Les 3 Vallées has the largest connected ski area in the world, bringing together three distinct resorts, each with its own DNA. In the morning you can be a downhill runner in Val Thorens, in the afternoon you can rub shoulders with celebrities in Courchevel and in the afternoon you can do easy, family-friendly descents in Méribel.
Why go there? On the one hand, you are skiing in the French Alps! Second, for my fellow American skiers, your lift ticket is a steal. By skiing in Val Thorens rather than, say, Vail, Colorado, you save over $200 per day. With a small fee to access Méribel and Courchevel as well, you get 600 km of groomed “runs”, compared to 234 km of groomed “runs” in Vail.
Decisions, decisions… So you have decided to ski in the 3 Valleys. The challenge is to decide which of the three resorts – Val Thorens, Courchevel or Méribel – will be its home port.
Below I discovered a word that describes each resort and what’s new for 2026 regarding people’s access to the mountain (to get down, you’re on your own). I mentioned a new hotel and restaurant for each resort.
Val Thorens: High altitude, higher octane Val Thorens is the highest point in the Alps and young adults love the fast pace and fast slopes, day or night. It is the newest of the 3 Valleys resorts and boasts the longest ski season in Europe. Of course, families and skiers of all types are welcome, but I have a feeling my 20-something kids would love it!
Skiing updates include a 10-person gondola called the North Face, which improves skier fluidity and provides even more access to other mountains. The Cime Caron Cable Car is expected to reopen in 2026 with two new cabins. This walk gives skiers and pedestrians access to the summit, at 3,200 meters above sea level, it is the coup de grace of the French Alps.
Caron 3200 is a destination in itself. Featuring a restaurant, wine bar, rooftop terrace and more, its panoramic views of 1,000 mountain peaks will make you feel like you’re on top of the world, and you kind of are.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the five-star Pashmina Le Refuge Hotel, also located at the summit, has a new outdoor spa. Did someone say jacuzzi with a view?
Courchevel: The summit of Alpine luxury Celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2026, Courchevel is the stuff French Alps dreams are made of. Yes, she’s a fashion fabulous, chic and luxurious celebrity as hell, but her natural beauty is also a head-turner.
Courchevel includes six small villages, all accessible to each other and to the 3 Valleys slopes. Each has somewhat different influences, but all celebrate the art of living!
A new generation gondola is making its debut for the 2026 season in Les Chenus. It promises to transform the base and summit stations, improve passenger flow and get more skiers up (and down) the mountain faster.
Baumanière 1850 has earned its second Michelin star and is worth a reservation, especially if you collect star-studded experiences. Note: Courchevel has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other mountain resort in the world.
If you’re craving a stinky French cheese (who isn’t!?), dive into Grenier Des Alpages’ revamped dining experience for raclette. But yes.
Opened in December, the luxury hotel residence Atmosphère 1850 is the talk of the slopes. The high-end, slopeside luxury suites, sleeping up to eight people, are pure luxury with every amenity you can think of.
Everything you need to plan your trip in 2026 Méribel: The heart and soul of the valley Méribel is the heart of the 3 Valleys. She is like the Grande Dame of the three resorts, offering comfort, friendliness, generosity and kindness. It is made up of four sites. Look for charming architecture in Méribel Centre, functionality in Mottaret, small-village ambiance in Les Allues and the feeling of being nestled in the forest at Méribel Village.
During the annual update of its installations, Méribel always moves towards modernization with a view to sustainability. The new Leitner gondolas (linking Val Thorens, where a chairlift was once sufficient) will be capable of comfortably transporting 2,600 skiers per hour!
As traditional chalet-style accommodation proliferates in Méribel, a modern take on Alpine style can be found at the new Alba Hotel. Again, this is an apartment-style hotel with slopeside access, as well as wellness and fitness areas.
The brand new Tipi restaurant, with its groovy atmosphere, its views of its terrace, its refined cuts of meat and its charcuterie platters, seems tempting. it is a mid-mountain experience accessible to intermediate and advanced skiers.
Skiing to take away Head to Les 3 Vallées in search of that giddy skier feeling when turns are effortless, your shadow is your companion, après-ski is beauty or bubbles and the French Alps become your backdrop. Which station? Who cares! Again, there is no wrong choice.
Cathie Arquilla Cathie Arquilla is a travel writer from New York. When she’s not traveling, she helps women look their best as a fashion stylist in New York City.
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