Les Menuires

Les Menuires is a purpose-built ski resort in Savoie, between Saint-Martin-de-Belleville and Val Thorens. The resort opened in the winter of 1964–1965 and sits at 1,850 metres. It is divided into five districts – La Croisette, Preyerand, Les Fontanettes, Grand Reberty and Les Bruyères – linked by free shuttle buses, walking paths and public lifts. Nearly all accommodation is at the foot of the slopes, so it is possible to move around the resort without using a car once you arrive.

Les Menuires holds the Famille Plus label: a certification given to ski resorts that provide an excellent service for families with children. Family facilities include an XXL “Piou Piou” children’s ski village, two nurseries and play areas designed for children. On snow, the resort links directly into Les 3 Vallées, which totals 600km of marked pistes across the connected network, so longer day routes can be planned beyond the local slopes. For non-skiers and rest days, pedestrian passes allow access on selected gondolas and chairlifts.

Views are a key feature of the mountain. Pointe de la Masse rises above the resort at 2,804 metres, with a summit terrace and a 360° panorama. From the top, views extend from the Écrins to Mont Blanc and include the Vanoise and Tarentaise regions. The gondola ride up takes around 8 minutes.

Skiing in Les Menuires ranges from gentle, groomed pistes to steeper runs and higher, more exposed terrain. The men’s slalom at the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics was held here. For freestyle progression, the Pixel Area snowpark includes jumps from XS to L, along with features such as boxes and rails, plus a boardercross. In the La Masse sector, the Friendly Natural Park combines ski games with a parallel slalom and includes picnic and interpretative areas.

In the village, La Croisette is the main hub for shops, restaurants and services, and it is also the location of the tourist office. Les Menuires’ layout and appearance reflects its 1960s and 1970s development. Later additions include the resort’s landmark bell tower, designed for the year 2000, and the Brelin building that overlooks the Croisette district. La Croisette is also used for after-ski entertainment and fireworks evenings, and some bars in the resort run live music and DJ sets.

Away from skiing, there are several indoor and family activity options. Le Break sports centre includes a swimming pool and a wellness area, plus fitness spaces and indoor multi-sport pitches. Les Bruyères has the Bulle des Bruyères, which combines a water-play area with a separate wellness zone. Les Flocons cinema at La Croisette runs regular screenings, and the resort also has an indoor playground (Fun Park) for children from 9 months. For sledging, the Roc’n Bob run is a 4km descent with 22 bends and a 450-metre vertical drop, and night sledging is also offered with head torches. There is a rail-sledging alpine coaster located in the Les Bruyères area.