A super trip!
We are just back from Meribel. The Eurostar daytime ski train worked beautifully. A relaxed ride through the French countryside, sipping a glass of wine is definitely the way to start a trip. From your website, I used GTaxi who met us at Moutiers and whisked us up to Meribel. Their cost for four passengers was €73 each way which we thought good value. They were polite and efficient.
Chalet Grange de Marie in Morel, where we stayed with Powderwhite is lovely, quiet and tucked away behind Chez Kiki. It sleeps 10 but it turned out it was just the four of us! (We all agreed 10 would be a squeeze, it’s better suited to 8). Our chalet host, Douglas was a star and nothing too much trouble. We are vegetarian and our friends are meat eaters. All the food was delicious and the afternoon cakes enormous, so some days Douglas would pack them up for us to take on the mountain.
Photo: Beverley Davies
Chamois Ski Shop are excellent (we understand the family own Chalet Grange de Marie). We were able to leave our skis and boots there each day so walked the 5 minutes to and from the chalet in normal shoes which was better. One lovely chap even took my and Cheryl’s boots off for us some days, so we clearly looked crackered!
Photo: Beverley Davies
The Morel chairlift is just below Chamois. We used daily to gain access up and then ski down via Rond Point to the Chaudanne bowl. Via Altiport, we skied back to Morel each day. Some days by 4pm the final part was very icy and side slipping was the way to go.
We didn’t end up partying in Meribel at all. Après tended to be a beer or G&T back at the chalet!
Chalet night off was enjoyed at L’ Alti 16 in Morel. A great restaurant with a local feel. Jolly staff, good food, Gamay and Poire William!
Sunny and cloudyPhoto: Beverley Davies
Of the mountain restaurants, the firm favourite where we ate twice was Le Corbeley’s at Saint Martin de Belville 2nd station. Le Clos Bernard is an interesting ski through the woods but worth the effort and recommended. It can be accessed also on foot and via a horse and trap. Both Jacks at Chaudanne and Le Monchu on the mountain were good stops too. Our eyes watered at the prices at Le Soucoupe, Courchevel but the French soup couldn’t be bettered though the waiters frosty.
All in all, a superb trip and one we intend to repeat next year. If Chalet Grange de Marie is anything to go by then I am impressed with Powderwhite, thank you for the recommendation.
Next up, William and I plan to take the train with our road bikes to Cividale del Friuli in May. We’ve flown before but are planning to take a sleeper train and make it an adventure.