Skiing in Les Sybelles/Le Corbier

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Yeah, it's self-catering which we're not too fussed about to be honest. I guess the lengthy gondola ride to the other resorts could be a bit of a pain, but we plan on spending the whole day skiing so 1/2 hour isn't that bad.

I don't mean to brag but on my last ski holiday I think I did really well, and near the end I was mostly going on red slopes and a couple of black ones (few drops there). So I don't think I'll need any lessons but my girlfriend might. Anyway, we'll look into that once we get there.

So I looked it up on the internet and it looks like there're about 8 resorts in the 3 valleys - Courchevel, La Tania, Meribel, Brides les Bains, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, St Martin & Orelle. We obviously can't cover all of them in 6 days so I'd like to ask which ones are the best?

Oh, and also, the only lift pass they had was for 6 days, meaning that we won't be able to hit the slopes on the day we get there. Is there a way around that?

Thanks!

yani2k8 wrote:
Oh, and also, the only lift pass they had was for 6 days, meaning that we won't be able to hit the slopes on the day we get there. Is there a way around that?

Thanks!

Just buy a half day pass for the Meribel Valley from the lift station when you get there. There is also a 3 hour pass so I believe. These will get you skiing after lunch on day of arrival.
Or if you are really early buy a day pass.
Half day meribel = 32.50 euros

yani2k8 wrote:Oh, and also, the only lift pass they had was for 6 days, meaning that we won't be able to hit the slopes on the day we get there. Is there a way around that?

You can buy a lift pass for the day when you get there - probably at the gondola in Brides-Les-Bains.

My daughter and I are ski-ing off-piste now and still having lessons. If you can afford them they will help you to enjoy yourselves and ski safely. Anyway, have fun. And I don't know which area is the best - Val Thorens has the best snow, Courchevel has plenty of trees but is very expensive, Meribel is very pretty, and Les Menuires is hideous but the runs are fine. Orelle and Courchevel 1650 are probably the quietest because they are at the extreme ends of the 3 Valleys.

Ally

OldAndy wrote:Just buy a half day pass for the Meribel Valley from the lift station when you get there. There is also a 3 hour pass so I believe. These will get you skiing after lunch on day of arrival.
Or if you are really early buy a day pass.
Half day meribel = 32.50 euros

Yeah, a 3 hour pass would be perfect. Not sure exactly what time we'll be at the resort but it won't be too early. All I know is, I definitely won't be able to resist skiing on the first day!

Oh, and just to clarify - is Maribel and Maribel Valley the same thing?

AllyG wrote:And I don't know which area is the best - Val Thorens has the best snow, Courchevel has plenty of trees but is very expensive, Meribel is very pretty, and Les Menuires is hideous but the runs are fine. Orelle and Courchevel 1650 are probably the quietest because they are at the extreme ends of the 3 Valleys.

Thanks for that! That means we'll definitely be hitting Val Thorens and Maribel. Not a fan of the tree-lined pistes though.

Do you happen to know what Brides Les Bains is like? I know it's the lowest altitude but does that necessarily mean it's rubbish?

I've never been to Brides-Les-Bains, but I have the 3V's piste map here, and it's the lowest of all the resorts (at 600m) and there aren't any pistes back to it, so you will have to take the gondola back.

Meribel has trees as well, but at a lower altitude than Courchevel. Trees are very handy when it's blowing a blizzard. And don't forget it can get very foggy - last week was pretty bad for that - at one point we could only see about 6 yards. Val Thorens is all white and open and exposed.

There are 4 valleys really - Courchevel, Meribel, Belleville (with VT, St Martin and Les Menuires) and Orelle.

Ally

Well, then we'll definitely be going higher up! Thanks for the tip. I'll probably have to download the 3 Valleys map onto my iPhone as I'm not sure if there'll be any wi-fi at the accommodation.

Is it hard to find your way from one resort to another if you're not familiar with the area? Is it as simple as looking at the map and boarding the appropriate lift?

Thanks :)

AS far as I know there is no skiing in Bride le Bains itself - you will have to get to Meribel before you can ski and will have to take the gondola back down.

As regards where to ski, this all depends on your capabilities. Places like Val Thoren are likely to have the best snow because it is so high. However, it is a very long way from Meribel and I don't really think a 2nd time skier should even think about going there. The Meribel area and slightly higher up in Meribel Mottaret has lots of skiing. You can also go over to the two nearest adjoining valleys of Courcheval on one side and St Martin on the other. Courcheval is huge so again do not stray too far or you may not be able to get back, especially if the weather closes in. You definitely do not want to end up with a horrific taxi fare! I love the few runs down into St Martin and they are usually very quiet.

Well done on hitting the reds and even the odd black on your first trip. However, to achieve real proficiency in skiing takes a long time. Good instruction is very important in my view and I really would recommend that you take lessons. If not ski school then definitely some private lessons. You will improve your skiing significantly, enjoy yourself more and probably be pushed more than you expect but in a safe environment!

Kinda sucks that there are no actual pistes in Bride les Bain itself but I suppose you get what you pay for.

We'll be very cautious as the last thing we want is to be lost in the mountains at night. We plan on getting up very early each morning to get as much skiing done as possible and get back to Brides before it gets dark.

8)