WINTER 2026-2027 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS AND 3 VALLEES OPENING

May 2025
Planning your stay in advance means better options and peace of mind. Based on our experience, here’s a breakdown of the holiday calendar to help you pick the perfect week for your ski trip.
Ski area Winter Courchevel La Tania Meribel Les 3 Vallées Holiday tips

Preparations for the 2026/2027 winter season are already underway in Méribel Mottaret!

Christmas holidays, February weeks, Easter, the best times to book… here are the highlights of the season in Méribel Mottaret and Les 3 Vallées.

 

The 2026-2027 school holiday calendar

 

Plan your stay now: download the 2026-2027 international school holiday calendar by clicking here

 

Christmas holidays

The Christmas holidays will run from Saturday 19 December 2026 to Saturday 2 January 2027 for the three French zones.

 

This year, Christmas falls on Friday 25 December 2026 and New Year’s Day on Friday 1 January 2027.

 

Two very popular weeks are therefore to be expected:

 

  • Christmas week, from 19 to 26 December 2026, is ideal for soaking up the magical atmosphere of the 3 Vallées, the festive lights, the first major family holidays and the resort festivities.
    This week is generally less popular, so make the most of it and come and enjoy all the Christmas events organised by Méribel and Courchevel!
  • New Year’s week, from 26 December 2026 to 2 January 2027, will remain, as it does every year, the most popular time of the winter.
    It attracts a large French and international clientele: British, Belgian, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Danish, Swedish, Polish, Swiss…

 

Our advice: book well in advance if you want a choice of accommodation, especially if you’re travelling in a large group, with family or friends.
The larger apartments and the best-located properties are often the first to go.

 

February school holidays

The February 2027 holidays will run from Saturday 6 February to Saturday 6 March 2027, depending on the region in France.

 

Here are the key trends to note:
 

  • Week of 6 February 2027: Zone C only
    This first week will mainly affect Zone C.
    It should be more accessible than the following weeks, with lower visitor numbers.
    It’s a great time to enjoy the snow and lower prices.
     
  • Week of 13 February 2027: zones A and C
    Visitor numbers will rise sharply with two French zones on holiday, as well as a significant proportion of European visitors, notably from the UK, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Scandinavia.
     
  • Week of 20 February 2027: Zones A and B
    This week is expected to be one of the busiest of the season.
    It will combine two French zones, a European clientele still very much present, as well as several regional holidays in the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
     
  • Week of 27 February 2027: Zone B only
    This final week of the French school holidays will be quieter than the previous two.
    It remains an attractive option for families in Zone B wishing to enjoy Méribel Mottaret whilst the winter atmosphere still lingers, but with less pressure on prices.

 

Our advice:
For February, the weeks of 13 and 20 February will be the most popular.

It is therefore best to book as far in advance as possible.

For Zone C guests, opt for the first week, which will be quieter and cheaper.
For Zone B guests and Belgian visitors, book your stay for the last week of February.

 

Easter holidays and spring 2027

Easter will fall on Sunday 28 March 2027.

 

The French spring holidays will begin on Saturday 3 April 2027 for Zone C, then continue with Zones A and B until the start of May.
 

Spring is the perfect time to enjoy the mountains in a different way:

  • skiing in the morning,
  • sunny terraces at lunchtime,
  • spas and walks in the afternoon,
  • longer days,
  • a more relaxed atmosphere in the resort.
     

It’s also an excellent time to learn to ski or regain confidence on the slopes, with less pressure than in the middle of the February holidays.

 

Opening of Méribel and the 3 Vallées resorts

For the 2026–2027 winter season, the 3 Vallées ski area is scheduled to open from Saturday 5 December 2026 to Sunday 18 April 2027, according to initial information.

 

In Méribel, the opening is scheduled for around Saturday 6 December 2026. Courchevel and La Tania are scheduled to open from Saturday 5 December 2026, whilst Val Thorens and Orelle are expected to open from Saturday 21 November 2026. These dates are provisional and may change depending on snow conditions.

 

Provisional opening dates for the 3 Vallées resorts:

  • Val Thorens and Orelle: Saturday 21 November 2026
  • Courchevel and Courchevel le Praz: Friday 4 December 2026
  • Courchevel La Tania: Saturday 5 December 2026
  • Méribel: Saturday 5 December 2026
  • Les Menuires: Saturday 5 December 2026
  • Brides-les-Bains: Saturday 12 December 2026
  • Saint-Martin-de-Belleville: Saturday 12 December 2026

 

Thanks to its altitude and its location at the heart of the 3 Vallées, Méribel Mottaret offers prime access to the world’s largest ski area, with ideal conditions to make the most of the season.

 

The best weeks to book

January: the best deal of the winter

After the festive season, January remains one of the best times to go skiing.

 

There are many advantages:

  • lower prices,
  • fewer people on the slopes,
  • shorter queues at the ski lifts,
  • often excellent snow,
  • a quieter atmosphere in the resort.

 

It’s the ideal time for skiers who want to make the most of the 3 Vallées ski area without the crowds of the school holidays.

 

Early February: a strategic week

The week of 6 February 2027, with only Zone C on holiday, should be less crowded than the middle weeks of February.

This is the week to choose if you’re looking for a good balance between snow, a family-friendly atmosphere and more attractive prices.

 

March: sunshine, skiing and mild Alpine weather

March remains a very popular time of year among regular visitors.

The days are getting longer, temperatures are becoming more pleasant and there is still snow at higher altitudes.
It’s the perfect time to combine skiing, mountain terraces and moments of relaxation.

 

Closure of Méribel and the 3 Vallées

 

 

Planned closing dates for the 3 Vallées resorts:

  • Val Thorens and Orelle: Sunday 2 May 2027
  • Courchevel and Courchevel le Praz: Sunday 18 April 2027 
  • Courchevel La Tania: Sunday 11 April 2027 
  • Méribel: Saturday 17 April 2027 
  • Les Menuires: Friday 16 April 2027 
  • Brides-les-Bains: Friday 9 April 2027 
  • Saint-Martin-de-Belleville: Friday 16 April 2027 

 

The closure of the 3 Vallées ski area is scheduled for around Saturday 17 April 2027, subject to snow conditions and official confirmation from the resorts.

As is the case every year, some high-altitude resorts, notably Val Thorens and Orelle, may extend the season beyond this date depending on conditions.

 

Thanks to its altitude and prime location, Méribel Mottaret remains an ideal destination for enjoying skiing right until the end of the season.

 

Book your stay in the 3 Vallées now
 

 

To make the most of the best skiing weeks of the 2026–2027 winter season, remember to book your apartment now.

 

 

Any questions? Our team is on hand to advise you and help you organise your stay in Les 3 Vallées.

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