Meribel ski resort review

Meribel lies in the heart of the Three Valleys, with Courchevel and Val Thorens on either side and it is this central location  that is it’s greatest virtue; piste hungry intermediates will be in all kinds of heaven here. From either of the two main resort bases one two stage lift will get you to the top of the adjoining valleys, in some cases quicker than those staying the the other valleys can get there themselves. Meribel itself has a curiously English heritage. The first lift was built by a British Colonel who fell in love with the area. He helped to build a resort that is now one of the most picturesque chalet drive developments in the Alps. It can be said though that the resort can seem more British than French. The majority of the chalets are of a very high standard, and there are also self catering apartments and a reasonable selection of hotels. Meribel has a good ambience in the evening with English bars like the Taverne and Le Pub providing a warm up to the expensive Dicks Tea Bar. Rond Point is a good spot for a late season apres ski drink on the sun terrace above the town.

Meribel skiing

Meribel provides a great central base for skiing in the Three Valleys. This central location allows you to get to the top of the adjoining valleys extremely quickly. The skiing may not be as diverse as at Courchevel or as high altitude as Val Thorens, but experienced skiers will more than likely drop into at least one of the other valleys every day. That said there is also plenty of skiing for all levels in the Meribel Valley itself. This is perhaps exemplified in the case of a mixed ability group. There are countless itineraries difference skiing levels can follow while still arranging to meet for lunch. It is only real beginners who are tied to a particular area with the gentle slopes of the Altiport an ideal learning ground. The slopes around Mottaret are geared more towards intermediates but from a purely skiing perspective this is the best base from which to explore the Three Valleys.

Key Facts – for the whole Three Valleys
Pistes   600km /  379miles
Lifts  200
Green Runs 17%
Blue Runs 34%
Red Runs 37%
Black Runs 12%
Snowmaking 90km
Resort   1300 – 3230m / 4270 – 10600ft
   
Other on snow activities

Cross Country
Snow-shoeing
Tele-marking
Paragliding
Disablity Skiing
Ski-dooing
   
   
Meribel Ski Schools

E.S.F. Méribel www.esf-meribel.com
Maison du Tourisme
BP 17 – 73550 MERIBEL
04 79 08 60 31
Fax 04 79 08 60 80 

E.S.F. La Chaudanne
04 79 08 58 81

E.S.F. Rond-Point
04 79 08 89 42

E.S.F. Méribel-Mottaret
04 79 00 49 49
Fax 04 79 08 54 45
 
MAGIC www.magicfr.com
Galerie des Cimes
73550 MERIBEL
Tel 04 79 08 53 36
Fax 04 79 00 31 40

SNOW SYSTEMS www.snow-systems.com
Les Trolles
73550 MERIBEL
04 79 00 40 22
06 07 15 50

SNOW DLIGHT www.snowdlight.com
Précision Ski
Centre – 73550 MERIBEL
06 64 81 60 10
Tel  / Fax 04 79 55 19 86

Meribel Creches

 ”Les Saturnins” kindergarten www.esf-meribel.com
04 79 08 66 90 – Fax 04 79 08 60 80
Le Parc Olympique – La Chaudanne
73550 Méribel   

Things to do in Meribel other than ski!

Toboganning
Walking
Ice Skating
Mountain Flying
Bowling
Cinema
Swimming Pool
Climbing
Torchlit Descent
Gym
Spa
Helicopter flights
Air ballooning
Skidooing
Paragliding
Flying School
Horse drawn tours
Museum
Library
Church

We have written a series of posts about travelling to the Three Valleys, read more about driving to, flying to and getting the train to Meribel ski resort.

Pictures courtesy of http://www.les3vallees.com