The Merinet.Com Meribel Après Ski Report

The famous Rond Point Terrace

My word it has been cold this past week, regularly between -12 to -15 at 2000m but thankfully the sun has shone throughout making it quite deceptive to the inexperienced mountain goer. So true to form I stayed where I knew best, trawling the restaurants and bars safe in the knowledge that vin chaud would keep out the cold!

Now as the sun has been shinning, despite the cold, it is a great time to sample Meribel’s sun terraces! Starting close at hand for a late lunch the family friendly Cactus has to be recommended. Ideally situated opposite La Chaudanne just down the hill from the centre of Meribel you cannot help but see its huge frontage when you cross the road to get to the Rhodos, Saulire and Tougnete lifts. The menu is simple Tex-Mex although they also do pizzas and steak too but there is something for all the family. Along with a pool table, baby-foot table and large TV’s that regularly show all the latest sport from back in Blighty live bands play for from about 5pm every day of the week to keep the crowd entertained.

Moving up the mountain and staying in Meribel I took it upon myself to brave the infamous Rond Point. If you have been to Meribel before even for a day you will be familiar with this bar and restaurant and its gigantic terrace right on the junction of the Rhodos and Foret piste, words cannot do t justice. Although what some visitors don’t realise is that there is no need to ski there if you don’t want to as the powers that be in Meribel have furnished it with its very own bus stop! Enabling those of a more relaxed disposition to safely get back into Meribel without having to take on the piste again especially after long and arduous après session! Very much a place to see and be seen the “Ronnie” as it is known does have an extensive lunch menu covering everything from Savoyard specials, to moules frites and pizza. If you book a table and the weather is suitable they will even set it up on the terrace so you can enjoy the outstanding views. There is a bar snack menu too if a full blown lunch is a little too much to handle after a tough day on the hill. When the weather does turn as it often can do in the mountains with ferocity at times, fear not as there is ample room inside for you to continue the après ski vibe. From 5 every day they have a live band performing to add to the atmosphere that if you are coming to Meribel has to be taken in for at least one afternoon - as you can probably tell I am a fan!

The next two weeks are set to be après ski gold what with the inaugural Little World Festival (www.littleworldfestival.com) beginning this coming weekend followed by the third Altitude Festival (www.altitudefestival.com) the week after. The Feeling, Sophie Ellis Bextor, and DJ Norman Jay are but a few of the great artists lined up for the Little World Festival to set Meribel on fire and for one this après ski reporter cannot wait to get stuck into some good old fashioned festival research – it’s tough I know!



For a full list of this week's events, check out our What's On Calendar. You can also find full Bar and Restaurant listings in the Dining and Going Out section of the site.