MERIBEL
3 Valleys Ski Area
The Three Valleys are simply awesome. Located at the heart of this amazing region, Meribel forms the hub of the biggest pisted ski area in the world with 600km of ski runs. From Meribel centre you have easy access to the slopes of Meribel, Mottaret, Courchevel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, and a fourth Valley at Les Orelles.
With an unparalleled number of snow cannons (1,500) and over 200 lifts servicing the 3 Valleys, skiing and snowboarding possibilities are endless. Meribel, on its own, boasts 15 gondola lifts and 19 chairlifts to whizz you effortlessly to the top of the mountain. Benefitting from substantial investment, each year at least one lift is upgraded, so you’ll enjoy high-speed chairlifts and bubble-cars and very few rickety old button lifts.
Just starting out on your adventure with skiing? Look no further than the green Altiport area located just above Meribel – a tree-lined sanctuary where you have the time and space to develop those first turns. For kids there is the themed Animal run, with life-size local animals hidden in the turns of a gentle run down the Altiport.
Perhaps you’re an improving intermediate? Then the Tougnette lifts will whisk you up towards the Vallée de Belleville, where you can exercise the vocal chords whilst gliding down the rollers of the famous “Jerusalem” red run. This in turn leads down to the picturesque village of St Martin de Belleville.
If you’re an expert, Meribel can also throw up some good challenges with the “Aigle” red run beginning at the top of the Meribel Valley descending through 950m of vertical to bring you out into Mottaret. Why not see if you can complete it top to bottom without stopping?!
For those with a greater sense of adventure there is always the iconic Mont Vallon – an absolute must for those who enjoy a good blast on a long piste or for those who like to challenge the knees with a sustained section of moguls.
Or perhaps you could take on “La Face” – the black run that leads from the top of the Olympic chair lift and heads back into the Chaudanne.
If you’re brave (or mad) enough and want to claim bragging rights, the world-famous “Grand Couloir” off the top of the Saulire ridge that drops down into Courchevel is a ski bucket list must.
Staying purely ‘on-piste’ Meribel enjoys the reputation as being the ‘heart of the 3 Valleys’, which means it’s ideally located if you wanted to speed over to Val Thorens and explore the huge powder bowl there, or indeed make the short trip over the ridge into the stunningly beautiful, tree-lined setting that is Courchevel.
Snowparks
If the sound of the snow fizzing under your snowboard as you whizz down the valley isn’t enough for you, then check out one of the two specially designed Snowboard parks in Meribel.
Meribel’s ‘Area 43’ offers 1.2km worth of sculpted jumps, lines and ramps. With half-pipes, quarter-pipes, baby-pipes, tables, spines and boardercross, you can spin and leap to your heart’s content. And that’s before we mention the beginners’ airbag. Whilst you’re up there remember to keep an eye out for some of the top European and American snowboarding royalty too.
If you’re looking for your first jumps or rollers then Meribel’s ever popular ‘Moon Park’, just up from the Chaudanne, may well be the place for you. Catering for people who are wanting to grow their confidence or expand their sense of adventure, you can now even film yourself negotiating your first bumps and jumps. Not to be missed!
And further afield you have the jump parks in Courchevel, and the biggest jumps over at the Val Thorens park.
Meribel Resort
Known not only for it’s world class Skiing, Meribel is on the map for its après ski, restaurants, and shopping too. There is as much to do off the slopes as there is on. Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast, lover of extreme sports, or simply enjoy relaxing in the breath-taking mountain surroundings, Méribel has something to offer everyone. Transport doesn’t have to be an issue in or around Meribel either, with a designated free ‘Navette’ or shuttle bus, you can leisurely negotiate the resort, dipping in and out of the range of shops, cafes or patisseries. Come the evenings, and Meribel is showered with musical talent. Wander into many of the local bars and you’ll be sure to find a band or a DJ playing into the early hours. In Meribel, you can relax as little or as hard as you like!
Non Skiers
Meribel really does have something for everyone and for every age. Ice-skating, a gym, a health spa, a swimming pool, with slide, ten-pin bowling, horse-rides, paragliding, an indoor climbing wall, amazing restaurants and bars, with live music – the list goes on! As a non-skier you can buy a pedestrian pass and go up the mountains to enjoy the panoramic mountain restaurants. Meribel boasts many beautiful alpine walks – the Tourist Office produces a walkers’ map so you can explore the area to your heart’s content. So even if you don’t ski, you’ll have plenty to do to keep you entertained, and plenty of space to unwind, relax and enjoy the stunning mountain scenery.
Apres-ski
If offering an awesome ski area wasn’t enough, Meribel is a resort that just keeps on giving. How about celebrating an epic day of skiing in some of Meribel’s après bars? Regularly in the Top 10 list of après-ski bars to visit, The Rond Point is a lively, bustling slope-side bar that draws in all and sundry with seductive live music and an electric party atmosphere. The ‘Ronnie’ however has been given a close run by its neighbour La Folie Douce – located at mid-station Saulire. Head here if you want the ultimate in alpine partying – but beware…there is still the ski down afterwards.
Meribel is also home to Ski Angels, who will help you safely off the mountain at the end of the day.
Having finished skiing for the day, it doesn’t all have to be about liquid refreshment - a skiing holiday is the perfect excuse to stop counting calories so why not treat yourself to the creamy, smooth delight of a cheese fondue, or perhaps even a Savoyarde raclette, with potatoes, mountain meats and gooey local cheeses melting into a taste sensation.