Meribel, France

Travel guide and travel reviews...

Meribel guide

Meribel is the middle resort of the three valley's (Les Trois Vallee's) - Meribel, Les Menuires and Val Thorens. The Lodges are build in traditional wooden fashion and give the resort a real alpine feel. Apres ski and nightlife in Meribel is second to none and very popular amongst young skiers and boarders. If you're not keen to walk up and down hills make sure you choose the position of your lodgings carefully because if it's not in Meribel centre going out in the evening could turn into a bit of a hike!

With 600 km of pistes Les Trios Vallee's is a magnificent place for all levels but Meribel is particularly suitable for novice skiers with plenty of beginner runs and some nice cruisey runs through the woods. For expert skiers the black and off-piste runs will need little introduction.; try the runs around La Caron to test you! All three valley's are good for advanced free-stylers and there are a number of jumps, hips, pipes and rails. If you want to go further a field it is easy to move over to the other mountains.

  • Altitude - 1400 m, lifts in the area - 167 (40 cableways, 69 chairs, 58 drag lifts), Runs - green 48, blue 135, Red 119, Black 33, snow cannons 1500.
  • Equipment hire is available through Skihigher Intersport-meribel and Meribelski.
  • You can buy ski passes at La Chaudanne in Meribel underneath the Tougnete lift and at Mottaret next to Tourist Information. There are different passes available; for those who want to venture onto the other mountains it is worth buying a 3 valley's pass.
  • Currency - Euro

    • Flights to Meribel

  • Chambery Aix les Bains (CMF) airport is actually 11 km north of Chambery and 100 km (60 miles) from Meribel; 1 hr 20 minutes drive.
  • Grenoble airport (GNB) is 76 miles from Meribel.
  • Geneva airport (GBA) is 115 miles from Meribel.
  • Lyon airport (LYS) is 116 miles from Meribel.

    • To and from airports serving Meribel

    All airports

  • Car Hire - hiring a car is probably the quickest way to get to your resort.
  • Transfers - Three Valley Transfers have vehicles to take up to 8 people (minimum occupancy of 4 - £160 single).
    • Activities and sightseeing in Meribel

    Skiing, Boarding, Free-styling, La Chaudanne olympic park - swimming pool, ice-rink, ice-karting, Wall climbing, relaxation, cinema's. Casino, bowling alley, shopping and hang-gliding.

    Eating and drinking in Meribel

    If you are eating and drinking on the slopes it can be quite pricey; if you want to look after your euro's it's probably best to stay in the centre. There are lots of places to eat and drink and the centre is quite compact. The local specialities are fondues and raclette. If you're looking for a pizza head for pizza express or the Cactus cafe does really nice inexpensive food.