Boasting a landscape worthy of a postcard, Méribel is often hailed as the most scenic ski resort in the Three Valleys. Its classic Alpine charm, combined with exceptional snow conditions, vibrant nightlife, and outstanding shopping, places Méribel among the most renowned ski resorts in France.
We've created this guide to make planning your Méribel ski holiday easy. You'll discover everything you need to know, from its location to its ski areas, snow history, and the best places to grab a bite, enjoy a drink, or relax with family and friends after a day on the slopes. At the end, you'll also find downloadable resort maps, along with some handy contact numbers and links.
Méribel is situated in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France.
Nearest airport
Chambéry: 102 km (63 mi)
Transfer time
Chambéry: 1hr 14
Méribel the resort
Resort altitude: 1,450 m (4,757 ft)
Resort permanent residents: 2000
The architecture in Méribel is predominantly characterized by classic chalet-style buildings, with wooden facades and steeply pitched roofs, embodying the quintessential Alpine aesthetic. These chalets are often adorned with intricate carvings and balconies, adding to the village's rustic charm. The ambiance in Méribel is warm and inviting, striking a lovely balance between upscale sophistication and the coziness of a mountain retreat. The village streets are a delightful mix of boutique shops, inviting restaurants, and quaint cafés, providing a relaxed yet refined atmosphere. Méribel's vibrant character is particularly evident in its après-ski culture, with a variety of bars and lounges offering lively entertainment, from live music to cozy fireside gatherings. Méribel is composed of several distinct areas:
Méribel centre: the heart of the resort, it's here that the village's charm shines brightest, with a blend of traditional chalets and modern amenities. This central area is a hub for shopping, dining, and après-ski fun.
Méribel Les Allues: a quieter, more traditional area, Les Allues with its narrow lanes and historic buildings, provides a more laid-back and serene setting.
Méribel Mottaret: positioned at a higher altitude, Mottaret is known for its excellent ski-in, ski-out access. The architecture here is more contemporary, catering to those seeking modern comforts and convenience close to the slopes.
Pros
Cons
Great selection of hotels and chalets
Limited ski-in/ski-out accommodations
Vibrant après-ski scene and nightlife
The resort is widespread
Family friendly
Lower home slopes can exhibit slushy conditions in April
Plenty of non-ski activities & amenities
Very popular and sometimes super-busy
Here is how Méribel looks like
This short video provides a glimpse of everything Méribel has to offer.
Méribel's ski area spans across several distinct sectors, including Méribel Les Allues, Méribel Centre, Méribel Mottaret, Méribel Les Hauts, and Méribel Village. This beautifully diverse area offers breathtaking views of the Alps and Mont Blanc, and it includes approximately 150 km (93 mi) of pistes, comprising a balanced mix of 8 green, 25 blue, 24 red, and 7 black runs, serviced by 45 ski lifts. The resort caters to skiers and snowboarders of all abilities and is particularly noted for its beginner-friendly slopes and family-oriented atmosphere.
The three main ski areas of Méribel, include:
Méribel Centre (Tougnète and Saulire): it's a popular meeting point, featuring modern lifts and a diverse selection of runs for all levels. The Saulire area, accessible via cable cars, provides a mix of beginner and advanced runs, while the Tougnète side offers intermediate to advanced slopes and access to nearby resorts.
Méribel-Mottaret: located at the heart of the Three Valleys, Mottaret is perfect for ski-in, ski-out convenience. The area offers a variety of challenging red runs and off-piste opportunities, with notable runs like Venturon and Combe du Vallon, the latter being the longest piste in the Méribel valley.
Méribel Village/Altiport: ideal for beginners and novices, the Altiport area is known for its gentle slopes and family-friendly atmosphere. It also offers some intriguing red runs and off-piste challenges near the Dent de Burgin lift. Notable runs include Geai, a long, cruisey blue run, and the Lapin run, leading back to the village center.
Skiing in Méribel
Beginners
Newcomers to skiing will find Méribel's Altiport area a comforting starting point. Easily accessible via the Rhodos gondola, beginners can practice their basic moves on gentle slopes and gradually venture onto longer runs snaking through the forest. By the end of their skiing day, an uncomplicated green trail awaits to guide them back to the heart of the village.
Intermediates
Méribel is an intermediate skier's dream. The resort offers expansive, well-maintained slopes from the majority of its lifts. Skiers can immerse themselves in the gentle terrains below the Plattières gondola or head to Mont du Vallon for longer descents that promise to be memorable. Being centrally located in the Three Valleys, Méribel allows for easy exploration of the neighboring ski domains.
Advanced
Adrenaline junkies and expert skiers have plenty to conquer here. From challenging mogul-filled slopes like the renowned Les Bosses black run to the Olympic Women's Downhill on La Face, advanced terrains are aplenty. The off-piste opportunities around Mt Vallon also beckon for thrilling adventures.
Off-piste
Méribel offers a rich off-piste experience. Between the Loze and Dent du Burgin, vast plains of untouched snow await skiers, especially popular under the Loze chairlift. Adventurous skiers can explore trails leading all the way from the Olympic area to Méribel village or venture further to Brides-les-Bains if conditions permit.
Snowboarding
Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned snowboarder, Méribel caters to all. Wide blue and green slopes provide the perfect training ground, while two state-of-the-art snow parks beckon freestylers to showcase their tricks. The vastness of Mont du Vallon offers powder fields and steeper terrains for advanced boarders. With a majority of chairlifts and gondolas, traversing the local area is efficient and straightforward.
Méribel ski season dates
The ski season in Méribel typically runs from mid November to early May. While the official 2025/26 opening and closing dates have not yet been confirmed, we’ll update this page as soon as they are announced. Please note that these dates can vary depending on snow conditions and other operational factors. Planning ahead? Don’t forget to check out our Méribel ski deals for the best ski offers available.
Méribel snow history
Méribel offers optimal snow conditions from December through April, each month presenting unique opportunities for skiers. December and January consistently bring about 35 cm (13.7 in) and 30 cm (11.8 in) of snow respectively, dispersed across roughly 2.9 days each week, ensuring regular fresh snow. February's snowfall slightly decreases to 24 cm (9.4 in) but occurs more frequently, averaging 3.2 days per week. The pinnacle of snowfall arrives in the second week of December, traditionally the snowiest week in Méribel, with an impressive 49 cm (19.2 in) of snow over 3.4 days, making it a paradise for those who cherish Bluebird Powder Days, when sunshine and light winds follow fresh snowfall. The season stretches into April with enjoyable conditions, accumulating 17 cm (6.6 in) of snow over 3.1 days, perfect for softer snow under brighter skies.
Folie Douce: renowned for its wide array of Savoyard dishes, all served at a reasonable price.
Fruitiere: functioning as the table service counterpart of Folie Douce, it offers an exquisite menu coupled with top-tier entertainment and cabaret.
Le Rok: located at the mid-station of the Pas du Lac gondola, this restaurant is particularly famed for its steak tartare, which is freshly prepared for diners.
Le Rond Point: strategically placed just above the resort, it's not only a hotspot for après ski but also known for its high-quality a la carte lunches.
Grand Coeur: esteemed for its fine dining, it stands out as one of Meribel's top hotel restaurants.
Allodis: an upscale hotel restaurant, well-regarded for its sumptuous culinary offerings.
Kouisena: another notable hotel restaurant located in the Eterlou hotel.
La Taverne: positioned downstairs, it boasts a varied menu designed to cater to a myriad of tastes.
Le Refuge: celebrated for its array of local specialities, alongside diverse offerings of pizzas and steaks.
Things to do in Méribel
Bowling
Ice skating
Cinema
Horse riding
Inuit village
Swimming pool
Dog sledding
Ice climbing
Paragliding
Ski joering
Snow tubing
Snowkiting
Snowmobiling / skidooing
Snowshoe walking
Méribel après-ski and nightlife
Folie Douce: known for its vibrant atmosphere, with guests dancing on tables in ski boots, it's a top destination for those seeking lively entertainment post-skiing.
Le Rond-Point: once the go-to spot for après activities, while it might have been surpassed by Folie Douce in popularity, it still remains an iconic venue in the Meribel après scene.
L'Arpasson: an emerging après destination located opposite the Tougnete 1 lift.
Barometer: this bar invites guests to indulge in the local Mutzig beer or enjoy relaxed drinks in a comfortable environment.
Scotts: perfect for those in search of a laid-back evening, it offers a chilled vibe.
L'Abreuvoir: it offers an upscale drinking experience for those seeking a touch of class.
