Meribel Ski Resort, France

Overview of Meribel

Méribel is the convivial, warm heart of the legendary Three Valleys ski area. The resort makes for a perfect base to explore these world-class mountains, but it also holds its own in the big league of must-ski destinations.

Chances are you will already know Méribel skiing, the British legacy here runs deep. The resort was founded in the 1930s, with British investors including Peter Lindsay involved from the outset, and was designed around a strict architectural style that still shapes the resort today. Wood, stone and slate-roofed chalets give Méribel a distinctive look, while ongoing investment in the mountain infrastructure keeps the skiing firmly in the 21st century. Add to this the array of après-ski activities and fantastic nightlife and you may find yourself gravitating back to this resort year after year, and you wouldn't be alone.

The resort is spread across the Allues valley, from the old village of Les Allues at the bottom to Méribel Village, Méribel Centre and Méribel-Mottaret further up the mountain. Méribel Centre is the main hub, with roads lined with traditional chalets built from local stone and wood, topped with characteristic slate roofs. The different villages are connected by a free bus service, so you can easily get around without needing a lift pass.

Méribel's own ski area has 150km of pistes, but its real trump card is its position right in the middle of the Three Valleys. From here you can head towards Courchevel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires and Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, giving you access to 600km of linked pistes on a Three Valleys lift pass.

Three things we love about Méribel

1. Les Trois Vallées - Méribel makes up one-third of the Three Valleys and sits right in the middle, with Courchevel and the Belleville Valley on either side. With 600km of linked pistes, there is certainly enough skiing for the week, even if you never quite manage to make it back to Méribel for lunch.
2. The village feel - Unlike many large French ski resorts, Méribel has avoided the towering blocks of apartments and hotels you find elsewhere. Instead, the resort is made up largely of chalets and chalet hotels, all following the distinctive local architectural style. It's a big ski area with a surprisingly villagey feel.
3. The après-ski - Méribel has plenty going on once the lifts close, from live music and mountain bars to late-night spots in the centre. It's an easy resort for après fans, with enough choice to keep things interesting throughout the week.

Snow-sure choice

• Several north-facing slopes. Mont Vallon / Combe du Vallon is one of the best snow-holding areas in Meribel.
• Meribel currently has 2000 snow cannons, with snow-making coverage across 50% of the resort making it one of the strongest resorts for artificial snow making
• Average annual snowfall is 344cm, with approximately 29 days of snowfall across the year

Skiing and Boarding in Meribel

Méribel is one-third of the legendary Three Valleys, alongside Courchevel and the Belleville Valley. With a full Three Valleys lift pass, you can explore 600km of pistes across Méribel, Courchevel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires and Saint-Martin-de-Belleville. The ski area has around 160 lifts and more than 300 pistes (50 green, 137 blue, 113 red and 37 black), so there's plenty to keep even the most determined skier occupied.

Méribel's lift system makes it easy to get around the valley and, with everything from gentle nursery slopes to steep reds, blacks and plenty of off-piste terrain, all levels of skiers will find something to keep them entertained.

Beginner

• In the centre of Méribel-Mottaret you'll find two beginner-friendly Zen Zones, with magic carpets and gentle terrain for first-timers. The magic carpets are free to use, so you don't need a lift pass.
• There's also a magic carpet at the Chaudanne in Méribel Centre, close to the bottom of the Saulire gondola.
• The Combes chairlift in Méribel-Mottaret gives access to Yeti Park, a gentle green run that's a good step up once you've got your ski legs.
• Head towards the Altiport for the Ski Cool Zone, with a selection of green and blue runs and plenty of space to build confidence.
• From the mid-station of the Saulire gondola, the Blanchot green run is a long, gentle way down towards the Altiport.
• Once you're ready to move onto blue runs, the areas around Combes, Plattières and Tougnète are good places to start exploring further.

Intermediate

• There is a great selection of blue and red runs around Saulire, with plenty of different routes to choose from depending on how you're feeling.
• A must-ski area is Mont Vallon, where the red runs from the top of the gondola offer some fantastic high-altitude skiing and big mountain views.
• For tree-lined skiing, head towards the lower part of the valley around the Olympic chairlift. The runs down towards Le Raffort and Les Allues are particularly enjoyable when the weather closes in.
• The Pas du Lac gondola opens up a good selection of reds around Méribel-Mottaret, as well as access towards Courchevel.
• For a long run, take Tougnète and tackle the Ladies Olympic Downhill run. It's a good test of the legs and one of the classic longer runs in the valley.

Advanced and Off-Piste

• The Grande Rosière black is a good challenge from the Pas du Lac sector.
• The terrain around Mont Vallon offers some excellent off-piste opportunities, particularly after fresh snowfall.
• There is more challenging terrain around Pas du Lac and under the Loze sector, with a mix of steep sections and tree skiing.
• The Côte Brune area is another favourite when there's fresh powder.
• From Tougnète, experienced skiers can find a mixture of steep pistes and off-piste terrain dropping back towards the Méribel valley.
• The open powder fields around Plattières and Combes can also be great fun after a decent snowfall.

Park

• Méribel Snowpark in Mottaret has a range of features for different abilities, including jumps, boxes, rails and kickers. The park can be lapped using the nearby Châtelet chairlift.
• When the snow's fresh, you'll find natural kickers, rollers and mini wind-lips around the Boulevard de la Loze blue run, which can be great fun for a bit of off-piste messing around.
• With a full Three Valleys lift pass you can also access the snowparks in Courchevel and Val Thorens, giving you plenty of options to mix things up during the week.

Additional tips

• For a fantastic view across the valley, head up towards the top of Olympic.
• When the weather isn't playing ball, head towards Méribel Village or La Tania. The tree-lined slopes offer more shelter and can give you better visibility.
• The valley's different aspects mean snow conditions can vary throughout the day, so it's worth moving around rather than sticking to one side of the mountain.
• If you're finishing your day on Mont Vallon or returning from Val Thorens, keep an eye on lift closing times. If you've missed the final connection back towards Méribel Centre, you can ski down into Mottaret and take the bus back to resort.
• For something a bit different, and particularly good for children, look out for the Moon Wild piste, a themed run with life-sized animal models and quizzes along the way.

When skiing or snowboarding in any unpatrolled or unpisted area, you should always have the correct equipment and employ the services of a qualified mountain guide. Skiing or snowboarding off-piste can result in injury or death even with a professional mountain guide or instructor. Our partner ski schools in Meribel, Parallel Lines and New Generation, offer off-piste lessons and guiding.

Activities in Meribel

Fancy doing something else besides skiing and snowboarding? Here are some of the top things available in the resort:

• Olympic Park - The resort's main leisure centre, with swimming pools, a spa, bowling, climbing and an ice rink. It's a great option when you fancy a break from the slopes, particularly with children.
• Night tobogganing - Take to the slopes on a sledge after dark for a completely different way to experience the mountain.
• Ice hockey - Méribel's Olympic ice rink hosts ice hockey matches throughout the season, so check the fixtures if you fancy watching some fast-paced action off the slopes.
• Bowling - A good option for families, with lanes specially adapted for children from age 3+.
• Horse riding - Swap skis for a saddle and head out into the snowy landscape on horseback.  
• Snowshoeing - Explore Méribel's winter scenery on foot, with marked walking and snowshoeing routes taking you away from the pistes and into the surrounding forests and mountain scenery.
• Local market - Stock up on local cheese, charcuterie, clothing and gifts at Méribel's regular street market.
• Spas - There are plenty of spas around Méribel, making it easy to book in some time to relax after a day in the mountains. 
• Walking - There are some lovely scenic footpaths between Méribel Centre and Méribel-Mottaret, giving you a chance to explore the valley without skis.
• Trip to Brides-les-Bains - If you fancy a day off the slopes, take the gondola down to Brides-les-Bains, where you'll find cafés, shops and the famous thermal spa. Just check opening times before you go, as some shops close around lunchtime.

Après Ski in Meribel

Want to party after your day on the slopes? Méribel has a seriously good après scene, with live music and DJs kicking off from the afternoon and plenty of options to carry on into the evening.

• La Taverne Bar  - Right in the centre of Méribel, with live music, a bar and restaurant. A good all-rounder if you want to carry on the après without heading too far.
• La Folie Douce - Perched at 2,100m at the mid-station of the Saulire Express, La Folie Douce is one of Méribel's big après-ski names, with live music and DJs every afternoon.
• Rond Point  - Known locally as the Ronnie, this legendary slope-side bar has live music and DJs every afternoon, with the party getting going from around 3.30pm. Keep your ski boots on and dance on the terrace overlooking the valley.
• Fifty50 Bar - A quieter, cosier option for those who fancy a more chilled après session. 
• Jacks Bar  - At the foot of the slopes in Méribel Centre, Jacks is a go-to for après with live music, food and drinks, and stays open into the evening.
• Hotel Doron (AKA Le Pub) - A small, lively venue with live music and a late-night atmosphere.  
• Lodge du Village - A great après venue in Méribel Village, with live music, DJs, cocktails, food and a sunny balcony with mountain views. It also stays open late, so you can easily make an evening of it.
• Le Rambler - The go-to pub in Méribel-Mottaret, with local beers, Guinness, cocktails and live music. A good option if you're staying up in Mottaret and don't fancy heading down to Méribel Centre.
• O'Sullivans - Méribel's late-night Irish bar and club, with DJs, dancing and a lively atmosphere. A good bet if you're not quite ready to call it a night after après.

Places to eat in Meribel

Some wonderful places to dine in Méribel make this resort a great choice for foodies. As with all ski resorts, especially during peak season or when heavy snowfall brings everyone off the mountain at once, it's best to book your restaurant in advance.

On the mountain

• La Terrasse - A good-value option in Mottaret, serving burgers, pizzas and other easy-going dishes. A useful spot for a casual lunch on the mountain. 
• Rond Point - Great views, a sunny terrace and a menu of homemade Savoyard dishes. It's also one of the resort's best-known après spots, so you can easily combine lunch with a bit of live music later in the afternoon.
• Le Clos Bernard - Tucked away in the Altiport forest, this is a lovely spot for a more leisurely mountain lunch, with a gourmet menu and a beautiful setting.
• La Folie Douce - Better known for its legendary après, but La Folie Douce also has several food options if you're looking for lunch with a side of mountain views and entertainment.
• Le Monchu - A high-altitude bistro with a large sunny terrace, serving traditional mountain dishes as well as pastries and lighter options.
• Le Blanchot - Close to the Altiport, with a varied menu packed with Savoyard specialities. A good choice when you're after a proper mountain lunch.

In town

• La Tavern - A relaxed bistro serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, right in the centre of Méribel.
• L'Igloo Restaurant  - An igloo-themed restaurant and lounge bar for something a little more special. A good option for a fancy night out.
• La Brizolee - A varied menu makes this a good option for groups who can't quite agree on what they fancy for dinner.
• Le Rastro - A popular pizzeria in Méribel-Mottaret, serving pizzas in a cosy setting. 
• Pizzeria du Mottaret - Another handy Mottaret option for pizza, particularly if you're staying up in the resort and don't fancy heading down to Méribel Centre.
• Le Close-Up - Traditional French food with a bit of a twist. The restaurant has its own magician, who performs tableside magic while you eat.
• Barometer - A relaxed bar and restaurant serving pizzas and other casual dishes, with sports shown on the TVs.
• Copina - A tapas bar with cocktails, ideal for sharing a few plates rather than committing to a full three-course dinner.
• La Galette - Traditional Savoyard dishes, pizzas and crêpes, making this a good all-rounder for an easy-going meal.
• Le Refuge - Best known for its pizzas, but there's also a wider menu of French dishes and a good cocktail list.
• Jacks - A chilled restaurant and bar serving American-inspired dishes including burgers, fries and milkshakes. Handy for a casual dinner or something a bit different from the usual Savoyard fare.
• Chez Bif - A casual spot in Mottaret town centre specialising in sandwiches and burgers. Great for a quick lunch or an easy dinner.  

Family Features Meribel

Please also see the Activities and Ski School sections for a wealth of non-skiing and skiing options for families.

Depending on the age of your child, there are a few childcare options available in Méribel.

• ESF Les Saturnins - Daycare for little ones aged 18 months to 3 years, based at the Olympic Park. Children can enjoy a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, including games, sledging and snow play.
• Alpine Child Care  - Nannies and babysitters.
• Merinannies - Private nannies and babysitters, with childcare available in Méribel and the surrounding resorts. 
• Jelly and Ice Cream - Private nannies and babysitters who can look after children in your chalet, hotel or apartment, with activities tailored to their age.