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Méribel
Méribel

Known the world over, the Méribel 3 Vallées ski resort offers you the best skiing holidays in the world's largest ski area.

Méribel in short

In a nutshell

Perched between 1450 and 1750 metres above sea level, Méribel is a chic ski resort in the heart of Savoie. It is part of the 3 Valleys, the largest ski area in the world, comprising the resorts of Courchevel, La Tania, Brides-les-Bains, Les Menuires, Val Thorens and Méribel. There's something for everyone, with 600km of ski runs to suit all abilities and tastes. With just one ski pass, you can move from one valley to another and make the most of the snow-covered slopes. From Méribel, a single lift is all you need to reach the other resorts.

Why come to Méribel?

Méribel is a skier's paradise, with a snow park, freeride opportunities and large areas for off-piste skiing. Even if you're not into skiing, Méribel offers plenty of alternatives for tourists: snowshoe trekking, dog sledding or snowmobiling, and numerous relaxation centres and fitness areas ensure you have a sporty and wellness-focused holiday. The resort also has a lively skating rink, cinema, bowling alley, discotheque, numerous restaurants and bars... plenty to keep you entertained and having a good time on long winter evenings. Méribel is the perfect choice for an unforgettable skiing holiday, combining the charm of Savoyard villages with the chic of the big resorts. Our favourite? A magical night at the Refuge de La Tray!

© Méribel Teaser hiver 2023 / Youtube

Who is this destination for?

Tourists who go on holiday to Méribel are often winter sports and mountain enthusiasts. They are looking to escape city life and reconnect with nature. Méribel 3 Vallées caters for active, adventurous people who like to explore new horizons and enjoy outdoor activities.

Méribel holidaymakers can be families with children, couples or friends looking to spend time together, skiing in the world's largest ski area and enjoying a wide range of facilities and entertainment. Ski and snowboard enthusiasts will be delighted by the resort's varied slopes and magnificent alpine scenery. Non-skiers can also enjoy the region on snowshoe hikes, snowmobile excursions or dog sled rides.

Finally, Méribel is also a popular destination for people looking to recharge their batteries and relax, thanks to its spas, gourmet restaurants and luxury accommodation. Holidaymakers can unwind after a day on the slopes with a dip in the indoor pools, a massage or a gourmet meal. All in all, Méribel is an ideal destination for those looking for a memorable holiday experience.

Méribel under the snow.

- © Anna Gurska-Zukovska / Shutterstock

What to do in Méribel

Down the Combe du Vallon: this is one of the longest and most beautiful runs in Méribel. It has a vertical drop of over 1,000 metres and gives you a great view of the Vanoise National Park. You'll need to have a good level of skiing to venture out on this type of piste, however, as you can explore the trails in the extraordinary Parc Naturel de la Vanoise, a 53,000-hectare protected natural area. There are 600 km of well-maintained, signposted trails that you can explore on your own or with a mountain guide, who will show you the natural beauty of the park.Climbing and via ferrata are other activities available in Méribel.

Two great toboggan runs:

Mission Black Forest, through a course dotted with decorations, bells, gongs and other foam targets, and

Himalaya by night, 2 km of fun in Yeti Park, at night!

The Plan de Tueda nature reserve, where you can discover over a hundred species of alpine flora and fauna along a signposted botanical trail. The reserve stretches from Lac de Tueda to the Glacier de Gébroulaz, covering 1,100 hectares. These are magnificent open spaces where you can admire the Linnaea borealis, a white to pale pink nodding flower that blooms in July and is found only in Savoie. The Espace Glacialis in the heart of the Parc de la Vanoise offers an interactive discovery of mountain glaciers, with films, photos, maps, models and objects. There are also discovery workshops for children, with puzzles and quizzes to test their knowledge of the mountains.

What to eat in Méribel

Méribel's culinary specialities are influenced by French mountain cuisine. Must-try dishes include:

  • Savoyard fondues: a mixture of melted cheeses served with pieces of bread for dipping.
  • Raclettes: a dish of melted cheese served with potatoes and local charcuterie.
  • Tartiflette: a potato gratin with Reblochon cheese, bacon and onions.
  • Pot-au-feu: a thick soup of meat, vegetables and potatoes.
  • Crozets: a small diamond-shaped pasta typical of Savoie. They are usually eaten with diots, a type of smoked sausage.

As well as these traditional dishes, Méribel's restaurants also offer more elaborate cuisine using local ingredients, and there are plenty of gourmet restaurants to tempt your taste buds.

Méribel: what to bring back?

A stuffed marmot or Saint Bernard for the kids, and a bottle of Chartreuse for the adults. This is the only green liqueur in the world, natural right down to its colour, concocted by two Carthusian brothers who are the only ones to know the names of the 130 plants and how to blend and distil them. You can, of course, bring your own cheese, such as Reblochon, Comté or Beaufort. Some cheesemongers offer them vacuum-packed for easier travel by car.

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How to get there?

By plane, the four nearest airports are Geneva-Cointrin, Lyon-Saint-Exupery, Grenoble and Chambéry, and you can then reach the resort by bus, car pool or taxi. If you prefer the train, from Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-les-Bains station you can take an Altibus coach to the resort. From the road, by car or motorhome, remember to bring winter equipment between 1 November and 31 March: chains or snow socks or 4 snow or 4-season tyres. Take the A43 to Albertville, then the RN90 to Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-les-Bains and the D90 to Méribel.

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✈️ Your flight to Geneva

Flight to Geneva
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Where to stay?

As the resort is very busy, you'll have a wide choice of accommodation to choose from during your holiday. A number of luxury hotels will provide you with the best services for a dream holiday, but there is also a wide range of more affordable, privately-run chalets and studio apartments.

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Practical information

When should you go to Méribel?

Méribel is a popular tourist destination all year round, thanks to its many activities and spectacular natural setting.

Winter: This is the ideal season for winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing. There are also activities for non-skiers, such as dog-sleigh rides and wine bar evenings.

Spring: This is an ideal time for outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling. Holidaymakers can also enjoy the beauty of the flowering flora.

Summer: This is the ideal time for hiking, climbing, cycling and water sports. Holidaymakers can also enjoy the many cultural events and open-air concerts.

Autumn: This is an ideal time for outdoor activities such as hiking and horse-riding, as well as enjoying nature's spectacular autumn colours.

The best months for a holiday in Méribel depend on each person's favourite activities, but generally the winter months (December to April) and summer (June to August) are the most popular. The spring and autumn months can offer milder temperatures and fewer crowds, which can be a bonus for some holidaymakers.

lightbulb_outline Editor's tip

Avoid driving if you are not comfortable with snow-covered or slippery mountain roads in winter. Use public transport or taxi services if necessary.

Useful links
Méribel Tourist Office

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