The Three Valleys lift company, and its corresponding resorts, has announced plans to offer a discounted rate on lift passes to groups of three or more skiers/snowboarders travelling together.
The world's largest ski area announced that they will be increasing their lift passes from €244 to €260 for next season, representing a 6% increase. This isn't a surprise considering the two new gondola lifts being put into the Meribel Valley, the new Funival in Val Thorens and the new chairlifts in Courchevel. At €260 for a six days pass, Les Trois Valleys will become one of the most expensive lift passes in Europe.
Meribel's forthcoming lift upgrade will look something like this.
In order to help combat the price and to encourage groups to the region, the lift company has announced plans for group discounts for groups of as little as three people. Three people will be able to purchase the new Tribu pass — which is essentially three full area passes — for €735, which is €245 per person, additional passes can also be purchased for just €245pp. This brings the price down to the current season's price.
Though the lift tickets may seem a little steep, you are getting the largest linked ski area in the world and the opportunity to ski in Courchevel, Meribel, St. Martin de Belleville and Val Thorens all under one pass and with one of the most efficient lift systems in the world. The recent upgrades to new, faster gondolas over the past two years, the addition of new cable cars and Funival lifts in Val Thorens and the planned upgrade of some of Courchevel's chairlifts, show that the resorts are investing this money back into the skiing too.
With the Euro at the best rate for years (currently over €1.25 to the £1 18/05/2012), the lift passes with the group discounts will actually work out a little cheaper than last season, so a win-win for any groups of three or more planning to ski in the Three Valleys next season.
The Tribu pass will also be available of local lift passes, for those who prefer a single valley pass — ideal for beginners and those relatively new to skiing. For example a ticket for the Belleville Valley (St. Martin & Les Menuires) will cost €564, which is only €188 each! At €57 less than the full area pass, the local lift ticket is one of the best value out there for an area that still offers world class skiing — just on a smaller scale. At today's exchange rate you'd be paying £150 per ticket, that's not bad when you think about it!
The Three Valleys is continuing to keep pace with the rest of the world's top resorts, therefore lift pass prices are going to rise, but this little 6% discount they are offering will go a long way to retaining skiers' faithful to the area, as well as attracting new skiers and boarders.
Written by Charlie Hamilton-Beaufort
© Igluski