The ski resort of Meribel is located in the middle part of the famous Les Trois Vallees (Three Valleys) region and consists of four main villages and several tiny villages located on the forest slopes.

The busiest place is central Meribel (1450 m). From here, lifts go in different directions, and the third stage of the gondola from the small and inexpensive resort town of Brid le Bain (600 m) brings the public from below . In central Méribel, there is a large sports complex “Olympic Park”, there is an Olympic skating rink, a swimming pool, 2 cinemas, 2 discos and even an observatory with a planetarium.

Meribel Village (1400 m) is a modest and relatively inexpensive village two kilometers from the central part of the resort, with its own ski lift and the possibility to return home on your own.

For lovers of elegance and comfort, there is a direct road to the upper part of the valley, Meribel-Mottare (1750 m). Meribel-Altiport (1,700 m), as the name suggests, is located next to a small airfield quite high on the mountainside, and in the evening civilization can only be reached from here by taxi.

In the lower part of the eastern slope there is a slalom stadium, above it – the famous black “face” track, laid before the 1992 Olympics. Directly from the center of Meribel, the gondola lifts to La Solire (2,700 m), from where you can transfer to the skiing area of ​​Courchevel . The path to Val Torrance leads through the top of Mont de la Chambre (2850 m). There are many good restaurants on the slopes.

Weather in Meribel

Before you go to Meribel , find out what the weather will be like there on the selected dates.

Most tourists come to Meribel in late December or early January, when the weather forecast here is as stable as possible. At this time of the year there are no strong winds, snowfalls or frosts, the climate is very mild and frost is practically not felt. After studying the meteorological forecast in Meribel for 14 days, you can understand that January is considered the coldest month of the year here. During this period, the air temperature drops to -3 °C during the day.

Knowing the weather in Méribel for a week, it becomes clear how much precipitation to expect and what things are better to take with you. The warmest month in Meribel is August, as the air temperature warms up to + 18 ° C. The most unpredictable weather in Meribel is considered to be at the end of spring. Since the largest amount of precipitation falls during this period.

Going to Meribel for 5 days, it is necessary to look at the weather forecast, which will show the number of sunny days during your stay at the resort, and also help to find out the thickness of the snow cover. Knowing the weather in Méribel for 3 days, you should remember that it can change depending on your location above sea level. Remember also that the air temperature drops very quickly in mountainous areas, especially after sunset.

The ski season starts at the end of November – the beginning of December and lasts until the middle of April

How to get from the airport to Meribel

There are several ways to get to Méribel from the airport. If you prefer Geneva airport, there are regular bus services, private transfer and train services for budget tourists.

It is most profitable to travel by rail. During such a trip lasting 3 hours, you will be presented with wonderful mountain landscapes and a panoramic view of the entire valley, which will not leave any traveler indifferent. A one-way train trip will cost 62 EUR, round trip 105 EUR. A ski taxi to the ski resort will cost 350 EUR, and a minivan transfer will cost 420 EUR.

If you prefer Lyon airport for your flight, then you can also get to Meribel from it by regular bus service. Preferring a ski taxi, you can get from Lyon to Meribel for 350 EUR. It is also possible to use the transfer. In this case, ordering a minivan for 8 people will cost 420 EUR.

Where to stay in Méribel

The most common accommodation in the valley is apartments and chalets. They are in all parts of the resort, and when choosing them, it is important to pay attention to the location in relation to the lifts. However, for most of them, to one degree or another, the ski in – ski out principle is implemented, that is, skiing from the door (or almost from the door).

In general, in terms of prices, Meribel is rather an expensive place.

Madame Vacances Hôtel Le Mottaret 3 star hotel

Hotel Madame Vacances Le Mottaret *** is located in a small village above the ski resort of Meribel-Mottaret 1800, in the center of the Three Valleys ski resort. Ski tracks pass nearby, and shops and restaurants are open. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the territory.

Amenities include a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a choice of anti-allergenic foam or goose down pillows. Some rooms have a private balcony with a view of the ski slope. Featuring a bath or shower, private bathrooms also come with a hairdryer and toiletries.

The hotel serves guests a varied hot and cold buffet breakfast. Lunch, which is included in the price of the all-inclusive stay, is served on the hotel terrace or at the partner restaurant Chabichou at the Three Valleys Resort, in Courchevel 1850.

The hotel has an outdoor hot tub. Guests can relax by the fireplace at the reception or in one of the 2 on-site bars offering a wide selection of drinks and music.

Ski slopes are just 20 meters away, and ski schools are also located on the resort territory. On the territory of the hotel you can buy ski passes, rent ski equipment and use the ski storage room.

Résidence Pierre & Vacances Premium L’Hévana

 

Résidence Pierre & Vacances Premium L’Hévana is located in the ski resort of Méribel , 600 meters from the Rhodes 1 ski lift and 700 meters from the Roque de Fer ski lift. It offers free Wi-Fi, an indoor pool and a fitness room.

Amenities include a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom with a bath or shower and a hairdryer, and a kitchenette with a dishwasher, microwave and fridge. Amenities include a stove, toaster, kettle and coffee maker.

At the disposal of guests of the aparthotel are various wellness services, including a sauna and a hydromassage bath.

Skiing can be enjoyed nearby.

Popular points of interest near Aparthotel L’Hévana include Saur Express 1 Ski Lift, Stade Ski Lift and Plan de l’Homme Ski Lift. Meitet Airport is 94 km away.

Chalet les trois coeurs

Chalet Les trois coeurs is located in Méribel and overlooks the garden.

The chalet has a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, as well as a kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven.

In the morning, guests are served a continental breakfast.

Guests at the chalet can enjoy a sauna, skiing in the surroundings and ski storage space.

The Olymp-3 ski lift is 700 m from the Chalet les trois coeurs complex. Chambery-Savoie Airport is 59 km away.

Lifts in Meribel

In Meribel, the network of ski lifts is very developed. In total, you can see about 60 lifts here, with a regular carrying capacity of 65,000 people. The cost of a ski lift in Meribel will depend on its type.

In general, on the territory of the ski resort there are 18 cable lifts, 18 chairlifts, of which one eight-seater and three three-seater. There are also 16 car lifts.

Meribel pays special attention to children. 8 children’s lifts work especially for them. The price for ski lifts can be more acceptable if you buy a ski pass immediately after arriving in this amazing mountain region.

Since Meribel deserves the title of a central alpine ski resort, all lifts here meet European quality standards, are regularly checked for serviceability and modernized if necessary.

Meribel ski passes

How much does it cost to ride in Meribel?

In order to conquer as many mountain peaks as possible, experienced skiers advise to buy a resort ski pass on the very first day after arriving in Meribel. It will give the right to move without restriction not only on 58 lifts located in the vicinity of the town, but will also allow access to the most remote slopes of the three valleys.

The cost of the ski pass will vary depending on the season of your stay in this snowy region, age and length of days for which it is needed. If you do not see much potential in skiing, you can get by with the purchase of a Meribel ski pass. In this case, an adult will have to pay about 32 EUR for one day. For children, this price is reduced by 30%.

The most favorable ski pass price will be if you buy a season ticket for the entire stay at the resort. In this case, a ski pass for an adult for 6 days will be equal to 157 EUR, and for a child – 118 EUR.

In Meribel, you can also buy a ski pass for the entire Three Valleys ski area. In the low season, its cost for an adult for one day will be 41 EUR, and in the high season – 51 EUR. Children under the age of five, as well as pensioners, at the age of 75 are entitled to a free ski pass, but only after providing documentary proof of age. You will also need photos to issue such ski passes.

The slopes of Meribel

The Méribel skiing area is located in the very center of the Three Valleys, which gives it undeniable advantages both in terms of ease of access to the most interesting ski slopes of the resort, and in the stability of natural and climatic conditions. A large system of trails and lifts of the resort unites the town of Meribel and is located 5 km above the valley of Meribel-Mottare, the villages of Les Allues and Meribel at the mouth of the valley, as well as many small mountain stations. At the same time, the height of the stations ranges from 1,450 to 1,850 meters, and the highest point of the lifts is 2,952 meters (Mont Vallon peak).

There are 150 km of marked and well-maintained ski trails (11% “green”, 47% “blue”, 30% “red” and 12% “black”) along the slopes of the Aluz Valley. Local “green” tracks are great for training beginners, but “blue” ones are often excessively difficult – this must be taken into account when choosing routes for those who have just started skiing. Due to the varied topography of the valley, there are two “Olympic” tracks that were used during the Winter Olympic Games in Albertville, difficult “red” descents from the slopes of Mont Vallon and Mont de La Chambre, as well as two slalom zones on on the eastern slope of the valley, leading to the Meribel-1450 station in the form of a specialized stadium.

In the lower part of the Aluz valley, there are many different slopes for both beginners and experienced skiers. The western slopes of the valley, formed by the mountain Den de Burgen (2,739 m), offer many trails with more difficult terrain, on which you can ride in natural light until the evening. Here, closer to Courchevel, there is an airport and a gliding school.

Alpine skiing slopes in Meribel are considered the most suitable for confident high-speed skiing. All descents are really wide and in the presence of snow are quite flat. This ski resort is not only good for the intermediate skier, but expert skiers will also have a lot of fun riding fast on the many red runs.

If you are a fan of extreme skiing, in this case, the resort of three valleys will not disappoint you either: the Bartavelle track, the steep slopes of Tetras and La Face – all this is the domain of advanced skiers. Do not forget about Le Grand Couloir either, we only recommend leaving the best for the end, and not overcoming this descent on the first day of your stay here.

It’s hard to find a ski resort more suitable for intermediate and intermediate skiers than Méribel. The best ski slopes in Meribel with blue or red markings are: Combe de Vallon, Jerusalem and Pramint.

Meribel is also an excellent resort for beginner skiers. After all, the ski schools here are of a very high level, and the green tracks in the Altiport area are simply ideal, they have an easy ascent, excellent length and width. As soon as you feel confident, you can move on to the Zen slopes and the Ski Cool area, where you can improve your technique in peace and quiet.

Meribel is fully immersed in the culture of snowboarding and freestyle and offers its guests excellent parks. Meribel’s ski slopes in Zone 43 should be especially noted. Moon Park is considered no less wonderful. Meribel also offers its young guests the opportunity to learn snowboarding. The Acticross Park is built specifically for children snowboarders.

If you consider yourself to be one of those who like to ride on flat tracks, then in Meribel there are several tracks in the 33 km zone that are specially designed for this type of riding. Part of the skiing runs through the forested part of the valley in the Altiport area. Fans of off-piste skiing will definitely like the Loze descent, which is located above the Altiport. Its steepness and the thickness of the snow cover will satisfy even an experienced skier.

The length of all tracks in Meribel reaches 150 km, and the length of the ski track of 5 km is considered the largest. Even in the snow and next winter, Meribel will have beautiful ski slopes for skiing, as 520 snow throwers are installed around the resort, and 20 snow compactors are constantly working.

Ski schools in Meribel

Meribel is a developed ski resort that is perfect for beginner skiers. If you do not know how to stand either on skis or on a snowboard, you should contact local ski instructors.

There are 6 ski schools on the territory of the resort, in which you will be taught how to ski in just a few days, and you will be able to overcome not only green and blue slopes, but also red ones without any problems. ESF Ecole du Ski Francais is considered the most popular and largest school. 450 experienced instructors will show the basics of skiing and snowboarding. To make the learning process more efficient, downhill skiing lessons can be held in eight languages.

The process of learning to ski downhill can take place in a group of 10 people or individually. For a five-day group course, you will need to pay about 140 EUR. Local instructors charge the same price for two hours of individual lessons.

In addition to skiing and snowboarding lessons, everyone can take lessons in cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sign up for heli-skiing or ski-touring.

Restaurants and prices in Meribel

All restaurants and cafes in Méribel usually open after 5:00 p.m. However, there are also those that work from the morning, but you can only order hot and cold drinks at this time of the day.

The most famous and popular local establishment is the inexpensive Meribel restaurant at the Tremplin Hotel and the Salon de The Les Glaciers tea room, where you can order pizza made according to authentic Italian recipes. Gourmets should visit the best restaurant in Meribel, located in the Chez Kiki chalet with exquisite cuisine. Here they prepare excellent steaks on an open fire. Prices in Méribel restaurants of this level reach 50 EUR.

L’Allodis is considered one of the best and most refined restaurants of the resort. It earned this status not only thanks to the excellently prepared dishes and high-class service, but also due to the beautiful view of the mountains from the open terrace. The average bill at this establishment is 40 EUR, but the portions here are quite large.

If you prefer the best cafes in Méribel, you should definitely visit the Lodge du Village. The average price for lunch here will not exceed 10 EUR. Cafe Les Cretes in Méribel is also famous for its affordability, as the price for lunch per person does not exceed 20 EUR, and visitors are provided with a large selection of American dishes.

If you familiarize yourself with the list of all Meribel restaurants in advance and read reviews about them, you will be able to find not only establishments where you can eat deliciously, but also those where you can have fun. These include the best local bars – Le Saint Amour and Les Enfants Terribles.

Shopping and food delivery in Meribel

The ski resort of Meribel is known for its charm and sophistication. In addition to the wonderful snow-covered slopes, the infrastructure of the town is also very well developed. There are about eighty shops in Meribel. The main ones specialize in the sale of sports equipment and ski equipment.

However, there are also those that are aimed at elite visitors. Boutiques of famous fashion designers and clothing stores of inexpensive brands are very popular. There are also shops selling souvenirs, home goods, cheese, wine and excellent smoked meats.

Meribel is a very developed and progressive resort. Although it occupies a small area, food delivery in Méribel is considered a fairly common service. A lot of establishments of different cuisines of the world are open on the territory of the town, but pizza delivery in Méribel is the most popular.

At La Chaumiere restaurant, you can order sushi delivery in Méribel, as well as try Chinese food with delivery to your hotel in Méribel. If desired, you can also order Thai food with delivery in Méribel. However, the local flavor can be fully felt if you personally visit one of the local restaurants, which specializes in traditional French cuisine.

Events and entertainment in Meribel

On the territory of the ski resort there are many entertainment facilities, including: cinemas, nightclubs, music bars, bowling, slot machines, billiards, and karaoke. Young people prefer the village of Mottare, where you can find the largest concentration of clubs, bars and discos that work until the morning. On Fridays, the “market on wheels” comes to Méribel, where you can buy a variety of amazing things.

There is also entertainment for lovers of active recreation in Meribel. The main ones include: ski raids, snowshoeing, hot air balloon flights, sledding and snowmobiling, exciting hiking and many other interesting tours. All vacationers can visit the Olimpic Center sports complex, which has a large swimming pool, jacuzzi, gym, water slides, ice rink and climbing wall.

As for competitions in Meribel, they are held here almost every day. To watch the performances of professional skiers and snowboarders, a lot of tourists come from all over the world. Performances and concerts are often organized with the participation of local ensembles.