Méribel > Reviews (7)

Meribel just has to be one of the best ski or snowboard resorts in the world.

SKIING & SNOWBOARDING:
BEGINNERS:
Total Beginners do not need a lift pass for the first day or two.There is a free drag lift at the Altiport Area that not many people know about.(Catch the Free Bus from Town).The same applies to Snowboarders.In fact I know snowboarders who spent all week at the Altiport and never bought a pass at all.However it can be boring and a simple Meribel Valley pass will give you lots of possibilities.You definetly do not need the full 3 Valley pass.I would also advise Ski School.It is well worth the extra money.In Meribel there are about 10 different ski & Snowboard schools.Everybody seems to really enjoy ski school here.Far more fun than practising alone (Or letting your boyfriend/husband teach you).

INTERMEDIATES:
This is absolutely the place for you.It has 600km+
of fabulous pistes in all 3/4 Valleys.You can ski for a week here without ever doing the same run twice:Meribel is the best place to stay as it is in the very centre of the 3 Valleys.You can reachCourchevel/Les menuires/Val Thorens so easy
that you are totally spoit for choice.

ADVANCED:
There is more than enough off piste & moguls to keep anyone happy.I would thoroughly recommend the French Ski School off piste daily adventure.Its about £35 a day plus lunch but the memory will stay with you for ever.It's real off piste with a high mountain guide,sometimes to either of the two Glaciers.If you are lucky enough to have a fresh fall of deep powder splash out and take this course.You will not regret it.

SKI AREAS:
Meribel:
Great skiing but the best runs are at Mont Vallon up in Mottaret.You can ski in sunshine all day in this valley,so take good sun cream.

Courchevel:
This area has the best groomed slopes with lots of relaxing cruising.Over at 1650,because it is at the far end of the valley you will find uncrowded gentle pistes with perfect snow.1850 is always busy.1550 is a very small area as is La Tania but both are worth at least one trip.Good skiers should take a trip down the red or black to La Praz (1300)if the snow is ok. Jockeys (the black)is quite hairy.

Val Thorens:
Take a trip up the Cime Caron cable car.There is always a queue but as the car holds 160 people it moves very quickly.This is the highest point in the 3 valleys so take your camera.Its a fabulous view up here.All the skiing is excellent in VT but leave plenty of time to come home.A taxi is about £60-£80 .If you are tired take the easy red path down to Les Menuires and cut across to St Martin.This is the easy way back to Meribel.

Les Menuires:
Ugly place but La Masse on the far side is always excellent skiing and worth the effort.

SNOWPARKS:
An excellent one at Mottaret with another on Tougnete side Meribel. Have a look at Meribel Alpina web site for the full ski map.

RESTAURANTS & BARS:
Far too many good ones to list here.We found a fabulous little guide to Meribel written by local British seasonaires (Meribel-Unplugged).

I think they also have a web site.Look for it before you go.It will save you a lot of time and money.This guide lists all the best value restaurants in all 3 valleys and by following its advice we did not get ripped off once.Great lunches cost us about £10 each inc wine.It also has all the bars listed of which there are many, plus an apres ski Guide. However I must mention that here there are only two really excellent apres ski spots. In Meribel its The Rond Point with cracking live bands every afternoon(5pm) and LDV at Meribel Village on Thursdays.
The Brits have happy hours 4-5 so get there early and save money on the beers.(about 30%)
CHILDREN:
They will have a great time and there are lots of facilities for them.There is also a creche run by an English nanny (Kidsetc).Arrange ski school in advance as they get fully booked.
HOT TIPS:
1) Avoid French School Holidays. approx 7th Feb-7th March each year.Paris holidays are the worst.
2) Avoid the rush hour at Chaudanne.Starts at 9.30am when ski schools start off.
3) Do not get caught out in other valleys.If you do then from VT ski to Les Menuires.From Courchevel 1850 ski to La Tania or wait for the free Bus.Both these tips will save you lots of cash.
4) Always reserve your restaurants for lunch and dinner.This way you will be treated like a local.
5) If you are driving in high season make sure you arrive on a Saturday before 9am.Otherwise expect heavy traffic from Albertville to Moutiers.
So I hope all this information comes in handy,but I am sure you will have a really great holiday here.
Snowqueen.