Meribel Resort information
Meribel forms part of the massive Three valleys ski area, with a total of over 650km of linked ski runs. It’s the biggest linked ski area in the world. The Meribel valley sits in the middle of the ski area which is why it’s popular with the British market. From here you can either ski left to Courchevel or right to Val Thorens valley.
Meribel is made up of three villages, Meribel Centre, Meribel Village and Meribel Mottaret.
Meribel Centre is 1450m above sea level and is by far the most popular and with the best night life and where most of Ski Lines accommodation is located. The main lift departure point here at Chaudanne has a total of 7 lifts which connect either to the Mottaret side of the mountain, or into the main Meribel ski area via the Saulire or Rhodos gondolas. There is another lift point in the residential area at altitude 1600m called Morel which will take you up into the slopes above giving access to the main Meribel side or over to Courchevel.
Some catered chalets in Meribel centre can be some distance from the lifts as they are scattered throughout the residential areas, however many of our chalet suppliers offer a mini bus shuttle from chalet door to lift and home again at the end of the day, ask our team about this. True ski in ski out chalets are available and tend to get booked up early.
Meribel village is located 1400m about sea level and is 2 km from both Meribel Centre and La Tania (located in the Courchevel valley) and has superb access to the skiing via the Fast quad Golf chair which takes you up to Meribel Altiport which gives good access into the main Meribel ski area and also leads to an area for great skiing for beginners on gentle green runs. The only run back down to the village is on a blue run (Lapin) that should be easily conquered by first week skiers. Ski Line have a number of catered chalets located here as well as some luxury ski in ski out apartments called the Fermes du Meribel.
Meribel Mottaret is located at 1750m. Here we have a number of hotels and a smaller selection of chalets but lots of self catering apartments. Mottaret has two sides Plattieres and Saulire the former being the route to Val Thorens and Les Menuires, the runs here hold the sun all morning but can be busy at the end of the day. The Saulire side connects back to the Meribel valley via either the Pas du Lac Gondola (2 stages) or the slower Ramees and Grand Rosiere chairs. Its possible for beginners to ski down on a long and gentle green run to Meribel centre and connect to the easy Altiport beginners area via the Rhodos Gondola.
Meribel for beginner skiers
Beginners head for the beginners slopes near the Meribel Altiport which can be easily reached via the Rhodos gondola at Chaudanne or the Morel chair at Meribel 1600, Ski Line offers accommodation in both these ski areas, Ask our team for advice. For those staying in Meribel Village take the Golf chair which connect to the easy green runs. Please note that the run back down to Meribel Village is via a Blue run called Lapin, we consider that many beginners should be able to tackle this run within a couple of days quiet comfortably.
Meribel for intermediate skiers
The whole of the Three Valleys are a paradise for intermediate skiers and boarders. Few resorts offer the same possibilities for intermediates with mile after mile of runs both above and below the tree line. The run from the Plattieres Gondola above Mottaret should delight even the timid intermediate and is normally in great condition, avoid if possible the red back to Mottaret as it can get icy and is often crowded.
Meribel for advanced skiers
Nothing can compete with the 650km of piste within the whole area, but within Meribel head for the Mont du Vallon or the steep Combe Vallon although classified as a red it is long, and steep when well groomed and when it has moguls, can be a real challenge.
Meribel for off piste skiers
Meribel has some great opportunities to ski off piste, but you can head over to Courchevel or Les Menuires within 20 minutes, 35 minutes to reach St Martin de Belleville and 45 minutes to reach Val Thorens all of which offer good off piste skiing in addition to that available in Meribel.
All of the Meribel ski schools offer off piste guides and instruction for off piste skiers.
Night life in Meribel
Meribels night life starts late afternoon within the bars at both Rond Point at the top of the resort centre or in and around the bars of Chaudanne with happy hours starting around 4 o’clock and apres lasts util around 7pm. Things then settle down until after the chalets and hotels have finished dinner sittings. At around 10:30 the bars start to fill up again. Le Pub in the main square is a popular starting point but later on many find themselves in Dicks Tea Bar which is open until dawn. If you don’t fancy the loud bars there are alternatives, try the Post or Barometer.
Meribel village is a little less happening, but the Lodge du Village has live bands and music every afternoon and evening and stays open until around 2 am.
Meribel Mottaret has a good late afternoon apres ski which gets crowded around the bars at the foot of the slopes. Later on in the evening try Zig-Zags or the resorts favourite club ‘Down Town’.
Best dining in Meribel
Its possible to get good Pizzas and pasta up to ambitious French dining. Top hotels like Grand Coeur, Kouisena and Allodis offer some of the best but pricy options. On more of a budget try Tremplin for great pizzas or Refuge for crepes. The Cactus bar by Chaudanne is always popular for a cheaper alternative at lunch time and in the evenings too.
Child care in Meribel
If child care is important, look at our chalets or hotels with child care, we have several with child care available either in your own chalet or hotel or in one of the several crèches available.
We also offer a number of chalets offering private nannies or booked places in a resort crèche all operated by English speaking, CRB checked staff, who are employed directly by British registered companies. We are able to recommend French run resort crèches too, but many of our clients prefer the children looked after by English speaking staff. For more information please contact our team.