Apres-ski
Les Menuires isn't the liveliest resort in France, but it isn't the quietest either, with around 50 increasingly busy bars and nightspots.
Le Challenge (tel: +33 479 007 852) and Le Mousse (tel: +33 479 001 616) in La Croisette are popular hangouts, while nearby Kube (tel: +33 479 006 510), just next to the sports centre, is a cocktail bar with a nice quiet atmosphere and weekly piano or jazz concerts.
Revellers looking to party late into the night should try the Leeberty disco (tel: +33 4 7900 6849), or Le New Pop (tel: +33 479 006 720) in la Croisette, which are two of six late night bars and clubs in the resort.
Eating out
There are more than 50 places to eat in Les Menuires – from Italian and Mexican to the normal Savoyard purveyors of fondue and raclette.
The popular La Chouette (tel: +33 479 002 126) serves reasonably priced Savoyard specialities and a selection of fish dishes, in les Bruyères.
At the gourmet end of the restaurant spectrum, Le 'K' at Hotel Kaya (tel: +33 479 414 201; www.hotel-kaya.com) is the place to go while on the mountain in Reberty. La Maison de Savoie (tel: +33 479 006 106) is another, which serves a lunchtime plat du jour menu until 1600 and has a stunning terraced area. It also offers cookery lessons on Monday where you can learn how to make a perfect fondue.
Le Village (tel: +33 479 412 039) is a small, typical restaurant with good food in la Croisette, with décor designed to look like an ancient Belleville farm.
Resort Information
Beyond the slopes
There's an increasingly wide range of activities in Les Menuires besides skiing and boarding as the resort continues to diversify its offering.
These include Les Bruyères Aqua-fun centre (tel: +33 479 006 898), a huge complex dedicated to well-being and fitness that includes an aqua-fun area with large paddling pool for children and a wellness area, complete with whirlpool jet balneotherapy baths, for adults.
There's a second pool at the large SOGEVAB sports centre (tel: +33 479 010 883), which also offers squash and tennis courts and a wellness centre. Other indoor options include Les Clarines Spa (tel: +33 479 000 076), which also operates a special children's spa for six to 16-year-olds. There are also two cinemas and a museum.
On the snow, adults can choose between activities ranging from dog sledding to snowmobiling, snowshoeing and the new addition of mountain biking on snow. Those who have a head for heights and want to see the stunning scenery from above can try microlight flights and paragliding.
Family fun
Les Menuires is arguably the most family-friendly of the Les Trois Vallées resorts, with services for children of all ages. Le Club Piou-Piou (tel: +33 479 006 379), a non-ski nursery for babies from three months old in La Croisette, looks after children aged up to five years.
Children (three years and over) who are itching to learn how to ski can head to the École du Ski Français (ESF) (tel: +33 4 7900 6143; www.esf-lesmenuires.com). This ski school offers lessons tailored to both learning and fun, with lessons in line with the French national learning and certification programme.
Off the slopes the 4km-long (2.5 mile) Roc'n Bob sledging course is a big family attraction, available for anyone aged seven and over. There's also a rail-mounted toboggan course where you can race against the resort's mascot, Boukty. There's also a popular children's play park in the La Masse area.
Retail therapy
The choice of shops in Les Menuires continues to expand and is now nearing 100 outlets, but the onus remains on practicality and functionality rather than glitz and glamour.
A high proportion of these retailers are either ski and board stores or grocery shops, ranging from boulangeries and patisseries to mini supermarkets. There are also newsagents, photographic stores, banks with cash dispensers, dry cleaners, hairdressers and chemist shops. Additionally, there's a covered shopping centre in La Croisette.
Splashing out
Vincent Jay, the renowned biathlete (and the first French gold Medal winner of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics) is a Les Menuires local. His sport is an exhausting and exhilarating mix of cross-country skiing and shooting from a standing or lying position. The ESF (tel: +33 479 006 143; www.esf-lesmenuires.com) provides a two-hour introduction to biathlon, for which participants don't need previous experience of cross-country skiing (though it helps) or shooting.
Hotels
In common with most large, French purpose-built resorts, about 90% of the accommodation in Les Menuires is in the form of apartments or residences. However, there are now a number of new, highly regarded hotels in the resort, while many of the better and newer apartment complexes also have hotel-like facilities such as spas, bars and restaurants.
Luxury
Les Clarines
Built by acclaimed mountain architects MGM, Les Clarines is just 100m (328ft) from the slopes. This 4-star residence is built in the traditional Savoyard chalet style in timber and stone. Inside, its facilities include a spa and beauty centre, a lounge area with open fire, free Wi-Fi access and a bakery and catering service.
Address: , , Les Menuires, 73440Telephone: +33 450 331 096
Website: http://www.cgh-residences.com
Hotel Kaya
One of Les Menuires' numerous 4-star offerings (until recently the highest classification in France), this contemporary hotel features a snooker room, lounge bar and library.
Address: , Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Les Menuires, 73440Telephone: +33 479 414 200
Website: http://www.hotel-kaya.com
Moderate
Le Skilt
A popular 2-star hotel in the centre of La Croisette, the rooms at Le Skilt have balconies and cable TV. Wi-Fi internet access is available to guests.
Address: , Avenue de la Croisette, Les Menuires, 73440Telephone: +44 127 324 4570
Website: http://www.skibound.co.uk
Hotel Les Bruyères
Hotel Les Bruyères is the resort's first carbon-neutral hotel. Guests here can expect regional and seasonal ingredients in its restaurant and there is also a comfy bar and lounge area with an open fireplace.
Address: , Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Les Menuires, 73440Telephone: +33 479 007 510
Website: http://www.bruyeres-hotel-menuires.com
Cheap
Belambra Village Club Neige et Ciel
The centrally located, family-orientated Belambra complex has 203 rooms with Wi-Fi access and TVs. A kids' club is run on the premises and entertainment is provided for 11- to 17-year-olds.
Address: , Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Les Menuires, 73440Telephone: +33 479 006 230
Website: http://www.belambra.fr
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