Meribel Lift Pass Options - Winter

The decision whether to buy a Meribel or Three Valley lift pass really depends on your skiing level and how much you want to ski.  Here are a few pointers to help you choose:

Meribel Valley:
The Meribel Valley is situated at the heart of the 3 Valley’s skiing area and has 150km of piste in its own right.  If you are a complete beginner* or have 1-2 weeks of skiing or boarding experience, you will probably find that the Meribel Valley pass has more than enough to keep you challenged and entertained during your stay.  Alternatively, if you don’t plan on skiing hard all day, every day, this local area pass will also suit you, and remember, passes of 2 days + can be upgraded on a daily basis to include the whole of the 3 Valley area.

*There are further lift pass options available for complete beginners – see Beginners Passes for more info

Three Valleys:
The 3 Valleys is the largest linked ski area in the world and anyone of intermediate ability and above usually takes advantage of the full area pass.  It offers unlimited access to 180 lifts, 600kms of piste and 8 resorts: Meribel/Mottaret, Courchevel, La Tania, Val Thorens, Les Menuires/St Martin, Orelle and Brides Les Bains.

Both passes are available for ½ to 21 day durations, 12 non-consecutive days or for the season.  

**New for 2009/10** There is now a 3 hour Meribel Valley pass, valid for 3 consecutive hours of skiing starting any time.

Most beginners will buy a Méribel Valley lift pass which covers 150km of piste but also gives the option of buying a one-day extension to the rest of the Three Valleys. Another alternative for beginners is to buy a pass which covers approximately half of the Meribel valley and is slightly cheaper than the full Meribel Valley pass. If you are staying in Mottaret you will buy a Mottaret Pass, and if you are staying in Meribel, you will buy the Meribel Alpina pass.

An even smaller area of the Meribel Valley is covered by the Mini-pass. Complete beginners who want to save money might consider using the free beginner lifts for the first day or so, and then progress to buying a Mini-pass which give access to a limited number of the gentler slopes. The disadvantage of this is that you will need to queue up each day to buy your day pass, and if you are in ski school lessons, your instructor may decide to take the group to another area which is not covered by your pass. It is generally easier to buy a week-long pass.

If you are skiing “en famille” then the Family Pass option offers 20% discount on 6-21 day or season passes for two adults and two children under 18 (from the same family)when you buy all your passes at the same time.  3rd and subsequent children only have to pay the child rate and don't forget that the under 5's ski for free! Proof of age will be required and each member of the family will have their own hands free pass.

Depending on where you are staying, there is a Meribel or Meribel-Mottaret version of the pass and it is available for either the Meribel Valley only or for the full 3 Valley area, but not during the “Premieres Neiges” weeks in December or during the last week of the season. 

The French Ski School (ESF) also offers children’s lessons with slightly cheaper lift passes included in the price.  Children must be under 13 years of age and from complete beginner to 2* level ski ability.

Not everyone comes to Meribel to ski, and when there are such beautiful panoramas to take in and cosy mountain restaurants to enjoy, we can understand why! Pedestrian rates are available for 1-7 day duration lift passes, one-way trips or you can buy a season ticket.  The pedestrian pass is valid on the following lifts:

Early/Late Season Discount:
If you visit Meribel in the first 2 or the very last week of the season, you will benefit from reduced rates on your lift pass.  However, depending on snowfall, this is usually accompanied buy a reduced ski area.

Rider Pass:
If all your interested in is bigging it up in the snowpark, then there is also a special lift pass just for that! The Rider Pass gives budding freestylers unlimited access to the 2 snowparks in the Meribel Valley (Plattieres Park and the Moon Park) where you can expect to find a variety of rails, tables and jumps to keep you busy all day!

Groups:
Generally, there are no discounts on lift passes for groups. The only exception is for ski clubs or associations and there are strict terms: the minimum number is 20 and the passes must be paid for by the club. Contact the lift pass company for more details.

Seniors:
There is a 15% reduction on the cost of a lift ticket for anyone between the age of 65-74.  If you are over 75 then you can ski for free!  Proof of age required.

Good news for cross-country skiers - you do not need to buy any pass! Equipment can be hired from most sports shops and you can set off along the trails free of charge. Please go to Winter Activities to find out more about cross-country skiing in Méribel.

For season passes, free passes and the 12 day non-consecutive option, you will need a photo which will be taken digitally at the lift pass office. All lift tickets now operate on a hand's free, rechargeable "P@S" card which is much more resistant to the snow than the 'throw away' type pass.  You never have to get it out of your pocket and although it costs €3, it's valid for 3 years and so you can recharge it and reuse it on your next holiday. Don't forget you can now order your passes in advance and have them sent to your home address or hotel / rental agency in the resort on your arrival.  Alternatively, you can buy them at any of the cash desks at the base of the main lift stations.

With the P@S system, you no longer have to worry about losing the receipt for your lift ticket.  If your pass is lost or stolen, report it immediately to the lift pass office and they will be able to re-issue you with a new one on production of valid ID and €3 for the new  card.

When you purchase your lift-pass you will be given the additional option to add insurance. Even if you have your own cover this is worth considering as it is a special ski insurance instantly recognised in France. Ask for 'assurance Carré Neige' - it has to be put onto the pass at the time of purchase and only costs €2.70 per day (€2.30 for children).

There are a number of different lift passes available so that you can tailor your purchase to the ability and preferences of your group. The cost of your lift pass depends not only on which one you choose, but also on your age. Lift passes are available from lift pass offices at La Chaudanne, Le Rond Point, Altiport, Méribel Village, Mottaret centre, Mottaret le Hameau, and Brides-les-Bains. They can also be bought in advance and delivered by post or collected in the resort; you can buy or recharge your pass online here. ... see "Meribel & the 3 Valleys Lift Pass Prices - Winter" for more