A winter sports adventure in the French Alps to suit all budgets

With seven resorts, the Three Valleys ski region offers a wide range of price options

Val Thorens offers an exquisite skiing experience. Photo: Olga Gavrilova

Catherine Murphy

I am gliding 250 metres above the slopes at a speed of almost 100kph. In one minute 45 seconds of pure exhilaration, I fly like an eagle along La Tyrolienne zip line between the Maurienne and Tarentaise valleys.

The 1,300m-long glide starts from the top of the Bouchet chair lift in Orelle. At 3,230m, this is the highest point in the entire Three Valleys region of the French Alps and home to some tasty off-piste terrain.