The Alpine Specialist guide to Meribel, France
The ski resort
Méribel is the quintessential chalet ski resort located in the middle of France’s Trois Vallées ski area. Long colonised by the British ski market looking for varied skiing and a lively mountain village it is still a popular choice for family ski holidays. Visitors also stay in the lower-altitude developments of Méribel Village and Les Allues as well as purpose-built Mottaret at the higher end of the valley.
Skiing in Meribel
The Méribel valley benefits from the sun all day thanks to a combination of north and south facing slopes. The gentle gradient of the pistes by Méribel’s altiport are ideal for complete beginners. Intermediates will find plenty to challenge them further afield, including the long red runs down from the Mont Vallon peak above Mottaret as well as the Olympic black run. There is also easy access to the ski pistes above the other Three Valley ski resorts of Courchevel, St Martin de Belleville and Val Thorens.
Summer in Meribel
Méribel’s summer season is the same as Courchevel’s running through July and August. A few ski lifts open for hikers and mountain bikers. The larch forests and meadows are beautiful during May and September when the resort and valley are much quieter.
Buying luxury ski property in Meribel
All luxury chalet properties in Méribel are tastefully built from local wood, slate and stone in accordance with strict building regulations. Ski chalets and luxury apartments in Méribel Centre and those with ski in/ski out convenience along the nearby ski pistes sell quickly. There are often more mountain chalets available in the lower-lying villages of Méribel Les Allues, Méribel Village and Chandon.
Read our guide to buying luxury ski property in France.
Guides to other ski resorts
Switzerland: Crans Montana, Gstaad, Verbier, Nendaz, Saas Fee, Villars
France: Chamonix, Courchevel, Megève, Morzine, Les Gets, Val d’Isère