Dreampists in the French Alps
When skiing becomes a show run: Christine Bredow tested the winter paradise of Trois Vallées, where celebrities like ordinary people enjoy parties and powder snow until May.
Party on the slopes: The best free time adventure in Trois Vallées in the gallery!
(12 pictures)
"Christine, look for the Dahu!", Ski instructor Julien advises me on the first day in the gondola. "He is 1.20 meters tall and a mix of chamois, cow and St. Bernard, his fur is brown, his legs are shorter on one side than on the other, so he can go on steep mountain slopes." Very funny - sounds like one Relative of our Bavarian Wolpertinger. "You never know where and when he turns up, " whispers Julien conspiratorially, "but if he looks at you with his black eyes, a great wish will come true." Ui, maybe the mythical creature is already waiting at the mountain station! At the 3, 200 meter high Cime de Caron I do not find a dahu, but a breathtaking panorama. Hundreds of French, Swiss and Italian peaks tower majestically in all directions, overflowing with fresh fresh snow. Down in the valley lies Val Thorens. The ski resort is part of the network Les Trois Vallées, the three valleys. They are called Saint Bon-Courchevel, Méribel-les-Allues and Belleville and together form the largest ski area in the world. It stretches over 16 villages, 400 square kilometers and 334 slopes. A paradise for skiers and boarders of every level.
The next days I take turns gliding over untouched freeride slopes and the most beautiful marked downhill runs. There are four difficulty levels: green, blue, red and black, from baby mountain to professional piste. My favorites are the steep "Combe de Caron" (because of the view) and "Cascades", a challenging humpback slope. By the way, I feast on the huts through the hearty Savoyard specialties, preferably in the "Chalet de Caron" on the sunniest terrace of the region. What is there? Especially cheese, as raclette or fondue, with ham and salami. Noble food is served down in the village, for example in "L'Épicurien". The restaurant offers a mix of French classics such as foie gras and exotic dishes from around the world, from sushi to tortillas. Après-ski is also on offer. Ideal: All locations in the car-free Val Thorens are within easy walking distance. As a warm-up, you can meet for a beer while bowling (8.50 Euro per person), followed by bar-hopping: tequila in "El Gringo's Café", XL-cocktails in the dance-bar "Le Monde", and the small "Rhum 'Box" lures with 36 different types of rum (for example, chocolate or mango). A lot of sports are going to be dancing afterwards: In Malaysia, live bands provide a party mood until sunrise every day. If you can not get off the piste the next day, you can go snowshoeing or take a toboggan run "Le Toboggan" Dare: Six kilometers long, in places ultras part and with tight turns. A lot of fun, because if you brake badly, you fly out of the bend and land in the soft snow!
From Val Thorens I'm on the piste to Les Menuires. The neighboring village ten kilometers away is a little lower at 1, 850 meters and is perfect when it's too windy or too cold. Les Menuires is a typical drawing board ski resort from the 60s, with affordable apartment facilities, optimal infrastructure and direct access to the slopes without queues. The latest highlight is the snow park: Here you can practice as the pros slalom, jumps and moguls. But also for non-skiers there is a wide range: tobogganing on rubber tires, a dog sled tour or snow buggy cruises.Party on the slopes: The best free-time adventures in Trois Vallées in the gallery! (12 pictures) A special experience is the dinner in "La Bouitte". The chefs René and Maxime Meilleur are masters of molecular gastronomy. That is, they change and mix ingredients so that the original form is barely recognizable. As a result, there are then green tomato water in the test tube, apple caviar with flowers on the tongue, and sweet potato ice cream. For the bold creations, the restaurant was awarded last year with a second "Michelin" star (menu from 52 euros). Tip: the best place to stay right there, because the wine is also quite delicious.
My third stop, 44 kilometers away, is the celebrity hotspot of the Trois Vallées: Courchevel. This is where the Beckhams and Beyoncé, Uma Thurman carves and - just sit in the lift with him once! - George Clooney. You travel by helicopter and stay in luxury hotels like "Le Saint Roch" or "Les Airelles" (double room / half board from 1, 100 Euro). In the huts top DJs put on, to sip champagne and oysters. Just as important as skiing is shopping. Must-haves of the season: Lacroix's "Courchevel" ski (I tested: I've never come down so well), Valentino red evening gowns and "Princess Victoire" party outfits (also worn by Madonna and J. Lo). This is also the "ticket" for Les Caves, the top celebrity disco. You should definitely go there, because some guests say they have seen a strange animal leaving the club. With big black eyes. But that may also have been due to the champagne. Around the world in 14 days The most beautiful love hotels The best outfits for the slopes on COSMOPOLITAN Online
