St Martin de Belleville

St Martin de Belleville ski area

Saint-Martin-de-Belleville is part of the large ‘Les 3 Vallées’ ski area, which many skiers rightly regard as the greatest intermediate ski-playground in the world! This impressive lift-linked ski area is formed of 8 ski resorts:

• Val Thorens
• Orelle
• Les Menuires
• Saint Martin de Belleville
• Meribel
• Brides-les-Bains
• Courchevel
• La Tania

Saint-Martin-de-Belleville is an ideal base for quick access to the largest ski area in the world and its 600km of runs of Les 3 Vallées. Taking the high-speed eight-person gondola from the centre of the village and just one fast quad modern chairlift, you can be at the top of the 'Tougnete' ridge in less than 15 minutes. From there enjoy the amazing panoramic views and decide whether to ski down to Meribel, Mottaret, Les Menuires or Saint-Martin taking the choice of runs best suited to your level. You can then carry on easily towards Val Thorens or Courchevel.

The 3 Valleys benefit from excellent snow coverage - the minimum altitude level for skiing is 1,300m and the maximum is 3,230m. This means that a huge 85% of the ski area is located above 1800m. 

St-Martin-de-Belleville is a little Alpine village linked to the large 3 Valleys ski area so you get the best of both worlds. The ski area is blessed with lightly wooded slopes unlike the ski resort of Val Thorens. There are fast lifts too that get you to the slopes of Les Menuires and Meribel.

Additional ski fact info, main ski info in resort facts box at top of page (24/25):

Half the size of the 3 Valleys pass, the Belleville area covers Val Thorens, Orelle, Les Menuires, St Martin de Belleville only - 300km of pistes

Les Menuires/Saint Martin local area - 160km of pistes, 87slopes:

Green slopes: 13
Blue slopes: 41
Red slopes: 24
Black slopes: 9

St Martin skiing info

Beginners
Beginners can start on the nursery slope from the centre of St-Martin-de-Belleville village and then progress to easy blue runs from the top of ‘Tougnete’ and explore the rest of the Three Valleys. There are five free beginners’ lifts in the valley.

Intermediates
Intermediates will find endless opportunities to explore the whole 3 Valleys and St-Martin-de Belleville. The 3 Valleys have extensive intermediate slopes with big lift networks. Locally, at Les Menuires, the slopes above the village on the west-facing side have lots to offer and are all pretty much blue and red runs.

Advanced, off-piste & ski touring
Advanced skiers and boarders won’t feel left out with a choice of moguls, steep runs or off-piste in just about every corner of the ski area. The Orelle area above Val Thorens is particularly worth a try. Head to the upper slopes of La Masse for steeper slopes. It also has some of the best snow in the 3 Valleys. There are a huge amount of snowmaking runs within the 3 Valleys.

Enjoy a non-groomed area! It’s now possible to enjoy safe powder skiing on ungroomed pistes in Les Menuires. Thanks to the various “Nature Zones” created in the ski area, families, friends, expert or learner riders can enjoy an area reserved for safe off-piste skiing! 100% natural, 100% pleasure!

You can enjoy the thrill of off-piste skiing in the safety of one of the three 'Liberty Ride' zones which have been created across the ski area. These non-groomed slopes are perfect for leaving your own tracks in the powder:

• La Masse which is accessible via the Masse 2 gondola
• La Riondaz which is accessible via the Saint-Martin 2 chairlift
• Les Pylônes which is accessible via the Sunny Express chairlift

Mountain fun zones

Boukty cross:
Set off on the 2 boardercrosses and you can leave with a video souvenir!
Big boarder:
For those who love speed, a ‘red’ boardercross with raised bends, bumps and whoops!
Lm Park:
Suitable for all levels, the bumps, rails and features are ready and waiting! Access via the Becca chairlift and the Sunny Express chairlift for the 2nd zone.
Walibi gliss:
The perfect cocktail to delight both the young and not so young: blue slalom, boardercross, musical zone and a play and picnic area where you can do a champion’s photo shoot! Access via the La Masse 1 Gondola and the Rocher Noir chairlift.
Mini kl:
Calling all snow sports fans, beginners to experts. Come and measure your speed. Top of the Pâturages piste. Access via the Sunny Express chairlift or the Les Bruyères 2 gondola.
Speed Mountain:
Twists banked turns and hair-raising descents. From 8€ / run every day from 1pm to 8pm.

Nordic skiing

There is 28km of marked out cross country tracks which can be used free of charge. Warning: walkers are forbidden to use these tracks; there are other paths specifically for pedestrians. A map indicating all the itineraries is available in the Tourist Office.

St Martin de Belleville ski hire & lift passes (pre-bookable)

Pre-book your 6 day+ St Martin ski hire and/or St Martin lift pass with Peak Retreats.

To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.

Other lift passes are available to buy in the resort such as half or full-day passes (for those who only wish to ski the odd day) or one-use lift passes for pedestrians. Some resorts also offer specific beginner area passes and cross country passes.

St Martin de Belleville group ski school (pre-bookable)

Ski school for children is available to book from 3 years to 12 years in St Martin de Belleville with Peak Retreats. Children can learn to snowboard from 8 years+. 

To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.

St Martin de Belleville private lessons (not pre-bookable)

Private lessons with an instructor can only be arranged directly with the ESF ski school. Peak Retreats cannot pre-book these. Private lessons are usually around €40-60 per hour (depending on resort, time of day and period) and becomes cheaper the more hours you take and the more people you have to share the hours with i.e with family members or friends. Some resorts insist on a minimum of 3 sessions to be booked at once.

Contact ESF St Martin de Belleville for private lessons - 0033 4 79 00 24 78

St Martin de Belleville childcare (not pre-bookable)

Childcare from 31 months-4 years (non-skiers)

Your child can enjoy the following in a safe and fun area:

• Snowshoeing
• Sledging
• Snow Games
• Orientation Course
• Learn about nature and the mountain environment
• Indoor games
• Snacks are provided
• The centre is approved by the PMI and the Departmental Directorate of Youth and Sport.

Please contact the ESF club direct as we cannot pre-book this kids club - 0033 4 79 00 61 43.

It is advisable to book before you go and in good time as spaces get filled quickly, especially in Peak times. A childhood vaccination record will be needed. 

Babysitters (not pre-bookable)

A list of babysitters is available from the tourist office.

Top snow activities to experience in St Martin de Belleville

Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website.

Igloo experience
15 minutes of snowshoeing to reach base camp, where everyone gets stuck into building an igloo. Every Wednesday.

Snowshoeing
ESF instructors accompany snowshoe trips.

Boukty snow camp
By the Pelvoux 2 fun areas to play in the snow. Snowball fight, hide and seek in an igloo, sledging, Photocall. Suitable from 3 yrs. Free of charge but children are under the responsibility of their parents or carers.

Roc'n'bob
The ROC'N'BOB is a 4km snow-covered toboggan run! Find your inner child, have a go at the nocturnal descents, and enjoy the 22 turns down this toboggan run. From Sunday to Friday.

Dog sleigh rides
For Nordic thrills, all ages can set off with Dany and his team of sledge-dogs, for a 30 minutes introduction or a one-hour excursion, including a visit to the Moulin de Burdin historical windmill. Or why not experience the thrill of a dog-sledging ride at night?

Sledging areas
Les Bruyères Sledging area:
Accessible from Les Bruyères magic carpet. Open to children over 6yrs, accompanied by an adult.
"Be My Guest" Sledging area:
Fun and laughter are what it’s all about... Kids and adults, on your own or with your family... Come and enjoy the new toboggan area that has been created at the foot of the slopes in Saint Martin Les Grangeraies, by the cable car.

Roc'n'bike
‘Fat Biking’ on snow. For further information inquire at the ticket office and book the day before. 35€ for 2 descents. Wednesday to Friday mornings. Equipment provided: bike + body armour.

Walks on foot & snowshoes
The Vallée des Belleville offers walkers a preserved nature, perfect for walks or snowshoe outings. Thanks to the snow packed and marked out paths, walkers can wind their way along the valley and discover its rich and authentic natural setting.

Guided snowshoes outings
The ESF state qualified instructors organise half-day outings from Sunday to Friday. From 30€ (half-day) with transport and snowshoes. Booking in the E.S.F. Offices.

Speed mountain toboggan
Discover the new speed mountain toboggan run solo or with a child. This over 1,000 meter-long run with series of twists and turns is great for the family. Make sure you smile on the way down and take home a souvenir photo, available at the speed mountain shop. 

Top activities to experience in St Martin de Belleville

Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website.

'La Bellevie' wellness centre
Opened for season 24/25, thanks to a €17 million investment. This peaceful haven has an indoor pool, a sauna, hot tub, all designed with energy efficiency in mind. It will be a fantastic edition to St Martin de Belleville!

La Belle Vie offers three pools:
an indoor fun pool with waterfalls and jets, a 20m outdoor pool (in summer only), and a 34°C indoor/outdoor pool (adult-only) accessible all year round. Salt or herbal saunas, steam rooms as well as massage rooms and a relaxation room. The panoramic Finnish sauna made entirely of glass and the cold water well open to the mountains are sure to be favorites... a Club House will offer healthy lunch possibilities.

Les Bruyères merry-go-round
For children over 2 yrs. Open daily. Tokens sold on-site.

Fun Park
Open every day. Fun and laughter! Trampolines, different structures, Rope Bridge, etc.: will the kids have enough energy to try it all?!

Children’s shows
From 3 years. Free snack for children. See details in the entertainment programme.

Storytime in Saint Martin’s Museum
‘Clarine, la petite tarine' Sit back and listen to the adventures of Clarine the little cow and learn about life in the mountains in the fifties: winters in the warmth of the stable, summers in the vast mountain pastures. A step back in time, suitable for children aged 3-10 yrs. (in French only).

Paragliding and ULM
Fly over La Vallée des Belleville with a paraglider for a marvellous souvenir of your holiday.

Trapper evening
This outing combines a torch-lit snowshoe outing with dinner in the authentic and welcoming setting of a farm or mountain pasture chalet. 8 participants minimum. Wednesday and Thursday. Booking 48 hours before. From 12 years old.

Gondola or chairlift outings
Certain ski lifts are open to pedestrian or snowshoe users, giving access to the altitude paths or simply to the exceptional views of the mountain peaks. Walkers can also access the resorts of Méribel and Courchevel (allow 2h30 to access Courchevel). Pedestrian tickets are on sale at the ski pass offices.

Yoga
A yoga session is suitable for all. Specially adapted to skiing and preparing your body, it also helps you to gain an inner calm and grow in confidence on the slopes as well as learning to relax your muscles after exercise and recover for the next day. Every Tuesday from 5.30pm. Sign up at the Tourist Office or at the beginning of the lesson.

Exercise in the water
Aqua bike, aqua gym, aqua training ...  Alone or with friends; it's energetic, friendly and adapted to your needs. Don’t forget to book!

Museum of Nature and the Black Bee
Learn about the history of the protected black bee that are widespread throughout the Tarentaise valley. Visit the hives to learn more about the species from beekeeper Kléber Silvestre and try the local honey that is harvested with care (no treatment or sugar added). 

La Trantsa
Visit the Martin family farm for a taste of some of their sublime goat’s cheese, find out more about how it’s made and bring back cheese, yoghurts and even wildflower syrups.

Saint Martin de Belleville après-ski, restaurants & bars

15 Bars, pub, restaurants (4 restaurants on the slopes), Auberge Farm in Le Châtelard, 22 shops.

But also in Les Menuires: Sports Centre, swimming pools, toboggan Roc'n Bob (4 km), cinemas, nightclubs, attractions, restaurants taverns, snowmobile ride, relax or dine in the yurts of Belleville.

Amenities

Saint Martin de Belleville is served by a range of amenities including: post office, mini supermarkets, bank, chemist, laundrette, hairdresser and garage.

Getting to Saint Martin de Belleville, France

By road:
Driving distance from Calais to St Martin is 587 miles (8hrs 30).

A26 via Reims, Dijon, A6 Maçon to Lyon then A43/A430 to Albertville. Take the D915A following signs for St Martin de Belleville.

By rail & air:
Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras (or Ashford, Kent). See our train services page for more information as we can pre-book the trains for you. The nearest train station to Saint Martin de Belleville is roughly 27km away in Moutiers. 

4 international airports are nearby, see our flying page for information on airlines. We don't book flights, we invite you to do your own research.

Geneva Airport to St Martin is roughly 181km, approx. 2hrs
Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc Airport to St Martin is roughly 101km, approx. 1hr 15 mins
Grenoble Alpes Isere Airport to St Martin is roughly 174km, approx. 2hrs
Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport to St Martin is roughly 181km, approx. 2hrs

Private taxi transfers:
Private taxi transfers from airports and train stations are pre-bookable with Peak Retreats. See our airport & station transfers page for more information.

Bus transfers:
Altibus/Bens Bus/Snow bus (and the likes of) offer shared bus transfers from some French/Swiss airports and SNCF train stations to ski resorts. We don't book these (or have any affiliation with them), we invite you to do your own research.

Resort shuttle bus:
The villages of Saint Martin de Belleville, le Bettaix and le Levassaix are linked to the ski area via pistes and ski lifts. A free shuttle connects Villarabout, Saint Marcel, les Granges and Praranger with Les Menuires and Saint Martin. This runs Sun-Fri.

From Sunday to Friday, free shuttle buses link certain villages to the resorts of Les Menuires and Saint Martin.

St Martin de Belleville Opening Dates

See resort opening information