Sitting snugly in the middle of the ‘Three Valleys’ ski area, in France, Meribel is the perfect resort for intermediate skiiers, writes Donna Richardson.
Part of “Les Trois Vallees” it is one of the largest interlinked resorts in the world, comprising Courchevel and Val Thorens. You could ski or snowboard this terrain for weeks and still not cover all 600km of it.
Sitting at 1450m/4757ft the skiing and snowboarding terrain in the Meribel Valley resort is superb. With more than 150 kilometers of steep powder filled pistes, tight chutes, natural gullies and fast moguls, as well as beginners runs. The Valley is serviced by a fast and efficient lift system.
For more advanced skiiers there are also plenty of black runs – at the glacier. The resort attracts many high profile people. Even the Royal Air Force (RAF) ski team chose Meribel to host its annual competition back in 2o08.
Apres and entertainment
Each afternoon around 4pm, a lively crowd gathers at Le Rond Point (known affectionately as the Ronny) for happy hour drinks. It’s a prime spot to find up-and-coming bands playing live rock covers and anthems well into the early hours.
At this altitude, the atmosphere is so good. It’s easy to yourself after a few pints and find yourself skiing back down the mountain fairly blato.
But if you still have some energy left ‘Le Pub’ at the bottom of the slopes also has an après ski happy hour with more bands and live screenings of English football matches. Further into the valley, Dick’s Tea Bar and Le Loft nightclub provide entertainment well into the early hours too.
Meribel town centre itself is quaint with many wooden chalet-style buildings and shops. Often in the late afternoons you can find street entertainers in the square. There are many shops selling souveniers and ski gear plus it’s a short walk away from the chalet we stayed in during our stay.
Accomodation
Spacious and cosy, the Matterhorn chalet is tucked into a private cul-de-sac very close to Meribel town centre in the exclusive Plan du Moulin area. It is in a prime location and commands superb views across the valley. All eight bedrooms have their own private en-suite shower, wc and balcony. The comfortable and attractive open plan living/dining room sets the scene for many fun evenings in front of the roaring fire. And after a hard days skiing unwind in the chalet’s sauna and relax tired muscles before sinking into the hot tub on the terrace for an après ski experience to remember.
Travel Journalist 
Posted on November 12, 2011
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