Lift Pass Information - Now Updated with 2012 Prices (inc. VAT increase)
Winter 2011/2012 Openings - all subject to change / snow conditions / maintenance etc.
La Tania lifts open Saturday 10 Dec 2011 to Sunday 22 Apr 2012
Courchevel 1850 main lifts opening Sat 3 Dec 2011 to Fri 27 Apr 2012
| Méribel Mottaret: | 3 Dec 2011 to 27 Apr 2012 |
| Méribell, Le Praz, 1550 & 1650: | 10 Dec 2011 to 22 Apr 2012 |
| Val Thorens (expected): | 19 Nov 2011 to 7 May 2012 (always subject to snow) |
2011-2012 Winter Prices - 6 Day Courchevel Valley stays under €200 (prior to 1/1/12)
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Free passes go to over 75's and under 5's.
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Children remain classed as under 13 (but children classified as under 18 on family passes).
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Adults are 13 and over up to 65.
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Seniors discount from 65 to 75 years old.
Peak Season Adult Prices 17 Dec 2011 to 13 Apr 2012: NOTE VAT INCREASE FROM 1/1/12
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1 Day Peak Season Courchevel €40.50 (from €39.50). 41 from 1/1/12
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6 Day Courchevel €199 (from €194) 201.80 from 1/1/12
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6 Day Three Valleys €241 (from €235). 244.40 from 1/1/12
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Three Hour passes are available for Courchevel Valley at €33.50. 33.90 from 1/1/12
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Three Valleys season pass breaks the thousand euro mark at €1035 (from €995). 1049.70 1/1/12
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The La Tania Mini-Pass to use the La Tania gondola is available for €17.50 a day.
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Night Skiing on Verdons in 1850 is available for €6 every Wednesday from 21/12/11 to 07/03/12
All Tariffs and Options listed below...
All Subject to VAT increase from 5.5% to 7%
Hands Free Passes
Introduced for Winter 2005/6 were automatic hands free lift passes that operate turnstiles as you approach (you keep the pass in a left hand side pocket). A photo is only required for season passes and the free under 5 and over 75 passes (for Season Passes it is taken by the cashier digitally and can be checked on hand held monitors at lift stations - it's not on the pass itself.)
Plenty of people get caught using season passes not belonging to them every year, any unusual patterns of riding lifts etc alerts the lift companies too. So they can track you but this can also help in rescues and season pass users can be told the amount of vertical they've skied in the season.
The hands free turnstiles at the La Tania Gondola
A re-chargeable pass that can be charged up via the internet for an additional 3 Euros is now available, therefore no requirement to visit the lift pass office ever again! Passes can be replaced if lost (less an admin fee) too.
Summer Lift Openings 2011
The La Tania Gondola opens on Sun, Tue & Thu. Verdons and Saulire lifts open every day except Saturday. The Pas du Lac lift from the Méribel Valley opens on Mon, Tue, Thu, Sun.
Brides Les Bains or Chenus don't appear to be opening for Summer 2011 and also note that Friday openings can vary through out the Summer. As usual all lifts are subject to change due to the weather, staff shortages, maintenance etc. Some lifts close for lunch too! The Opening Summer Weekend has a big Mountain Bike Competition so there are extra lifts open then. Remember your Winter Season Pass is valid in Summer!
Buying your lift pass
There is a 3 Euro deposit charge for re-chargeable passes which can be re-charged on-line at s3v.com
Lift passes are available all day from the Gondola lift pass office in La Tania from 08:45 to 16:45 or available on-line. Photos are only required for season passes or the free under 5 / over 75 passes - the lift staff take these photos and store them electronically (can be checked at lift stations on screens and hand held units). All staff speak English and they do take all major credit / debit cards!
It used to be possible to buy passes for the next day from 3:30pm and get several runs in at the end of the day for "free" but this has now ended as passes can be bought well in advance and are validated the first time they are scanned at a turnstile. A once only trip up the Gondola can be purchased for €6.50 (or €13 up Dou Des Lanches too) if you fancy one run the day before your pass starts though. Or get a mini-pass to use the La Tania gondola only. Lifts down are free by the way...
These individual once only ride up specific lifts mean that you can get back from Méribel Village without purchasing a Three Valleys extension - ask for a Golf Chair ride then at the top ask for a Loze Chair ride (use the free drag to get high enough for the Loze Chair). Cost is €13 (6.50 x 2) rather than €23 and cheaper than a taxi...
Note however that your chalet staff, rep or apartment agency may sort passes out for you and have them delivered to you on the morning of your first ski leaving you without any hassle or queuing.
Age Groups - Proof of age required to get discounted passes
Baby - Under 5's (Ski Free)
Child - Over 5 and under 13
Adult - Over 13 and under 65
Senior - Over 65 and under 75
Veteran - Over 75 (Ski Free)
Family - 2 Parents plus a minimum of 2 children aged over 5 and under 18.
The Courchevel Valley Pass
Gives you access to all the lifts in 1850, 1650, 1550, Le Praz and La Tania - still a huge area to ski and will usually be fine for beginners. It is possible to buy 1 day extensions to make it a 3V pass (Adult €24) and this may be an option if you only intend to head over to the Méribel side once in a week (Méribel is a lot sunnier in late afternoon in January!).
The Three Valley Pass
Lets you use any of the 200 lifts and is recommended for most skiers and boarders to explore the entire 600km of pistes throughout Courchevel 1850, 1650, 1550, Le Praz, La Tania, Méribel, Mottaret, Méribel Village, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, St Martin de Belleville and Brides Les Bains.
If you buy a 6 day or more Three Valleys pass you can ski for 1 day in one of the following areas (subject to all areas being open, snow conditions etc): Tignes / Val d'Isère (Espace de Killy), La Plagne / Les Arcs / Peisey Vallandry (the Paradiski linked area) for free (not the rumoured €10 charge that was planned). Pralognan La Vanoise and Les Saises look like they are not now included. REMEMBER TO TAKE YOUR ORIGINAL RECEIPTS AND THE PASS WITH YOU!
The Family Pass - 2 adults and from 2 to 7 kids, Minimum 6 Days - Subject to VAT increase
2 Adults plus 2 kids can have 6 days in The Three Valleys for €771 (or Courchevel Valley for €637).
2 Adults plus 4 kids can have 6 days in The Three Valleys for €1134 (or Courchevel Valley for €929).
This means two adults and four 17 year olds could ski the Three Valleys for 14 days for €2571 instead of €3282 - a saving of €711!
Note that "kids" are classed as under 18 for these rates instead of under 13 as for individual passes and that separate passes are issued, you don't have to ski together!
Pedestrian Pass - Subject to VAT increase from 5.5% to 7%
For access to the main gondolas and cable cars. Note that from 2005/6 the ski bus no longer requires any pass - it was very rarely checked anyway.
Pedestrian Pass costs €20 per day or 6 days for €59. You can have one ride up the La Tania gondola for €6.50 (or €13 up Dou Des Lanches too) if you fancy lunch at the Bouc Blanc or Roc Tania...
Early Season Ski Pass - Subject to VAT increase from 5.5% to 7%
For skiing from 03/12/2011 to 16/12/2011. Various discounts available depending on lift openings with possible limited area skiing eg. 6 day Three Valley pass from only €157 or 6 day local Courchevel area from €119.
Late Season Spring Ski Pass - Subject to VAT increase from 5.5% to 7%
Valid from the 14/04/2012 to 27/04/2012. Various discounts available depending on lift openings eg. 6 day Three Valley pass for €217 or 1 day local Courchevel area for €30.
The Option Pass - NOW THE 3 VALLÉES LIBERTÉ PASS or FREEDOM PASS
This is now a pay as you go pass - debits from your bank account when used. At least 10% per day rate discount of Courchevel Valley and 20% on Saturdays on The Three Valleys. A free 3V day on your 9th day of skiing and then a free day every 6 days after that. Always based on Adult full day prices (no kids or afternoon only discounts).
Beginners Mini Pass - All Ages (5 and over to under 75) - Subject to VAT increase
La Tania Mini-Pass
€17.50/Day or €14 for half day from 12:30pm or for 3 hours - The La Tania Mini-Pass for beginners gives access to the La Tania Gondola.
The 1850/1550/Praz Mini-Pass
€20/Day or €16 for half day or 3 hours - gives access to Praz (Courchevel 1300), Grangettes (Courchevel 1550), Verdons & Jardin Alpin (Courchevel 1850) gondolas plus Altiport, Bellecôte, Etoiles, Cospillot, Ferme, Envolée, Roys drag lifts and Tovets chairlift (Courchevel 1550).
1650 Mini Pass
€17.50/Day or €14 for half day or 3 hours for the Ariondaz Gondola and Mickey, Belvédère & Granges drag lifts.
Note that the following 9 drag lifts are free anyway... Troïka in La Tania, plus Envolée, Mickey, Belvédère, Petite Bosse, Roys, Bellecôte, Etoiles, Cospillot) and the 4 Practice ZEN zones.
Free Skiing
There is a free drag lift Troika in the centre of the resort for absolute beginners and a further 9 free beginners drags around the Courchevel Valley - see above. Under 5's and over 75's ski free (proof of age and photograph required).
Season Passes
Discounted season passes for workers and residents are available for single valley passes only - a fair bit of bureaucracy and proof of income required to get these, not easy to fiddle at all and plenty of checks for the remotely stored photo - lifties have Wifi enabled hand held terminals to check.
If you're paying full price and going to ski most days then it's probably worth getting a Three Valley pass (as long as the people you ski with have got them of course!) saves the hassle of getting extension passes and you will be encouraged to ski more. Note that multiple extension passes can now be bought in advance and used by simply triggering another valley lift turnstile.
Note VAT Increase from 1/1/12
Three Valleys Pass 2011/2012 - Peak Season 17 Dec 2011 to 13 April 2012 |
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Adult €uros |
+5/-13 |
+65/-75 |
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| Half day before or after 12:30 | 39 |
29.50 |
33.50 |
| 1 day | 48.50 |
36.50 |
41.50 |
2 days |
95.50 |
72 |
82 |
| 3 days | 142 |
107 |
122 |
| 4 days | 188 |
141.50 |
161.50 |
| 5 days | 226.50 |
170 |
194.50 |
6 days |
241 |
181.50 |
207 |
| 7 days | 277.50 |
208.50 |
238.50 |
| 8 days | 316 |
237.50 |
271.50 |
| 14 days | 547 |
411.50 |
469.50 |
| Season Pass | 1035 |
776 |
890 |
Note VAT Increase from 1/1/12
Courchevel Valley Pass (including La Tania) 2011/2012 - Peak Season |
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Adult €uros |
+5/-13 |
+65/-75 |
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| 3 Hour Pass or Half Day after 12:30 | 33.50 |
24.50 |
29 |
| 1 day | 40.50 |
30 |
35 |
2 days |
79.50 |
59 |
68.50 |
| 3 days | 118 |
87 |
101 |
| 4 days | 155.50 |
115 |
133.50 |
| 5 days | 186 |
138 |
160 |
6 days |
199 |
146 |
171 |
| 7 days | 227 |
168 |
195 |
| 8 days | 257.50 |
190 |
221.50 |
| 14 days | 440.50 |
322 |
380.50 |
| Season Pass | 830 |
585 |
710 |
| 3 Valley extension for 1 day |
24 |
18 |
20.50 |