3 Valleys Mountain Upgrades - 2024/25

Hi everybody and welcome to another new post from your favourite blogging Méribel ski instructor. This post is going to be a little different to my usual style, and is probably more focused towards regular visitors to the 3 Valleys ski area. That's not to say new visitors won't appreciate learning about the wonderful infrastructure this area provides. In short, today I'll be talking about the mountain upgrades for this winter. All the photos have been taken by me the last couple of weeks or so (either when skiing for myself or quickly whilst teaching).

Let's start with the new/replacement Courchevel 1850 cable car called 'Saulire'.......

Unfortunately the last few winters we have been without this useful ski lift, and I have missed it very much. Granted, the Vizelle bubble still coped with getting skiers up to (near) the Saulire peak. In theory it didn't affect skiing traffic too much thankfully. However, there are subtle differences between the top stations of the Vizelle bubble and this cable car. Now that it is back running, it provides a seamless link between Courchevel 1850 and Méribel for pedestrians using the Méribel Saulire Express bubble. Plus, it also means green piste skiers from Méribel can now access Courchevel's greens, by downloading on the cable cable. This is something I like to do with clients for a change of scenery and skiing. So a big thumbs up from me.

Let's change valleys now and head over to the Belleville Valley, in particular St.Martin de Bellville. The only way of accessing the village of St.Martin is to ski underneath the main road that goes up to Les Menuires and eventually Val Thorens. There is now a much larger and more skier-friendly tunnel that gives you this access. Before, it felt like you were skiing through a tube, and it was pot luck what was waiting for you the other side! Now it is easier skiing through the wider tunnel, with much better vision.

Staying in the Belleville Valley, let's head all the way up to the highest ski resort in Europe, Val Thorens. This resort has never been shy about upgrading ski lifts, and has often come up with inventive ways of uplifting skiers. Sometimes the weather can be a little challenging at this high altitude: a stiff breeze in Meribel or Courchevel would often be a raging wind in Val Thorens. I'm not saying this as a negative thing, because often there are greater snow depths due to this harsher weather. But high winds can bring ski lift closures, especially for exposed chair lifts. Hence chunkier lifts can be found which cope better.

In a round about way, I'm trying to report that the old chair lift called Deux Lacs has been replaced by a much improved, and efficient bubble of the same name. This bubble will be more reliable in high winds as well. This upgrade is definitely a welcome improvement over in Val Thorens.

It takes the same line up the mountain, but in fact continues well beyond its predecessor, level to the top of the Moutière chairlift. I believe this should take some traffic away from the very popular, and often queue-heavy, Moutière chairlift. So another thumbs up from me.

In the Méribel Valley, there's little change this winter. Except that a covered magic carpet called Les Loupiots has been installed at Chaudanne, right next to the entrance of the Rhodos bubble. Chaudanne has been screaming out for a beginners area for years, especially after the impressive two magic carpets were added in Mottaret a few years ago. I'll be honest in saying I'm scratching my chin here a bit. Let me explain why.....

I'm not exactly sure who it is aimed at yet! If it's complete beginners then great, however it won't be that big an area for skiers to practice on, being a short lift and nursery slope. Perhaps it is aimed at bum whizzers? It hasn't been running yet so far this winter, I'm guessing it will very soon during the Festive Period, then we will see who enjoys using this new area. One thing that's worth pointing out; this magic carpet used to be up at the Rond Point area, and has now been taken out and re-installed. Chaudanne's gain is Rond Point's loss!?!

And finally, back over in Val Thorens, there's change at the top of the Cime de Caron peak. Unfortunately there was an accident on the cable car over there in early November, where some tradesmen were injured. An enquiry is currently taking place into this accident - I haven't heard officially what the situation is. I'm guessing it may not run this winter, but I have no proof of this. (When I took this photo, I noticed that there was no car parked at the top station, suggesting my non-running theory). This is speculation on my part, please note.

There is a new mountain restaurant being built (almost complete) on this peak, and there were tradesmen beavering away inside when I skied past last week. Perhaps this new restaurant will open soon, otherwise I can't think why they would be up at this very high altitude in the winter. Access to the Cime de Caron peak is still possible via the Orelle Valley on the Orelle Caron bubble, which is what we used a few days ago.

I hope you enjoyed this slightly different blog post from me here in Méribel, fingers crossed not too nerdy, and hopefully on the informative side. More and more people are arriving in Méribel Town the last couple of days or so. After all, the Festive Period has just about started. Have a very Merry Christmas where ever you are celebrating, and I hope you all have a fabulous quality time with your families and friends. Please stay in touch via The Socials, links can be found by tapping on the logos. There's a pretty chunky snow storm coming our way beginning tonight for at least two days, click here to see the snow forecast. Wish us luck!?! As ever, don't forget to Live With Passion. Martin.