St Martin de Belleville, the gem of the 3 Valleys, is a traditional Savoyard village that has retained its traditional charm whilst providing access to the facilities and infrastructure of the world's largest ski area. Located at the gateway to Les Trois Vallees, it nestles below the more starkly modern resorts of Les Menuires and Val Thorens but is directly linked into 600km of well groomed and infinitely varied piste by a modern, swift and efficient lift system.
The beauty of St Martin is that you stay in an unspoilt alpine village and ski in the largest ski area in the world - a perfect combination. A fast gondola, followed by the express chairlift, swiftly takes you to the Tougnette ridge, from which you can directly access the slopes of the four resorts of St Martin, Meribel, Mottaret and Les Menuires. With another lift ascent, you can easily reach the slopes of Val Thorens and Courchevel.
The local slopes are pleasant blues and reds, mainly of interest to intermediates - including the famous Jerusalem run: a fantastic long, rolling, wide red. The Verdent blue from the top of the Meribel lifts is a wonderful easy cruise with great views and is usually very quiet. For experts the local area offers large areas of gentle and often deserted off-piste, whilst for beginners there's a nursery slope. There is snowmaking from top to bottom of the main run to the village which is impressively effective at keeping the run open.
Les Trois Vallées constitutes what many skiers rightly regard as the greatest intermediate playground in the world: a seemingly endless network of moderately graded runs that provide a challenge to all levels of skier. The Combe de Vallon is a magnificent cruise of 1,100m vertically from the top of Mont du Vallon all the way down to Meribel Mottaret. The ski area is inexhaustible, with 600km of beautifully groomed runs to suit all abilities, as well as bumps, steeps, or amazing off piste terrain - the perfect choice for mixed ability parties & families.
Find out more about St Martin de Belleville at www.st-martin-belleville.com
The Apres Ski
St Martin de Belleville is also an 'in demand' destination for many of the skiers from Courchevel and Meribel, which explains the number of exceptionally good restaurants, including the Michelin starred La Bouitte - one of the best restaurants in the Three Valleys. The village also boasts three Michelin listed restaurants; Le Montagnard - serving a fabulous Savoyard menu in an atmospheric converted hayloft, Étoile des Neiges - a smart, traditional restaurant. Le Grenier, in the Hotel St Martin, is great for an expensive lunch. Four good value restaurants, including the high quality La Voûte serve everything from salads, to pizzas to fondues ensuring there is something to suit all pockets.
There are several bars, both near the apartment and in the old village centre, regular live music, and a good selection of shops and boutiques, including small supermarkets, pharmacy, bank and a range of ski hire shops.