Meribel, France

Meribel ski resort

The picturesque heart of the Trois Vallées

The ski resort of Méribel can easily claim to be at the heart of one of the world's most impressive lift-linked network of pistes and skiable terrain. Nowhere else can quite match the 600 km and 200 lifts of the Three Valleys for the convenience, breadth and depth of skiing. The ski resort of Méribel sits snugly in the central valley.

The ski resort of Meribel is a friendly place, dominated by the British. Meribel is a purpose-built resort but much more attractive than other such resorts in France as all the buildings are in chalet style. Meribel prides itself on being funky and trendy, with some really smart bars and a good atmosphere.

The ski resort of Méribel has developed into a first class ski resort but retains its traditional Alpine mountain architecture. The ski resort of Meribel holds the world record for high capacity gondola lifts, which means it can transport more skiers uphill faster than any other resort. This means that queues are now almost unheard of and skiers get to ski more terrain in the Three Valleys than anywhere else faster than anywhere else.

Skiers in Meribel will notice that the resort has two sections. There is the ski resort of La Chaudanne at just over 1600m in elevation with a traditional village atmosphere and lift hub.  Another 4 km through the valley is Méribel-Mottaret, a smaller village with a larger lift hub. These villages are set in the central valley of Les Trois Vallées. There are 53 lifts in the valley, 18 of them that start in the village and link up with another 200 lifts in Les Trois Vallées.

La Chaudanne, in the ski resort of Meribel, was founded by the British; it still retains many of its British trappings and English is spoken almost everywhere. Above this original centre rises the Cote Brune chairlift leading skiers to Les Menuires, Courchevel and Val Thorens. Méribel-La Chaudanne is about a 10 minute ride from Méribel-Mottaret. A free bus links all of these ski resorts.

Skiing in Meribel and the Three Valleys offers something for all levels of skier. There are excellent nursery slopes for beginners and plenty of excellent slopes for intermediates. Advanced skiers will find endless runs to keep them happy.

Après ski facilities in the ski resort of Méribel include an indoor swimming pool, bowling alleys and an Olympic ice skating rink. The rink has public skating daily and two nights a week. Figure skating lessons are available.

After skiing in Meribel you may want to try one of the many diverse activities on offer. A climbing wall is available in the Olympic Centre open from 2pm to 7.30pm.  Excellent walking trails criss-cross the entire valley. Discovery tours of the valley on skimobiles are organized daily. Paragliding with instructors is offered by three organisations. You can even find a six lane bowling alley in the Olympic Centre. Mountain flying lessons are offered as well as air sightseeing flights.

There are a number of activities to try including climbing classes, dogsledding, go-karting on ice, hot air balloon flights, paragliding, snowshoeing, mountain flying, paintballing, or renting skidoos. There is also an ice skating rink, and a huge swimming pool with spa facilities and a six-lane bowling alley.

skiing and boarding in meribel

Skiing in Meribel offers something for everyone. With an unrivalled amount of skiing and boarding (600km), the Trois Vallées is a magnificent ski area.  From the main lift station you can climb either side of the valley by gondola and find yourself either at Saulire admiring the view down to Courchevel, or at La Tougnete with its access to Val Thorens and Les Menuires. For the advanced skier,  the area’s blacks and off-piste will need little introduction, but do try the black from the top of the Roc de Tougne and the pistes around La Caron which will test you to the full. Runs through attractive woods lead to Méribel Village from where a chairlift returns you to the Altiport area. Snowboarding in Meribel is excellent across the whole Trois Valleés ski area.

apres ski in meribel

Apres-ski in Meribel centres on bars such as Les Enfants Terribles (Funky 70s), Dicks T-bar and La Taverne in Méribel, plus the British-run Plein Soleil bar/restaurant and Rastros Bar in Mottaret. Other good restaurants include the friendly Le Refuge and the more expensive Chez Kiki. The Olympic Centre hosts top-level ice hockey matches and has a swimming pool, climbing wall, bowling alley, a gym, saunas, Jacuzzis, massage and relaxation rooms.

If you want to have a rest from the apres ski one night and would prefer a massage to ease those muscles, then why not book yourself a massage with Massage Me.

childcare

This winter we are delighted to offer a private nanny service in partnership with t4 Nanny in Meribel. For more information on t4 Nanny and what they can offer during your family ski holiday, please see our t4 Nanny page.