Guide to Meribel, French Alps

Meribel is a big ski resort at the centre of Trois Vallees lift-linked ski area in the French Alps. The Three Valleys hold some of the best ski resorts in France, with an endless amount of skiing for absolutely every taste and ability. It is a great place for beginners to learn because of the long simple runs. Slightly higher up the mountains you'll find many challenging red and black runs. Meribel is positioned ideally between Val Thorens and Courchevel and it is easy to ski over from village to village. Modern chairlifts and gondolas provide easy links into the other valleys, for those who love skiing long distances.

Mountain Information Meribel

 Resort Altitude 1450m
 Top Lift2950 m
 Lifts52
 Total Runs74, (150 km)   
 Longest Run5 km
 Advanced Runs23
 Intermediate Runs  34
 Beginner8
 Cross Country33 km

Getting to Meribel

The nearest airport to Meribel ski resort is Chambery 60 miles away, Geneva is 80 miles, Lyon 110 miles. To compare flight prices see cheap flights to Chambery, flights to Geneva or cheap flights to Lyon. From Geneva, Touriscar run buses to the resort. From Lyon St. Exupéry, Satobus takes around 4 hrs. From Chambéry Transvoie run one bus per day. Most buses go via Moûtiers from where it often necessary to change, adding to the journey time and less convenient than direct tour operator coach. Meribel company ATS run shared minibuses which take you door-to-door from Geneva and from Chambery on Saturday only. By train, it is possible to travel to Moutiers Station, then catch a bus or taxi to the resort. Car hire is frequently cheaper than a private transfer, book in advance and it can be very cheap for the smaller cars.

Accommodation in Meribel

Meribel is the liveliest at 1450m, Meribel Mottaret is a purpose-built satellite at 1700m, Meribel Village is a quieter hamlet 3 miles away. Meribel is pleasant, with traditional wooden low-rise chalets much used by tour operators, hotels are mainly expensive but good. Mottaret has good access and plenty of good value self-caterering apartments and convenient ski-in ski-out accommodation to let. Frequent free shuttle buses make travel easy. Meribel Village is small and upmarket with luxury apartments and chalets. The old spa town of Brides les Bains (25 mins by gondola) is much cheaper all round and has simple hotels.

Bars, restaurants and apres ski

Meribel is the liveliest resort with plenty of British run bars but less choice of restaurants. There are a few good discos - Scott's, Rastro, and lively bars such as Taverne, Dick's Tea Bar and Mark Warner pub. Food is good but expensive, beers can be cripplingly costly, so choose your bar with care. Drinks are 25% cheaper from 4-5 pm. Jack's sun terrace is a great spot after the day's runs. El Poncho's food is good value as is Pizzeria du Mottaret, Restaurant Le Crocodile is welcoming and serves meals by an open fire.

Activities

There's a good sport centre and swimming pool, Olympic ice rink, cinema and bowling, which is great for a day off. Other non-skiing activities include snow mobiling, cleared snow walks, dog sledging, hang gliding, ice climbing and more. A snowboarding wonderland can be found on the open powder fields and pistes and there are 2 excellent snow parks, one in Meribel and one in Mottaret.
 
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