January 26, 2026 – Hello skiers,
It is from the top of the French Alps, in the heart of the 3 Vallées domain, that we are writing to you today. We are in Les Menuires.
Les Menuires has 87 slopes that extend over 160 km, 31 ski lifts, 5 distinct play areas, 540 snow cannons covering 57% of the area and it has also 28 km of cross-country ski slopes. Les Menuires offers an authentic and family atmosphere centered on the pure pleasure of the mountains with an architecture that, for the most experienced, plunges us directly into the 1970s.
The large Brelin building, where we have the chance to stay near La Croisette, is one of the most eloquent examples. For all residents of Quebec, this large tapered building reminds us of the look of the Montreal Olympic Pyramids that were built in the same period. This place is ideal to enjoy the resort by offering complete apartments with quick and easy ski-in / ski-out access.
The view of La Croisette is magnificent, day and night, with all its lights and animations. We can even perceive the groomers busy preparing the ground for the next day, just for us.
Les Menuires has been able to maintain this tradition of origin while integrating over time all the modernity of a world-class installation.
This morning the weather did not seem to say anything very inviting. The weather was rather gray and foggy. Fog from the ground to the sky, with a little snow through it. The problem here, as there is very little or no vegetation at this altitude, is visibility. Since there is no contrast with trees or other objects, we quickly lose our bearings. We are told that It was not a real white day, but for us Canadians, these conditions are unusual and can be destabilizing.
Well, believe it or not, as if by magic the fog suddenly rose just at the opening of the lifts for our greatest pleasure. The small stream of light that pierced the clouds was enough to give contrast in the snow and allow us to ski comfortably.
But surprise, and the weather sites had not reported it, the sky finally cleared completely to offer us a beautiful unexpected bluebird day. For a first day, let’s say everything is fine.
We often say it in our various chronicles. You have to go to the mountain, no matter the weather, and we often have nice surprises. This was the case for us today, and a whole!
We came to Les Menuires a few years ago, but it’s time to reconnect with the place. Memory is a beautiful faculty that gives us memories that are often imperishable, but perhaps more imprecise than we think.
It is therefore accompanied by our guide Lloyd of the ESF (French Ski School) that we traveled the entire area at lightning speed, under a bright azure blue sky, do not forget it.
Starting from La Croisette, we went up via Roc 1 and Roc 2 to the top of the 3 Marches at 2,704 meters to head directly to the village of Saint-Martin de Belleville located lower at 1,450 meters; beautiful. The slopes to get there are beautiful and at the beginning of the day the conditions are simply perfect. Beautiful blues, wide and varied, to allow us to get on our feet.
From there, we went up in two stages to the summit of Tougnète at 2,437 meters, being careful not to slip on Méribel. All this to return another time to Saint-Martin, but this time through Jerusalem, one of our favorite tracks. Jerusalem offers a breathtaking panorama on a terrain with a changing pace that allows us to have fun on our skis. But what happiness!
Lloyd, seeing the clouds more present, quickly brought us back to the opposite side of the domain, at Pointe de la Masse at 2,804 meters, while the light was still good.
We can take the Pointe de la Masse gondola just below La Croisette. So we made a direct return from Tougnète, once again with a smile up to the ears. He really knows where is going this Lloyd ! What a chance to count on him to make us rediscover this magnificent domain.
On this sector we find steeper reds and some of the most pleasant blues. We made a few descents in the area before stopping for lunch at the top of the mountain, at the chic restaurant Altitude 2 800. To visit without hesitation. Altitude 2800 restaurant is an example of sustainable development with low ecological footprint facilities for which it has received significant awards.
The menu is varied and refined. The meats, fish, pasta, everything looked delicious and we recommend without reservation the Veal Mouse. A succulent dish to give us all the energy we need to ski until 16:30. The hosts will welcome you like at home and you will want to return at the first opportunity.
Now well rested, we returned to Les Menuires, but this time to explore the rightmost parts of the domain such as Grand Reberty and Les Bruyères.
This sector still includes beautiful reds and blues each more exciting than the last, and it is also from there that it is possible to go to Val Thorens and Orelle via Cime Caron. This will be our project for the end of the week.
We had a blast in all these tracks until the very last climb of Roc 2, which allowed us to return by passing near the famous Roc 7, which we will certainly visit tomorrow or the next day to dance to the sound of music in full sun, as only European skiers know how to do.
To close this beautiful and unexpected day, we returned by the classic route of Violet to the foot of Brelin.
Good skiing to all, and do not hesitate to make a jump here. The Menuires and Les 3 Vallées are majestic ski areas, of a magnitude difficult to imagine. The dream of all skiers, and it is so much easier and simpler to visit than we think.
Good skiing at home too! There have also been beautiful borders in recent weeks.
Helen Racine and Philippe Laporte
Ski Media
