What Les 3 Vallées does

Les 3 Vallées is a French non-profit association founded in 1984 and headquartered in Moûtiers, Savoie, that operates as a coordinating consortium for seven interconnected ski stations: Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Les Belleville, and La Tania. The destination collectively forms the world's largest ski area, comprising 600km of runs across the Tarentaise valley. The association's commercial role is to unify distribution, marketing, and the central digital platform on behalf of the member stations rather than to operate lifts itself; the organization has 49 employees, consistent with a lean coordination function rather than an integrated lift operator.

The association's primary offerings include the unified digital ski pass (sold as a single product that grants access across all seven member resorts), accommodation booking services that aggregate lodging inventory, thermal spa services, summer activity passes covering VTT and hiking, and partnership-based commercial arrangements with activity providers such as ESF (ski school), Fusalp, SCOTT, Ferrino, and Recco. The supporting technology stack is a destination-wide digital platform comprising an RFID-integrated skipass, the Skiplan mobile application, live webcam feeds, and real-time operational data on lift status and grooming. Annual tourism marketing is supported by Atout France and France Montagnes for international destination promotion.

Revenue mechanics flow from direct sales of unified ski passes, commission on accommodation bookings routed through the central platform, thermal spa services, activity provider partnership revenue shares, and event-driven activity (notably hosting the 2023 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships at Courchevel and Méribel). Customer segments span international leisure skiers, family holiday travelers, expert off-piste enthusiasts, and summer mountain tourists, with the destination positioning across the mass-market to ultra-luxury tier (the latter anchored by Courchevel's Michelin-starred gastronomy).

Name

Les 3 Vallées

Legal name

Les 3 Vallées

Website

https://les3vallees.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Les 3 Vallées is a French non-profit association coordinating the world's largest interconnected ski area (600km of runs across seven stations in the Savoie region), serving mass-market and luxury international skiers with a unified digital skipass platform, accommodation booking, and year-round mountain tourism services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mountain Resort Services

NAICS

Skiing Facilities (713920), Skiing Facilities (71392), Tour Operators (561520), Tour Operators (56152), Recreational Goods Rental (532284)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Ski Areas & Lift Operations (Independent Mountains) (THAAAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mountain & Ski Luxury Resorts (THAGACAB), Ski & Mountain Full-Service Hotels (THAGAAAJ), Snow & Mountain Unique Stays (Chalets, Ski Cabins) (THAMADAL), Luxury Chalets & Ski-In/Ski-Out Homes (THAMAEAD), Guided Backcountry & Off-Piste Services (Ski Touring, Splitboarding, Heli/Cat Skiing) (THAAAJAD)

Keywords

• Ski resort operations
• Winter sports tourism
• Mountain destination services
• Alpine vacation packages
• Ski lift passes

Headquarters

HQ city

Moûtiers

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Ski Lift Passes (Forfaits): Sale of ski passes (day, week, season) providing access to 600km of ski runs across 7 interconnected stations. Pricing varies by duration, age category, and seasonal period
2. Accommodation Bookings: Commission from booking stays at partnered hotels, residences, chalets, and apartments across the 7 resort destinations
3. Summer Activity Passes: Sale of pedestrian (hiking) and mountain bike (VTT) passes during summer season (July-August) for accessing cable cars and chairlifts
4. Activity Provider Partnerships: Revenue through partnered activity providers including rafting, canyoning, paragliding, climbing, and other outdoor sports offered at each station
5. Thermal Spa Services: Thermal cures and wellness services at Brides-les-Bains, offering therapeutic treatments and spa experiences

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Les 3 Vallées operates the world's largest interconnected ski area, spanning 600 km of ski runs across 7 stations (Courchevel, Méribel, Brides-les-Bains, Les Menuires, Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Val Thorens, and Orelle) in 3 valleys in Savoie, France. It sells ski lift passes (forfaits), mountain bike and pedestrian summer passes, accommodation bookings, activity services (rafting, paragliding, climbing, ski touring), thermal spa cures, and provides a unified digital platform (booking site and mobile app) for on-mountain information and reservations.

Product overview

Les 3 Vallées operates as a ski resort destination management organization overseeing 7 interconnected ski stations (Courchevel, Méribel, Brides-les-Bains, Les Menuires, Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Val Thorens, and Orelle) across 600km of linked ski terrain in the French Alps. The core offering centers on ski passes granting access to one of the world's largest ski areas, complemented by activity services including mountain biking, hiking, climbing, rafting, paragliding, and thermal spa experiences. Additional services include professional instruction through ESF ski schools, mountain guide services, ski-in/ski-out accommodations across multiple lodging categories, and mountain refuge overnight stays. The organization provides a mobile application offering real-time resort information including weather, webcams, and lift status.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ski Passes (Forfaits de ski)
• Pedestrian Summer Pass (Forfait Piéton été)
• Mountain Bike (VTT) Passes
• Ski & Snowboard Lessons (ESF)
• Mountain Guide Services

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and moderate.

• SCOTT SportsminorOthersEquipment partner providing sports gear and accessories for the ski resort. SCOTT is a Swiss brand specializing in outdoor sports equipment including skis, bikes, and running gear.
• FusalpminorOthersTechnical clothing partner specializing in premium ski apparel. Fusalp is a French brand known for performance ski wear combining technical features with fashion-forward design.
• FerrinominorOthersOutdoor equipment partner providing tents, backpacks, and adventure gear. Ferrino is an Italian brand with over 130 years of experience in outdoor equipment.
• ReccominorOthersSafety technology partner specializing in avalanche rescue systems. Recco provides reflectors integrated into ski equipment for rescue detection by emergency services.
• Cluster MontagnemoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerMountain cluster association bringing together French mountain tourism stakeholders. Collaborative network for industry development and promotion of French mountain destinations.
• France MontagnesmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational federation representing French mountain tourism and ski resort organizations. Joint marketing and promotion of France as a premier mountain destination.
• Atout FrancemoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench tourism development agency providing marketing support and international promotion. Government-backed organization for tourism promotion in France.
• National Ski Council (NSCF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational skiing federation organization. Supports ski sport development and competition within the resort area.
• AN RaftingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRafting and water sports provider at Méribel. Pioneer of rafting in France since 1984, offering white water rafting, hydrospeed, and canoe-raft experiences on the Haute Isère river.
• Aventure MontagneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMountain adventure company at Courchevel offering rafting, canyoning, mountaineering, and heliskiing experiences. Provides professional guide services for adventure activities.
• H2O Rafting / Evolution 2minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWater sports operator at Méribel offering rafting, hydrospeed, and related activities. Part of the Evolution 2 adventure sports network.
• Bureau des Guides de CourchevelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional mountain guide office at Courchevel offering rafting, off-piste skiing, freeride, and heliskiing with certified high mountain guides.
• Bureau des Guides Vallée des BellevilleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMountain guide services at Les Menuires and Saint-Martin-de-Belleville offering rafting, hiking, and skiing activities with certified professionals.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ski Arlberg (St. Anton / Lech / Zürs): Austria's largest interconnected ski area with ~300km of runs across multiple villages. Comparable as a multi-station linked ski destination targeting premium international skiers, with overlapping value proposition (varied terrain, luxury positioning, interconnected lift system).
• 4 Vallées (Verbier / Nendaz / Veysonnaz / Thyon): Switzerland's largest ski domain with 410km of runs across 4 valleys. Comparable interconnected ski area with similar scale and a diversified resort portfolio (luxury Verbier through family-friendly Thyon), competing for the same European and international ski tourist demand.
• Paradiski (Les Arcs + La Plagne): Interconnected ski domain in the French Alps combining Les Arcs and La Plagne with 425km of runs — the second-largest interconnected ski area in the world. Highly comparable as a large-scale multi-station linked ski destination serving a similar family and international customer base.
• Tignes-Val d'Isère (Espace Killy): Another French mega-domain with 300km of runs across two high-altitude stations, marketed as a single destination. Direct competitor for international ski travelers with similar pricing tiers, digital skipass programs, and altitude-based snow reliability.

Broad incumbents

• Compagnie des Alpes (CDA): France's largest ski resort operator, publicly listed and managing 11 major ski domains (Paradiski, Tignes, 2 Alpes, etc.) plus theme parks. Direct comparable as the dominant French Alpine ski operator with overlapping resort portfolio, though CDA is a vertically integrated, for-profit operator rather than a marketing consortium.
• Vail Resorts: The world's largest ski resort operator (NYSE: MTN), managing 40+ resorts including Vail, Aspen, and European destinations (Crans-Montana, Andermatt). Comparable as a global ski operator at the upper end of scale, with industry-leading Epic Pass direct-to-consumer booking platform that sets competitive benchmarks.
• Alterra Mountain Company: US-based ski resort consolidator (Ikon Pass) operating 15+ North American resorts plus international partnerships. Comparable as a multi-resort, multi-pass business model competitor that captures international destination skiers via cross-border affiliations.

Others

• Société des 3 Vallées (S3V): Likely the lift operating company counterpart to the Les 3 Vallées marketing association, managing the physical ski lift infrastructure across the domain. Industry adjacency and infrastructure peer that operates complementary rather than competing services within the same resort geography.

Regional players

• Avoriaz: French ski resort operated within the larger Portes du Soleil domain. Adjacent competitor in the French Alps for family and intermediate ski segments, with comparable tourism-dependent revenue model and digital booking infrastructure.
• Chamonix Mont-Blanc: Iconic French Alpine destination with multiple ski areas (Brevent-Flégère, Grands Montets, Balme). Comparable as a premium French mountain tourism brand with similar international appeal, though organized as separate ski areas rather than a single interconnected domain.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/Les3vallees_france
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• Pinterestpinterest.fr/les3vallees_officiel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Les 3 Vallées