French Alps, France 🇫🇷
The quiet, high-value gateway to Les 3 Vallees: from the Maurienne village of Orelle a gondola lifts you to Cime Caron at 3200 m and the whole 600 km domain.
Yes. The base sits at 900 m and the top reaches 3230 m, which puts snow reliability among the very best on our index (score 91/100).
This is more of a valley base than a slopeside village, so expect a lift, train or shuttle to the snow each morning. Staying central, near the main lift, saves the most time.
It is one of the bigger domains on the site: 600 km of piste on 161 lifts, enough to ski a different sector every day of the week. The terrain is balanced (15 green, 45 blue, 50 red, 22 black), which suits a mixed-level group skiing together.
The season usually runs Nov 30 to May 4 (about 22 weeks). For the most dependable cover, the deep-winter window of January to February is the safe bet. Conditions soften as spring arrives, so earlier in the window is the safer call.
Hotels, piste breakdown, snow month by month, lift and rental info, map and more.
Hotels we like for ski access and value. Prices are indicative; check live availability.
Good · 507 reviews
Moments from the lifts in Orelle, so you can ski back to the door and skip the morning queues.
Guests rate this hotel as good (3.6/5 from 507 reviews). It sits about 200 m from the slopes. A budget-friendly option for Orelle, with live nightly rates shown for your exact dates so you always see the best price.
Excellent · 72 reviews
Strong value for Orelle, with a high guest rating that punches above its nightly price.
Good · 210 reviews
Moments from the lifts in Orelle, so you can ski back to the door and skip the morning queues.
Excellent · 25 reviews
Moments from the lifts in Orelle, so you can ski back to the door and skip the morning queues.
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