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Meribel Activities - Families & Kids
| Activities in Meribel for Families & Kids |
Meribel is a child-friendly resort, making it suitable for families with children to visit. Obviously the main activity in winter is skiing and snowboarding and there are a number of ski schools who offer kids' lessons and may also arrange child-minding, pick-up services, and other activities.
The Tourist Office organise regular children’s shows and events (usually only in French). For details pick up the free resort leaflet ‘Highlights of the week’. Entry to the pool and ice rink is free for the under-fives, and there is an area set aside for tobogganing at the Altiport (take the free bus). |
| Adventure Park |
In the woods near the Truite piste you will find a woodland acrobatic adventure park. Circuits of varying difficulty are strung high in the trees, with rope bridges, death slides, and other ingenious tests of your balance and nerve. For adults and accompanied children (110cm height minimum).
Top tip: the black circuit is not for the nervous
Adrenalin factor 6/10
Merinet verdict: fun, unless you suffer from vertigo. Contact details |
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last updated 5-Nov-2007 |
| Canyoning |
A not-so-gentle but extremely refreshing summer activity is one way to describe canyoning! Plunge yourself into the mountain streams via a series of abseil descents, jumps and natural water slides – just make sure you choose a warm day! You will make your way along rivers and rapids, using the river bed as a natural obstacle course.
Not suitable for very young children, but anyone over the age of about 8 can take the (very cold) plunge and try canyoning. With the safety of a guide everyone can abseil down cascades, splash into pools and ride the river rapids. You can choose from short beginners’ routes or longer ones for the more adventurous.
Hydrospeed is an alternative to rafting where you shoot down the river on a kind of inflatable body-board. Half-in half-out of the water you are closer to the action and guaranteed a soaking!
Different companies will have their own policies on age limits but usually, unless they are booked onto a children's activity course, anyone under the age of about 14 years old will have to be accompanied by an adult. A basic level of swimming ability is required for safety reasons.
There are a number of local companies that offer guided descents down the local waterways. |
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last updated 8-Apr-2008 |
| Children's Entertainments |
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Méribel offers a number of organised entertainments for children throughout the summer. Highlights include: the Junior Beavers Club, 6-12 year olds can discover the mountains and learn how to identify plants and animals, go fishing, orienteering and more under the supervision of mountain professionals and a little goat called ‘Neige’; Le Mericlub, a weekly course of educational, sporting and cultural activities that include a night in a mountain hut; Sport Kids, Alain Falcoz takes children aged between 8 and 17 years for a week of archery, mountain biking, climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, paintball and more. There is also an enclosed play area at La Chaudanne. For festivals and other entertainments enquire at the Tourist Office for details or check our What’s On Calendar to see what is happening when. |
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last updated 9-Apr-2008 |
| Hiking & Walking Trails (itinéraires piétons) |
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Whether your idea of walking in the mountains is a gentle ramble or a three day hike, Méribel has something for you. The valley has hundreds of kilometres of beautiful, marked walking trails, some of which link up with the lifts, and a booklet of recommended circuits is available from the Tourist Office. For the more adventurous, try longer hikes into the Vanoise National Park, perhaps staying overnight in a refuge. The local Mountain Guides Office offer guided group walks, walks on a glacier, and private, longer trips.
The Méribel valley also offers 20km of specially prepared walking trails linking the various villages. Pick up a free map from the Tourist Office and head into the mountains on foot. Some of the walks are circular, for others you will need to return via bus or ski lift. Only one is flat (around the Lac Tueda above Mottaret) so be prepared for hills. ... see "Meribel Hiking & Walking Trails" for more
Read more about the Vanoise National Park
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last updated 18-Jun-2008 |
| Horse Riding |
Improve your skills with lessons in the outdoor arena (adults or children, minimum age 5 years), or join guided treks into the mountains. Although the views are splendid, there are only a few places where one can gallop.
Top Tip: be honest about your ability
Adrenalin factor 5/10
Merinet verdict: the treks are wonderful for intermediate riders, less exciting for experienced riders.
Contact details |
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last updated 5-Nov-2007 |
| Husky Sledding (Traineaux a Chiens) |
Be in charge of your own sled and team of excitable husky dogs, driving them along forest paths. After a brief explanation of how to make your team stop and start (you shout "mush!"), and strict instructions not to let go of the sled if it turns over (the dogs would disappear for hours...), you set off following the guide’s team. Your huskies want to keep up with their doggy mates, so the next hour is a breathless scramble to keep the sled upright, trying to control the speed downhill, and hanging on for dear life when you tear around corners. Going uphill you have to help push the sled, so this is hard physical work.
If this all sounds a bit much you can opt for a less physical outing where you sit in the sled and the guide does all the hard work! Either way it is an exhilarating experience – you can find contact details on our Action, Fun & Sports page. |
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last updated 3-Jul-2008 |
| Indoor Climbing Wall (Mur d’Escalade) |
Complete beginners can make a first ascent of the indoor climbing wall at the Olympic Centre with instruction from local mountain guides. Harness, helmet and climbing shoes are provided, and safety ensured by a safety rope. Once you reach the top, climb or abseil back down to the ground. These is a great way to get fit, as it is surprisingly hard work (you'll certainly feel it the next day!) and is suitable for anyone over the age of 5.
Available Tuesday and Thursday 6–8pm (Tuesday to Friday during holiday periods). |
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last updated 2-Jun-2008 |
| Paragliding (Parapente) |
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From near the top of la Saulire or Col de la Loze one can glide down to the bottom of the valley on a tandem paraglider controlled by the instructor. He manoeuvres the parachute while the passenger enjoys the ride and fantastic views. Taking off is the only scary moment: once you have been equipped with a helmet and strapped to the instructor behind you in a rather intimate way, both of you simply point your skis (or board) downhill, and carry on getting faster and faster until the parachute lifts you into the air. One then peacefully glides above the pistes for ten to twenty minutes, aiming to catch thermals to keep you up for longer. Landing is very gentle and no more of an impact than jumping off a step. ... see "Meribel for Paragliding" for more |
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last updated 8-Jul-2008 |
| Snow-Mobile (Moto-Neige) |
Photo Credit: Snow-Biker.Com
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Those who enjoy speed will love riding a powerful snow-mobile (like a motorbike with caterpillar tracks) above Mottaret after the pistes close (5.30 – 9.30pm). Seated either one or two per bike, one follows the guide up the pistes, around a specially prepared circuit, over jumps and bumps, and sometimes off-piste through the powder. Half way through the hour-long outing driver and passenger swap places, and off you speed again. More experienced snow-mobilers can take a more advanced outing. Accompanied children aged four and above can ride mini snow-mobiles around a mini-circuit during the day. Don't forget to wrap up warmly especially if you go after dark, and bring goggles if there is powder.
See Action, Fun & Sports for contact details. |
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last updated 8-Jul-2008 |
| Snowshoe Walking (Raquette à Neige) |
Strap lightweight plastic snowshoes to your feet, and walk effortlessly through deep snow. Either set out on your own, or join a group led by a knowledgeable local guide and explore the hidden parts of the valley. On these half day group outings you will get off the beaten track to follow animal footprints, discover mountain flora and fauna and learn the history of the valley. Snowshoes and ski poles are usually provided. See Action, Fun & Sports for details of guiding companies.
You can also hire snowshoes from most Sports Shops, grab a trail map and head off on your own adventure. Be sure to check the weather forecast before you go.
This is a perfect activity for bad weather conditions, or for non-skiers; walkers and nature lovers will love these outings. Don't forget to take energy bars and wear comfortable boots.
Snowshoe Website for France & Switzerland
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last updated 9-Jul-2008 |
| Swimming Pool |
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Meribel has a fantastic 25m indoor pool featuring a flume, children’s paddling pool and Jacuzzi. Swimming lessons and aqua-gym classes are also available - you'll find that you get fitter faster by exercising at altitude! See here for contact details. |
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last updated 2-Jun-2008 |
| Tennis |
Méribel offers ten courts (plus four children’s courts) at Le Bois d’Arbin, on the Truite piste just above the resort. Mottaret has four courts by the Tourist Office and one court is available in Les Allues near the lift station. Hire a court for an hour, take private coaching or join group lessons at the Bois d’Arbin.
Top tip: at this altitude you will need non-pressurized balls.
Adrenalin factor: 1/10
Merinet verdict: tennis with a view
Contact details |
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last updated 5-Nov-2007 |
| Via Ferrata |
If climbing up sheer rock on the end of a piece of rope sounds a bit scary then Via Ferrata climbing offers an element of security that still allows beginners to enjoy the achievement of having scaled a mountain! This form of climbing was invented by Italian soldiers in the Dolomites who used it to enable them to scale vertiginous faces easily and quickly. These days it is a popular sport that makes the thrill of mountain climbing more accessible to children, beginners and those who want a bit more security when they climb.
Following marked routes through the mountains you are helped along by steps, bridges and ladders whilst being roped up for extra safety. Suitable for adults and children over the age of 8; guides can be arranged on request.
Méribel offers one relatively advanced circuit at the summit of the Dent de Burgin, and an easier circuit suitable for children and beginners at nearby Lac Rosière. The local Mountain Guides’ Office arranges group and private outings to both Via Ferrata, and provides all the necessary equipment. |
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last updated 23-Apr-2008 |
| Winter Walking Trails |
The Méribel Valley is a walker’s paradise throughout the year. During the winter season a network of groomed walking trails allow walkers to discover the resort and its surroundings on foot. 25km of trails link Méribel, Mottaret, the local villages and even some of the mountain restaurants. One circular walk enters the Tueda Nature Reserve above Mottaret, and another climbs to la Traie mountain refuge.
These trails are groomed after each snowfall, meaning that no snowshoes or special equipment is needed to enjoy them. A free map can be obtained from the Tourist Office, together with a list of which trails are open and groomed. If you don't know the valley very well you can join a guided group or download the useful trail map and walking guide below.
Don’t forget to check the weather forecast before you set out as conditions can change rapidly in the mountains.
You do not need any particular equipment, just a pair of sturdy boots and layers of warm clothing that you can take off or put on as necessary. A pair of walking poles will come in handy for extra balance on icy patches and for checking snow depth before you go striding forth! Top tip: buy ‘grippers’ for your walking boots to prevent slipping, all of this can be bought from most local Sport Shops.
Click here for prices of pedestrian lift passes.
Méribel Winter Walking Map & Guide
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last updated 11-Jul-2008 |
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