|
|
Meribel in The Three Valleys, Europe´s largest Ski Area
  
|
The Three Valleys is Europe’s largest ski area totalling 600km of piste and offering an unrivalled variety of terrain for all level of skier and with Meribel located in the middle of the three valleys, you are ideally situated to take advantage of the area. The resort has some of the most modern ski lifts available and some of the best lunch stops in the Alps. Meribel is filled with attractive chalet-style architecture. Unlike many purpose-built ski resorts, Méribel has retained it´s Alpine charm and consists entirely of chalet-style wood and stone buildings. Of all the Meribel villages, Meribel Les Allues is the nicest, built entirely with traditional ski chalets in stone and wood and retaining a charming Savoyard village feel. The village itself is very popular and offers a much more French experience than the hustle bustle of Meribel and its popularity with British skiers.
|
| "Established as a ski resort in 1938 by British Colonel Peter Lindsay, Meribel’s draw is its sheer size and prime location: 150 kilometres of easily accessible pistes, set in the stunning Trois Vallées area that is linked to the chic Courchevel (favoured by Russian millionaires and the Beckhams) on one side and Val Thorens (Europe’s highest resort) on the other. That’s a whopping 600 kilometres of skiing in the entire region, served by 189 lifts. There’s no chance of getting bored on these pistes. Meribel appeals to skiiers of all levels, making it a clever option for groups of mixed abilities. It’s excellent for intermediates thanks to a whole squiggly network of blue and red runs, but it’s also fine for beginners because of thibele plentiful supply of nice easy greens and blues, (check out the Altiport area). The expert skier isn’t neglected either, as there are plenty of challenging blacks and off-piste opportunities – such as skiing down from the Combe du Vallon, the valley’s highest point at 2,950 metres, reached by a gondola from Mottaret. The quirky village of Les Allues is a ten-minute drive to the pistes of Meribel and far more chilled than the town centre”. Time Out Online. |
- Black runs = 9
- Red runs = 21
- Blue runs = 33
- Green runs = 11
- Longest run = 3.6km
- Total km of piste = 600km
- 90km Cross Country
|
| "A welcome trend in the Alps is the colonisation of lower altitude and more characterful mountain villages that missed the first round of ski resort developments, Les Allues is such a place: a few hairpins down from Méribel, it´s a small rough hewn settlement, and by far the nicest place to stay in the valley. If you want a more laid back holiday, mixing awesome on-piste skiing in the world´s largest ski area, with a lazy day or two catching the sun, you´ll love it". The Sunday Times. |
Activities in Meribel…
As well as the many walks amongst beautiful scenery, Méribel offers a massive choice of other fun things to do in or out of the snow, all of which we can arrange for you, such as Snow-Shoe Walks, Parapenting, Husky Sledding, Cross-Country Skiing, Bowling, Ice Skating, Bum Boarding, Tobogganing, Ski Joering, Husky Sledding, Helicopter trips, Horse-sled Tours, Snow-mobiling, Segway Human Transporter Rides, Ice Climbing, Igloo Building and Ski Biking. There is also a swimming pool in Meribel center. There is a bi-weekly street market. Your Chalet Hosts will be able to offer lots of information and arrange any activities you like.
RIDE A SEGWAY HUMAN TRANSPORTER...
Original, silent and ecological, the Human Transporter is a totally new way of getting around. Ridden by anybody (from 14 years and 67 pounds minimum), it is easy to use and can take you just about anywhere and without effort. With this totally new, intuitive to use and fun method of transport, you can get around the resort having fun.
|
Events in Meribel...
There are tons of events in Meribel and the Three Valleys ranging from quirky festivals to major sports events.
- 8th-12th December there is the Meribel Backgammon Tournament with Masayuki Mochizuki, the Backgammon World Champion
- 15th December there is the FIS Freestyle World Cup
- 22nd December there is the FIS Women´s World Cup in Courchevel
- January is the Europa Cup (Men’s super combined and giant slalom)
- 26th - 30th January the Polo Masters tour comes to Courchevel
- Also in January a famous Savoy dogsled race takes place around the mixed-terrain trails of the protected forest surrounding the Altiport. Hundreds of mushers and huskies from all over Europe turn out to compete in sprint and long-distance events over the course of two days. The equivalent to a canine world cup, these magnificent dogs prove that there´s certainly no need for skis to pick up speed on those challenging Alpine tracks.
- February see the Telemark World Cup come to Meribel
- February - March The International Pyrotechnics Festival takes place in Courchevel
- March 27th to April 8th The British Alpine Ski Championships takes place
- Towards the end of the season in April is the 3 Vallees X Wing Ralley
The Little World Festival: March...
Méribel´s Little World Festival combines five days of skiing and snowboarding in the largest ski area in the world with entertainment from Europe’s biggest bands and DJ’s. Ski or snowboard by day and party from sun set with over 40 live gigs during the week and a FREE outdoor concert on the piste. Featuring THE FEELING and some very special guests.
|
Restaurants in Meribel…
Dining out in Meribel can be quite expensive, however you get what you pay for here. If it´s expensive, it´s good quality, well presented food. There are restaurants to suit all tastes from pizzerias to gourmet. Many places offer a Set Menu which is usually very reasonably priced. Local to the chalet is La Tsaretta which serves everything including vegetarian options. The food and service is excellent. Last season the menu was revamped which proved extremely popular. Included are some British favourites such as fresh fish and chips or Steak in red wine sauce and some more traditional French local specialities. Pizzas are also available upstairs or at the downstairs bar.
Restaurants on the mountain range from the best the Alps has to offer to cheap self service cafeterias. Popular restaurants in the Meribel valley are Les Cretes, rustic and authentic and Le Panoramic, chic and international. Venture further afield to Courcheval to find some real gems. Try the very popular Courchneige with it´s huge south facing terrace, Le Tremplin at the foot of the piste and over in 1650, Le Casserole and the Bel Air are excellent stops for lunch.
Bars and the nightlife in Meribel...
Meribel Les Allues is a small village with a couple of bars and restaurants. Meribel itself is a well know party town and your driver can take you to Meribel center after dinner if you fancy sampling the famous nightlife (however we cannot offer a return service so you will have to get a taxi back). There are plenty of bars to choose from, for example the Rond Point or ‘Ronnie’ is a favourite with live bands every day from 5-7pm, large sun terrace, BBQ and infamous toffee vodka shots. Others include the Doron Pub, another legendary spot for partying, Scotts, offering more chilled après-ski with comfy sofas, the Barometer, a more upmarket and civilized spot for après-ski and Le Poste, Méribel’s most cosmopolitan and smartest bar. This year see the famous ´Folie Douce´ opening in Meribel also. Away from the center further down the hill is the famous Dick´s Tea Bar.
| Meribel has been nominated by the Independent as No 2. for the best ski resorts for apres-ski. "In the center of the 3 valleys, Meribel has plenty of bars and restaurants...On the piste at the end of afternoon, start at the Rond Point where there is always live music and a crowd on the terrace, and after dinner head for the central square where you can have beers in the English-run Dick´s Tea Bar or a more low-key evening at La Taverne." Vanessa Fisher and Kate Watson-Smyth, The Indepedent 30 Oct 2010. |
All photos © MERIBEL TOURISME - jEAN-MAURICE GOUEDARD, FABIEN LAMBOROT, OLIVIER BRAJON
Back to Top
|
Copyright (c) Snowcrazy 2005-2011
Site Map
|
|
