Orelle is a ski resort in the Northern Alps massif, in Maurienne, Savoie. The ski area spreads over 35 km of runs between 900 m and 3,230 m, served by 9 lifts. Day lift pass 74€ per adult.
* Price per adult for 1 day, public high-season rate. Reduced rates (online purchase, outside school holidays, families, children, seniors) are generally offered by the resort.
ℹ️ These figures refer to the Val Thorens – Orelle ski area, which is shared by several resorts: kilometres of runs, number of runs, lifts and lift pass are common to all. The values shown here and on the pages of neighbouring resorts therefore refer to the same ski area and the same lift pass: they are not added together.
Orelle is the little-known gateway to the Trois Vallées from the Maurienne valley, at 900 m altitude. The 3 Vallées Express gondola reaches the summit in about twenty minutes. The resort has its own 9 runs between 2,050 and 3,230 m, including the long Lory (over 4 km), before you can ski across the whole ski area.
- Direct access to Val Thorens and the 3 Vallées
- Little-known, preserved village
- 9 runs including the legendary Lory (4 km)
Based on the resort's altitude and historical snow reliability
A resort on a human scale, Orelle focuses on the quality of its welcome and its closeness rather than impressive figures. Its 35 km of runs suit a stay of 3 to 4 days perfectly, especially for families or skiers who don't need to constantly change their playground. Technical terrain reigns at Orelle: with 1 black and 4 red runs on the programme, confirmed skiers will find plenty to challenge them. Off-piste and freeride are enjoyed here in often excellent conditions, thanks to the altitude and the exposure of the slopes. As for snow reliability, Orelle is in a strong position with its summit at 3,230 m: even in capricious winters, the upper runs hold well until April. The village at 900 m is also well placed to offer comfortable conditions from mid-December. The budget for a stay in Orelle is clearly high: 74€ for a day lift pass, plus accommodation and mountain restaurants that are among the most expensive in the Alps. It's the price of excellence, but you should be aware of it before setting off. In short: Orelle doesn't rival the giants of skiing, and doesn't pretend to. It's an honest, often underrated destination that deserves to be (re)discovered.
🏔️ Les 3 Vallées
The largest ski area in the world, and that's not just a slogan: 600 km of runs that link up without ever needing the car, from Courchevel to Val Thorens via Méribel and Les Menuires. Originally three valleys – Saint-Bon, Allues, Belleville – joined by Orelle on the Maurienne side. This is the kingdom of high-altitude skiing: Val Thorens peaks at 2,300 m in the village, the Cime Caron tops 3,200 m, and the snow lasts from November to May. Each resort has its own distinct personality, from the unapologetic luxury of Courchevel 1850 to the family spirit of Les Menuires. Plan on several days: nobody skis around the whole area in a single day.
The other resorts in the area
Source: Open-Meteo.com · Data updated in real time
Above 2,000 m, snow is generally guaranteed from mid-December to late March. Real-time data: Open-Meteo (weather model). Monthly averages: estimates based on the resort's historical data.
