The highest resort in Europe, Val Thorens was purpose built in the 1970s and isn’t the place to look for traditional Alpine village charm. What it lacks in authenticity it makes up for in a longer ski season than anywhere else and 100% ski-in/ski-out family accommodation

• 2016’s ‘Best Ski Resort in the World’, ‘European Best Ski Resort’ and ‘Best Ski Resort in France’.
• Altitude of 2300m, network of fast ski-lifts, plus Cime Caron panoramic cable cars and 1300m long Tyrolienne zip-line.
• 7500m² indoor Sports Centre; 6km Toboggan Run; Fun Slope and modular Snow Park; Ice Driving track; ESF Val Thorens Ski School.
• Over 60 resort restaurants and birthplace of ‘Snow Bistronomy’: haute cuisine with a laid-back ski resort atmosphere.
• Val Thorens was once Les Trois Vallées most famous ‘party’ resort. It’s now one of the most popular family resorts in France but with enough lively cool to appeal to teenagers.

Val Thorens’ nearest neighbour, Orelle, is another high-altitude resort. It doesn’t have the extensive après-ski facilities of some but it’s well connected to resorts that do and scores high on cute, original architecture and Alpine prettiness.

• 10 small hamlets connected to Les Trois Vallées ski area by high-speed gondolas.
• Excellent childcare facilities, ESF Orelle Ski School and Maurienne Hors Piste.

The best known of Les Trois Vallées’ resorts, Courchevel’s cultivated a celebrity reputation with a wide range of restaurants, elegant spas and chic shopping. But it’s also the only resort in France to have a ‘children’s village’, dedicated entirely to young skiers, and a day-to-night Family Ski Park.

• Five resort villages all with ski-in/ski-out accommodation and interconnected by a network of fast lifts and free shuttle buses.
• Top for piste-grooming, snow-making and all-season run recontouring and maintenance.
• Three ski schools: ESF Courchevel 1550, 1850 and 1650.
• The Forum sport, leisure and shopping centre; 25, 60, 90 and 120m high Le Praz ski jumps; 2.5km Toboggan Run; Aquamotion Centre; Family Snow Park; Courchevel Children’s Village.
• Les Trois Vallées gourmet giant with seven Michelin starred chefs and over 70 restaurants.

A ‘Famille Plus’ resort, Les Menuires has two ‘Piou-Piou’ kid’s clubs (three months and up), an all-season children’s event and entertainment programme, a Fun Ski Zone and Snow Park and a friendly, laid-back, local atmosphere.

• One of the best value Les Trois Vallées resorts for family accommodation.
• 160km of groomed runs, fast lift network, extensive off-piste and ‘doorstep’ skiing.
• BK Freestyle and Boardercross Park with ‘Big Air Bag’; free ski-passes for under 5s; Walibi Gliss and Mini KL Fun Park; Roc ‘n’ Bob 4km Toboggan Run; 4500m² indoor Sports Centre; Aquafun Centre.
• ESF Les Menuires ski school and two ‘Piou-Piou’ children’s clubs with childcare from three months.

The youngest resort in Les Trois Vallées, La Tania is also the most environmentally friendly, completely pedestrianised and designed on a ‘human scale’ to appeal to families. It looks and feels like a traditional Alpine mountain village but still has fast, easy access to the world’s largest ski area, good accommodation and facilities.

• Forest and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing; fast lift access to Courchevel and Méribel; kindergarten from four months to five years; kid’s playground; Michelin starred Le Farçon restaurant; ESF La Tania ski school.
• Unique, serviced eco-chalets and completely pedestrianised streets.

Right at the heart of Les Trois Vallées, Méribel is the famously sporty resort with Alpine village charm and a fabulous forest setting.

• Host to the 2015 World Cup Alpine Ski and preferred venue for major sporting events throughout the winter season.
• Inuit Piste kid’s village for 5 – 12 year olds with event and activity programme, playpark, husky sledding, falconry and children’s entertainers.
• Yeti Park Magical Kingdom all-ages adventure snow park; Parc Olympique indoor sport and wellness centre; Element Park beginner and intermediate terrain park; DC Area43 advanced terrain park; Michelin starred L’Ecrin restaurant.
• ESF Méribel ski school and four piste beginner’s ski area.

The most traditional Savoyard mountain village in Les Trois Vallées, Saint Martin de Belleville has some of the loveliest hotels and chalets in the area. It’s also home to La Bouitte, the only authentic Savoyard restaurant to hold three Michelin stars.

• ‘Montagnard’ is Saint Martin de Belleville’s personality and it’s the most historic resort in the area with ancient churches, Baroque bell towers, 18^th century barn conversions, heritage farmhouses and 19^th century maisons de ville.
• Ô des Cimes and La Bèla Vya spas; Saint Martin Museum; Heritage Circuit; classical concerts in 16^th century Notre Dame de la Vie church.
• Local Nordic and family skiing experts.
• ESF Saint Martin ski school and childcare from 18 months.