The Three Valley Challenge is exactly what it sounds like: an ambitious day skiing across the Three Valleys, taking in Courchevel, Méribel and the Belleville Valley before making it back before the lifts close. It began as an informal challenge among ski hosts and eventually inspired an official version known as the Escapade.
Prior to 2005, seasonnaires (ski resort workers) would ski with their guests as a ‘ski host’, showing them the best slopes and restaurants so the guests could relax and enjoy the mountains without having to look at piste maps every few runs. It was a much-coveted job – who wouldn’t want to get paid to ski every day? In the Three Valleys, and particularly if based in La Tania, they would propose a whirlwind tour of the Three Valleys as a fun challenge (and in a bid to increase their end of week tips of course)! The goal: ski the whole of the Three Valleys in one day!
The lift companies picked up on the challenge and developed an official version called the ‘Escapade’ and devised 14 points across the valleys where you had to get a card stamped to prove you’d made it. You were awarded a certificate and badge if you hit all 14 points. Unfortunately, it’s no longer promoted by the lift companies but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible if you’re up for the challenge!
The original Escapade involved 30 lifts, around 13,000m of vertical and approximately 70km of skiing. By 2016, it had grown to 34 lifts, around 17,000m of vertical and approximately 80km of skiing – around 140km total distance when the lifts are included. With the newer, longer, faster lifts it’s back down to 30 lifts, phew! Although the route traditionally starts from La Tania where it all began, depending on where you are staying and if you are close enough to one of the points on the map, it can still be done. So get your skis waxed, have an early night, get first lifts at 9am, be prepared for it to take 7-8 hours, pack sandwiches to eat on a lift, plenty of water and why not give it a go if you’re feeling brave enough?!
Here’s the suggested Route Starting From La Tania:
Updated for 2026
Take the La Tania Gondola then ski to the Dou Des Lanches lift at the top of which ski down Pic Bleu, Blanchot and Lapin to the Golf lift in Meribel Village. Take the Rope Tow from top of Golf, ski down Foret and Doron to take the Legends lift in Meribel Centre. Ski the green under Caves and Gelinotte to take the Olympic lift to the Roc de Fer summit. Ski down Verdet, Jerusalem and Biolley into St Martin de Belleville to take the St Martin 1 lift then the St Martin Express lift.
From there ski down Gros Tougne, Violette and Bettex into Bettex to take the Bettex lift. Ski Violette and take Tortollet then follow the green to the Pointe de la Masse gondola. A fab ski down via Bouquetin, Longet and Les Enverse to take the Reberty lift back over into Les Menuires. A short ski and take Bruyères 1 and Bruyères 2 gondolas then down into Val Thorens via Pluviometre to the Funitel Peclet gondola. Ski the wonderful Christine to Portette then take the Thorens cable car (or take Moraine and the new Face Nord).
Ski down the cruisey Lory to take Peyron and Bouchet lifts then ski down the aptly names runs Bouchet and Peyron to Orelle and take the Orelle Caron cable car back to Cime Caron and VT. Ski all the way down Cime then Fonds, cross through and take the Pionniers lift then the 3 Vallées chair. then pass over the Folie Douce then from the top ski down Lac de la Chambre to the Mont Vallon gondola. At the summit ski the longest run in Meribel, the Combe du Vallon, then follow the Ours track into Mottaret where you take Pas du Lac 1 & 2 gondolas to Saulire.
Ski Creux to take the Chanrossa chair, ski Roc Merlet, Plan Mugnier and Bel Air to take Chapelets. Ski Ariondaz and Marquis to take the Ariondaz lift, then ski Petites Bosses to the Aiguille du Fruit lift. Ski Altiport and stick to the right under Altiport then Cospilot lifts down to Grandes Combs lift. From there ski down to Courchevel Village 1550 and take Tovets lift. From the top, ski the green then Amoureux down to Courchevel Le Praz and take the Foret lift.
For the final leg, ski Bouc Blanc then Moretta back into La Tania.
Watch the original Three Valley Challenge route on YouTube.
A Few Important Points Before You Try It
Always control your speed and ski within your ability. The Three Valley Challenge is not a race and should only be attempted in suitable weather and snow conditions. Follow the skiers’ and snowboarders’ code, observe piste signs and closures and follow any instructions from pisteurs. Allow plenty of time to reach your final lift connection – missing it could leave you a very long way from where you started.
Ready to Discover the Three Valleys?
If you’re planning your next ski holiday in The Three Valleys, 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.
