The once chock-a-block apartments were purpose built in the early 1960s to attract a multitude of skiers. Back then, there wasn't the same regard for aesthetics and environment as there is today. The resort has grown over the last few decades, however. The huddled and muddled apartments of then are slowly being replaced with a more alpine aura today. This means more wood, rocks, natural materials and a reduction in the boxy character. In fact, home- and landowners are given grants to renovate their buildings. This creates lesser sprawl and an initiative to improve the resort's look.
Though currently not the most beautiful of France's ski resorts, Les Menuires is likely one of the most sensible and practical. When skiing can be crowded in the other Alp resorts, Les Menuires is uncrowded and unclouded. And, with a slight lower elevation than Val Thorens, Les Menuires' 1,850 meters of altitude suddenly becomes more attractive. Les Menuires is known for the bright smiles of the residence and the sunny rays of the open slopes.
Almost everywhere you decide to stay in Les Menuires-from chalets to apartments-is right on a piste. Though you may pay hundreds of dollars less than the expensive cottages, for instance, this doesn't mean that your ski accessibility will be worse. Since the resort was built with skiing (and skiing access) in mind, you'll have just as much access staying in one of the many cheaper lodging quarters. The lifts stay open during the high season until 11 o'clock. You can ride the free shuttles to and fro to all the apres ski venues.
The Les Menuires tourist's center is where to pick up short- or long-term ski passes. You can buy the Trois Vallees ski pass here too. This enables you to ride the hundreds of lifts this ski area has to offer. You'll be able to walk along the boardwalks and window shop or jump on a bus to another destination.
Les Menuires French ski resort offers some high times. Specifically, the resort proper starts at 1815 meters. There are longer, straighter runs elsewhere, but you'll have one 5 km ride with the highest lift reaching over 3200 meters. This elevation range provides skiers with 600 total kilometers of pistes throughout the Three Valleys. If you are a newbie to the whole snow scene, the ESF (Ecole du Ski Francais) has more than 200 ski instructors. The ESF professionals range from mountain guides to snowboard instructors to kid's teachers. The whole family, no matter individual skill level, can take a course or two with this renowned ski school. Les Menuires only has one snowboard park. However, it's big enough to provide ample space to all types of riders. You won't feel like your skills are unimportant as you'll have plenty of snow and non-snow covered obstacles. Skiers, on the other hand, will never have to worry. Even if Mother Nature doesn't agree that your holiday needs fresh snow, the whole area has over 400 snow makers in the Belleville ski area. The whole valley has near 1500 in all. A little over 40% of the slopes are layered in artificial snow.
Intermediate skiers will have the most pistes choices, as there are almost 150 runs. Coming in a close second, beginners will have access to over 100 runs. If you're truly an advanced skier, you might be let down to know that there's only 28 advanced runs. However, these runs are considered quite a challenge and may send you back humbled and sorer than ever before. With all the slopes and lifts, Les Menuires (in all the valleys) can handle almost 250,000 people per hour. Les Menuires itself has an uphill capacity of 50,000 skiers/boarders with 5,600 ha of landmass.
Aside from skiing, Les Menuires has all the amenities of any good ski resort in the world. In fact, with the Trois Vallees, there's more to do on the apres ski itinerary than can possibly be done in a couple weeks. You'll have cinemas, pubs, restaurants, discos, cafes, bars and all the gregarious nightlife. Additionally, you'll have access to all the other activities found anywhere else: from tobogganing to snowshoeing to cross-country skiing to indoor fitness center, pools, saunas, and ice skating rinks.
From a ski resort, the skiers expect a host of varied activities aside from skiing. The new ski resort of Les 2 Alpes provides a tradition of providing a wide choice of adventures to fill such needs. All that a visitor desires is available for their convenience selection, from mountain biking to rock climbing, from cross-country skiing to paragliding, and from swimming to rafting.
Mountain biking at the new ski resort of Les 2 Alpes can be as sedate as following marked trails or can be as thrilling as winning the annual competition. And if biking happens to be a spur-of-the-moment decision, the visitors can find numerous rental shops that provide a variety of bikes and equipment. Rock climbing in the new ski resort of Les 2 Alpes is primarily a summer activity. But the definition of rock climbing is not the scaling of an indoor wall, in which the thrill of the open space is absent. The rock climbers can go to a street named Avenue de la Muzelle where a gigantic artificial wall rises above many buildings.
At the new ski resort of Les 2 Alpes, cross-country skiing is considered as a gentler alternative to alpine skiing. Thus, the whole area has numerous ski trails and skating areas that will be beneficial to the cross-country skiers. Paragliding, however, could not be considered as gentle, despite the gracefulness of the gliders as they move across the sky. The gliders take off from a high location and glides down through the air, taking advantage of the air friction caused by the parachute. Note that people who are new to paragliding must fly in tandem with instructors, but people who have the license and the training may also fly by themselves.
Swimming in the new ski resort of Les 2 Alpes can be done either indoors or outdoors, and the ski resort has four swimming facilities to choose from. Should the visitors desire a closer commune with nature, there is nothing and no one who will stop them from taking advantage of the clear fresh waters of the nearby mountain lakes. For rafting, the visitors can hire the services of any company that offers a white water adventure. Such adventures usually occur in the Veneon River.
A tradition of service
From a ski resort, the skiers expect services and facilities that will meet the needs of a family on vacation. The new ski resort of Les 2 Alpes provides a tradition of impeccable customer service, including the provision of activities that are suitable for children. Babysitting services are also provided, as long as the visitors book in advance, indicating the need for a babysitter. The French laws do require the childcare services companies to obtain the clients present medical records.
As for skiing, families enjoy discounts, especially with the lifts. Children who are younger than 5 years old will have a free pass. Children who are older than 5 years old but younger than 13 years old will have discounted lift passes and families who have more than 2 children are also entitled to more discounts.
Both Robert D. Thomson & Gen Wright are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Robert D. Thomson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Dog Care, Real Estate and Dental Practice. O.B.S. company is currently working on France skiing project, . It represents. Robert D. Thomson's top article generates over 2240000 views. to your Favourites.
Gen Wright has sinced written about articles on various topics from Terrier Dogs, Acne Treatment and Lose Weight. O.B.S. company is currently working on France skiing project, . It represents. Gen Wright's top article generates over 1220000 views. to your Favourites.