IMAGE
Méribel lies in the Les Allues Valley at
the centre of the world’s
largest linked ski area, les Trois Vallées, giving access to over 600km of piste and unlimited off-piste. Owing to it’s enviable position at the centre of les Trois Vallées, Méribel is the perfect base from which to explore the extensive skiing on offer.
Val Thorens, the highest skiing in the area at 2,300m, can be reached on skis in under an hour, and Courchevel is even closer. As well as the two main resorts, Méribel and Méribel- Mottaret, the valley also includes a number of traditional villages. Together they form one of the most popular destinations for British skiers (the resort was, in fact, founded by a British Colonel, Peter Lindsay, in 1938).
The resort’s perennial popularity is due not only to its extensive skiing, but also to the attractive traditional Savoyard-style architecture. Unlike many purpose-built ski resorts Méribel has retained its alpine charm and consists entirely of chalet-style wood and stone buildings. As the largest of the villages in the valley Méribel has plenty more than its skiing on offer; the ice rink regularly hosts national and international ice hockey matches, and there is an indoor swimming pool, a bowling alley, and plenty of shopping on offer. The whole area sits on the edge of the Vanoise National Park making for truly stunning scenery for walking and snowshoeing.
At the top of the valley, about 4 km from Méribel, is Mottaret (1700 to 1800m). This village was developed in the early 1970’s and therefore has a more modern (but still attractive) look. It is quieter than Méribel, but still has a good selection of shops and bars, and the added bonus of lots of ski-in /ski out accommodation. It has its own lift pass office (you can buy a Méribel Valley or 3 Valleys pass) and is perfectly positioned for exploring the whole 3 Valleys area. Méribel is a short ski away down an easy green piste and there is also a free bus service that runs to and from Méribel, although it can get crowded at peak times.
Méribel-Village lies at 1400m and is approximately 2 km from Méribel on the road to La Tania and Courchevel. This tiny hamlet provides peaceful accommodation; making it popular with families and beginners and has a supermarket, an excellent boulangerie, a lively bar for après and a couple of restaurants. It has its own chair lift that runs up to the Altiport area (which is good for beginners.
Les Allues is a charming village at 1100m that has a more traditional feel to it. The village is served by the Olympe gondola that whisks you up to the Chaudanne in the heart of Méribel’s ski area. Les Allues has a supermarket, ski hire shop and several restaurants. If you want to head up to Méribel, there is a public bus service – the journey time is around 15 – 20 minutes, alternatively you can take the gondola lift or you can easily hire a local taxi.
The Three Valleys is the home of eight ski resorts that are linked together by a unique network of ski lifts and ski runs. As implied by its name, the area originally consisted of three valleys: Saint-Bon (Courchevel & La Tania), Allues (Méribel & Brides-les- Bains), and Belleville (Val Thorens, Les Menuires& St Martin de Belleville).
Altitude (Méribel) 1400m - 1600m
Skiable Range 1400 – 2,952m
Highest lift (Trois Vallées) 3,230m, the Bouchet chair in Val Thorens
Longest Run (Trois Vallées) 5km Cime de Caron
Ski terrain (Trois Vallées)
Pistes 600km (150km in Méribel itself)
Blue 52%, Red 38%, Black 10%
*skiing with a qualified mountain guide advised
Head from the top of the Loze chairlift onto the boulevard de la Loze and ski along the flat track that leads over towards the Dent du Burgin chair. About halfway along the track, drop off to the right for a fun powder field. There is also some fantastic off-piste in the Tougnète area to the sides of the lift, and under the Cote Brune lift.
La Face, a steep black that was created for the downhill races in the 1992 Olympics.
Blanchot, Foret and Rhodos, all located in the Altiport ski area.
Rossignol, Matres, Bouvreuil and Ours all south of Mottaret and accessed by the Plattières gondola.
Combe Vallon for a challenging red with great views, Lac de La Chambre is a little more ‘swoopy’.
Bosses for moguls, or Tetras for steep fun (best in the mornings as it is south facing).
The Méribel Valley lies in the middle of the three roughly parallel, north/south valleys, making it the ideal base for exploring the whole ski area. Around the Altiport you’ll find gentle, tree-lined runs ideal for beginners. Higher up on the Saulire are steeper blues and reds, which allow mixed-ability groups to ski in the same area. Over on the western (Tougnète) side of the valley is another good mixture of blues, reds and blacks, and also the two snowparks (open to boarders and skiers).
The head of the valley is dominated by Mont du Vallon, and in the Vallon / Mont de la Chambre / 3 Marches area you’ll find long, steep reds served by high speed chairs and gondola lifts, and the most dramatic scenery.
Recent upgrades to two of the main arterial lifts out of Méribel have significantly cut down on skiers travel time between the valleys. The Saulire Express gondola can now carry up to 2400 people an hour from the Chaudanne to the Saulire peak above Courchevel at 2700m. The result? This has halved the previous time to just 12 minutes. From Mottaret the upgraded Plattières gondola now takes nine minutes to reach 3 Marches at 2704m; previously the same journey took 22 minutes.
The beauty of this resort is the quality of the links between the different valleys. With fast lifts, and easy blue and even green pistes linking the resorts even the less experienced skiers in your group can properly explore the area and put some miles under their skis. To start with less experienced skiers should head to the easy green and blue slopes in La Tania, or to St Martin on the opposite side of Méribel. These villages are smaller and so often quieter, but will give the novice skier a chance to explore - and there are some great lunch spots in both villages. The pistes here are wide and swooping and perfect for building confidence.
More experienced skiers might want to take on the Three Valley challenge to ski nearly every piste across all three valleys – actually doable in one day. Known as the ‘Escapade’ it is no easy feat; the route is long and has specific checkpoints; your attempt will be officially recorded as you ‘buzz’ through the lift stations with your electronic hands free pass. Some 35 lifts are now required to complete the challenge, so if you intend to complete this in one day then pack a sandwich in your back pack, you won’t be stopping for lunch today.
For those of you in less of a rush take your time and aim to pass through each of the checkpoints marked on the piste map once during your holiday. If you achieve this you truly will have explored the furthest reaching points of les Trois Vallées, including the stunning skiing in Orelle, referred to locally as ‘the hidden valley’.
In the centre of town you'll find La Taverne ( known affectionately as 'the Tav') where you can get a good cup of coffee or tea as well as breakfast. Or you can pop to the bakery just opposite and bring a croissant or pain au chocolat to enjoy on the sunny terrace
Sport Boutique and North Face if I am looking for ski clothing or equipment as both have a great selection of big brands (although some at aspirational prices!)
If I am looking for stylish après clothes then I head to Le Dressing on the Gallerie des Cimes which stocks brands such as Scotch & Soda and Max et Moi as well as beautiful throws and rugs from Arpin, a 200 year old family firm who weave local Alpine wool – a perfect souvenir of your stay.
I have 2 favourites both in the Méribel Valley and both accessible to all level of skier and non-skiers (with a little walk).
The first is a Méribel Institution – the Adray Telebar on the Doron piste. This has one of the best sun terraces in the valley and the food is superb. You can always spot a good restaurant on the slopes in Méribel by the number of Red Jackets (ESF instructors) eating there and this has a high concentration. Try the escalope a la crème with local mushrooms and wickedly good chips – delicious.
My second choice a new venue (opened December '15), Le Clos Bernard that is located in the trees just below the Altiport. This old mountain hut was renovated and is now a wonderful restaurant in a stunning setting. It serves great salads but the specialty is meats grilled to order over the open fire. And don’t forget to leave room for the Café Gourmand at the end of the meal - this is a great way to sample several of the puddings on offer rather than having to make a choice.
I love the La Fromagerie in the centre of town – even after living here for more years than I will admit to, I still love going out for Raclette or Fondue. The restaurant is under a cheese shop and serves nothing but cheese dishes so perhaps not for everyone but if there are a group of you, ask for a mix of Raclette and Fondue and a green salad and then you get to try everything. Drink a local wine such as an Apremont or Chignin Bergeron whose sharpness cuts through the rich cheese.
I would advise not wearing anything too hot as it does get very warm in the restaurant and maybe wear old clothes as the smell of cheese can linger but for cheese-lovers it is so worth it!
If the weather is fine, then head up to Mottaret and to Lac du Tueda, part of Vanoise National Park. Walk around the lake and appreciate the spectacular mountain scenery. There’s a small restaurant for a coffee or vin chaud to warm you up on even the coldest of days.
If the weather is not so good, head to the Parc Olympic and go to the ice rink or swimming pool. The sports complex was built for the 1992 Olympics and was the venue for the ice hockey.
To kick things off it has to be the legendary ‘Folie Douce’ mountain après bars; it’s totally OTT and that’s the point. Reserve a sofa or table in the VIP zone and have your bottle of Veuve Clicquot transported to you in a glass box winched over the heads of the dancing crowd!
There’s an amazing live music scene in Méribel, so ski down from here to the Rond Point (affectionally known as the 'Ronnie) to catch a band.
And then finish with a ski back into the centre of town (escalator by the Tourist Office) and pop into La Copina for a cheeky cocktail before heading home
Mont Vallon at the head of the Méribel Valley is my favourite ski area. Not only is it a good ski to get there but once at the top you have a choice of 2 fantastic red runs down. There are two pistes running from the top of the Mont Vallon gondola, Campagnol to the right and Combe de Vallon to the left, they're both red runs and both of them offer some exciting skiing and incredible views, but the best one of the two is, without a doubt, Combe de Vallon. While it may officially be a red run, it can be quite tricky and steep at times and is a great test of the ski legs.
I love Chalet du Vallon – set off a quiet road in Méribel Village, this chalet has some of the best views in the valley. The open-plan main room is light, airy and very comfortable and the perfect place to appreciate the stunning scenery. It might not have all the high-tech bells & whistles of some of its larger, more glitzy neighbours but you will not find a more warm and welcoming spot to spend your holiday.
Ski all three valleys in a day! Take advantage of being in the largest linked ski area in the world with over 600 km of pistes. Easy blues and greens connect the three individual valleys, so you don’t need to be an expert to take on the challenge of skiing all three in a day.
Prominent among the founding fathers of the resort was a Scot - Colonel Peter Lindsay began developing the resort from Les Allues in 1936, but development was halted for a few years at the outbreak of war. From the outset Lindsay worked with specialist architects to ensure that development continued in the traditional, local Savoyard style. So we have Colonel Lindsay to thank for the beautiful Alpine village of Méribel that we recognise today.
Attached to the famous ‘La Folie Douce’ this their à la carte restaurant is a popular choice. Not cheap, but modern Savoyard cuisine, organic and beautifully presented with great ambiance. There are two lunch services (12:30 & 14:00). Opt for a late lunch here as the atmosphere is building outside La Folie Douce, then move outdoors as the music cranks up and enjoy the legendary après. Situated at the ‘Le Saulire’ gondola mid station.
Not technically in Méribel, but just one valley over, La Tania is a lovely little village and Le Farcon sits at the bottom of the slopes. We recommend skiing piste Folyères, a swooping blue run through the trees, which will take you straight to the door of this lovely little restaurant, which has 1 Michelin star to its name. Their lunch deal for skiers is remarkably good value at €35 per person, and they advertise it taking only 35 minutes if you are keen to get back on the slopes. You are of course welcome to linger longer.
In a majestic setting at the foot of Mont Vallon the chef will offer you a 7 course tasting menu, with a Savoyard bias ‘revisited’ for a fresh new take on the classics. They make all their bread in house, and there is a snack bar downstairs for less formal fare.
Take in the beautiful panoramic views from their terrace, and enjoy local specialties served in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Situated in the Hotel Allodis at the Rhodos bubble mid station, the terracce is ski-in/out. The chef, Philippe Vrignaud has created a wonderful menu with a fresh take on many local dishes. The truffle risotto is truly delicious and the puddings too tempting to resist - enjoy!
A wonderful new addition to the Meribel lunch scene - the restaurant is located in the trees, just by the Altiport and the cross-country ski trails. This old barn was recently renovated and provides a gorgeous setting for the fantastic food. The salads and the meats, gilled to order over an open wood fire, are not to be missed and the Cafe Gourmand is the perfect finish to your meal. It has quickly become very popular, so you will need to book. This is a great choice for those with non-skiers in the group as it is a pretty 5 minute walk from the bus stop.
With two beautiful dining rooms, both with open fires, and a sunny terrace (with less formal snack bar) this is a truly beautiful setting. The menu is varied and offers wood grilled meats, good burgers and a great dessert selection. A DJ outside adds to the trendy ambiance. Located next to the Adret chair at the crossing point of the Rodos and Marmottes pistes.
With two restaurants to choose from, Cookie’s Club is best for value offering salads, home made burgers and panini’s with a huge sunny terrace to sit out on. Alternatively their brasserie serves up grilled meat, fish and omelettes and in the afternoons it’s a great spot for a coffee and yummy cakes! Locate right on the slopes at the base of the Adret chair lift.
This large and popular restaurant sits above La Tania boasting sweeping panoramic views from its vast sun deck. Go here for huge omelettes, salads and the excellent value Plats du Jour. The service is friendly and efficient making this the perfect pit stop.
New at the Hotel Le Coucou at the Rond Point, is the Beefbar. A restaurant that offers the opportunity to try the rarest meats with the most prestigious origins, all matured and prepared to perfection: Black Angus from Argentina and the USA, Australian Wagyu, Japanese Kobe... This is meat-eaters' paradise!
This restaurant opened a couple of seasons ago and is superbly run by husband and wife team (he used to be Head Chef at Hotel Allodis). A great menu of classics and Savoyard with a twist with emphasis on fresh, local produce. Located at Le Plateau.
If you looking for a change to fondue and mountain dishes, head to Tsaretta Spice. A superb Indian restaurant in the heart of the 3 Valleys. An elegant restaurant which also offers takeaway service.
Located right in the centre of the resort, L'Ekrin is Meribel's first Michelin star restaurant. Part of Le Kaila hotel this beautiful restaurant serves amazing dishes using fresh local ingredients. Chef Laurent Azoulay, is very inventive and his speciality is the re-invention of both classic and local dishes. This is a meal to be savoured in a sophisticated, elegant setting.
A quirky little French run restaurant in the heart of Méribel village, local specialties and huge portions are served in the old vaulted cellars of this original mill house.
In the centre of Méribel serving up excellent pizzas, steaks and pasta, this is a Méribel institution. The restaurant has an additional dining room upstairs but it does get very busy so you do need to reserve a table in advance.
Specialising in all things... you guessed it, CHEESE! It has to be acknowledged that this restaurant has its own distinctive aroma, which can be too much for some, but it serves up the best fondues and raclettes in town. Located in the centre of Méribel town.
Located in Méribel 1600 this is a popular and charming little restaurant serving up local specialties in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere with an open fire. The menu is small and changes regularly, and there is also live music on a Monday night.
Dance outdoors in your ski boots! Lively from 3-5pm and accessed from the mid station of the Saulire gondola. Reserve a table in the VIP area to enjoy a glass of Veuve Clicquot and soak up the atmosphere. Best for people watching.
Méribel’s original après bar; happy hour is from 4-5pm, live bands are from 5pm – 7pm. You can easily ski down to here from La Folie Douce to continue the party.
Live music around 5/6pm and again later in the evening, plus regular comedy gigs. Located in the centre of town close to the bottom of the slopes.
At the bottom of the slopes in Méribel Village you will find live music at après most days, including legendary local band ‘Bring your Sisters’.
Open until 2 am, Live bands and has big screens for major sporting events
With live bands and open until 2am this is a popular nightspot.
Méribel’s smartest and most cosmopolitan bar, with a great wine & cocktail list as well as an extensive Tapas menu. The food menu has a Savoyard twist and is all cooked to order. The bar also plays great music & is a more sophisticated alternative to Meribel's other bars.
If you’ve got the stamina O’Sullivan’s is open until 4 am and books well known guest DJ’s throughout the season.
Let the bar come to you ! We can arrange an evening of cocktails in the luxury of your own chalet. Myles, the Mountain Mixologist will come to the chalet to make bespoke cocktails for you. Ask your SkiBoutique PA for more details
A wonderful bar inspired by the Galician region of northern Spain. Tapas, fantastic selection of wine by the glass or bottle, craft beers and a range of innovative cocktails. You go for one but stay for more .....
Méribel’s smallest bar but where a warm welcome is assured. Owner Magali is passionate about wine and has a selection of over 100 for you to sample. Small but perfectly formed !
If you’re a rugby fan, this is the bar for you. Run by Matt & Elizabeth, this small bar on the road down to the Chaudanne has a great selection beers, wines & spirits.
For non-skiers, and those looking for a day off the slopes and something different there is lots to do and see in Méribel and the surrounding area.
The Méribel ice rink, built originally to host the 1992 Olympic Ice Hockey, has a capacity of 2,400 and regularly hosts both national and international ice hockey matches and skating galas. It is open for public skating daily from 14:30 – 19:00. There is usually an ice hockey match on Tuesday evening from 20:30. Skates can be hired at the rink and it is also possible to arrange to have an ice skating lesson. There is also a figure skating gala at Christmas/New Year.
Bowling Le Canadien is a bowling alley and sports bar in the centre of Méribel, open from 14:00 – 01:00 every day, and opening from 11:00 on a bad weather day. Perfect if you decide to take a day off the mountain. There are 6 bowling lanes and it is ideal for children as it has automated bumpers. There are also pool tables and televised sporting events.
Parc Olympique has a large swimming pool open every day from 14:30 - 19:00 although there are aqua-gym and aqua-bike classes running in the mornings from 10:15. The pool has a small children's pool and there is a long water slide (perfect for children of any age). The Sports Centre also boasts its own in-house spa area run by Cinq Mondes. You can relax and indulge with a beauty treatment or massage or just use the sauna, hammam, steam room and spa facilities. Or if you are looking for a more energetic option, there is also a gym & fitness centre which opens 9:00 - 20:00 Monday to Friday.
This elegant spa is situated within Hotel Helios close to the centre of resort. The spa includes an indoor swimming pool with massage jets and a steam room, and offers massages and beauty treatments using the finest Carita products that will leave you feeling soothed and refreshed. Treatments include hot stone massage; skin nourishing facials, toning body treatments and more.
You can either head off independently on a number of marked trails in the area (guide books and maps available from the local tourist office), or book a guide to take you further into the backcountry to explore the beauty of the Vanoise National Park in which Méribel lies. There are daily group outings which are organised around a theme such as local flora giving you a chance to learn more about the stunning area. A lovely option is to walk around Lac Tueda up in Mottaret; this is a nature reserve and very peaceful in winter. There is little restaurant half way around the lake, which is perfect for a hot chocolate, or light lunch.
Also known as ‘Nordic’ or ‘cross country’ skiing this is a good alternative for those who don’t want to take part in down hill skiing, or if you’re just looking to try something a bit different one day. Méribel has 33km of marked and groomed trails in the valley. There are two specific areas of Méribel dedicated to Ski de Fond; one at Lac de Tueda in Mottaret and the other in the Altiport.
There are trails for all abilities from green to red; Méribel Mottaret has slightly more gentle tracks. Take the Green marked trail to begin with; at 3km long its perfect for those just learning and starts at the Plan Ravet car park or the Piou-Piou nursery school. Alternatively if you feel slightly more confident take the Blue marked trail, which is 5km and starts from the same place. For beginners there are either group or private lessons available.
Experience the beauty of Lac Tueda from a traditional horse drawn sleigh for a romantic little outing.
Down in Les Allues, which is the main administrative centre is the small Musée des Allues de Méribel. Located in a old village house, close to the church, it details the history of the valley and its inhabitants.
Taking off from the Méribel Altiport choose from a flight over the Méribel valley, Les Trois Vallées, or the ultimate flight around Mont Blanc and back. A very special way to view the beautiful surrounding mountains, and you can even take a turn at flying yourself as they offer private flying tuition.
A truly exhilarating experience, offered by a number companies from the top of Saulire to give you a unique experience of flying over the Méribel Valley.
Once the pistes have closed, and after some expert tuition, you can be out on an open country trail enjoying the buzz and adrenalin rush of being in control of a snowmobile through powder and speeding up and down the ski runs in the peace of a late moon lit evening.
There are a number of beautiful mountain refuges in and around Meribel that you can access on foot or snowshoes. These are open for lunch or dinner (and even for an overnight stay). Enjoy the peace and beauty of the mountains away from the lifts and the crowds.
Don’t miss the local market on Tuesdays and Fridays in winter, on the Route de la Chaudanne in Méribel centre, with local produce, clothing and jewellery. But if you want to buy local cheese to take home, go to the Cooperative in Mussillon where you will get a better selection and price than on the market.
The first rule of shopping in France is to remember that most shops close over lunchtime! This can even include supermarkets, although in most ski resorts now these will stay open, certainly in peak season. Otherwise, most shops in Méribel will open at 9am or 10am and close for lunch at midday. They reopen from 2pm and stay open until 7.30pm or 8.00pm, so you can always head out after skiing for a sport of retail therapy.
As you would expect from a major international ski resort the shopping selection is rather dominated by sports shops. There’s certainly plenty of choice here, and you can find everything from top of the range technical ski wear, with brands such as Patagonia, Peak Performance or North Face, and also more fashion orientated piste wear such as Bognor and Descente. There are also several shops specialising in boarding gear and sportswear with brands like Quiksilver, Ripcurl and Volcom.
Fashionistas will enjoy a visit to the chic A'dress by the Hotel Kaila in Méribel where they will find designer brands, and should also head to nearby Sport Boutique where labels like Moncler Longchamp, Ugg and Dolce & Gabbana will be found. Also visit Le Dressing, which is on Gallerie des Cimes, just along from the Tourist Office where you will find a great selection on non-ski wear and brands such as Maison Scotch.
The very best in local produce can be found in several specialist food outlets as well as in the supermarkets. Local charcuterie and cheeses are always popular; especially good is the selection at Le Village des Pains in Méribel Village, or at La Gourmandine in Méribel centre. If it’s purely cheese you’re after, then of course look no further than La Fromagerie in Méribel centre, a shop upstairs and cheese themed restaurant below!
Méribel’s main bakery, Les Glaciers, offers delicious breads, cakes and patisseries and wonderful handmade chocolates. The valley’s other boulangerie, Le Village des Pains in Méribel Village, is the local’s favourite, and known as the best boulangerie in the Trois Vallées. They still bake using a traditional log burning fire and also offer fantastic sandwiches and pizzas.
There is also an interior design shops in town, offering high quality pieces predominantly in the Savoyard style, ideal for decorating a chalet or to take a little piece of the Savoyard home with you - Fake is one of the shops under the new L'Hevana apartments.
The Maison de la Presse in Méribel centre offers English-language newspapers and Au-delà des Montagnes has quirky fashions and L’Occitane products.
There are several supermarkets in town; the largest is the Spar in the Mussillon area, but each village has it’s own smaller store including the Casino Supermarche in Méribel centre, a smaller Spar in Méribel Village, and a choice between a“8 à huit” or a Sherpa supermarket in Méribel Mottaret.
For non-skiers, or perhaps those on longer visits to Méribel, there is a wealth of interesting places to visit outside of the ski resort.
Just below Meribel in the valley is the small town of Brides les Bains, which as the name suggests is a thermal spa town, which has been attracting visitors since 19th century. The two resorts are connected by cable car, the Olympe Gondola, so even the journey down can be an adventure. The mineral rich water, drawn from 75m down, has long been known for its therapeutic qualities and you can spend a relaxing day taking the waters at the Grand Spa Thermal with its steam rooms, ice baths and therapeutic treatments.
The city of Chambery, which is the capital of the Savoie, is a great place for a day out. It is 100 km from Meribel and it will take about 1½ hour to drive there (sadly not great public transport links). This was the main seat of the old kingdom of Savoy and was founded in the 13th century by Amadeus V. The historic town centre has a lovely mix of historic sites and great shopping as well as restaurants and cafes for some stops along the way. Two sights not to be missed are the Chateau de Chambery and the Elephant Fountain. The castle, which dates from 1285, was the seat of the House of Savoy until Duke Emmanuel Philibert moved his capital to Turin in 16th century. The Fontaine des Éléphants, which was built in 1838 to honour military campaigns in India, consists of four life size elephants and a statue of a local hero.
A popular favourite is the lakeside town of Annecy, referred to sometimes as the ‘Venice of the Alps’ because of its network of canals that weave through the historic ‘Old Town’. Fantastic restaurants, coffee shops and plenty of clothes shops are on offer in Annecy, with it’s stunning mountain back drop and crystal clear blue waters. The town hosts a spectacular Christmas market from late November right the way through December that’s well worth the visit. Annecy can be reached in little over an hour from Méribel by car.
Have you ever considered trying your hand at bobsleighing? Available in the neighbouring resort of La Plagne you will find one of the best bobsleigh tracks in the world. It was the official Olympic track used for the Albertville Olympic Games in 1992. It is 1,500m long, allowing you to experience an average speed in excess of 100 km/h. In competition bobsleighs feel forces in excess of 3.5 G's in the bends.
Each bobsleigh has a qualified ‘pilot’ to steer you down the course and each ‘run’ can take three passengers. This is a really unique experience as this is the only bobsleigh track in France; during the day time it is used by international athletes who train on the track, and it is open to the public between 16:30 – 18:30 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday between December and early March. La Plagne is not connected in anyway to Meribel other than by road or by air. The whole journey to La Plagne takes about 50-60 minutes depending on traffic and weather, or alternatively you could take a helicopter from the Altiport to La Plagne, where you can be met by a driver to take you on to the bobsleigh track.
We recommend flying with our partner airline Swiss,
who will carry your ski gear for no extra charge.
Chambery (CMF): 1h 45m /110 km
Grenoble (GNB): 2h /175 km
Geneva (GVA): 2h 30m /190 km
Lyon (LYS): 2h 30m /190 km
SkiBoutique works with a number of taxi firms to provide shared, private and luxury road transfers from the airport of your choice to Méribel. If you prefer to arrive by helicopter then of course we can arrange that too.
From December to April you can hop on the Eurostar ski train at St Pancras International or Ashford International and be whisked direct to the French Alps at 186 mph. For Méribel take the train to Moutiers; it is then just a 30 minute taxi ride up the hill to resort. This is a convenient and environmentally sound alternative to flying.
If you choose to drive to Méribel from the UK it is a straightforward 920 km journey from Calais, on average taking 10 hours including some stops en route. Alternatively, you may decide to hire a car from one of the 4 airports servicing Méribel. Méribel Centre co-ordinates for your satellite navigation system are:
Lat; 45’24’58.59 N
Long: 6’33’51.68 E
*Please be aware that Sat Navs are not always accurate and particularly in winter they will not show Alpine road closures so please check the route chosen
Bronze - EUR 115
You like discover the mountain with equipment that’s safe
and easy to use.
Silver - EUR 145
You prefer to ski with comfortable high-performance equipment which allows you to take full advantage of the ski area on offer.
Gold - EUR 175
You only ski with the newest and best equipment
each season, for enjoyable high performance skiing.
Méribel 6 day adult pass - EUR 249
Three Valleys 6 day adult pass - EUR 300
Please note there is a family pass available which offers savings on the individual rates quoted above. There are also discounts when you buy 2+ adult 3V passes.
With our partner ski school New Generation
Private 2 hour lesson - EUR 169
All day guiding - EUR 450
Bottle of Veurve Clicquot EUR 105
Small beer EUR 3.60
Bottle of house wine EUR 24
Vin chaud/Gluwein EUR 5.20
Hot chocolate EUR 4.50
Cup of coffee EUR 3.50
Glass of coke EUR 3.50
Pizza EUR 17