Meribel is a ski resort in the Tarentaise Valley in the French Alps. Situated in the heart of the largest and, for many, the finest ski area in the world, Meribel’s reputation has been built on its extensive skiing & snowboarding, and breath-taking scenery.
Meribel ski resort - 3 Valleys ski area
Meribel Valley is perfect for every level of skiing and snowboarding. The beautiful tree-lined Altiport provides wide open and gentle slopes for beginners, while fantastic views from the top of Mont Vallon (at nearly 3000m) and Olympic lifts showcase the area's natural beauty. Six pistes in Meribel alone comprise a vertical drop of over 1000m and there are two snowparks in the valley which will keep the most daring of you entertained! With the lifts stretching up far and wide from Meribel Centre at 1450m you can easily spend the majority of your day above 2000m, all but guaranteeing excellent snow conditions from December to April. And just to be certain, Meribel's huge collection of snow cannons ensure you perfect skiing right up until the end of the season.
Freeriders have a massive area to explore with well maintained pistes and lots of powder faces. From the Saulire are some long reds down to Mottaret which in turn will allow you to gain access to the Mont Vallon area - the highest point in the Meribel Valley. Under the Plan de Homme chair are some well-spaced trees with an easy pitch but a lot of rocks.
The Méribel valley is orientated north to south so you can ski in the sun all day long. Start your day on the west side somewhere between Roc de Fer and Mont de la Chambre before working your way round to finish off on the sun-kissed slopes of the Saulire peak. All of which will give you countless opportunities to drop into the other valleys.
Meribel snowpark
The DC Area 43 Snowpark in Meribel Mottaret is divided into two parts to allow everyone to try their hand at the art of freestyle. A "Rookies" zone is dedicated to novices in this area, while the "Pros" area has gained international fame thanks to its half pipes, hips and kickers.
The Element Park has many modules for all levels: whoops, boarder cross and Fun Cross are all to be discovered. The Turn & Run is part of the same entertainment. This family boarder cross comes alive between snowy bridge, giant snail and tight turns.
Meribel apres ski
Après-ski in Meribel is certainly one of a kind. There are plenty of different bars and clubs to suit all. Majestically placed below the Saulire express mid-station, Méribel's Folie Douce offers spectacular shows, champagne and music that you just can't help but dance to. Le Rond Point (affectionately known as the Ronny) consistently remains the place to be after skiing in Méribel. The sun terrace is always packed and most days there is a live band.
Barometer in the centre is always popular and La Taverne has a great happy hour. This area is also the epicentre of the bar scene later on, with Le Pub and Scott's offering the opportunity for some dancing till late. There are also a few clubs including O'Sullivans.
Méribel Centre, Méribel-Mottaret and Méribel Village
Meribel Village is approximately a 5 minutes drive, or bus journey, from central Meribel and is often described as the prettiest resort in the Meribel valley. It is perfect for families as it has a supermarket, ski shop, bakery and there are also a couple of restaurants and bars.
Similar to Meribel Centre most chalets and apartments in Meribel Village have been built in-keeping with the traditional Savoyard style. The resort comprises of many different types of accommodation; hotels, self-catered and fully-catered chalets and apartments of varying sizes and budgets.
The focal point of the valley and its original resort, Meribel Centre is the most lively and most sought-after of the four options. This is where you'll find facilities such as banks, post offices, the tourist office, etc. It's also the nerve centre of Meribel skiing, with La Chaudanne lift providing a natural meeting place and starting point for many days out on the slopes. This is what many people really mean when they say "Meribel".
British skiers have made Meribel their home which is in evidence when you cross the thresholds of bars like Evolution, La Taverne, Jack’s Bar, Scott’s... If the atmosphere in these bars isn’t for you, head for a less British style establishment such as the Abreuvoir or Copina.
Meribel Mottaret is the furthest south and highest of the main villages of Meribel. The nightlife and apres ski here are very quiet and mainly consist of French hotels and self-catered apartments. In Mottaret, the clientele is more often French and the atmosphere is generally calmer than in Meribel centre. There are several gastronomic restaurants but there are also more affordable options where you can order some of the specialities of the region. Getting to Meribel Centre, from Meribel Mottaret, is just a short bus drive away.
