3 Valleys Vs Portes du Soleil

Evening everyone, was keen to know people's ideas, experiences on the difference between skiing in Portes Du Soleil and the 3 Valleys. We went to PDS this year in February, and loved it. Great snow, and some fantastic runs that seemed to just last forever. This year, we are looking at 3V's. Every brochure seems to think it's bigger and better. Is it a case of "the grass is greener"? It's 6 family members between 20 and 48, seasoned skiers and we ain't too bothered about Apres Ski. (Don't see the point of drinking yourself silly when surrounded by lovely snow )

For me 3 Valleys beats PDS hands down.
While I loved the skiing around Morzine where we stayed, the links to the rest of the area were light years behind 3V. Getting anywhere just took too long to make the most of the skiing available. I haven't been back.
I'm going back to Meribel in January, it'll be my 6th holiday in 3Vs. The whole area is so well linked and is still getting better, one of the only bottle necks will be a thing of the past as a new lift goes in this summer.
So many great runs, all easily accessible.

3V is simply in a different league of ski resorts to PDS.

It deserves the reputation as one of the best ski areas in the world.

I'm with the consensus..3v offer a lot of excellent skiing that is all accessible whilst the PDS has good skiing ..in a straight line ..and it will be better in the 3v with the new lifts this year

Portes du Soleil, mostly traditional villages with a year round life vs 3V's mostly purpose built people containers.

3v's will be more expensive, on and off the slopes. For skiing variety PdS is a better choice. 3vs has lots of motorway skiing.
I've skied both, Pds is the area I went back to.

andyhull wrote:For me 3 Valleys beats PDS hands down.
While I loved the skiing around Morzine where we stayed, the links to the rest of the area were light years behind 3V. Getting anywhere just took too long to make the most of the skiing available. I haven't been back.
I'm going back to Meribel in January, it'll be my 6th holiday in 3Vs. The whole area is so well linked and is still getting better, one of the only bottle necks will be a thing of the past as a new lift goes in this summer.
So many great runs, all easily accessible.

I have not skied the 3V's but skied PDS last year and did not find any problems with the links infact I thought they were very good !!!

Looks good then for 3v's. We will probably book up for the 3v's and then I'll be able to make my own opinion. I loved PDS but stayed in Chatel which always meant a bus ride after exploring our side on the first day or two. I don't understand the term "motorway skiing" though

Porkpie, if you have already been to PDS, then I would strongly suggest that you try the 3V. At least you will then be able to make your own mind up about where you prefer or would like to go back to. The 3V should not disappoint you in terms of skiing, but until you go, you will not know whether you prefer the villages of PDS or the more modern (mainly but not all) resorts of the 3V.

Your next and biggest problem is going to be deciding where to actually stay in the 3V For that question, you will get many varied and valid answers.

Motorway skiing usually means big wide open well groomed easy pistes. In many resorts it is possible to ski all over the place without leaving these types pistes, hence the likening to motorways.