WINTER 2020 - New on the slopes

Challenge the Eclipse

Set to be a key venue for the 2023 Alpine World Ski Championships, the new black run at L'Eclipse is opening this winter.

Experiencing an eclipse means realizing the power and beauty of nature. Along the entire 3-kilometer trail, you’ll find that same sense of wonder.

Even before you set off, you’ll feel a first thrill as you look up at the slope and its average gradient of 30%. The second thrill will come further down, as you glide through the forest... and the sun suddenly disappears.

After a few minutes of weightlessness and a 940-meter descent, we touch down and make a triumphant arrival in the heart of the village of Courchevel Le Praz. A return to the light, accompanied by a sense of pride—the pride of having conquered L’Eclipse.

Sharpen your skis and your focus, and come discover this soon-to-be-legendary run this winter!

Replacement of Plattières 3 in Méribel

Goodbye to the little vintage gondolas at Plattières 3—welcome to Bouquetin, the new chairlift!

Keep your skis on and settle in comfortably on this new 6-person chairlift: in just 2 minutes, you’ll reach the summit and can enjoy the view of the Mont de la Challe plateau before heading down the slopes toward Les Menuires or Saint Martin de Belleville.

Also accessible to pedestrians, the bird's-eye view of the "Couloir du Bouquetin" might impress some people!

A facelift for the gondola linking Brides-les-Bains to Méribel

Having been in service since the 1992 Winter Olympics, it was time to modernize the gondola linking Brides-les-Bains, Les Allues, Le Raffort, and Méribel Centre.

No more back-to-back seating in these gondolas, and no more being packed in like sardines: the 6 seats now face each other, and the tall cabins allow you to enter standing up.

A new addition that, if you haven't tried it yet, will let you discover the Raffort trail: a fun getaway deep in the forest on a playful blue trail. A little gem—just the way we like them.

A New Valley Lift in Orelle

There’s plenty of news from the Maurienne side of the 3 Vallées! The 3 Vallées Express gondola, which opened in Orelle in 1995, will be completely replaced by a new 10-person gondola.

Like a true valley elevator, the 3 Vallées Express gondola now lets you reach the slopes of the 3 Vallées in just under a quarter of an hour. Accessible from the A43 (exit 6 km from Orelle), skiers will enjoy a large, free parking lot with 450 spaces as well as modern facilities, including changing rooms and ski lockers…

Destination: Cime Carron - Val Thorens

A new ski lift is opening in Val Thorens: departing from Plan Bouchet, you’ll reach the beautiful Cime Carron in just a few minutes aboard the new 10-person gondola. It’s a new way to reach this legendary peak in the 3 Vallées, at an altitude of over 3,000 meters.

To the Pointe de la Masse in 8 Minutes - Les Menuires

No more 25-minute rides up the mountain, no more switching gondolas mid-ascent, no more double lines...

The Masse area in Les Menuires is getting a new 10-person gondola, more than 3 km long, accessible to both skiers and pedestrians. Don’t miss this during your skiing trip to the 3 Vallées: from the summit, the view of the Belleville Valley and the Vallon du Lou is superb.

This new gondola will provide access to the slopes previously served by the Lac Noir and Rocher Noir chairlifts, which were dismantled this summer.

Vertical Experience: The Most Challenging Slopes in the 3 Vallées

Maximum slope of 38.6°, average slope of 33°... You’ll need a strong heart to tackle these two black runs! If steep slopes hold no secrets for you, head to the summit of the legendary Saulire to test out the Grand Couloir (toward Courchevel) and Couloir Tournier (toward Méribel)—thrills guaranteed!

The Freeride Lab Is Expanding

To the delight of off-piste enthusiasts, Courchevel’s secure freeride area continues to expand: this season, there are no more excuses for not practicing avalanche victim search and rescue, as a new Avalanche Transceiver Park is opening at the base of the two secure, ungroomed runs at the Freeride Lab.

How does it work? Whether on foot or on touring skis, you can reach the summit in 20 minutes. After a quick break in front of the solid wood module, it’s time for a magical descent through powder snow. With a smile on your face after this weightless ride down, take some time to practice searching for avalanche victims.

Using your own equipment, search for the markers buried in the snow: you can set the number of victims to search for, as well as the time limit. Your safety is our top priority, and this training can save lives—so use it as often as you like!

Ah, this cold weather that's draining our cell phone batteries...

To stay in constant contact with your loved ones—whether to send them sweet messages or photos that’ll make them jealous—we’re setting up free charging stations for your smartphones throughout the Courchevel and Méribel-Mottaret ski areas. Between runs on the sunny slopes, leave your smartphone in a locked box with a code of your choice, then pick it up fully charged and ready to capture all the incredible mountain views!