House in Les Menuires - Three Valleys

Ski Resort: Les Menuires

Les Menuires is a superb ski base for ski and board lovers of all levels and tastes. For a long time it was known as the bargain basement of the Three Valleys and there’s nothing wrong with that. Well nothing except the buildings thrown up to house the staff for the winter Olympics were all concrete blocks and felt ugly when compared to little wood and stone chalets. This created a reluctance to buy here by anyone looking for something more than just a ski base.   Increasingly however, with lovely new chalets and developments going that are good quality and in the Savoyard stone and wood style, more people are looking here as a good place to find a well priced ski property - and with the 600kms of the Three Valley pistes accessed from your doorstep that has to make sense.   Its big selling point has always been its superb location for skiers. Situated at 1800 with Val Thorens, the highest ski resort in Europe just up the valley, and linking directly into the skiing of the Meribel, Courchevel and Orelle valleys. The Belleville valley in its own right out classes most ski resorts both on marked pistes available to ski and the incredible network of lifts and mountain restaurants. Because of its great skiing and sensibly priced activities it has become a popular resort for those buying to rent as the ski rental business here has proved to be very strong and consistent. Due to this in 2008/09 when other resorts were losing money due to the crunch Les Menuires actually increased its visitors.   There is a lot of ski in / ski out property from which all areas of the Three Valleys are easily accessed, and don’t forget its local slopes are some of the best for good skiers: challenging, usually with good snow, and rarely used by visitors from the other valleys especially La Masse a wonderful area that allows access to some great slopes as well as stunning off-piste runs. That said there is something for every level of skier and non-skiers are not left out with many activities both exiting and relaxing available.   The long term investment by the council to improve and upgrade the resort plus a decent range of shops, restaurants, bars and a good quality gym and spa makes this resort worth a look for the keen skier who likes to get value for money.