I feel that the final time I skied in Meribel I used to be nonetheless engaged on my parallel turns so it’s secure to say that loads has modified since I final visited Méribel village.
However whereas the resort has grown enormously, providing extra household lodging choices, wonderful eating selections and a bunch of apres-ski actions (not simply of the Folie Douce variety), one factor hasn’t altered and that’s Meribel’s place within the coronary heart of the Three Valleys ski space.
Les Trois Vallées ski area within the Tarentaise Valley is made up for seven ski resorts: Méribel, Courchevel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, La Tania, Saint Martin de Belleville, Brides les Bains and Orelle.
Whereas every resort has one thing completely different to supply, Méribel wins first place in the case of location. Its place within the centre of the 600 km of pistes means easy accessibility to the whole lot that Les 3 Vallées has to supply skiers. This actually is among the greatest household ski resorts in France.
If you’re contemplating a Meribel household ski vacation then this publish is for you. Learn on to find why
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Historical past of Meribel village
As soon as upon a time Meribel was a conventional farming village however then within the Nineteen Thirties Scottish Colonel Peter Lindsay arrived with a imaginative and prescient to create a ski resort. He labored with French skier Emile Allais to ascertain a resort close to the village of Méribel Les Allues.
Over the following years the resort grew, gaining cable automobiles and hyperlinks to different resorts in addition to ski-in ski-out lodging and the primary snow cannons within the early Eighties.
Whereas the Méribel valley has modified significantly since these early days, what hasn’t modified is the look, fashion and really feel of the resort. Lindsay insisted that the buildings mix with the pure atmosphere and nonetheless in the present day it’s a resort characterised by stone and wood chalets in a standard Savoyard fashion making it one in all France’s most tasty ski resorts.
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Meribel Ski Resort
However Meribel is greater than only a fairly face, this resort gives actually excellent snowboarding. The Meribel valley alone has round 150 km of pistes however when mixed with the remainder of the Three Valleys, you’re rewarded with the world’s largest ski space with unbelievable snowboarding to go well with everybody from the newbie to the intense skier.
Plus, the carry infrastructure and piste upkeep signifies that the slopes are extraordinary nicely groomed.
MAP OF VILLAGE
Méribel Centre
Meribel ski resort is made up of a variety of completely different villages all related both by way of bus or by the a ski slope – or each!
Méribel centre is the center of the resort the place you’ll discover a lot of the eating places, bars and acres ski with ubiquitous stay music. When it comes to ski lifts, that is the place La Chaudanne is and from right here you will get to Courchevel, Mottaret and the Altiport space of Meribel.
La Chaudanne space can be the place most ski colleges have a tendency to fulfill. It’s straightforward to stroll round Meribel centre and there are some good family-friendly lodging choices together with La Kaila (see under).
Méribel Mottaret
Sitting above the centre of Méribel at 1750 metres is Meribel Mottaret, a goal constructed resort with ski-in ski-out lodging choices providing direct entry to the pistes. The village has the whole lot you want together with supermarkets, eating places, ski rental retailers and a few unbelievable ski colleges. A free shuttle bus runs from right here to Meribel centre in roughly 10-minutes.
Meribel Village
Tucked away from the centre of the resort in a quiet location, Meribel village is a superb place for households. The Golf chairlift takes you to the Altiport space (with a protected youngsters’s space) of Meribel and a blue run takes you from right here into the Meribel centre. Or the free shuttle bus takes roughly 5 minutes.
Les Allues
Meribel Les Allues is the authentic city within the Meribel Valley earlier than the ski resort was developed. It nonetheless maintains the texture of a standard alpine village and has some nice lodging choices.
Les Trois Vallées ski space
It’s straightforward to have a look at the Three Valleys and be overwhelmed by its sheer measurement and suppose that’s solely suited to superior skiers. The fact is, nonetheless, that there are ski slopes to go well with all ranges. Plus, with 85 per cent of the ski space above 1,800m promising good circumstances for a lot of the season (additionally they have a wonderful snowmaking system ought to the climate not cooperate).
The entire resorts throughout the 3 Valleys have devoted studying zones with mild slopes – in Meribel it’s positioned on the sunny Altiport space.
There are myriad “straightforward ski zone” pistes, labelled on the piste maps and themed runs which are particularly nice for youths. And don’t suppose that you’re restricted to snowboarding in your resort in case you are new to the game; there are ski slopes that open up all the ski space to freshmen. If you’re with a ski teacher then they are going to have the ability to information you.
The Three Valleys is a superb resort for intermediate skiers with round 75 per cent of the pistes blue or crimson.
A number of the hottest runs within the Meribel valley embrace the thigh-burning Combe Vallon, a crimson run that’s one of many longest within the valley. The run begins at Méribel’s highest snowboarding level, the Mont du Vallon (2952m) and continues on, going for a complete of three.2km and a 1,000m drop. In case you plan to ski this run then it’s greatest to do it very first thing within the morning when there are fewer skiers and actually good snow.
A number of the greatest blue runs within the Meribel valley embrace Pic Blue that begins on the hyperlink to La Tania above the Altiport part of Merle and runs right down to the Loze chairlift. The Roc de Fer is one other enjoyable blue run that runs down into the Chaudanne space.
Critical skiers will need attempt a number of the black runs together with Le Grand Couloir, the hardest black run within the 3 Valleys. Earlier than even making an attempt the run it is advisable to choose your manner alongside a slender, steep ridge earlier than launching your self down the steep descent.
La Face is one other well-known black run, the world’s steepest big slalom course that took satisfaction of place within the Albertville Winter Olympic Video games in 1992.
See a the piste map for Les 3 Vallees here
Meribel for Households
Meribel is an excellent place for a household snowboarding vacation. It’s a Famille-Plus resort which means that it has the whole lot you want from wonderful childcare and family-friendly eating places to lodging suited to households, leisure and extra.
Meribel has plenty of slopes and snow parks devoted to youngsters. These are enjoyable locations to play in addition to being a secure atmosphere for them to be taught in.
The Animal Path (Piste des Animaux) follows an enchanting path by the forest the place youngsters can be taught in regards to the Trois Vallée wildlife whereas additionally training their snowplough. There’s a strolling path alongside the path for non-skiers.
Within the Altiport space of Meribel is the Inuit Village, a enjoyable play space for youths the place video games and leisure happen each day from 2pm – 4pm in the course of the French college holidays. Participate in thriller fishing, observe the Inuit path, go on a treasure hunt, play snow golf and far more. There are additionally picnic areas if you wish to convey a snack.
Alongside the Pic Bleu piste is the Altai Dragon path the place magical dragons are ready to be found after which there’s Yooni the Yeti on the Yeti Park. In brief, there are quite a lot of enjoyable runs to maintain youngsters busy, blissful and having fun with their ski vacation!
Ski colleges in Meribel
Not surprisingly given how giant Meribel is, there are a lot of ski colleges to select from with loads of choices for small group classes and devoted youngsters’s classes. In case you plan to go to in the course of the February college holidays or at New 12 months particularly then be sure to ebook nicely upfront.
Parallell Lines have been working out of Meribel for the final 23 years and have English-speaking instructors.
Oxygene provide ski and snowboarding classes in English. They’re a very good choices for freshmen and their classes for younger youngsters are capped at a most of 6 youngsters pre group.
Marmalade is a small native outfit with English-speaking instructors and a very good repute for excellent technical instructing.
New Generation is a well-respected ski college working all around the French Alps. They provide English-speaking instructors and classes starting from 2 – 4.5 hours.
The family-owned Snow School gained the 2022 Tripadvisor Vacationers’ Alternative award. They provide snowboarding and snowboarding classes throughout the Three Valleys.
ESF continues to be the most effective locations to be taught to ski they usually have 320 English-speaking instructors and provide youngsters’s ski classes for all ranges.
Prosneige provide a particular ski program for youngsters aged 2 to 4 years previous.
Different winter actions in Meribel
Away from the ski slopes Meribel has tons to supply. Listed here are a number of the indoor and outside actions that you would be able to get pleasure from when you’ve taken your ski boots off for the day they usually’re good for non-skiers too.
- Meribel’s Parc Olympique is house to a swimming pool, ice rink and an indoor climbing wall. Ice hockey matches are held right here weekly in the course of the ski season.
- There are two cinemas to select from one in Meribel and the opposite Meribel Mottaret.
- Strive snowshoeing both with an ESF information or with Raquette Evasion who finish their forest walks with a chocolate fondue.
- Go ski touring; ebook a information with ESF.
- Meribel centre has a bowling alley, good for a family-friendly competitors after the lifts shut.
- Go horse using or attempt ski-jöering (the place you’re pulled on alongside by a horse whereas on skis) on the Nordic Ranch.
- Sort out Meribel’s 3.4km toboggan run that drops 470m and has a whopping 28 corners to hurry round. It begins from the highest station of the Tougnète gondola.
- Take to the skies with a tandem paragliding flight.
Meribel and the Three Valleys Ski Go
There are numerous choices for ski passes to your Meribel ski vacation relying on the place you wish to ski and for the way lengthy. Check out essentially the most up-to-date lift pass rates here.
Household-friendly Lodging in Meribel
Meribel has developed one thing of a repute as being a vacation spot for luxurious ski holidays and that is definitely mirrored within the lodging choices.
However the excellent news is that there are many wonderful family-friendly lodging selections starting from the standard catered chalet and luxurious ski chalets to accommodations designed particularly for households. The next are simply a few of choices obtainable, for extra concepts and additional info have a look here.
Antarès Meribel
These tremendous luxurious residences are on the positioning of the previous Membership Med resort within the Belvédère space. Privately owned however obtainable to hire, the residences are monumental and include all of the lodge facilities you might ever need.
On web site can be a ski rent store, youngsters’ play space, swimming pool (with youngsters pool space) and an unique spa that along with providing magnificence therapies has a wealth of medical therapies to attempt too.
Le Coucou Resort & Spa
This luxurious 5* boutique lodge in Les Allues is owned by the identical household that based the French style model Naf Naf. The extremely covetable lodge interiors had been designed by French inside designer Pierre Yovanovitch.
There are 55 rooms together with two personal chalets. Chalet Églantine is about over 4 flooring and contains its personal personal playhouse. The chalet sleeps 12 folks. Chalet Éléonore additionally sleeps 12 and is marginally smaller than Églantine however equally fashionable.
The chalets include their very own butler, personal ski room, personal entry to the slopes, an indoor pool, personal therapeutic massage cabin, and direct entry to the lodge.
Le Kaila
One of many greatest household accommodations on the town, Le Kaila, was designed and developed by a pair with younger youngsters and the result’s lodge that’s completely good for households.
Lodging is fashionable and comfy with youngsters’ bedrooms and loos. In all probability the most effective factor about Le Kaila, nonetheless, is the Youngsters Membership that has partnered with LEGO®. Count on larger-than-life LEGO® ski figures, extra bricks that you might each probably use, comfy play areas and even DUPLO® for youthful youngsters.
La Chaudanne
Positioned metres from the slopes, luxurious Resort La Chaudanne is the perfect lodge for getting youngsters to their ski classes on time! The lodge has household rooms that sleep as much as 5 folks in addition to an indoor pool and hamman. There’s a bar only for youngsters (serving sweets moderately than your conventional apéro) in addition to a youngsters and teenage zone. The Spa has a variety of therapies for youngsters.
See rates for Hotel la Chaudanne
Resort Le Mottaret
Positioned in Meribel Mottaret, this three star ski-in ski-out lodge is a superb choice for households. They provide a variety of lodging choices together with triple rooms, a Status Household room the place youngsters keep free, a Status Quad and Status Suite that sleeps as much as six folks.
See rates for Hotel Le Mottaret
Le Savoy
In Meribel Centre is The Savoy, a pleasant lodge with household suites, cosy dwelling areas and an excellent restaurant.
Pierres & Vacances Meribel
Providing nice worth for cash are the Pierres & Vacances residences. There are a variety of various areas round Meribel to select from.
See the Pierres & Vacances Meribel properties here.
Meribel Eating places
Meribel’s restaurant scene may be very spectacular whether or not on the slopes or off. The next are a number of the greatest eating places in Meribel.
Maya Altitude
Positioned on the prime of the Tougnète chairlift at an altitude of two,400m, is that this colourfully adorned restaurant that’s a part of the Maya Assortment.
The brilliant striped ceilings and lampshades of the interiors space mentioned to have been impressed by Tibetan and Himalayan design (the place the Christmas tree made out of plush toys suits into this design concept shouldn’t be instantly apparent!). However the decor is enjoyable and the meals is great that includes Savoyard specialities a nicely as meals cooked within the charcoal and Tandoor ovens.
The desert menu is out of this world so ensure you save area!
Le Clos Bernard
This common Meribel restaurant sits within the Altiport forest and is accessed from the underside of the Loze chairlift. It’s an particularly nice alternative for lunch as skiers of all ranges – together with younger skiers – can entry it simply.
The menu options loads of conventional Savoyard dishes together with croziflette, fondue and raclette in addition to wonderful burgers and pasta. Its notably well-known for its meats grilled on a wooden fireplace. Be sure that to ebook upfront.
Le Lillie
One in every of my favorite locations to eat throughout our time in Meribel was at Le Lillie, named after the grandmother who constructed a lodge on this spot in 1964. The property not gives lodging as of late however it does serve superb meals.
Count on the whole lot from scrumptious pizzas and native specialities (fondue, raclette and tartiflette) to curry, ravioli and beef tartare – and extra! They generally have a DJ taking part in within the night.
Beef Bar at Resort Le Coucou
In addition to being fantastic luxurious lodge, Le Coucou has an spectacular Beef Bar restaurant that’s simply the most effective eating places in Meribel, notably for carnivores! Grills don’t come low cost right here however should you’re after Australian Wagyu, Japanese Kobe or Black Angus beef then that is the place to come back.
La Fromagerie
Cheese lovers ought to head straight to La Fromagerie the place the best alpine cheese is served in myriad varieties. The fondue is a favorite with locals and guests alike however additionally they serve raclette, tartiflette, salads and charcuterie. A handful of vegetarian choices additionally characteristic on the menu. Be sure that to ebook upfront.
How you can get to Meribel
Chambery Airport is the closest airport to Meribel, only a one hour and 20 minute drive away. Geneva Airport is a two hour drive from Meribel. Ask your lodging about an airport switch.
If travelling by practice then Moûtiers is the closest practice station, simply 17km away. Eurostar ski trains from London and high-speed TGV trains from Paris cease right here. From Moûtiers there are native buses that run to Méribel centre.
For extra info on travelling by practice to the slopes, check out Snowcarbon.
