Graced with magnificent panoramas, a mountain of powder, an endless playground, an area of infinite freedom, Méribel prides as the largest ski area in Europe and the world! Méribel nestled at the center of Les 3 Vallées, at the crossroads of Courchevel, La Tania, Brides-les-Bains, Les Menuires, Saint Martin de Belleville, Val Thorens, and Orelle.
It comprises 600 kilometers of pistes connected via the summits, offering more than 62,000 meters of vertical skiing for experts, novices, families, and keen sports enthusiasts alike. It’s a jewel of a ski area, including 15 summits above 2,500 meters from which grow 6 glaciers. A true white paradise!
Skiers looking for an excellent spot to explore and enjoy skiing in Europe, with Méribel, you’ll find 300 pistes, un-tracked valleys, and a guarantee of great skiing whatever your skill level. In this adventure at altitude, you will learn the pleasures of exceptional skiing amongst the high peaks.
Whatever skiing level you belong to, as long as you bring your skiing equipment and essentials like ski socks, helmet, gloves, jacket, boot, etc. brace yourself for your next incredible adventure at the tracks in Méribel. The ski area offers spaces for all.
Where is Méribel Ski Resort?
The resort is in the Tarentaise Valley in the French Alps, located near Moûtiers’s town. Méribel refers to Les Allues 3 neighboring villages commune of the Savoiedépartement of France, near the town of Moûtiers (45.401°N 6.5655°E), called Méribel Centre, Méribel-Mottaret and MéribelVillage. The villages are within the Vanoise National Park and a part of the Les Trois Vallées interlinked ski system.
Méribel Les Allues
Founded by Scotsman Major Peter Lindsay, the ski resort adjacent to Morel’s traditional hamlet has a center situated at about 1400 meters above sea level. Lindsay was looking for a new site for winter sports away from Austria and Germany’s ski resorts because of the growing strength of the Nazi regime, so he created Méribel Les Allues.
Now a Colonel, Peter Lindsay used specialized architects, Paul Grillo, Grand Prix de Rome (1937), and his partner Christian Durupt, so that all buildings would be in harmony with the Savoyard style, using wood and stone for the walls, with slanted slate roofs. In 1950, the Burgin-Saulire gondola was built to link the resort to Courchevel. Lindsay’s family continues to hold a financial stake in the resort. Lindsay’s ashes and those of his wife are scattered on the Burgin mountain.
Winter Olympics 1992
Méribel had a significant part in the 1992 Winter Olympics (Albertville). Some of the events it hosted were ice hockey and the women’s alpine skiing events. Fast forward to 2011, Méribel was the host to the Altitude Festival, with prestigious acts from KT Tunstall, Marcus Brigstocke, and Omid Djalili performing in the bars and nightclubs around the resort.
GETTING TO MERIBEL
What’s the best way to get to Meribel?
There are four different ways to get to Méribel. You can go there according to which one suits best for your budget and your preference.
Flying to Geneva
Chambery is the closest airport to Meribel. However, most people choose more regular flights into Geneva, just over two hours from the resort itself.
Google Flights can help you track airline ticket prices and the going up or going down. It can also notify you of the increase and decrease in ticket costs.
Train to Moûtiers
Train from Paris and London stop at Moûtiers, just about 45 minutes from Meribel. If you come from London or the South East, you can easily take the train to Meribel. It’s the most comfortable way to travel to the French Alps. Either from St Pancras or Ashford, the train departs from London and travels directly to Moutiers.
Driving
Going to Meribel via car is also a hassle-free journey due to the extensive network of European motorways. From Calais to Méribel are approximately 9 hours and 30 minutes of driving.
Coach or long-distance bus
Another option but perhaps the least choice when going to Méribel is via a coach or long-distance bus.
TOP HOTELS IN MERIBEL
- Hotel Le Coucou
- Le Kaila
- Hotel l’Helios
- Residence Pierre &Vacances Premium L’Hevana
- Hotel Allodis
When is the best time to visit Méribel?
From June to August is the best time to visit Méribel in France as, when you will have a mild or pleasant temperature and a little rainfall. Méribel experiences an average temperature of 19°C in August, and the lowest is -2°C in January. The weather and climate of Méribel are suitable for a winter sport.