Ski Meribel - Skiing in Meribel
Ok, down to the really interesting information about Meribel! The skiing here is la crème de la crème of the Alps. Make sure, unless you’re a complete novice, you buy a full area lift pass and make the most of what the three valleys can offer you. Made up of 3 Valleys; Saint-Bon, Allues and Belleville which link 8 resorts; Courchevel, La Tania, Meribel, Brides-les- Bains, Val Thoren, Les Menuires and St Martin de Belleville. Most of Meribel is above the trees but as it’s on a North to South trajectory you can ski the east side all morning and the west side all afternoon for plenty of sunshine.
Chilled out
Sauliere mountain is full of cruisy blues, look out for; Choucas, Escargot and Mouflon. Over towards Courcheval go up the Chenus bubble, then the 2 man chair ‘Col de la Loze’ then do these blues consecutively down to the main La Chaudanne lift area, ‘Boulevard de la Loze’, ‘Belette’, and ‘Rodon’. Also look out for Gros Tougan and Grand Lac – quite possibly the best intermediate run in the whole of the three valleys.
Crowd Free
If you have to go at a busy time of year because of kids etc then it’s useful to know where you can go to avoid the crowds. Don’t go to Saulire, the Doron or Courcheval 1850. 1650 is a lot quieter, for some empty challenging reds look out for Chapelets, Rocher and Bel Air. Trois Marche is peaceful and Jerusulam and Pramint above St Martins are charming vacant pistes ideal for practicing wide sweeping turns. Also any runs from the top of the Boismint chair don’t get much use.
Challenging;
The ladies downhill ‘The Face’ often has difficult moguls and is spectacularly steep – absolutely amazing in powder. Combe Tourgette and Combe Vallon are both great for adrenaline junkies with plenty of long, steep and narrow sections. Suisses over towards Courcheval is superb, needs plenty of snow though otherwise you’ll be scraping along packed ice. Take the Cime de Caron chair up and choose between 3 very testing runs, Combe de Caron, Col de L’Audzin or Combe Rosael which takes you into a fourth valley. This can be quite tricky, do not attempt unless there has been plenty of snow. In such an event, it is also possible to ski all the way down to Brides Les Bains. Take a guide and enjoy snaking down through trees, meadows and orchards.
Mountain Restaurants
Chalet Maire Blanche; Good reputation, located on the Doron run. Also popular for dinner in the evening.
Restaurant Le Blanchot: Situated in a woodland clearing near Altiport with wonderful views to Saulire and down to Moutiers. Can get very busy, fantastic food – expensive though.
Hotel Le Yeti: Over at Rond Point the Yeti is not just a pit stop to keep you going. The food is fabulous and the three course menu at 26euros won’t break the bank
The Rond Point: Has one of the best sun terraces in the three valleys. Apres ski here is always busy as it’s very close to home. The British staff are welcoming and the atmosphere relaxed and informal.
The Adray Telebar: At the base of the Adret Chair, does a good Plat du Jour. Excellent place to stop for a vin chaud or a hot chocolate with their complimentary delectable hand made cakes.
Also try behind the Plattieres lift for a selection of pleasant places to have lunch.
Statistics
Nearest town Moutiers Salins
Shops 90
Laundrettes 3
Post office 1
Banks 3
Highest Lift 3200m
Ski Area 645km
Longest run 11km
Lifts 153
Mtn Restaurants 38
Beginners 30%
Intermediate 45%
Advanced 25%
Off piste 9/10
Pipes 2
Parks 3
Trees 27%
Backcountry First rate
Fly to Chambery / Lyon / Grenoble
Transfer Time 1.15h / 1.45h / 2h
Nightlife Good
