Meribel reviews - World Snowboard Guide

Navigation

Ok but not the best

Sun 29 January 2006 Iain
I found Meribel frustrating, the slopes were packed,the snow wasn't great and when we tried to drown our sorrows there were only 2 decent bars to do it in!

Shaggy

Fri 11 February 2005 shaggy
Meribel and the 3 valleys area offers a huge range of boarding which you would be hard pushed to do all runs in a week. Hardly any lift ques only first thing in the morning. Going out on the beer is stupidly expensive with beer between £5-£7 a pint which puts a big hole in the beer tokens. overall had a great time

Meribel Uncovered

Tue 31 August 2004 doot
Skiing & Riding

Meribel is a really great resort. We managed to do the whole season last year and managed to learn snowboarding and skiing from absolute beginner to very good skier and reasonable snowboarder. There are now about a dozen ski & snowboard schools.

You really need a 3 Valley pass unless you are a beginner for just one week's holiday. The Meribel Pass would be ok and is cheaper. You can also buy a one-day extension if you need to. There are two snowboard parks here plus others in Courchevel, Les Menuires and Val Thorens.Meribel is THE place to stay but the best area for skiing must be Courchevel. But anyway you can reach any of the other resorts in about 30 minutes so from Meribel you have such a wide choice every day.

Many people complain about crowds here but that is only New Year and French School Holidays "2nd week of Feb for one month".

Unless you have children you would be crazy to come at this time. It's true. Thousands of kids and crowded lifts and pistes. But all the rest of the season it's a dream. It’s the biggest ski area in the world with nearly 400 miles of fabulous long pistes, and almost no queues anywhere. I met one American who said the 3 valleys were the equivalent of 20 of their average resorts all rolled in to one.

A Guide to Meribel

It can be expensive here so be careful.

A group of Meribel season workers have created a free guide to Meribel and its really great. Have a look at their web site for loads of inside information on accommodation, restaurants, bars and apres-ski and everything you can think of in Meribel. Even season work too. (meribel-unplugged.co.uk). This web site is essential reading for anyone on any kind of a budget. We never paid more than about £10 for a meal with wine all season. (But we did hear some real horror stories from some tourists so be careful) If you have got kids "NEVER" let them be seduced in to ordering a "LARGE" coke. You might end up with a litre glass at about £8 or more.

Meribel Village

Tue 6 January 2004 Guy DeGryffes
Just got back from a great week staying v cheaply in an MGM apartment for 10 in Meribel Village. Loads of snow, and untold numbers of runs, with plenty of off-piste and small kickers built here and there. Meribel Village only has one pub, but it's a cool little place where we spent most evenings, with easy lift access to the whole of the 3 valleys.

Don't believe the hype

Fri 7 November 2003 The Master
Sh*te resort. Built up and too busy. Full of French kids which doesn't help at lifts.

Too many people for the pistes.

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

Snowboard Schools: Around 150 euros for 5x3hr
Snowboard Hire: 120/170euros a week.
Night Riding: : Yes

Other activities

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

www.meribel.net/
Email:accueil@meribel.net

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.

Please install Flash and turn on Javascript.

MONEY WISE: Bad

HALFPIPE: Yes - 2
TERRAIN PARK: Yes - 1
BACKCOUNTRY/OFF-PISTE:Yes
TREE RUNS:Yes

Please install Flash and turn on Javascript.

Add a WSG resort summary to your website with our free widget.