Ski in Meribel

Why ski in Les 3 Vallees?

We could provide you with numerous reasons to hit the slopes of the 3 Valleys on your skis. Here are ten of them:

1. The largest ski area in the world in terms of the number of kilometres of connected slopes.

2. 8 resorts in the French Alps: Meribel, Courchevel, La Tania, Brides-les-Bains, Les Menuires, Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Val Thorens and Orelle.

3. 3 covered valleys of the Tarentaise: Saint-Bon, Allues and Belleville

4. 25 accessible summits

5. 600 km of slopes located between 1,300 and 3,230 metres above sea level.

6. 321 alpine ski runs, including 32 black runs, 106 red, 132 blue and 51 green

7. 130 km of Nordic ski slopes, including 1 black, 6 red, 7 blue and 3 green

8. 8 new sports facilities

9. 169 ski lifts, including 3 cable cars, 4 funiculars, 32 cable cars

10. A single pass for all resorts with a Ski Guarantee*

    *The 3 Vallees ski area will reimburse you for the unused days of your ski pass in the form of a credit note if a single European ski area offers a more significant number of open linked runs.

Meribel: skiing, here, now, right away

Meribel-Mottaret is the best-placed village to access the slopes of the largest ski area in the world. This authentic resort in France provides an ideal starting point for all your skiing desires.

There are nearly endless possibilities for alpine skiing, regardless of your skill level, as green and blue slopes make up more than half of the 3 Valleys ski area.

In Meribel, we highly recommend the blue Le Raffort slope. This slope is perfect for groups and families, providing a private gliding experience through the forest. You will enjoy the tranquillity until you reach the charming hamlet that shares its name.

If you're seeking adrenaline and have a good skill level, don't miss:

• The legendary red slope La Mauduit with its drop of more than 1000 metres

• The Face, a superb black slope which was the site of the women's events during the 1992 Olympics

• The essential red slope, La Combe du Mont Vallon, and its incredible panorama

• The formidable GoPro Couloir, with a slope of around 75% in places, is the most filmed black slope in the area

• Last but not least, the black slope Roc de Fer, which was approved for the 2023 Worlds!

With children

Labelled as Famille Plus, the Meribel resort focuses on satisfying young skiers and their parents. The area features 42 fun and thematic trails that invite them to enjoy a maximum of skiing adventures.

Starting at the age of 6, children and their parents can participate in the Acticross course, which includes enjoyable modules like tunnels, a small slalom, whoops, and banked turns. Various activities enhance the fun, especially during school holidays.

The Family Cool area of the Altiport features several fun and thematic trails designed to keep your children entertained. The first is the Inuit Trail, which is filled with penguins, bears, and seals, creating a great Northern atmosphere! Nearby, young skiers can become explorers on the Animal Trail. This easy green trail includes clues to help identify local wildlife by their tracks or calls. It's an enjoyable and affordable way for kids to discover the little inhabitants of the 3 Valleys.

Then, journey to the Himalayas with Yooni from Yeti Park. This green trail in Meribel-Mottaret offers many activities along the way, including striking a gong, playing a Himalayan trumpet, or listening to a story in a cave.

For freestyle enthusiasts

Both novice and expert snowboarders can find ample activities in Meribel and the other Three Valleys resorts, featuring eight snowparks and 28 play areas.

Freestyle enthusiasts will find plenty of exciting options to enjoy during their holiday in the 3 Valleys area. In Meribel alone, they are well catered to with the Open Park Snowpark, which is divided into two sections. The Rookies area is designed for beginners, providing a gentle introduction to freestyle with a mini half-pipe and small bumps. In contrast, the ProZone is tailored for experienced freestylers, enabling them to enhance their creativity in this internationally renowned snow park.

Open to all levels of practitioners, Elements Park is a snow park divided into four areas of varying difficulty.

• Earth is a safe mini-zone for children and beginners

• Wind allows you to reach the ski lifts by a line of whoops (moguls)

• Fire is a blue level fun slope with bends and small bumps

• Water is a red level boardercross for maximum thrills

Off-piste ski version

Meribel offers a perfect backdrop for ski touring and enjoying the thrill of powder snow, featuring routes that range from the most accessible to the most challenging.

Freeride spots abound in the Meribel resort, including Mont Vallon, the Côte Brune, and the Borgne Glacier.

You will ski on either the north or south slopes, where you will find accessible routes featuring excellent snow along the way, as well as some hidden spots that locals often reserve for themselves.

As always, when venturing off-piste, it is highly recommended to hire a mountain guide. A guide can safely lead you to the most beautiful powder fields. This is particularly important if you plan to explore the Burgin-Saulire Corridors, where snow conditions can change rapidly.

The best freeride spots in Meribel, from easiest to most challenging:

1. The Raffort Route

2. The Roc de Tougnes

3. The Valdez sector and the corridors of Pointe du Borgne (experts only!)

Nordic ski version

Over 130 km of slopes await cross-country skiers on this side of the Alps. They will experience various Nordic skiing disciplines while enjoying open spaces and stunning panoramas.

In Meribel, you can enjoy a variety of activities, including cross-country skiing and biathlon, which is the resort's favourite Nordic sport. There are two locations for these activities: Tueda and Altiport. At Altiport, you can find 27 targets scattered along the ski course, all set at a distance of 50 meters.

Cross-country skiing routes from Meribel, Altiport and Tueda:

• 2 green slopes (1.5 km each), alt. difference 10m+ and 25m+

• 5 km blue run with a 110m drop

• A 10 km red run, with a vertical descent of 230m

• A Meribel Altiport / Courchevel 1850 route: 17km round trip

• A Meribel Altiport / Courchevel La Tania route: 16 km round trip

• A 3 km green loop with a vertical descent of 20 m

• A 5 km blue loop with an alt. difference of 100m+

To discover the highest Nordic ski slope in the 3 Valleys, head to the Orelle resort. The Braiz slope, accessible with a pedestrian pass, offers breathtaking views from an altitude of 2,350 metres.