Situated at an altitude of 1,800m, Les Menuires is in the heart of Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest ski area.

Nestled in the French Alps, the resort features 160km of pistes and two major peaks: Mont de la Chambre at 2,850m, and the legendary Pointe de la Masse. Accessible by cable car, the latter has a panoramic terrace and an educational area explaining the construction and operation of its 2021 ski lift.

There’s no chance of being bored in Les Menuires, because it provides access to seven more resorts, which are home to 50,000m of drops and 600km of pistes – 85 per cent of which are over 1,800m in altitude. It’s also close to some of the Alps’ most iconic summits, from the 3,200m Cime de Caron and 2,952m Mont du Vallon to the 2,700m Saulire.

Its high altitude means Les Menuires has had guaranteed powder snow for 60 years – a major draw for winter sports enthusiasts. But that’s not the only reason skiers and snowboarders visit. Here are five more.

It’s easy to explore Les Menuires’ five districts as they’re well connected with ski slopes, footpaths, free shuttle buses and ski lifts – so why not explore them all and discover your favourite?

La Croisette is the beating heart of Les Menuires. As well as a cinema and plenty of restaurants, it’s home to the Leo Lacroix event hall and Maurice Romanet cultural centre. Lively and fun-loving, it also hosts regular drone shows, fireworks and other après ski events.

Fireworks and après ski events also bring Les Bruyères alive after dark, while during the day visitors come to rent ski equipment, browse its shops or unwind in the wellness area, La Bulle. The town also has several restaurants.

Prefer peace and quiet? Then tranquil Les Fontanettes is for you, as it’s further from La Croisette. Its location means you can reach Pointe de la Masse in just a few minutes.

Like Les Fontanettes, the Preyerand district may seem geographically remote – but it can be reached in just a few minutes because of its free cable car. Accommodation offers direct access to the foot of the slopes.

Reberty meanwhile is Les Menuires’ largest district, with several sports shops, a supermarket and pretty wooden chalets. It is possible to reach La Croisette on foot, by shuttle bus or by sledge.

Want to know which area is best for you? Then answer this quick questionnaire.

Already know where you’d like to stay? Then book an apartment or chalet in Les Menuires.

Les Menuires’ booking centre is the resort’s official booking agency. Staff with 30 years’ experience can recommend or book apartments, chalets and hotels and advise on where to rent or buy ski equipment, lessons or passes. They can also suggest activities or holiday clubs. Everything is in one place, saving you time.

When you book your accommodation with Les Menuires’ booking centre, you’ll also benefit from discounts on activities and ski equipment and save up to 25 per cent on your ski pass.

Book a ski holiday now.

Les Menuires is accessible by train from London St Pancras via Moûtiers. It is also possible to fly from London to Lyon St Exupery or Geneva in Switzerland. After parking your vehicle in a free outdoor car park or paying to park indoors for the duration of your stay, you can get around on foot or by using complimentary shuttle buses – convenient and environmentally friendly.

An ingenious system of free shuttles, gondolas, telebennes (standing lifts) and other lifts criss-cross the resort, making it possible to walk, run errands or go out late at night. Les Menuires is also a 100 per cent ski-in, ski-out destination.

No wonder a Côté Clients 2019-2020 survey found that 92 per cent of holidaymakers were satisfied or very satisfied with their ski holiday in Les Menuires.

Les Menuires’ entire snow grooming fleet now runs on HVO synthetic fuel, which is palm-oil free and made from 100 per cent renewable sources such as vegetable oils. This reduces CO2 emissions by 90 per cent and fine particles by 65 per cent.

Les Menuires’ slope management companies have also trained snow groomer drivers to use SNOWsat, a system which helps reduce energy consumption. They are testing three engines powered by gas-to-liquids (GtL) fuel too – a cleaner and less harmful alternative to diesel.

Whether you want to fly or travel by train or bus, if you can’t wait to visit Les Menuires in the heart of Les 3 Vallées then create the most responsible, fastest or cheapest itinerary to Les Menuires now.

Les Menuires in the heart of Les 3 Vallees main image credit David Andre