Guide To Skiing in Meribel
Meribel is one of Europe’s most popular ski resorts. This expert guide provides you with everything you need to know when planning a Meribel ski holiday.
Nestled in the heart of the Three Valleys is Meribel, a picturesque ski resort offering slopes and vibrant apres ski vibes for all ages and skiing abilities.
From tree-lined runs near the village to thrilling pistes up the mountains, Meribel is one of the most popular ski resorts, thanks in part to its great slope connections to Courchevel and Val Thorens.
For an exciting and authentic ski holiday, Meribel is a great choice. Read on to find out everything there is to know about the ski resort, ensuring you can plan your perfect Meribel ski holiday.
Where is Meribel?
Meribel is the central valley of the Three Valleys, the largest linked ski area in Europe, located in the French Alps.
Located in Tarentaise Valley, Meribel is around 2 hours away from Geneva airport.
Made up of multiple smaller villages, the Meribel ski resort offers something for everyone with lively apres ski restaurants and bars, various accommodation levels and of course, plenty of slopes, all surrounded by the famous snowy white mountains of the French Alps.
Mountain Facts
Meribel ski resort sits at an altitude ranging from 1400m to 1750m, with the highest peak in the region hitting 3153m.
The resort’s altitude and alpine climate make it the perfect choice for a “snow sure” holiday meaning you’re all but guaranteed great snow whatever time you visit.
Meribel is home to around 2000 snow cannons that keep the slopes topped up to optimal levels so skiing in Meribel is always amazing.
Meribel ski resort was purpose built by Scotsman Major Peter Lindsay back in the 1930’s who was on the hunt for a ski area outside of Austria and Germany.
Winter sports fans may recognise the slopes of Meribel as the resort has hosted major events including the ice hockey and women’s alpine events of the 1992 Winter Olympics.
The Meribel Ski Resort
The Meribel ski resort is made up of several small villages with the central hub being La Chaudanne, where you’ll find all of the gondola lifts and best bars and restaurants.
For those who fancy a break from the slopes, the resort has plenty of snow-based activities on offer including dog sledging, ice climbing, snowshoe walking and snowmobiling.
After the lifts have ground to a halt for the night, the bars in Meribel come alive and you’ll find revellers here until the early hours with live music, ski in ski out bars and quieter, cosy options all available for holiday makers.
Meribels magical forest setting is complemented by various wooden chalets and ski huts, providing you with the ultimate authentic ski holiday experience.
The resort, like many of its Alps neighbours, has a “Famille Plus” label which means it’s perfect for every generation of your skiing family from small children right through to elderly skiers.
Meribel - Ski Areas
The main five villages that make up the Meribel ski resort are Meribel Les Allues, Meribel Centre, Meribel Mottaret, Meribel Les Hauts and Meribel Village.
Whichever area you’re in, you’ll be blessed with breathtaking views of the French Alps and Mont Blanc and with around 45 ski lifts providing you access to approximately 150 km of pistes, there’s plenty to keep skiers of all levels entertained for hours.
Meribel Centre is the nerve centre of the whole resort, with many of the lifts departing from here, it’s a common meet point for various ski schools. This means the area can get busy at peak times so be sure to account for lots of people traffic when planning your day!
Within the area are great runs including Faon, a blue run with wide, easy corners which tends to be more on the quiet side and Combe Tougnete, a steep red run with amazing views down into the valley.
Meribel Mottaret is a great option for intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders with various red runs and some excellent off piste adventures. Here you’ll also find Mount Vallon, Meribel’s highest lift that offers stunning views across to Mont Blanc.
The Meribel village area meanwhile is great for beginners bursting with green and blue runs to be enjoyed.
Les 3 Vallées
Meribel is full of slopes and plenty of opportunities to keep skiers of all levels busy but if you fancy a change, you’re in luck.
Thanks to its location in the heart of the Three Valleys, a Meribel ski holiday also provides you with access to the slopes of resorts such as Courchevel, Val Thorens and La Tania.
The area is made up of over 319 pistes totalling 600 km in length as well as 200 lifts.
Courchevel is home to an array of wide, green runs perfect for beginners alongside seven easy rider zones, crisp blue slopes and plenty of red runs for those looking for a challenge.
The Val Thorens valley meanwhile has 99% of its runs above 2000m which guarantees skiers ideal conditions throughout the season. Runs to look out for here include the advanced Combe de Caron as well as the area’s four notorious black runs for advanced skiers only.
Skiing in Meribel - By Ability
A Meribel ski holiday is the perfect choice for skiers of all abilities whether you’re looking for hardcore thrills or just fancy a slow jaunt down to the apres ski bar.
Skiing In Meribel for Beginners
Meribel is the perfect place to learn how to ski and grow your confidence on the slopes. The resort is full of nursery slopes and green runs for those who are picking up skis for the first time or whose skills are a little rusty.
The resort has 2 ski areas designated for beginners and those just starting out on the slopes can even get a “mini pass” that gives you access to the lifts suitable for new starters.
The Meribel Mottaret area has two ZEN zones for beginners to practise their turns and back in 2016, millions was spent on developing and redesigning the areas beginner zone, including its own magic carpet and drag.
The Tougnete area of Meribel Centre has various rolling blue runs including Faon, Jerusalem and Choucas.
There’s also Moon Wild, a themed piste in the Altiport area of Meribel Village with life size model animals hidden in the woods for children to enjoy as they make their way down the slope.
Skiing In Meribel for Intermediate Skiers
For those looking to push themselves a little further, Meribel has plenty of slopes suitable for intermediate skiers.
There are 28 blue runs in Meribel, some of which are slightly harder and best done accompanied by an experienced skier.
Pic Bleu in Meribel Village is a quiet blue run with gorgeous tree lined views that’s benefited from a remodelling to ensure even better snow capture.
Competition piste Roc de Fer is another blue run which will guide you all the way back to the centre of the village.
Skiing In Meribel for Advanced Skiers
Meribel is home to multiple black runs that are sure to provide an exhilarating challenge to even the most advanced skiers.
Taking the Loze chairlift from Meribel Centre will allow you to experience Tetras on the way back down. A challenging run filled with moguls, this can be tough on the legs so be prepared.
Every few winters advanced skiers are lucky enough to be blessed with enough snow to ski all the way down to Brides les Bains but make sure you take a guide if you opt for this.
The two red runs at the top of the Mont Vallon lift in Meribel Mottaret are long and steep and still provide a great challenge. Combe Vallon is one of the longest runs in the whole valley and it twists, turns and widens for a drop of 1000 m meaning even the fittest of skiers will need to stop for a breather.
Airport transfers to Meribel are quick and easy, especially thanks to Alpine Fleet. Our shared and private airport transfers from Geneva Airport take around 2 hours 45 minutes.
Our airport transfers are safe and comfortable allowing you to sit back and enjoy the views as you head further into the snowy, rolling mountains of the French Alps.
Meribel is the perfect ski holiday for all ages and the sub-3 hour transfer time is ideal for families with smaller children.
Guide to Skiing in Meribel
Meribel is one of Europe’s most popular ski resorts and for good reason. The resort is home to a lively Apres Ski scene bursting with bars and restaurants and slopes to suit everyone from tiny children taking their first tentative steps on the slopes to advanced skiers in pursuit of a thrill.
With our comfortable and stress-free airport transfers from Geneva Airport, you can be off your flight and on the slopes in no time.
Discover more about Meribel ski resort today or contact the Alpine Fleet team today to reserve your transfer.
