Discovering an authentic mountain village with easy access to superb slopes, a hidden gem that hasn’t yet hit the mainstream, is the dream of many a dedicated skier and snowboarder.
The medieval village of St Martin de Belleville, located within France’s sprawling 600km Trois Valleés ski area and home to fewer than 3,000 residents, has often been described as such a gem. However, development in the name of attracting luxury travellers is threatening to blow its cover, probably to the irritation of the pioneers who’ve been trying to keep its charms under wraps.
Folded into a deep valley on the winding road up to more famous Val Thorens, the highest resort in the Trois Valleés, and indeed Europe,…
This article was originally published by Telegraph.co.uk. Read the original article here.