Ever wondered if you can ski from Courchevel all the way to Val Thorens in one epic swoop? Thanks to the vast 3 Vallées lift system, it’s definitely on the cards—no ski-unclipping required. All you really need is a solid plan to make the most of the route, ensuring you take in stunning scenery and get a workout in. Below, we’ll show you exactly how to tackle this ski adventure, from start to finish. And if you’re looking for the best ski route, check out the best ski jackets and the best ski pants and ensure you’re getting the best of everything.
Courchevel to Val Thorens route
Courchevel and Val Thorens may be on opposite ends of the 3 Vallées, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get from one to the other. From Courchevel proper, you’ll want to take the Verdons gondola and then the Saulire gondola up to the Saulire high point at 2,740 m. From there, keep left and aim for Niverolle, followed by Aigle, which will deliver you into Méribel-Mottaret. Next, catch the Plattières gondola and link across to the Côte Brune chairlift, giving you access to the Col de la Chambre high point.
From there, bear left once more and head for Mont de la Chambre, staying left past the rest stop to enter Val Thorens resort. For the return journey, you’ll want to take either the VT2 Pionniers or VT3 Plein Sud chairs, then connect with the 3 Vallées VT4 gondola. These link you to the Lac de la Chambre trail, which feeds into Ours and leads down to Méribel-Mottaret. From there, the mighty Pas de Lac gondola will take you back up to Saulire, where you can drop straight into the Courchevel valley.
Courchevel Village route
If you’re staying in Courchevel Village, it’s a bit trickier to reach Val Thorens, but it’s still doable. First, take the Verdons gondola, then the Saulire gondola up to the Saulire high point. From there, follow the same route mentioned above. But if you lose track and end up below Méribel-Mottaret, dropping into Méribel Centre at 1,450 m, you can still make your way over to Val Thorens.
Hop on Tougnète 1 and Tougnète 2 to reach Tougnète, then ski down Gros Tougne until you connect with Violette, and bear left. Catch the Stade and Becca lifts up to the Bd du Sunny (a blue run), then follow it down to either the Bruyères or Mont de la Chambre lifts. Both will whisk you up to the Col de la Chambre high point, placing you right above Val Thorens.
Other routes and runs to check out
Going the most efficient route may help you cover ground, but you’ll miss out on some fun pistes. On the Val Thorens side, it’s definitely worth riding the VT33 Cime Caron cable car up to the Cime Caron lookout at 3,200 m. This spot delivers some of the best views in the entire resort and grants access to both Cime and Col de l’Audzin—two of the longest, most thrilling runs on the mountain. If you’re venturing around here, also consider a detour to the Pointe de la Masse high point and its freeride zone. You can reach it via the Pointe de la Masse gondola, then tackle Fred Covili or Bouquetin for a seriously fun descent.
From the Col de la Chambre, we recommend hopping off the Lac de la Chambre piste on your way down to Méribel to catch the Mont Vallon gondola up to the 2,952 m summit. From there, Combe de Vallon and Campagnol both offer epic descents with plenty of off-piste opportunities. If you need a breather, cruise down the awesome Creux piste. While you’re in the area, we also suggest taking the Chanrossa lift to experience the Jean Pachod run and soak in the panoramic views from the Col de Chanrossa at 2,540 m before returning to town for some well-deserved après!
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