We have been regulars in Orelle because we like to ski in the Three Valleys (the world’s largest ski area) but also to have the opportunity to have “away days” to smaller resorts in the Maurienne Valley or through the Frejus Tunnel to Italy. We stay in an apartment at the bottom of the mountain at the Hameau des Eaux d’Orelle which is easy to drive to. There have always been good links from Orelle’s small ski area (aka “the Fourth Valley”) to and from Val Thorens and the rest of the 3Vs but this year an new gondola was completed. It has two stages, one from the valley bottom to the start of the skiing at Plan Bouchet and the other up to Cime de Caron. Both are very much up to date, with comfy seats and plenty of space and are ideal for the older skier in that there is no long stand or sitting in a frozen gale to reach the ridge before you get going The downside is if you favour blue runs there are none from Caron down either side so you are back to the cold chair. Also the only piste back down to Plan Bouchet being decidedly black and those towards Val Thorens either pretty stiff reads or more blacks. However, overall a great improvement.
