As winter draws to a close, the mountains are changing pace. The snow is still there, the peaks are still glistening, but the light is getting softer, the days are getting longer and breaks in the sun are taking on a whole new flavor. This is exactly the right time to come and experience the end of the winter season at Pépé Nicolas.
At this time of year, our restaurant reveals a special atmosphere: that of a mountain still white, but already warmed by the first bright suns of the season.
The best time of year for a terrace lunch in the mountains
The end of the winter season seduces all those who love the mountains in their brightest version. March and April bring more pleasant daytime temperatures, longer sunshine and a rediscovery of the simple pleasure of sitting on a terrace, face turned towards the summits.
For us, this is the ideal time to take a real break and enjoy the panorama. The restaurant has two terraces with unobstructed views of the Belleville mountains, making it a particularly sought-after place to enjoy lunch at altitude in a softer, more relaxed and sunnier atmosphere. Between two descents, after a walk or simply to prolong the pleasure of a stay in Val Thorens or Les Menuires, the terrace becomes an essential late-winter rendezvous.
Chez Pépé Nicolas, a warm version of the mountain spirit
To come to Pépé Nicolas at the end of the season is to choose much more than a simple meal. It’s to treat yourself to an authentic mountain experience, in a special place where the art of entertaining blends with the beauty of the Alpine landscape. Located on the 3 Vallées ski area, the restaurant is designed as a convivial, gourmet and inspiring interlude.
The atmosphere is that of a true alpine restaurant: warm, sincere and elegant, without ever losing its soul. You’ll find Savoyard generosity, a taste for fine materials, a love of the land and that special feeling of being elsewhere, far from the hustle and bustle, yet easily accessible from nearby resorts.
Why come at the end of the winter season?
The end of the season has a charm that regulars know well. Firstly, the light is superb. The sun higher in the sky highlights the landscapes, snow-covered reliefs and natural materials of the site. Secondly, the experience becomes more contemplative: you take more time. We like to linger over lunch, dessert or coffee on the terrace, enveloped by the fresh air of altitude and the warmth of the sun.
It’s also the perfect time of year for those seeking a more sensory mountain experience. We come to ski, of course, but also to feel. To feel the warmth of wood, the sparkle of snow, the softness of a well-prepared table, the beauty of calm at altitude. Chez Pépé Nicolas is the very embodiment of this living, gourmet, welcoming mountain, where every moment takes on a more memorable dimension.
Easy ski access to extend your day in the sun
Located directly at the foot of the Val Thorens slopes, Chez Pépé Nicolas enjoys a unique strategic position on the 3 Vallées ski area – the world’s largest ski area with 600 km of pistes. At an altitude of 2,300 meters, Val Thorens is the highest resort in the Alps, and it’s here that the snow lasts the longest into the season. Good news for latecomers who want to enjoy the slopes right up to the last days of opening.
From our restaurant, you can literally put on your skis on the doorstep. Directly linked to the 3 Vallées ski area – Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens – the ski area offers skiers of all levels hundreds of kilometers to explore. And when it’s time for a break, there’s nothing more natural than joining Pépé Nicolas for a well-earned break, in the warmth or on the terrace, depending on your mood.
Multiple access: on foot, by car, by bus
The Chez Pépé Nicolas restaurant is accessible by various means of transport: on foot, on snowshoes, by car and by shuttle bus, ideal for skiers and non-skiers alike. There is a regular free bus service to the restaurant from the villages of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Les Menuires and Val Thorens. This ease of access transforms a simple lunch break into a true moment of escape, without logistical complexity.
It’s an excellent idea for those who want to make the most of the beautiful days of March and the end of the season: ski in the morning, have a long lunch on the terrace, contemplate the peaks, then set off slowly for the rest of the day. At this time of year, we’re no longer just in the sporting rhythm of winter; we’re already entering a different way of living in the mountains, one that’s sunnier, more epicurean and more contemplative.
Reserve a table for lunch, dinner or afternoon tea in the heart of the 3 Valleys
Lunch: regain your strength after a morning on the slopes
Lunch service at Pépé Nicolas is the promise of a generous, tasty meal after you’ve hurtled down the slopes of the 3 Vallées. Seasonal dishes, carefully selected local produce, chef’s suggestions that change from week to week: every lunch is an invitation to slow down and eat well. Our mountain cuisine revisited for winter 2026 will appeal to both fans of traditional Savoyard dishes and those in search of something new.
The mid-afternoon sweet break
In the afternoon, when your legs start to feel tired and the sun begins to sink, it’s the perfect time for a gourmet break. We offer an old-fashioned snack, generous and comforting: homemade sweets, hot drinks and small plates to share. It’s the perfect way to take a breather between two runs, or to round off a great day’s skiing with the whole family.
The aperitif: celebrating the end of the day on the terrace
The end of the season deserves to be celebrated. The aperitif at Pépé Nicolas is that moment of absolute conviviality when the skis are put away and the day’s events are reviewed, glass in hand, facing the Alps. Our selection of cocktails, wines and platters to share makes this moment a ritual not to be missed by resort regulars. On the terrace, you’re treated to the spectacle of the lights setting the peaks ablaze!
Dinner: an unforgettable mountain evening
In the evening, our restaurant is transformed into a warm and inviting space where it’s a pleasure to extend the evening around a fine table. Dinner cuisine takes creativity and care to a new level, with elaborate dishes featuring the exceptional produce of our beloved Alps. A dinner at Pépé Nicolas is sure to end the day on a colorful note – and a flavorful one.
Don’t let the end of the season pass you by: come and enjoy the last moments of winter at Val Thorens
Closing the slopes is always a melancholy moment for mountain lovers. But before that happens, there are still a few magical weeks to be had in the 3 Vallées ski area. Days of skiing in the sun, a terrace bathed in light, atypical cuisine served from noon to night, a boutique full of surprises: Chez Pépé Nicolas has everything you need to make the most of every moment at the end of the season.
So don’t wait any longer. Book your table in Val Thorens, strap on your skis and join the Pépé Nicolas family for one last (or penultimate!) descent, followed by a meal like only the mountains can offer. We’ll be waiting for you with open arms – and our ovens lit.
