MERIBEL, FRANCE
Thinking of Méribel?
Méribel takes centre stage in the Three Valleys - the world’s largest ski area - but is a fantastic resort in its own right.
Across its high ski area, you’ll find terrain that will delight beginners and intermediate skiers equally, as well as a lively atmosphere, pretty wood-clad chalets, and plenty of activities for families and friends across Méribel's villages, including Méribel Centre, Méribel Village, and Méribel Mottaret.
Discover and book your ideal Méribel ski holiday through igluski.com. We have package and non-package deals available on beautiful chalets, wonderful hotels, and affordable apartments.
Resort Statistics
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Level | Rating | Runs |
---|---|---|
Beginners | 186 | |
Intermediates | 107 | |
Advanced | 35 | |
Snowboarders | ||
Total Runs | 328 |
- Families
- Groups
Resort Altitude | 1450m |
Highest Lift | 3230m |
Total Piste | 600km |
Longest Run | 12km |
Directions of Slopes | N/W, E, S/E |
Uphill Capacity | 260000 |
Total Lifts | 183 |
Gondolas/Cable cars | 40 |
Chairlifts | 69 |
Drag Lifts | 74 |
Snow Parks | 6 |
What is Méribel like as a ski resort?
Méribel is one of those ski resorts that has it all, and with its links to the neighbouring ski areas of Courchevel, Val Thorens, La Tania, Les Menuires opening up an unrivalled 600km of slopes, it’s no wonder people return year after year.
While Courchevel is known for its glamour and Val Thorens for its height and après ski scene, Méribel sits in the sweet spot between the two, both on and off the slopes.
Beginners will find plenty of friendly pistes, particularly the greens and blues around Mottaret, and can opt for the cheaper Méribel lift pass rather than the whole area pass.
Intermediates and experts have 145 blues and 118 reds at their disposal across the Three Valleys, as well as 6 snow parks and, for the experts, there are 36 black runs and ample off-piste opportunities.
Méribel also hosts a lively après scene, home to legendary spots like Le Rond Point, Folie Douce, and Jacks, as well as dozens of mountain restaurants and plenty of non-skiing activities to help you unwind after a day skiing or to unleash any remaining energy.
Top reasons to go to Méribel
Here are just 5 reasons why you should choose Méribel for your next ski holiday:
Vast ski area: Méribel gives you access to 600km of slopes, and staying right in the centre of the Three Valleys is the perfect base from which to explore the world’s largest ski area.
Great après: From table dancing and cabaret at Folie Douce to live music at the Ronnie, classic après shenanigans are de rigueur in Méribel.
Suitable for all: With 52 greens, 145 blues and 118 reds, skiers of all abilities are catered for by Méribel and the Three Valleys’ unrivalled supply of runs.
Pretty: Méribel’s three villages boast a chocolate-box Alpine prettiness, while the scenery of the surrounding mountains is truly breathtaking.
Family-friendly: Méribel is the perfect resort for families, with loads of brilliant ski schools to choose from, as well as a variety of child-friendly accommodation, restaurants and activities.
What is the accommodation like in Méribel?
You’ll find accommodation to suit all needs and budgets across Méribel Centre, Mottaret, and Méribel Village.
In Méribel Centre, the largest and busiest area of the resort, you’ll find a mix of accommodation types, including chalets, large hotels, and apartments, all of which are walking distance from the resort’s amenities and main lift hub.
Méribel Village, which is quieter and lower down the valley, mainly consists of traditional chalets and apartments. It’s serviced by the Golf chairlift, which will whizz you up to the beginner area of Altiport in under 15 minutes.
Mottaret, the highest of Méribel’s ski areas, has lots of lovely chalets and hotels, in addition to self-catered apartments. It has good access to beginner areas further up the valley, as well as some of Méribel’s most exciting high altitude terrain.
What’s the apres scene like in Méribel?
As you’d expect from the beating heart of the world’s largest ski area, Méribel’s après ski scene is pumping.
Folie Douce, is a great place to get the party started, with DJs, table dancing, and cabaret entertainment kicking off from about 3pm. Situated just below the mid-station of the Saulire Express Gondola, it’s easy to reach for both skiers and non-skiers. Note skiers will need a Three Valleys lift pass to access it.
After Folie closes at 5pm, stay in your ski boots and take the green Rhodos run down to continue the evening at Le Rond Point, otherwise known as “The Ronnie”, a Méribel institution with a vast terrace and a raucous atmosphere.
More lively bars can be found in Méribel Centre, including Jack’s in Chaudanne, the English pub-style La Taverne, and Barometer.
For more relaxing après, sample some of La Copina’s marvellous cocktail creations or settle into a seat at Dionysus Wine Bar. For late night antics, head to Le Doron Pub or Sully’s, which is open until 5am.
Read more
Discover more on Méribel's après scene in our guide to Méribel's top après and nightlife hotspots.
What activities are there to do in Méribel?
Both thrill and pleasure seekers will be delighted at the range of outdoor and indoor activities available in Méribel.
Families are especially well-catered for. Parents can try wine tasting or book themselves in for some much needed pampering at the spa, while their kids are both looked after and kept busy by supervised igloo building or mask making.
Alternatively, the whole family can enjoy the ice rink, swimming pool, and climbing wall at the Olympic Centre, or go sledging day and night.
Alternative ways to get out in the snow include fat biking, snow shoeing, ski touring, snowmobiling, and horse riding. You could also try a biathlon group lesson, which combines cross-country skiing and shooting, or go paragliding.
Skiing in Méribel
As well as its 600km of pistes, Méribel and the Three Valleys offers skiable terrain ranging in altitude from 1,100m all the way up to 3,230m.
The sheer size of the ski area means that, whether you want to ski down a glacier under the midday sun or find slopes that are sheltered from its rays on a warm spring day, you won’t be disappointed.
Unlike its neighbours, many of Méribel’s runs are tree-lined, which, as well as being picturesque, are perfect for those snowy, low-visibility days.
Is Méribel a nice place to ski?
Méribel is a wonderful resort for skiers of all abilities.
The resort itself has a nice balance of beginner, intermediate, and expert-friendly runs, as well as two snow parks, and a fantastic lift system.
Beginners will find themselves progressing quickly in the dedicated learner areas (more on these below), and intermediates will be spoilt for choice, with countless cruisey blues and long, challenging reds winding their way down the mountainside.
Highlights include the 3km Combe du Vallon red descent from the highest peak in Méribel, which offers spectacular views over the valley, the sweeping sequence of blues down from Tougnette, and Saulire’s many spectacular reds and blues.
There are some decent black pistes in Méribel (such as Le Face, the Olympic downhill into Chaudanne), but advanced skiers should make sure to venture into Val Thorens (check out the high-altitude off-piste of Lac du Lou) and Courchevel (home to 12 black runs) to experience all the Three Valleys has to offer.
Is Méribel snow sure?
Méribel sits at a comfortably cool 1,450m, with lifts going all the way up to a snow-sure altitude of 3,230m, and it has a healthy snow history.
The lower slopes have enjoyed over 120cm of snow depth and the upper slopes over 200cm for much of the last couple of seasons.
Even if conditions aren’t ideal in Méribel itself, 85% of the runs in the Three Valleys are above 1,800m, and the ski area is home to 6 glaciers, which keep the snow cool from underneath, even on warmer days.
Is Méribel suitable for beginners?
Méribel is great for beginners.
In total there are 8 greens (about 10% of the total) and 25 blues, more than enough to help learners fine tune the basics and start to progress. Altiport is the perfect place to start, known for its gentle, tree-lined greens, novice trails (Animal Tracks, the Inuits piste), fun and friendly blues, and efficient lifts.
Mottaret is also good for beginners. Millions was invested in redesigning its beginner area a few years ago and it’s home to two “Zen zones”, dedicated novice areas that are perfect for practising in peace. There’s also a lovely long green back to the resort centre that’s a great next step for confident learners.
We’d recommend staying in Méribel Centre if you’re a beginner, and to find somewhere as close to Chaudanne as possible. This is where you’ll meet your instructor, who will take you on the Rhodos gondola to the top of Altiport.
Read more
We've written a detailed guide to skiing in Méribel as a beginner, including information on where to stay, beginner discounts to be aware of, the best beginner slopes and more!
Family skiing in Méribel
The aforementioned novice areas provide ample terrain for little learners to make their first turns.
The Yeti run in Mottaret and Inuits in Altiport are particularly good, and go out of their way to make skiing fun and accessible for young skiers. There are also loads of ski schools with English speaking instructors, where you can book your kids into private or group lessons.
How do you get to Méribel?
Many people choose to fly into Geneva to get to Méribel, as there are loads of international flights.
From there the transfer time is between 2 and 3 hours. You could also take the Eurostar ski train from London to Moutiers, and then take a bus for the remaining 25km to the resort.
Chambery Airport - transfer time 1h 30min
Grenoble Airport - transfer time 3h 00min
Lyon Airport - transfer time 3h 30min
Turin Airport - transfer time 3h 50min
Méribel ski holidays FAQs
Some answers to some frequently asked questions on Méribel ski holidays.
Do you need a car in Méribel?
You don’t need a car in Méribel as there is an excellent shuttle service. However, Méribel is car friendly and many chalets have private parking.
How long does it take to ski from Méribel to Courchevel?
With a Three Valleys lift pass, you can take the Saulire Express from the centre up to the peak in just 10 minutes. From there you can descend into Courchevel.
Is Méribel close to Val d’Isere?
It’s 78km from Méribel to Val d’Isere, a journey that will take you around 3 hours 50 minutes by bus and train or 1 hour 15 minutes in a car.
Does Méribel have a glacier?
Méribel is home to the Gébroulaz glacier, the largest in the Three Valleys, which is at the top of Mont Vallon.
Is Méribel expensive?
Due to the vast ski area and modern resort standards, Méribel, and The Three Valleys generally, are considered to be quite expensive. However, while the Three Valleys lift pass costs the same wherever you stay, staying in Méribel is cheaper than the luxury resort of Courchevel.
Meribel SKI PASS PRICES
The prices for the Meribel 3 Valleys lift pass, for the Winter 24/25 ski season can be found below.
Number of days | Adult price | Child price | Senior price |
---|---|---|---|
6 | €395.00 | €320.00 | €358.00 |
4 | €320.00 | €260.00 | €290.00 |
3 | €245.00 | €200.00 | €222.50 |
Prices are normally based on a full area lift pass and child ages vary by resort. The above are guides, so please call one of the Iglu team for prices for your holiday.
Ski Hire in Meribel
There are normally a number of shops where you can pick up your pre-booked ski or snowboard equipment from. Which shop you go to will depend on where you are staying in Meribel. Here is a guide to ski or snowboard hire in Meribel:
Ski Hire Type | Adult 6 days | Child 6 days |
---|---|---|
Bronze - Skis and Boots or Snowboard and Boots | £72 | £58 |
Silver - Skis and Boots or Snowboard and Boots | £104 | £72 |
Gold - Skis and Boots or Snowboard and Boots | £125 | |
Platinum - Skis and Boots or Snowboard and Boots | £135 |
You can book your ski hire for your trip to Meribel here
Meribel Reviews
Super place to Ski with access to the 3 valley’s extensive slopes.
Apres Ski: 5/5
Vaughan Townsend
This has been my favourite resort for the past couple of years. I first went in 2015 and have been back everywhere since. Apres and nightlife is really fun and lively. Loads of restaurants to choose from and the resort is so conveniently located between Courcheval and Val Thorens. Would definitely recommend for any group of people.
Apres Ski: 5/5
Lauren Kemp
Iglu Staff