Help Celebrate Les Menuires' Half Century

There may never be a better time to go skiing in Les Menuires, as the popular resort is set to celebrate its 50th birthday in 2015. It's always been a 'go-to' winter holiday favourite, and next year is promising to be its biggest yet.

Where to Stay, What to See and Do

The resort offers a wide range of accommodation, ranging from the traditional to the more modern. There’s no missing the famous (or infamous) Brelin building - which is frankly a bit of an eyesore - but for the most part, the chalets and residences of the resort have been built in wood or stone so as to fit into the natural landscape.

Lovers of architecture should take the time to visit the ‘clocher des Menuires’, a stunning bell-tower that won first prize in a national competition for metal architecture in 2000. It’s hard to miss, as it was specifically designed to be seen from all aspects of the town and looks spectacular at night when illuminated.

So, apart from firework displays and torch light mountain descents, what else can you expect this winter in Les Menuires? Well, there’s the upcoming Christmas and New Year festivities, which promise to be popular with young and old, seven-a-side rugby played on the snow, mountain biking with a difference, as well as some opportunities for wine tasting. There are also leisure centres with pools, Jacuzzis and saunas, and play areas, to keep the children amused.

Fabulous Ski Conditions

Of course, it’s probably the snow and the pistes that you're interested in if you're coming on holiday to go skiing in Les Menuires! For a start, at an altitude of 2850m, natural snow is virtually guaranteed, but to supplement that half the pistes have snowmaking facilities. Skiing in Les Menuires is assured throughout the season, which really gets underway early in December.

The resort has access to over 600 km of downhill slopes in the Three Valleys area and for skiing in Les Menuires itself there are 160kms of piste runs. The slopes cater for all levels and abilities, with 6 Black, 24 red, 27 blue and 12 green runs, some of which are really long. There are also numerous schools and courses where you find expert tuition.

Other Activities

In addition, there are plenty of clubs to keep the kids amused with activities like tobogganing and snowshoeing. You’ll also find opportunities to try out luge and snowboarding and there are organised snowshoe walks where you can experience the alpine scenery at a slightly slower pace. Paragliding and dog-sledding are also available if you feel like trying something a little more exotic.

Don’t worry though if your proposed dates for your ski break don’t coincide with the actual birthday date itself on the 15th February; the celebrations are set to start when the season opens and go on all winter long!

Danielle Hodges is the Marketing Manager for Ski Amis, a specialist ski travel agency and booking service offering bonded ski holidays. When it comes to skiing in Les Menuires, we can provide excellent catered or self catered chalets. For a luxury or good-value break and the best catered chalets call Ski Amis.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.