Ski Holidays in Meribel, France

• Snow Conditions in Meribel France +

  Snow report issued:	3rd Feb 12
  Last snowed:	31st Jan 12
  Fresh snow depth:	20cm
  Depth at resort:	150cm
  Mountain depth:	230cm
  Piste state:
  Excellent (Great on piste conditions, tracked out off piste)
  Weather report:
  Partly cloudy, some sunny spells
  Temperature:	-15°C
  Open lifts:	42 of 42

  View Meribel snow history

• Meribel Resort Statistics+

  Slope Direction	SE E NW
  Very Easy Runs	8
  Easy Runs	36
  Medium Runs	22
  Difficult Runs	9
  Toughest Run Name
  Skiable Vertical	1500m
  Number Of Lifts	53
  Top Lift Height	2950m
  Night Skiing	N
  Snowboarding Parks	1
  Half Pipes	4
  Swimming Pools	3
  Night Clubs	3
  Mountain Restaurants	11

• Meribel Piste Map+

  

• Meribel Transfer Times+

  Geneva:	3 hours
  Lyon:	3 hours

Meribel has had strong British roots right from its inception and this, combined with its location at the heart of the world's largest ski area, has helped to keep it one of the most popular ski resorts in the world today for UK skiers and boarders.

The original village is largely made up of attractive chalet buildings of all sizes. A newer, higher apartment block complex, Mottaret, is available further up the valley, and the resort also encompasses other small hamlets, some of them linked by gondola.

As well as being sandwiched in the central valley of the Three Valleys, the world's largest ski area with 600km (375 miles) of linked runs and lifts, Meribel operates more high speed gondolas (15) than any other resort in the world, giving fast access to Corchevel's valley on one side and Val Thorens on the other.

• Skiing for Beginners+

  Although not particularly promoted as a beginner's destination (you may wish to work up to the world's largest ski area rather than starting there, but then again...) there are plenty of beginner trails right next to the resort and the huge ski school has a special international section with English speaking teachers who will teach you on the gentle slopes of La Chaudanne. We can offer inclusive beginner packages which include tuition, rentals and lift ticket for a better price than buying them separately. If cost is an issue you will be able to find cheaper packages at smaller resorts.

• Intermediate Skiing+

  Intermediates will have the most to gain from a stay in Meribel where the mind-boggling choice of more than 250 blue and red trails awaits you. Recommended runs from regular visitors include the five kilometre (three mile) long red down the Combe de Vallion. If you are thinking of venturing off piste both the ski school and the mountain guides office will be happy to guide you and teach you technique.

• Advanced+

  There's a huge choice in the world's biggest ski area for advanced skiers, with some 34 black runs including the women's Olympic downhill and the infamous 'Les Bosses' piste. If you prefer to head off the piste the Mountain Guides Office will take you to powder fields and steep slopes as well as up to the glacier. Ski touring is also available to Chamonix or Zermatt.

• Snowboarding at Meribel+

  An excellent destination for snowboarders with almost limitless terrain accessed by easy to ride gondolas. The Moonpark is a top notch terrain park which had a new beginners section added last winter (07-08) incorporating mini-tables, mini-box, mini-whoops and a mini boardercross just 200 metres long with a 50 metre vertical. The established park is designed for intermediate and advanced freestylers' use and extends for 700m over a 200m vertical. The park has its own team of pro riders and even its own website (www.moonstuff.net). There is a second terrain park at Mottaret, the Plattieres snowpark.

• Other Activities And Facilities at Meribel+

  Meribel has a good range of things to do off the slopes. The Olympic Centre at La Chaudanne offers numerous sports facilities including a 25 metre swimming pool with flumes, an ice rink and a climbing wall. Figure skating lessons are available at the ice rink. There are also cinemas, a bowling centre which also has a video games arcade, a museum and a library. Brides les Bains, 12km away in the Valley below, has a casino.
  
  Activities on offer include snowshoeing, 25km of cleared walking paths, a snowmobile school (mini snow mobile circuit for children), paragliding, a flying school based at the local altiport where you can take a scenic tourist flight or even have flying lessons. There are also more than 80 shops in the resort to explore.

• Apres Ski And Dining Out+

  Meribel is one of the liveliest French resorts by a good way, with a strong English accent to après ski activities. These kick off at around 5pm, as the lifts close, at the Rond Point and continue in the 50 or so bars, which include some of the most famous in the Alps, such as Dick's T Bar night club. Although many guests will be on full board chalet packages, there are still 80 or so restaurants to choose from ranging from affordable pizzerias to several gourmet choices. Chez Kiki and Le Refuge are amongst the more popular choices.

• Ski Holidays in Meribel suitable for Families+

  Meribel is popular with families and has excellent facilities for all ages. The 'Kids Etcetera' non-ski nursery accepts children aged from three months to seven years with English qualified nannies. Open daily from 9am to 5pm. Private nannies can also be hired for your children only. The French ski school run a non-ski daycare for children from 18 months to three years. They then offer the Piou Piou ski kindergarten in a lovely snow playground with special children's ski school classes from ages five to 12. The tourist office can also provide a list of baby sitters and child minders.
  
  If you are a family of four or more staying for a week or longer you can get up to 25% off the total ticket cost by purchasing a 'Family Pass.'