Located in the heart of Les 3 Vallées, Méribel is the ultimate ski and snowboard destination for high-octane fun.
Story by Ricky French.
Figuring out how to tackle the world’s largest interconnected ski area might seem daunting at first, but our Méribel ski guide Maylis Verdoia has a handy tip: “Just follow the sun.” This proves to be an easy enough assignment, because the sun doesn’t stop shining the entire four days we spend skiing Les 3 Vallées in the French Alps. The ski area spans a whopping 650km, spread across seven resorts, with most of the terrain above 1800m. It’s truly epic.
Snow sport training: Lessons ESF is the biggest and most prestigious ski school in France, with 420 instructors in Méribel.
Nestled in the middle valley, Méribel is the heart of Les 3 Vallées in every sense. From here, you’re only one gondola ride from skiing into ritzy Courchevel, while on the opposite side of the valley lies Les Menuires and the lunar-like landscape of Val Thorens, the highest resort in Europe. Beyond offering the best access for exploring the entire interlinked ski area, Méribel manages to imbue the best attributes of all seven resorts, combining luxury with a laid-back vibe.
It also looks like a fairytale. Slate-roofed, Savoyard-style stone and timber chalets line the winding streets, while at the head of the valley the frozen Lake Tueda offers a secluded retreat for snowshoeing or Nordic skiing. The view down the valley stretches to grassy lowlands squiggled with streams and dotted with tiny townships that twinkle at night. No wonder it wins so many hearts.
The western side of the valley is bathed in soft, morning sunlight as we ride a gondola to the 2952m summit of Mont Vallon, Méribel’s highest lifted point. The highest mountain in the Alps, Mont Blanc rises in the distance, while at our feet lies the Gébroulaz Glacier, gateway to a plethora of off-piste terrain for adventurous skiers. We stay glued to the groomers, skiing the Campagnol run more than 1000 vertical metres back to Méribel-Mottaret, the resort’s upper village, where we stop at La Brizolée restaurant to replenish our lost carbs with hearty serves of tartiflette, a traditional cheesy potato bake from the Savoy region. As the afternoon rolls on we follow the sun to the Saulire side of the valley, ending the day by skiing straight into the slopeside ski room at Le Coucou, just in time for après ski on the terrace. Not bad for day one.
Sunrise sparkles off pristine corduroy as we join a group of 40 skiers for first tracks on the freshly groomed Biche piste, a wide, blue run starting from the top of the Saulire Express gondola. It feels like we have our own private mountain; in essence, we do. After two breathtaking runs we stash our skis outside La Folie Douce and head in for coffee and croissants, included in the package.
Hidden among the pine trees away from the crowds, the altiport area is a haven for families, with beginner slopes, Nordic trails, a dedicated tobogganing area, plus a mini terrain park. Get to know the local wildlife following the Moon Wild piste through the forest, uncovering life-size cut-out models of animals. Kids keen on progressing should try the Blanchot run, a long, green groomer beginning from the mid-station of the Saulire Express gondola and weaving back to the altiport base. Kids of all ages will love night tobogganing, a two-kilometre descent down the Little Himalaya run in the Yeti Park area.
Look to the sky most afternoons in Méribel and you’ll see swarms of tandem paragliders floating down like confetti. It’s thrilling to stand at the edge of a mountain then ski off it, soaring silently above the valley, or swooping down on revellers dancing on the deck at the legendary party bar La Folie Douce. My flight takes me directly over the ski runs to the lower village of Les Allues, and even includes some slightly scary G-force-inducing acrobatic turns. You’ll find Prosneige Paragliding near the top of the Pas-du-Lac gondola.
Be sure to check out the swoony city of Annecy, 90 minutes’ drive from Méribel on the shores of Lake Annecy. Canals cut through the cobbled streets of the old town, crammed with colourful houses dating back to medieval times. We spend a night at the historic Imperial Palace, a grand, waterfront chateau built in 1913, borrowing e-bikes to zip round the lake and into the old town.
Getting to Méribel from Australia is straightforward with a bit of planning. Fly from major Australian cities such as Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to Geneva (Switzerland) or Lyon (France), both are the closest international airports to the French Alps. From there, you can reach Méribel in about 2.5 to 3 hours by car, private transfer or shuttle (2.5 hours). Another option is to take a connecting flight to Chambéry Airport, which is just 1.5 hours from the resort. For a scenic route, some travellers also take the train from Paris to Moûtiers, the nearest station to Méribel, followed by a short taxi or bus ride to the village. Moûtiers is the nearest train station, 4.5 hours from Paris on the TGV fast train, then a short 25-minute transfer. Mogul Ski World offer competitive packages.
Méribel is a renowned ski resort in the French Alps known for its traditional wooden chalets, exciting après-ski scene and prime location within the world-famous Three Valleys (Les 3 Vallées), offering access to 600km of interconnected pistes. Founded in the 1930s by a British colonel, it remains a favourite among British skiers. Sitting at around 1,450 metres, Méribel boasts reliable snow conditions and a modern lift system connecting skiers to both its own 150km of trails and neighbouring resorts such as Courchevel and Val Thorens. Stay in a cosy chalet, soak up breathtaking alpine views, and enjoy quick, close and easy access to the lively atmosphere of Méribel Centre, the resort’s main village with the widest range of restaurants, shops and amenities.
If you’re travelling from Australia to Méribel your purse is likely to feel the pinch, and it goes beyond the unfavourable exchange rate. Due to Méribel’s idyllic location within the popular Les Trois Vallées and its premium on and off-piste offerings, the resort is pricier than some others. Lift passes, accommodation and dining can add up to a large holiday expenditure, but a ski holiday in Méribel can be made more affordable by planning well in advance. Keep your eyes peeled for ways to save money, such as early bird lift pass deals, off-peak deals and budget-friendly or self-contained accommodations.
Explore the stunning winter landscapes of Méribel on foot with a pedestrian lift pass, giving you access to gondolas and lifts across the Three Valleys. From there, you can reach more than 25km of groomed, well-marked hiking trails that connect charming alpine villages and lead to scenic mountain restaurants, many or which are accessible by lift. With routes ranging from easy strolls to more challenging treks, it’s the perfect way to soak up the beauty of the Alps without skis.
For a unique twist on alpine adventure, swap skis for a snowmobile, husky sled, or horse-drawn sleigh in Méribel. Join a guided skidoo tour and zip across snowy circuits, or experience the thrill of dog sledding; either learning to mush your own huskies or relax in the sled as they lead the way. For something slower-paced and romantic, glide through the snow around Tuéda Lake in a charming horse-drawn sleigh.
Discover Méribel’s quieter side by snowshoeing or ski touring through its breathtaking alpine landscapes. Beginners can join guided excursions, while experienced adventurers can grab a map from the tourist office and explore solo.
For a break from the slopes, head to Méribel’s Parc Olympique, a sports and leisure centre built for the 1992 Winter Olympics. Located in the heart of town, it has something for everyone. Swimming, indoor climbing, ice skating, bowling and even ice-hockey matches are all on the cards. Fitness lovers can join classes such as aqua biking, paddle boarding or circuit training, while the spa area invites you to unwind with saunas, hammams and jacuzzis.
After a day on the slopes, unwind at one of Méribel’s spas. From deep-tissue massages to soothing facials, top spots such as Spa des Neiges by Clarins, Nuxe Spa at Le Kaila, Deep Nature Spa, and Le Grand Cœur Hotel Spa offer a range of indulgent treatments. Whether you’re easing tired muscles or simply seeking a moment of calm, there’s no better way to get some R&R than at a spa.
For a cosy evening off the slopes, catch a film at Méribel’s local cinema. Look for screenings marked VO or VOST (version originale) to enjoy the latest releases in English.
Known in France as ski de fond, this peaceful yet challenging winter sport is a great way to explore Méribel’s snow-covered landscapes, with 33km of scenic cross-country trails to discover. Equipment hire and beginner lessons are readily available, making it easy to try something new on the snow.
This article originally appeared in Ski & Snowboard magazine. Subscribe to the latest issue here. Be the first to see more exclusive online content by subscribing to the enewsletter below.
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