alike, who party until the sun sets over the mountain top.
Cocorico, situated right off the Rond Point roundabout under the Solaise bubble lift, is Val d'Isere's counterpart to La Folie Douce. It, too, has a huge outdoor patio and becomes crowded from 15:00, with live music starting at 16:00 and a DJ spinning from 18:00 to 20:00.
If you're looking for a more upscale après ski experience, visit Les Barmes de l'Ours Bar, situated close to the Face slope. The open fire, piano music, and a large assortment of exquisite wines, beers, and spirits are available here. Bar M at the Tsanteleina Hotel is the place to go for drinks. Try the Le Samovar Bar in La Daille, where you can relax by the fire or on the patio and reminisce about your day on the slopes.
Late nights
If you want to stay out late, Val d'Isere offers various pubs and clubs open till the early hours of the morning. You'll also notice that most hotel bars will stay open as long as all guests are having a good time.
Victors, Pacific, The Fall Line, Café Face, Moris Pub, and Saloon are among the bars that stay until 01:30 a.m.
The Underground Cafe and Le Petit Danois remain open until 2:00 a.m.
Doudoune Club, which is open from 23:00 to 05:00, boasts excellent DJs (Pete Tong, Danny Howard, to name a few) and frequent events throughout the season. Dick's Tea Bar is a Val d'Isere staple and a great place to go late at night. The music is usually terrific, with outstanding resident DJs and guest performances, and keeps the regular crowd coming back week after week. It is open till 4:00 p.m. If you still have the energy, you may visit Le Graal club and Krystal nightclub.
Doudoune Club
The best among the others
The Moris Pub's Pub Quiz followed by Karaoke is a terrific night for something a bit different. Every week, from Monday through Saturday, they offer live music.
Many of the bars feature Happy Hours when drinks are half price; Victors has two for one cocktail every night from 21:00 - 23:00, and they have some wonderful combinations to taste.
Family ski vacations via private jet charter
Are you thinking about hiring a private jet for your next ski trip?
If this is the case, we all know that planning your ski vacation, especially for families, can be extremely stressful. We can take the stress out of booking your flight, whether it's a short break or a weekend away skiing.
Many of the world's best ski resorts are inaccessible by commercial aircraft, so instead of a two-hour drive, opt for a private jet charter to a smaller, more discreet airport, then a helicopter straight to your resort.
Now Is the Time to Book A Jet for Your Next Ski Trip.
We make it simpler and more convenient for you to get to your destination promptly and pleasantly by flying privately.
During busy months, such as school vacations, we urge that you book your ticket as soon as possible since airport slots fill up rapidly.
Astute Aviation can tailor your travel needs to your unique demands from anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our dedicated staff is here to make sure you get the finest unbiased advice for your trip.