Meribel, France
Introduction
Meribel, at 1450m, is a favourite for the Brits. Set in the middle of the Trio Vallees, it’s a good base to explore this massive area. So good in fact, that the French want it back. The Brit’s have been slowly buying this resort and you can spend a week here without the need to speak a word of French, which is a good job as most of the barstaff wouldn’t understand you anyway. This resort has enough varied terrain to keep everyone in a mixed ability group happy. Because of its altitude, the runs into resort can suffer from a lack of snow and are often rock-hard ice. They do have good snow-making capabilities, but as we all know, it's no replacement for the real thing. Meribel can be busy - it’s overpriced and full of British skiers, but has some great boarding.
Zoes view
British Olympic Boarder-X
If there is some fresh pow look out for the small huts at the side of the runs where you can ride off the roofs
New for season
05/06: new hands-free lift pass
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Resort Statistics
Resort Type:
Alpine
Winter: Dec to April
Summer: None
Lifts
Total Lifts: 53
Gondolas: 16
Chair lifts: 18
Drag lifts: 17
Other lifts: 8 Telebabies
Max people per hour: 50,000
Board Leashes required: No
Mountain
Total pistes/trails: 74
Total ride area: 150km/1329 acres
Longest run: 2.5miles (4km)
Top lift: 2952m
Vertical drop: 1552m
First lift: 1400m
Piste suitability
Green runs: 58%
Red runs: 28%
Black runs: 14%
Lift Passes
Lift Passes:
Meribel:
Half-day 28 euros
1 Day pass 36.5 euros
6 Days 174 euros
3 Valleys:
Half-day 34.5 euros
Day pass 43 euros
6 Days 215 euros
Lift times:8.30am to 4.30pm
Snowfall
Average annual snowfall: 500metres
Artificial snowmaking coverage: 26%
Facilities
Night Riding: :
Yes
Snowboard Schools:
Around 150 euros for 5x3hr
Snowboard Hire:
120/170euros a week.
Heliboarding: :
Héliski from 155 euros per person on the France/Italy border. Tel/Fax +33(0)4 79 00 30 38. Guides available for 320 euros for the day.
Snowmobiles:
Not available
Further information
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Summary
Well overpriced and over-rated. The park is good but lift system is not as good as Courchevel, and the snow's better in Val Thorens. Good for large mixed groups and those with long arms and short pockets.
MONEY WISE Bad
Terrain & parks
Halfpipe:
Yes - 2
Terrain park:
Yes - 1
Backcountry/off-piste:Yes
Tree runs:Yes
The 3 Valleys
Other resorts in the same areaImage Gallery
Piste Map
Click to expand | PDF
