Booking a Last Minute Deal in the Three Valleys

Nothing says spontaneity quite like booking last minute ski deals! And, one place you really should consider is the Three Valleys - especially if you are up for a bit of snow boarding as well. The Three Valleys is an epic ski region in the southwestern region of France. Since you can ski or board most of the Three Valleys through interconnected ski lift systems and a single ticket price, it is actually one of the largest ski areas in the world.

Although you'll have access to the whole region, you should base yourself in one of the main resort areas so you will have the best access to the slopes when you want.

La Tania

Located in the popular Courchevel area of the Three Valleys, La Tania is a popular resort area that offers a great range last minute ski deals. It sits at 1,400 metres above sea level and was developed for the 1992 Albertville Olympics. The centre of town is traffic-free and is great for spending lazy days wandering around or having coffee when you aren't on the slopes. If you aren't quite confident in your abilities, you can take advantage of the largest ski school in France here, and the area offers specialised snowboard schools as well. From the resort, you can catch the gondola to the top of the mountain then take a chairlift elsewhere or ski down into the neighbouring Meribel area.

Meribel

The first lift was built in Meribel around 1938, and since then it has been a go-to place to ski, board, relax and socialise. If you can nab last minute ski deals to Meribel you will find yourself in a perfect spot to take advantage of the rest of the Three Valleys in addition to the variety of slopes you can reach right from the small village. In 1992, Meribel was the home of the Albertville Olympics Ice Hockey and Women's Alpine Skiing events. Now, not only can you ski some of the best slopes of Europe in the area near Meribel, you can go off-piste, try cross-country skiing and take advantage of the snow parks.

Val Thorens

At 2,300 metres, Val Thorens is one of the highest resorts in Europe, which guarantees some of the best late-season skiing in the region - it is surrounded by six glaciers, ensuring skiing right up until August. When you book last minute ski deals for Val Thorens, you can ski the excellent range of slopes right on the doorstep, or go further afield within the Three Valleys system. Many of the slopes of Val Thorens don't face the sun directly, so you get the very best of skiing conditions, and some serious skiers. If you like an international flavour, Val Thorens is ideal, as the majority of the visitors who go there are international.

Belinda Smythson works for Ski Amis, a specialist ski travel agency and booking service offering bonded holidays in La Tania and other fantastic locations. If you're looking for last minute ski deals in catered or self catered chalets, we can help. For a luxury or good-value skiing holiday call Ski Amis.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.