Les Menuires is the firm family hub of the Three Valleys. Nicknamed Friendly Menuires for a reason, the resort is your pocket-friendly way into the 600km of piste. Family fun parks and beginner slopes aplenty.
Get to know Les Menuires
Les Menuires is largely ski in, ski out, particularly around La Croisette and the satellite villages of Reberty and Les Bruyères. You have direct access to the largest linked ski area in the world, the Three Valleys. Sat in the middle of the Belleville valley with the picturesque village of St Martin de Belleville below and the heady heights of Val Thorens above.
It's an often overlooked resort with Meribel and Courchevel stealing the limelight. But re-branded as Friendly Menuires a few years ago, the resort has carved a niche for itself as a family destination. Giving you great value for money and perfect for learning to ski, yet the area has some of the best intermediate and off-piste routes the Three Valleys have to offer.
Why you might love it
Families
Huge ski area
Tobogganing
At a glance
Ski area
Three Valleys
Resort altitude
1815m
Piste range
600–3230m
Lifts
156
Green runs
48
Blue runs
135
Red runs
119
Black runs
33
More about Les Menuires
Where to ski
Directly linked to Meribel and on to Courchevel, it's tempting to explore far and wide but the best runs are far more local.
You have intermediate heaven right above Les Menuires; up Roc 2 or Becca there are fun parks, boardercross courses and handy picnic spots, don't miss Jerusalem heading towards St Martin either.
It gets busier the closer you get to Val Thorens so head the other way towards St Martin and you can find some gloriously quiet slopes. Especially on the link from Meribel to St Martin. There's almost never anyone there.
Where to stay in Les Menuires
Les Menuires can be tough to get your head around but the best spots to stay in, beside the main croisette, give plenty of ski in, ski out options, great food and a good choice of shops and bars.
Reberty 2000 is the cream of the crop but look out for Bruyères as well with a livelier centre and a tonne of options or Preyerand gives a quieter retreat just below the main resort but still on the slopes.
Is there any après ski?
The après scene may be quieter than neighbouring Val Thorens but there's still plenty of life.
If you're looking for live music then Skilt bar, at the base of the slopes and hub of the resort, holds regular sessions, catch Fred et Justin playing and you're in for a treat.
La Masse
Our favourite thing about Les Menuires is La Masse. A stand-alone mountain on the opposite side of the valley that doesn't get busy even during peak season. The North facing slopes hold the snow well and give some of the best off-piste routes the entire ski area has to offer.
Overlooked by freeriders seduced by the lofty allure of Val Thorens, you'll find fresh tracks for days after a snowfall. Hire a guide to take full advantage as the avalanche risk is real.
What we like
- Family-friendly resort with loads of non-ski activities as well
- Great beginner slopes, there's even a dedicated beginner piste map so you don't get stuck at the top of a tough piste
- Budget-friendly - you get way more bang for your buck accommodation-wise here compared with Meribel or Courchevel (same ski area)
- Huge ski area
Worth knowing
- You have La Masse on your doorstep for some amazing views and quieter pistes (usually)
- Apres ski is quieter though there are still plenty of busy bars straight off the slopes, especially if the sun is shining
- Super easy to get to St Martin, Val Thorens or Meribel. Courchevel is a longer ski though more than doable in a day
Hidden gems
Best Bite
Has to be La Ferme de Reberty, with the big red cow outside Reberty 2000. You’ll probably have to book but whether you’re inside or out on the terrace it’s a great lunch or dinner spot to try.
Best Piste
There are loads, but head up to the top of Roc 2 chairlift and slink down the Grand Lac blue, onto the Pelozet and then Biolley all the way down to St Martin. It’s a blue cruising dream with a great hot choc stop at the bottom.
Apres ski
Our tip would be to head to the Folie Douce in Val Thorens for some slopeside table dancing fun and you can catch the last lift up from there back over to Les Menuires via Mont de la Chambre.
