Meribel Ski Holidays 

beginner skiers 

While intermediates have the biggest pick of runs at Méribel, there are also some good options if you're just starting out. The resort has just created two new 'zen' zones reserved for beginners alongside the Doron and Sitelle draglifts. The draglift at Méribel Altiport is free and ideal for your first day or two of skiing and snowboarding practice if you haven't booked lessons. You can catch the free Méribel bus to the Altiport ski area, which takes about 15 minutes from the town centre. From Chaudanne, catch the Rhodos bubble up to the Altiport area where there is a protected green run (Blanchot) for both skiing and snowboarding beginners. You can practice you're moves here in a quiet safe zone, then either catch the Rhodos bubble back down or the free bus from the Altiport hotel. Unless you're super confident don't ski all the way back down on your first day or two. When you're felling like you've mastered the basics, try Meribel Village by the blue lapin run - this piste is usually very quiet. A very slow chair brings you back to the Altiport.

intermediate skiers 

Got all the basics out of the way and feeling pretty confident on the slopes? Meribel is perfect for intermediate skiers and boarders, with too many blue runs to contemplate! In the early mornings you are better off skiing the Tougnète (2434m) side of Meribel. It catches the morning sun, so in early season will not be as cold and in later season will not be as icy, as the Saulire side before 11am. Jump on the very first lifts on the Tougnète side and you'll find soft velvet runs for at least an hour. You can also take the two stage Olympic chair to the top of La Face. All the runs at Saulire are usually great in the morning early season but are in the shade at first. When a fall of fresh powder hits, try the raft of safe off-piste to the side of the main blue pistes. Pic Noir from the top of Col de la Loze is probably the hardest blue run you'll find in the Three Valleys area! It's often closed at the beginning and end of the season due to lack of snow. But if the snow's good, definitely give this beautiful run through the trees a try. All the other reds on this side are all okay for intermediate skiers with no nasty surprises. 

expert skiers

Meribel has nine black and 23 red runs, some beautiful powder chutes, tough moguls and two sweet snow parks to keep the show-offs in the group occupied. The red Combe Vallon is one of the longest runs in the valley, starting at Méribel's highest skiing point, the Mont Vallon (2952m). Mainly north facing, it keeps excellent snow on it all season. Starting out steep and narrow, it twists and turns, widens, and then just keeps on going for a total 1000m drop. The black run La Face was created for the 1992 Olympic Ladies' downhill. It's very steep and sometimes moguled, and it's hard to believe that people could straight-line it without dying in the process. Combe Tougnète is a black that runs from the top of the Gondola of the same name right down to Chaudanne. This is an awesome run in new powder as it never gets groomed. The same applies to the "Les Bosses" black run directly under the Plan de L'Homme chair lift. Once every few winters there is enough snow to ski all the way down to Brides les Bains. The lower part of the descent is an un-patrolled itinerary, so go with a guide. Start at the top of the Saulire (2738m) and end up at 600m after a long run through forests, terraced fields and orchards. Have a big lunch in Brides, and then take the Olympe gondola back up. 

Magic in Motion Meribel

With over 22 years of experience, Magic in Motion is one of the best valued ski schools in the 3 Valleys. From children’s groups to specialised adult technical clinics, there is something for everyone. You're in the right place if you are looking for top quality skiing lessons, snowboard tuition, initiation in speed-riding, paragliding trips, jumps and bumps. Learning the basics or how best to tackle the harder stuff, being able to really enjoy yourself, feeling safe on and off-piste...come away with new skills, an unforgettable alpine experience and a smile on your face. Magic's professional multinational team can offer you small group lessons in English or private tuition in English, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish, German and Portuguese.
www.magicfr.com 

ESI Snow Systems 

Snow Systems is the Ecole de Ski Internationale ESI in Méribel & Mottaret. With ESI Snow Systems you benefit from experts who will assist you in learning skiing in a personalised and close way, by selecting the courses best suited to your level and your desires. They offer the diversity and competence for all ages and all levels in each discipline. Children group lessons, adults group lessons, private lessons and off piste, all taught by enthusiastic and skilled professionals. 
www.snow-systems.com 

Marmalade Ski School

Marmalade is a ski school based in the 3 valleys in the French Alps. All their instructors are fully qualified and have been handpicked for their skills in not only skiing but teaching methods, passion for what they do and general awesomeness! They are a tight team that still love to ski and continue to learn and push themselves. On offer is everything from good value small technical sessions to Off-piste Freeride Camps. All tailored to your individual requirements. With such a vast knowledge of the area gained over the past 15 years, Marmalade guarantee to find you the best conditions for what you want to learn, whatever your level.
www.skimarmalade.com

Après Ski

When you shoot down the last run of the day, your mind is usually on one thing - a drink in the afternoon sun. In the last few seasons Méribel has become very popular and now offers a lot more choice in the way of après-ski. Whether you feel like just soaking up some sun with friends or dancing wildly in ski boots, there's plenty of options. The liveliest spots are Le Rond Point up above Méribel 1600, Jacks Bar in Méribel main town and LDV in Méribel Village. Many swear Le Rond Point is best place to have après, especially towards the end of the season. You can sit and relax on the large sun terrace enjoying the famous toffee vodka. Weather permitting the live bands play on the terrace, the bar is great and dancing with ski boots is a must. Jacks Bar is the local for many, a bustling bar with a pool table, Sat TV showing all the major football games, ski-surf videos and good music. After dinner it's usually pumping. If you're after something a little more refined, drop into Le Poste (de secours), Méribel's most cosmopolitan bar. Then wander out to savour patisseries and hot chocolate served from silver jugs by uniformed French waiters at Le Grand Coeur. Later on Dicks Tea Bar is open until 4am with DJ sets, live acts and shows. Le Loft is Méribel's most distinguished night club, made up of two areas, the largest being the busy dance floor and the smaller area at the back bar with its cosy atmosphere and comfortable surroundings. This is the biggest and most popular nightclub in Méribel, where they play a mix of the most popular dance hits. It's worth trying the local specialties at the restaurants here - you won't be disappointed. Try La Galette, a delicious little Savoyard restaurant serving fondue, raclette, savoury galettes and hearty regional red wines. Le Cro Magnon is also a local favourite, a family run restaurant with picture postcard views of snow-capped trees and virgin white slopes.

off the mountain 

Even a skier or boarder that's only hit the slopes once knows the satisfying but painful ache that invades your body afterwards. Méribel knows this all to well and has some great spas to help you relax. Try the massaging armchair, sauna, steam bath, Jacuzzi, sports massages, essential oil massages and hot stone massages at the Spa de L'Hotel Grand Cour; you'll leave feeling completely stress-free and ready for another day. They've also built a huge modern wellbeing and fitness area, the Espace Détente & Forme du Parc Olympique. From the south-facing leisure and relaxation area and its herbal tea bar you can enjoy wonderful views of the Mont Vallon, one of the most beautiful panoramas in the valley - even exercise can't be too much of a chore when you're taking in that view. Take a day off and shop up a storm at the 36 shops hawking the latest fashion, photos, food, wine and local produce. Relaxed enough now for a little more adventure? Try the absolutely breathtaking panorama of glacier walking, helicopter tours, paragliding and even piste basher driving. Yes, you heard right, you can get behind the reins of the big machines and leave enormous caterpillar tracks behind. Mirabel is so beautiful that it's also a good idea to stop for a minute to take it all in. The winter walking trails are a spectacular way to do it - You don't need any particular equipment, just a pair of sturdy boots and layers of warm clothing that you can take off or put on as necessary. 

Getting to Méribel is relatively easy, with lots of options available - there are five airports nearby and many train choices, so you should be able to organise your trip simply. The airport transfers here are also very good. 

by air 

Méribel is close to five international airports; Geneva (137km), Chambéry / Savoie (97km) which receives flights on Saturday from Brest, and numerous European cities, Annecy/Haute-Savoie (101km) with regular flights from Paris, Lyon St Exupéry (177km) and Grenoble / Isère (121km).

by train 

Méribel is 19km from the Moûtiers-Salins train station. TGV trains connect from Brest, Le Havre, Lille, Nantes, Paris, Poitiers, Tours, Quimper, Rennes, Rouen, Versailles, Cherbourg, Bruxelles with Thalys and London with Eurostar.     During the winter season Eurostar runs both a direct daytime and a direct overnight train from London or Ashford to Moûtiers-Salins station (fares from £179). The night service leaves London/Ashford on Friday evening and arrives in the French Alps early on Saturday morning (returns Saturday night/Sunday morning) while the day service leaves early Saturday morning from London/Ashford and arrives late afternoon (same for return). A second option is to take a Eurostar to Paris or Lyon and take a French train (perhaps overnight from Paris) to Moûtiers-Salins. A third option is to take the overnight Snowtrain. Travel from London or Ashford International on Friday afternoon and change platforms at the Gare du Nord in Paris to board the Snow Train. There is a choice of six destinations in the French Alps, serving more than 25 resorts. The Snow Train gives you 8 days on the piste, and an onboard disco/bar carriage, plus accommodation in a 6-berth couchette. Prices start at £219 return per person. Ski-mad, budget travellers have long used the Ski Méribel overnight sleeper coach from Victoria Station in London to Méribel centre, with return prices starting at £109. Alternatively, Eurolines offers return London to Moûtiers coach travel for as little as £66 (30 day advance fare). Both coach services offer 8 days' skiing by travelling overnight on Friday and returning overnight on Saturday.

by car 

From Calais the journey takes from 7 to 10 hours depending on your speed. There's motorway or dual carriageway from Calais all the way to Moûtiers and then a further 18km (12 miles) of single carriage road. The better route is via Reims and not via Paris. Try using ViaMichelin to plan your route. If you click the 'Options' button on the second page before finalising your route, you can add precision to the route planner. Once you are close, take the 43 motorway to Albertville, then the RN 90 to Moûtiers. Finish up on the D 90 to Méribel. The distance from Genève to Méribel is 120km, Lyon to Méribel is 201km, Paris to Méribel 635km, London to Méribel is 1070km. 

Merinannies

Merinannies provides first class childcare in Meribel. Established in 2003 by Katia Koumantou, a qualified early years teacher and mother of two who has a passion for skiing and the mountains. Their testimonials and returning clientele show the level of care they provide which relies on the quality of their nannies. Merinannies offers flexible a reliable private nanny service to suit every family's requirements. Their team consists of qualified, experienced and checked nannies, first aided, special needs trained and multilingual nannies. They take care of babies from the age of four weeks to 14 years for short weekends or full weeks and long term. Merinannies aim is to make every family's holiday a memorable experience.
www.merinannies.com 

t4 nanny

t4 nannies provides the loveliest nannies in the Alps by hand picking nannies for the full season who share their belief that undivided attention, fun and getting involved are the key ingredients to a happy family holiday. All t4 nannies are first aid trained and CRB checked with glowing references. Every day a t4 nanny will come to your chalet and take your children out on an adventure such as a trip to the farm or whizzing on a sledge. Crates of toys are dismissed and instead it’s all about playing with arts and crafts – plenty of cutting and sticking, painting and messy play!
www.t4nanny.com

Jelly and Ice Cream

Jelly and Ice Cream, experts in childcare, offer private nannies and babysitting services both during the day and evening in Courchevel and Meribel. You can rest assure that your babies and children will be looked after, leaving you free to enjoy your skiing!  Jelly and Ice Cream have the ability to provide care to virtually all age groups of children, as young as just six weeks up to pre-teens and older. Today's varying demands of a family can be accommodated with flexible business hours, tailor-made for each individual on a virtual 24/7 basis. Because of their excellent service, clients return to Jelly and Ice Cream year after year and are full of praise for Tina and the team!
www.jellyandice-cream.com

Meribel Nanny Services 
 

Meribel Nanny Services strive to give you the best childcare necessary to ensure you and your children have a fantastic ski holiday, from a full week nanny service, to just a couple of nights babysitting. All nannies are qualified and/or experienced, have CRB checks and first aid certificates. Your nanny will bring, an age appropriate toy box, art equipment, sledges and of course lots enthusiasm and fun ideas for the week ahead - they know all the best places to sledge, play and create happy experiences for your child, whether they are 12 weeks or 12 years old. As they are a small company they pride themselves on working closely with all families and it is important that all their clients are happy... both big and small. 
www.Meribelnannyservices.com 

Snow Angel Nannies

Snow Angel Nannies is the perfect childcare solution for your skiing holiday in the French Alps. The nannies all hold relevant childcare qualifications, CRB/DBS checks and first aid qualifications. They are all carefully selected for their kind, caring and fun loving nature as well as their childcare skills. You will have your nannies contact details so you can amend plans during the day and the Snow Angel Nanny ensures a fun activity packed day for the children. The nannies also do ski school peick up and drop off and can take the children to meet you for lunch if required to keep the family holiday aspect. A Snow Angel Nanny will give you peace of mind to enjoy your day on the slopes knowing your little ones are having the time of their lives.
www.snowangelnannies.co.uk