Meribel - ski area

Ski highlights for all levels

Beginners: Méribel catches the sun, and learning in howling winds is not much fun, so you’re already one step ahead. There is very good provision by ESF for small children in ski school. Yeti Park, Little Himalaya, and the altiport are the main areas for beginners, and Méribel has a dedicated lift pass for beginners, the Mini Pass, free for children under five. 

Intermediates: There is such a thrill in being able to journey while skiing, and Méribel is great for this. Try a trip to Saint Martin de Belleville, cruising down Crêtes and then Jerusalem from the top of Tougnete. You can reward yourself with a hot chocolate or something stronger at Brewskis in Saint Martin. Alternatively, take a day trip to La Tania: there are delightful tree-lined runs into the resort.

Méribel has superb piste skiingPhoto: Sylvain Aymoz

Experts: Superb piste skiing—you won’t get bored. For a day’s big adventure, head over to Orelle. Watch out for crowds and watch your speed on the ‘motorways’ coming down from Val Thorens and at the top half of Courchevel 1850 heading down from Saulire.

A trip to La Tania for coffee or lunch is advised. If you’re in Méribel and short on time (having to pick up less advanced skiers from ski school), play on the black (écureuil) on the top half of Tougnete. It is usually almost empty.

Off-piste

Much of Méribel has excellent off-piste in a dump of snow, especially in the Mont-Vallon area and the Plattieres. The Aiguille du Fruit sector, which ends in the vast Plan de Tuéda Nature Reserve, is another classic, while the Tournier Colour, a steep 37-degree black that's secured yet ungroomed, is a freerider's dream. If you are unfamiliar with the area, hire a guide.

For tree skiing, head to Le Raffort, at the entrance to the Vallée des Allues, or else, climb to the Col de Jean for untouched combes followed by dense forest.

Ski schools and guides

Oxygène Ski School (+33 47 908 53 36) is a popular ski school with English and French instructors. Many lessons are in English. ESF also has a strong presence in Méribel (+33 47 908 60 31), with classes for all levels and kindergarten.

Lift system

Meribel has 15 gondolasPhoto: Sylvain Aymoz

There is 150km of skiing in Méribel encompassing 72 runs, and more than 600km of skiing throughout the Three Valleys. Locally, Méribel has 15 gondolas, 17 chairlifts, 13 drag lifts, 8 telecabines and 2 walkways.

Be careful as it nears lift closing time—a taxi fare from valley to valley will eat severely into your holiday spending money.   

Snow reliability

There are almost 700 snow cannons. But with 85% of the ski area above 1,800m, you can expect to find great snow conditions on much of the mountain throughout the season.

Snow parks

Freestyling in MeribelPhoto: Sylvain Aymoz

The Elements Park in Méribel is excellent. There is also a second park under the Plattieres gondola in Méribel-Mottaret with a great Half Pipe, the only one in the 3 Valleys.