Meribel - village

Méribel is a purpose-built ski resort. However, it has a chalet feel to it and is not dominated by high-rise buildings.

Your main choice when booking is whether to stay in Méribel or Méribel-Mottaret (the part of the resort slightly higher up). Méribel-Mottaret is less aesthetically pleasing, though it has great access to the slopes. Méribel, meanwhile, has a party feel and après-ski that lives up to the resort’s energetic reputation.

Thanks to the Olympus gondola connecting it to Méribel centre, the small, down-valley village of Les Allues is also an option. It's much older than either of the above, with traditional chalet architecture and a much quieter atmosphere, and can be reached on skis via the Raffort-Villages piste for part of the season.

The resort of Méribel is 12 miles up the mountain road from Moûtiers and is a very good option for arriving by train, then bus transfer. From station to resort, the transfer time is approximately one hour. 

Accommodation types

There are three 4-star hotels – the Grand Coeur in Méribel (33 47 908 60 03), the Mont Vallon in Méribel-Mottaret (00 33 47 900 44 00) and a brand new one: L’Helios, Hôtel and Wellness. There are a handful of 2-star and ten 3-star hotels.

Photo: Sylvain Aymoz

There are many apartments and chalets, catered and self-catering. If you are looking for luxury, companies with high-end chalets include Active Experience and Alpine Infusion (01844 344955).

If you're deadset on a spa holiday, several hotels and residences have in-house services, including L'Antarès, Le Coucou, and La Traye. 

Ski/snowboard equipment hire

If you book through a big tour operator such as Alpine Infusion, you’ll get help with ski hire. For independent travellers, there are 34 ski hire shops in every area of the resort. Skiset in Méribel-Mottaret and Méribel Centre is a good bet. Some hire shops will come to your chalet to do ski fittings on pre-booked equipment.

Non-ski activities

Paragliding is advertised at the top of Saulire. One company that provides flights is TandemTop (+33 7 76 80 12 24). For a slightly calmer activity, ESF offers snow-shoeing, and for something more skilled, they also offer biathlon using a real pellet rifle. Méribel also has two toboggan runs, open each night between 17:30 and 19:30.

Méribel hosts an annual jazz festival in winterPhoto: Sylvain Aymoz

Built for the 1992 Winter Olympics, Méribel's Parc Olympique is fantastic in the case of a freak snowstorm: its Olympic ice rink stays open all season, with a spectacular show, La Fille du Marchand de Sable, at Christmas. The centre also has a 25-metre swimming pool and climbing wall, with mountain guides on-hand.

Throughout the season, Méribel hosts a variety of festivals and events. For winter 2026–27, this will include the resort Jazz Festival in January, the Comedy Festival in February, and Sound Clash, a 'DJ battle on the streets of Méribel', in April.

In March, the resort will also play host to the FIS Men's and Women's Slalom events, which are free to spectate.

Childcare

Photo: Sylvain Aymoz

ESF Les Saturnins (00 33 4 79 08 60 31) in the Olympic Centre is for children aged 18 months to 3 years. Children play snow games in class. ESF ‘Piou-Piou’ Kindergartens are for children aged 3 to 5. Children are introduced to skiing in playgrounds with ski lifts and inflatable characters. Book well ahead.