If you haven’t got time to take a full week skiing, then why not consider a ski weekend in Meribel. You can often get nearly as much time skiing as you do in a week with only 2 or even 1 days holiday from work. The problem often is that Meribel Ski Weekends can cost nearly as much as a weeks skiing. But…… if you are happy to go with budget options a Ski Weekend Meribel needn’t cost a small fortune.

We’ve listed a few good options for Meribel ski weekends. All these hotels / chalets are available to book for any number of nights.

Ski Weekend Meribel - there’s not many options, but here’s two!

Activ Experience – get the Meribel chalet experience for your Meribel ski weekend. Phone them for availability.

Hotel Croix Jean Claude – Ski Weekend Meribel – prices from Euros86pp per night including half board.

Limited spaces are available, so book now by e-mailing info@alpineethos.co.uk to avoid disappointment!

Alpine Masters is a British ski school in Meribel created to provide a solution to the learning difficulties faced by so many recreational skiers. Located in the world-renown ski resort of Meribel, France and staffed by some of the highest qualified instructors in the world, Alpine Masters uses a number of advanced, tailor-made coaching techniques designed to allow skiers of all standards to attain a higher level.

“If you’re stuck on a plateau we will coach you to a higher level using advanced tailor-made learning techniques that traditional ski schools generally don’t offer. If you’re already an expert skier we will help you to push the boundaries even further” says Simon Jones, Director of Alpine Masters. “We bring the knowledge but it’s not about us – it’s about the clients’ needs. We are just facilitators – we coach for client performance” says Jones.

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 

Not wanting to stop for the our usual hot chocolate just yet we jumped on the Pac du Lac bubble lift to Saulire (2700m). Sucking in the amazing view of the Reserve Naturelle Plan De Tueda Liz requested we headed to a green Blanchot which took her 2 hours to ski on her first ski holiday (it was her first ever day skiing).To relive this moment we skied the blue runs Biche and Geai, stopping for a hot chocolate (7.60 euros for two) at Rond Pont. Unfortunately because of the lack of snow the majority of runs into Meribel were closed including Blanchot so there was no reminiscing for Liz (maybe next time). Once at the bottom we took the long bubble lift Saulire back to the summit we skied the marcassin and aigle red runs back into Mottaret for lunch.

We were recommended ZigZag to eat in (@la_tania) but unfortunately we picked it up too late, instead we ate at the Pizzeria du Mottaret (tel +33 (0) 4 79 00 40 50). This restaurant is slightly away from the main piste side restaurants but worth the walk. It is a cosy restaurant with a traditional Alpine feel serving excellent food. In the high season I would recommend making a reservation. Lunch was once again a pizza and salad verte washed down with a beer and vin rouge, costing 31 euros.

After lunch we once again headed to the Saulire summit this time sking the black run Sanglier, a great run for anyone wanting to ski their first black. Instead of heading back to Mottaret we took the lift back up to Saulire this time skiing the Marcassin and Aigle red runs back into resort. Time wasn’t on our side so we took the long Plattieres bubble lift to the 3 Marches summit from where we headed back to the chalet via the Allamands (red) and Petits Creux (blue) and pub, La Ferme du Reberty.

Overall the skiing was good but the current snow conditions are causing a few problems in the lower resorts with limited runs open. The snow cannons are doing their best but they can only do so much. Fingers crossed for some heavy snow soon.

 
Privately situated down a long drive at the end of peaceful Meribel village, the sumptuous the super luxury Chalet Foinsbois can sleep up to 15 people and boasts a sauna, games room, gym, cinema room, hot tub and balconies offering stunning views.

Each luxury room is spacious and beautifully decorated and the master suite comprising a large bedroom with fireplace, balcony, en-suite bathroom and study is intensely private.

Purple Ski’s personal service sets them apart from the rest in Meribel with stunning luxury ski chalets, outstanding catering from top chefs (including sumptuous four-course dinners every night), complimentary champagne on tap, a chauffeur service and an open all hours free bar of beers, wines, soft drinks and mixers.

Therefore it may come as no surprise to learn that Purple Ski’s luxury chalets based in Meribel have recently won acclaim as the best place to stay in Meribel by one of the UK’s leading national newspapers, The Daily Telegraph.

Each of the Purple Ski luxury chalets in Meribel has a very distinct character, but all offer a warm and welcoming atmosphere, en-suite bedrooms, sunny balconies with wonderful views, roaring log fires and impeccable cuisine and service.

Some of Purple Ski’s luxury Meribel chalets also boast facilities including: their own hot tubs, children’s playrooms and unlimited free champagne, chauffeur service and baby sitting service.

The location could not be more perfect. There is something for skiers and non-skiers alike in charming Méribel, convivial bars and every type of restaurant, from the Michelin Starred to the simple, as well as scenic walks, sightseeing flights, ice skating, swimming, bowling, snow-mobiling and shopping.

Find out more about luxury Chalet Foinbois in Meribel at Purple Ski’s website.

Meribel skiing holidays can be great for families as they offer stunning scenery, variety of runs and plenty of nursery slopes for beginners and younger skiers.

Children booked into a ski school will learn from English speaking instructors and nannies will escort them to and from the slopes and supervise over lunchtimes. There are also fun activities such as sledging, snowman building and woodland walks. Adult ski schools will run at a similar time meaning that you could opt for free afternoons to spend together exploring the Alpine towns.

Meribel have introduced the Magnestick system this year. The Magnestick is a vest with a metallic back protection in, this is worn over the ski jacket. A magnet also exists in three of the chairlifts in Meribel so when a child sits on these lifts it is automatically activated and ensures the child stays “stuck” to the seat. It automatically releases on arrival. Chairlifts equipped with this system are Combes, Arolles and Chatelet.

Magnestick system in action

For the younger child there are crèches (with a garden full of snow!) open from 9am – 5:30pm for babies aged from four-months, allowing Mum and Dad to have a full day on the slopes or a drop-in crèche during the evenings.

If you want to take your family skiing to Meribel then we recommend Mark Warner. Mark Warner has over 25-years experience in organising family ski holidays and introducing children to skiing. This year there are money-saving offers including free child places, discounted child-share deals and free ski and boot rental for children. Have a look at the Mark Warner ski holidays to Meribel here.

If you do opt to take your children skiing for the first time here are five top tips help keep little ones safe and for you to have a stress-free time.

• Cooler temperatures can cause batteries to run out more quickly so remember to pack spares
• Remember to keep moisturiser and lip balms handy, flavoured balms are great for kids
• A few thin layers are better then one think jumper. Vests, cotton polo necks and fleeces are lightweight and comfortable to wear under a thicker jacket
• Remember to pack essentials like spare pairs of gloves and hats, in case they get lost en route to the slopes!
• Sunlight is strong so it is vital to use high SPF on any exposed areas such as the nose during skiing and for children to wear protective sunglasses

Consensio Holidays

Ceri Tinley one of the founders of Consensio Holidays (who created the business model), said: “Our business plan has come about because of the down turn on the market and the forced change of relationship with chalet owners. Many chalet owners are tired of operators dictating terms as to how and when they can stay in their multi-million pound assets. This never felt fair to me. With our model, our owners can enjoy the 5 star service Consensio offers and share some of the responsibility for our company’s success.”

When the jungle drums started making noises about Descent’s demise, chalet owners were eager for advice on how to manage future operations. As an ex-FD of Descent, it was to France-based Ceri Tinley that owners turned and her philanthropy has paid off with Consensio coming together in record timing, and just as the ski season is kicking in.

The chalets already featured in Consensio’s portfolio are:

   Luxury ski chalets in Meribel:                        

Meribel: The Golf chairlift will be transformed for 2009/10 into a fast detachable chair linking Meribel-Village to the Altiport in half the previous time. Other ski area improvements include a major re-shaping of the Lievre run. The previously tricky lower part of this blue run leading to la Chaudanne is now wider with an easier gradient, offering less-confident skiers an easier ski back into the resort.

Courchevel: Courchevel will install a new six seater chairlift for the coming season, equipped with the Magnestick system, to modernize the link between Courchevel 1850 and Courchevel 1650. The Magnestick is a back protection system that quite literally sticks children to the chairlift’s magnets! Further construction sees a new tourism office, built next to the lifts in Courchevel  1850, complete with free wireless internet access.

In all of the three valleys in 2009/10 you’ll be able to buy a three hour lift pass, valid for any three hours of the day.

Vallnord: Vallnord Ski Resort in Andorra, formerly Pal-Arinsal and Arcalis, has invested 10 million Euro in the resort this year. Among the most important upgrades are a new declutchable sextuple chair lift in Arinsal and improved snowmaking net in the 3 ski areas: Arcalís, Arinsal and Pal.

Avoriaz: After the thundering opening of the first gigantic environmental snowpark in Europe last winter, Avoriaz is redoubling its efforts and expanding The Stash. The ski resort is in the forest of Lindarêts with pure untrodden snow all around. It has completely natural wood features and you can stumble across hidden runs just by chance. 30 new features have been added to the current park, making a total of 80. They consist of latticed walls, stumps and tree trunks to navigate, tables and wooden benches for snow sliders, rainbow-arch trees, ramps, snow slides and other natural obstacles. Avoriaz has the only Stash in Europe.

Another interesting addition to the slopes at Avoriaz is the introduction of “Target-bins”. They’re being placed underneath chairlifts to catch rubbish dropped by skiers!

If you know of any resort developments do let us know!

Meribel Ski Resort

So, I didn’t become a ski addict without trying! Many moons ago, well not actually that many, I was persuaded to go on my first ski holiday by some of my “expert” ski friends. Having been joined by one other beginner at least I wasn’t going to be the only ski numpty around! All I could hope for was that he would be just as bad as me!

My first ski holiday was in Meribel, and back in the day when we were a bit poorer than we are now we crammed into an apartment with bunks opposite the oven, a bed in the lounge and bunks in the hallway. Sounds terrible, but the Meribel apartment was a bargainous £80 each, or somewhere around that, so we could hardly complain. Plus I could drink all night and ski all day in my younger days so how much space the apartment had paled into insignificance!

Meribel ski resort is perhaps the most English I have personally been to but quite a good entry for a beginner because at least everyone can understand you! The lift system is vast as Meribel Ski resort is part of the 3 Valleys, but as a beginner I purchased a local Meribel Ski pass and not the whole 3 valleys pass.  My expert friends, took the opportunity to ski all over the 3 valleys. 

Myself, and the other beginner, took the plunge and set off on our first ski lesson, which was spent doing the usual trudge up and down the nursery slope. In this time I decided that I hated skiing, far too much effort and not enough rewards. However once we’d graduated up onto the main slopes of Meribel though I soon changed my mind. Being a relatively (my friends would say extremely) competitive person, I soon began to enjoy the challenges of skiing and the delights every time I improved!

One of the good things about Meribel ski resort is that many of the lifts are bubbles, which are pretty easy as a beginner, as it’s pretty difficult to fall off one. The level of skiing in Meribel ski resort is also perfect for beginners as there is a nice range of slopes to progress onto as you go through your first week.

By the end of the week I was a definite lover of skiing and was raring to go again. As the years went by, the obsession grew and now I’m definitely a must ski 2 or 3 times a year gal, a bone fide ski addict!