When people think of the Three Valleys, names like Méribel, Courchevel and Val Thorens often spring to mind. Yet at the foot of the Belleville Valley lies a village that many returning skiers describe as their favourite of them all – including me. After more than 20 years in the Alps, I’m proud to call St Martin de Belleville my winter home away from home and I love it!
St Martin de Belleville combines traditional Savoyard charm, exceptional skiing and understated luxury, while still feeling like a genuine mountain village. Here, centuries-old stone buildings, traditional wooden chalets and a welcoming village atmosphere combine with direct access to the largest linked ski area in the world. It’s a place where you can spend the morning skiing above 3,000 metres, enjoy a leisurely lunch on a sunny mountain terrace and return to a peaceful village that still feels wonderfully French. If you’re looking for outstanding skiing without sacrificing character, St Martin de Belleville could be exactly what you’re looking for.
A Traditional Alpine Village
Unlike some purpose-built ski resorts, St Martin has grown naturally over hundreds of years. The village has retained its traditional Savoyard architecture, with narrow streets, a beautiful church topped by its distinctive bell tower and a collection of historic farmhouses that have been carefully restored into elegant chalets, boutique hotels and welcoming restaurants. Despite its popularity, St Martin has never lost its identity. It remains a genuine working mountain village where locals live year-round, helping St Martin retain the atmosphere of a genuine year-round mountain village.
Exceptional Skiing on Your Doorstep
One of St Martin’s greatest strengths is its location. The modern gondola and chairlifts whisk you directly into the heart of the Three Valleys, giving you direct access to around 600km of pistes linking Méribel, Courchevel, Les Menuires and Val Thorens. Beginners will find nursery slopes close to the village and confidence-building green and blue runs nearby, while intermediate skiers are spoilt for choice with wide, beautifully groomed reds and blues stretching across the valley.
Advanced skiers have an enormous area to explore. Challenge yourself on the steep descents around La Masse, explore the vast open bowls of Val Thorens or spend the day discovering hidden corners of Courchevel before skiing back to St Martin in time for après-ski. The beauty of staying here is that you’re perfectly placed to explore the entire Three Valleys while returning each evening to a quieter, more relaxed village.
Excellent Food, From Mountain Restaurants to Michelin Stars
St Martin has earned a reputation as one of the finest dining destinations in the French Alps. Whether you’re looking for a cosy mountain restaurant serving traditional Savoyard favourites or an elegant fine dining experience, the village offers an exceptional choice. Local specialities such as fondue, raclette, tartiflette and croziflette feature on many menus, alongside beautifully prepared French cuisine showcasing regional ingredients.
The village is also home to several outstanding restaurants, including the Michelin-starred La Bouitte, where chefs René and Maxime Meilleur have helped put St Martin firmly on the gastronomic map. Even if a Michelin-star meal isn’t on your itinerary, the influence of quality local produce can be found throughout the village’s cafés, bistros and restaurants. After a day on the slopes, few things are better than enjoying a leisurely meal accompanied by a glass of Savoie wine while watching the last light disappear behind the mountains.
Mountain Restaurants Worth Visiting
The skiing around St Martin is complemented by a fantastic selection of mountain restaurants such as Le Loy, Maya and Le Corbeleys, making lunch one of the highlights of the day. Whether you’re stopping for a quick plate of pasta, a generous tartiflette on a sunny terrace or a long, relaxed lunch with panoramic views, there’s something to suit every taste. You could easily eat at a different mountain restaurant each day, discovering hidden terraces and spectacular viewpoints across the Three Valleys. Booking is almost essential these days, as is having a slightly bigger budget in mind, but it’s worth it!
Après-Ski Without the Crowds
If your idea of après-ski involves champagne showers and dancing in ski boots, St Martin may not be the place for you. Instead, the village offers a more relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere. Enjoy a drink beside a roaring fire, sample local wines, settle into a cosy cocktail bar or simply wander through the beautifully lit village after dinner. It’s a style of après-ski that perfectly matches the character of St Martin —welcoming, authentic and wonderfully unhurried.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t any dancing in ski boots! There are still plenty of places for a livelier evening too. The Lodji has DJs playing on the outside terrace at the bottom of the slopes, while for later evening entertainment, the Pourqoui Pas (the Why Not? or P Bar as it’s known locally) has live music twice a week and a very popular English quiz night on Tuesdays (so popular you need to book your spot). Lastly, L’Art B, known as the French bar, also hosts live music and offers an array of unique shots, though it’s wise to steer clear of the notorious Onion shot!
More Than Just Skiing
There’s plenty to enjoy away from the pistes too. Treat yourself to a relaxing afternoon at La Belle Vie, the village wellness centre, where indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, steam rooms and spa treatments provide the perfect antidote to tired ski legs. You can also explore scenic winter walking trails along the Doron river, enjoy snowshoe excursions, discover local artisan shops or simply spend time soaking up the peaceful atmosphere that makes St Martin so special. That also makes St Martin a particularly good option for non-skiers.
Perfect for Families
St Martin is an excellent choice for families looking for a relaxed ski holiday. The village is compact and easy to explore on foot, meaning many chalets and apartments are within walking distance of the ski lifts, ski school and village centre. The quieter atmosphere, excellent beginner slopes and family-friendly restaurants make it particularly appealing for those travelling with younger children, while teenagers and stronger skiers can still enjoy the vast terrain of the Three Valleys. It’s the perfect combination of convenience and authenticity.
What Makes St Martin Special to Me
Every resort has its own personality, but St Martin offers something that’s becoming increasingly difficult to find—a genuine Alpine village with direct access to world-class skiing. There’s no need to choose between character and convenience, here, you have both. Whether you’re enjoying freshly baked pastries from the local bakery, taking the first lift into the Three Valleys, lingering over lunch on a sunny mountain terrace or relaxing in the outdoor pool at La Belle Vie as snow falls around you, St Martin creates the kind of holiday memories that stay with you long after you’ve returned home.
Planning a Ski Holiday to St Martin de Belleville?
Whether you’re looking for a catered chalet, a self-catered apartment or something special for a group of friends or family, I can help you find the right accommodation in St Martin. I can also help with airport transfers, lift passes, equipment hire, ski lessons and other extras, making it easier to organise everything before you travel.
If you’re thinking of planning your next ski holiday in St Martin, I’d love to help you find the right chalet for you. Get in touch and let me help you create a holiday that you will absolutely love.
