Skiing Information

Skiing options from St.Martin de Belleville

The Gondola from St. Martin gives direct access to the largest ski area in the world. The 3 Valleys, with over 600 Kms. of piste to choose from includes Val Thorens, the highest resort in France, making it the most snow-sure. From St. Martin, you can ski to Les Menuires, Meribel/Mottaret, La Tania,and Courcheval as well as Val Thorens. Each of these resorts can be reached in a day’s skiing from St. Martin for anyone who is competent on red runs, weather permitting.

How to access the piste

From Chalet Chardon, you can drive to St. Martin in just over 5 minutes(2.5 miles) to the large free car park on the right, at the top of the village,100 metres from the Gondola and ticket office.

15 minutes takes you to Les Menuires and La Masse.

20 minutes takes you to Val Thorens, the highest ski resort in France (for powder days!) There the first car park (200 m. on the right after the avalanche tunnel) is also free, and it opens directly onto the piste. There is a ticket office across the piste over the bridge.

Because Val Thorens is so high, it is a snow-sure resort, and so the skiing is good till May.

Ski passes

A 6-7 day 3 Valleys pass is the best value for those who want to explore freely all day, every day. The alternative is to buy area passes as and when or where the notion takes you each day eg:

• St. Martin / Les Menuires pass.
• Vallee des Belleville pass ie: St. Martin, Les Menuires and Val Thorens (which also includes the so-called 4th. Valley d’Orelle beyond Val T.)
• Les 3 Vallees pass, which adds on Meribel, Mottaret, La Tania and Courcheval.
• Val Thorens only pass ( not mentioned on the brochure but saves on the Belleville pass if you are driving up there, and includes the 4th Orelle valley . Buy it at the Val T.car park --- just over the bridge across the piste.)

For Beginners or on bad visibility days, buy a St. Martin only pass. Forfait debutant which is a reduced area ticket (see price list or ask at ticket office.)

Also for Beginners, the trainer tow (poma) is free, or you can get a debutant ticket for St.Martin Village which allows you to progress to the mid station at the top of St. Martin 1 .(You have to ask at the ticket office) For the smallest beginners there is the magic carpet just above the trainer tow.