Meribel (at 1450m) is at the heart of the Three Vallees and has long been a favourite with the Brits.
There are numerous ski runs down to Meribel from Courchevel crossing over at Saulire or Col de Loze with several runs joining at the 'Rond-Point' where skiers often congregate for a drink and a bite to eat before carrying on down to Meribel itself or Meribel Village via the Altiport.
However, simply because it is in the middle valley, it can get very busy during the peak season with lengthy lift queues during half terms and bank holidays. Because of this it is advisable to allow yourself extra time if you are coming back to Courchevel via Meribel or Mottaret at the end of the day in peak season.
The old cable car from the centre of Meribel to the top of Saulire was replaced in 2011/12 with new high speed cable cars which have increased the capacity and reduced the time it takes to get back into the Courchevel Valley and as a consequence the queues have now reduced significantly.
Further up the valley is the resort of Meribel Mottaret (1750m), with its hotels, bars and restaurants located at the foot of the runs and at the junction of most of the major cable cars and chairlifts. Once again this area can get very busy in high season but if you are going to venture up to Val Thorens then passing through Mottaret is inevitable!
The Meribel/Mottaret valley offers some excellent skiing for all standards and for those of you who enjoy half pipes, rails and jumps then the Meribel and Mottaret Snow-Parks are the place for you.
Be careful of the final couple of kms of blue runs down into Mottaret from both sides of the mountain when the conditions are icy or claggy at the end of a long days skiing....they can be treacherous and need to be treated with caution because there are often a lot of beginners struggling to get home!
There are numerous ski runs down to Meribel from Courchevel crossing over at Saulire or Col de Loze with several runs joining at the 'Rond-Point' where skiers often congregate for a drink and a bite to eat before carrying on down to Meribel itself or Meribel Village via the Altiport.
However, simply because it is in the middle valley, it can get very busy during the peak season with lengthy lift queues during half terms and bank holidays. Because of this it is advisable to allow yourself extra time if you are coming back to Courchevel via Meribel or Mottaret at the end of the day in peak season.
The old cable car from the centre of Meribel to the top of Saulire was replaced in 2011/12 with new high speed cable cars which have increased the capacity and reduced the time it takes to get back into the Courchevel Valley and as a consequence the queues have now reduced significantly.
Further up the valley is the resort of Meribel Mottaret (1750m), with its hotels, bars and restaurants located at the foot of the runs and at the junction of most of the major cable cars and chairlifts. Once again this area can get very busy in high season but if you are going to venture up to Val Thorens then passing through Mottaret is inevitable!
The Meribel/Mottaret valley offers some excellent skiing for all standards and for those of you who enjoy half pipes, rails and jumps then the Meribel and Mottaret Snow-Parks are the place for you.
Be careful of the final couple of kms of blue runs down into Mottaret from both sides of the mountain when the conditions are icy or claggy at the end of a long days skiing....they can be treacherous and need to be treated with caution because there are often a lot of beginners struggling to get home!
The Meribel Valley
3 Vallees Piste Map:
Click on image to enlarge
Click on image to enlarge
Courchevel Moriond 1650