Apres-ski Meribel : Report from Meribel

Susheela Raman; a unique sound in a hidden gem of a venue : 25th March 2012Meribel Auditorium is an unexpected surprise

by Jack Franks | | published: 25th Mar, 2012

On Tuesday night I had the pleasure of going to the Meribel Auditorium for the first time ever. Upon entering the venue I was surprised on a number of levels: ...more

Meribel is full of Celebrity Juice : 20th March 2012A plethora of live entertainment fills the resort this week

by Jack Franks | | published: 20th Mar, 2012

The fallout from the great fire of Meribel seems to have calmed down and heavy snowfall over the last couple days has surely dampened any possibility of it reigniting. You may be wondering why I have so nonchalantly chucked in the fact that it has been snowing so late in the season but I feel a fool. A couple of weeks ago it snowed and I practically built a god shaped snowman and started worshipping it for bringing us this wonderful final blessing of snow. How silly I feel now, in the space of 24 hours we have had about 6 inches of snow here in Meribel and there is some great off piste to be had out there. Try heading over to the chairlifts, ‘Dent du Burgin’ and ‘Loze’. The off piste under these lifts is incredible and on a soft powder day you are in for a real treat. Also, if you get a chance to ride out the off piste underneath the ‘Olympic’ chairlift (take Roc de Fer, followed by Olympic) before it gets torn to shreds, this is another a prime spot. ...more

Aaannnnd....relax! : 8th March 2012

by Jack Franks | | published: 8th Mar, 2012

This week, DJ Yoda proved a point; the force is certainly with him. A questionably packed out Dick’s Tea Bar was treated to a stellar set from London’s DJ Yoda aka Duncan Beiny. It was as good a night as any this season in Dick's and it was clear Yoda felt at home having played here many times before. A personal highlight of the evening was his incredible Jedi trick at the beginning of the set. After his intro he went into some heavy scratching. The sheer speed and precision with which Yoda manipulated his decks was such a sight that it caused the whole of Dick’s Tea Bar to stop and stare at the spectacle before them. ...more

Goodbye to Muntfinger hello DJ Yoda : 4th March 2012Our first Apres ski video report from Jack in Meribel

by Jack Franks | | published: 4th Mar, 2012

Apres ski is in full swing in Meribel. This week we said goodbye to Muntfinger but we have loads of other great live music and we're looking forward to DJ Yoda in Dick's T-Bar this Monday 5th March. ...more

A sun soaked beer bonanza : 3rd March 2012

by Jack Franks | | published: 3rd Mar, 2012

It’s all anybody seems to want to talk about at the moment but it is undeniable and inescapable. It is bloody hot! This week the sun kindly cleared the snow covered parking space outside my chalet for me so that I didn’t have to. It is probably going to get boring hearing people going on about the sun and the heat and the season reaching its inevitable end but I remain positive. There is snow forecast and a walk to the pub last night in a light hoody left me feeling the chill. I stand by it, the season has life in it yet. ...more

Ribs, Selfish Karaoke Stars and Red & White Shoes : 20th February 2012

by Jack Franks | | published: 20th Feb, 2012

A much belated Happy Valentine’s Day. I am so late with this post partly due to having to spend the last week sifting through the endless cards, letters and chocolates I received on the 14th February. ...more

Absence makes the heart (of the 3 Valleys) grow stronger : 3rd February 2012

by Jack Franks | | published: 3rd Feb, 2012

I love Meribel. It’s my third season here and I am often asked why I don’t try out another resort or go to a different country for a season. The answer is simple; there is nothing I dislike about this place. I have been to plenty of other resorts and explored the 3 Valleys thoroughly and Meribel, the heart of the 3 valleys, is the resort for me. Courcheval has too much fur, Val Thorens doesn’t have enough trees, Val d’Isere is too expensive and Tignes looks like the business park that I used to do temp work in. ...more

Get your airbag out! : 27th January 2012A day on the airbag leaves seasonnaires feeling satisfyingly deflated

by Jack Franks | | published: 27th Jan, 2012

This week myself and my colleagues were treated by ski and board lesson company ‘Magic in Motion’ to a day of throwing ourselves at high speed off a ramp onto a huge airbag. Near to the top of the Rhodos lift and a short ski down from the top of Altiport is the location of Magic’s ‘Big Air Bag’.  ...more

The Petebox at The Den : 26th January 2012Talented beatboxer, Petebox, plays to an appreciative crowd

by Jack Franks | | published: 26th Jan, 2012

In an increasingly saturated market, how can a beatboxer possibly stand out from the crowd and remain ahead of the game? It is rare to attend an open mic night these days and not witness somebody thinking they are the next Rahzel spitting all over a microphone like a toddler blowing out birthday candles. For this reason I entered ‘The Den’ with a minor degree of scepticism on Monday evening. I was there to see ‘The Petebox’. His name is Pete. He is a beatboxer. ...more

Bringing apres back to life : 19th January 2012With DJ Blitz & Max le Sax

by Jack Franks | | published: 19th Jan, 2012

I haven't done as much 'research' for this report over the last week and I am sorry. I work as a chalet host, and how much I go out during a week correlates directly with how generous my guests were in the tip department the previous week. Unfortunately last week my group of 10 drunken blokes celebrating a week long stag party were too hungover on transfer day to remember to leave a tip. Despite the fact that they made twice the amount of mess of a normal guest and that I actually spent the week cutting one particular guests food into bite sized chunks and doing up his coat and shoe laces like a small child (he had dislocated his shoulder). ...more

Merry Russian Christmas! : 9th January 2012Festive celebrations continue in Meribel

by Jack Franks | | published: 9th Jan, 2012

Christmas, New Years, Hanukah, Eid, Chinese New Year, Diwali... these are all things I have heard of, that I am aware of being celebrated, events that at some point in my life friends and acquaintances of mine have recognised and honoured. This week I found out that Russians are so special that they have their own Christmas. Just for Russian people. I’m not sure if this means they have their own Jesus or not but on Friday evening the Chaudanne was once again turned into the outdoor winter night club we enjoyed on New Year’s Eve. Hoards of Russian revellers filled the dance floor and anybody else who happened to be in the area soaked up the unique atmosphere. It was an unexpected surprise and I’m certain that anyone that caught either of these nights will be sharing my excitement for Rajasthani New Year! ...more

Happy New Year and a Merry Moose : 2nd January 2012

by Jack Franks | | published: 2nd Jan, 2012

A very Happy New Year to everyone and a huge apology for not writing a Christmas report. Unfortunately I must have eaten a dodgy mince pie and I was struck ill on Boxing day. I am now back to full health and have spent the last couple of days frantically running around the town catching up and finding out what I have been missing, as well as information about some exciting upcoming events in Meribel. ...more

Meribel comes back to life : 18th December 2011

by Jack Franks | | published: 18th Dec, 2011

Heavy snow on Thursday, torrential rain on Friday and yet more snow on Saturday created a slush sandwich on the mountain leaving us with an avalanche warning level of 5 as lifts opened on Saturday for the first big wave of guests to resort. Fortunately most of the lower lifts remained open and everyone seemed to have a great first day out on the mountain. ...more

Snow and comedy open the new winter : 12th December 2011Beers, laughs, burgers and parties. I love Meribel.

by Jack Franks | | published: 12th Dec, 2011

Bonjour from the snowy mountains of Meribel. We've had a nail biting wait when it was unsure whether the slopes would be white in time for Saturday’s lift openings. But early on Monday the skies finally opened and the resorts first covering of snow didn’t let up until the early hours of Thursday morning. At last, Meribel is looking like the winter wonderland it should be. ...more

Meribel apres ski report - 11-Feb-2011

by Nick Wood | | published: 11th Feb, 2011 Bonjour!

Meribel apres ski report - 15-Apr-2010

by Digby Reed | | published: 15th Apr, 2010 Well the weather in Meribel is getting hotter and over the last few days blazing sunshine has greeted us during the day although the evenings have still been somewhat chilly. As the snow becomes very hard work in the afternoon it is high time to put together a round up of the best terraces in the Meribel Valley. Not only do these sun traps provide a glorious environment to enjoy a drink but some even provide a BBQ as an extra to their food menus at this time of year! ...more

Meribel apres ski report - 08-Apr-2010

by Digby Reed | | published: 8th Apr, 2010 The Meribel Valley has been blessed with beautiful sunshine over the past few days and together with the recent snow this has made for a great end of season when 2 weeks ago it looked as if rain could quite literally sink any hopes of getting a suntan. With this good weather that has come out so have the t-shirts and even one bikini (sadly I did not have my camera with me for this photo opportunity!) in Mottaret Centre on Tuesday. ...more

Meribel apres ski report - 01-Apr-2010

by Digby Reed | | published: 1st Apr, 2010 The past two weeks in Meribel have flown by in a blur of world class entertainment, music, comedy and obviously the ubiquitous vin chaud. With the Altitude and the Little World Festival’s well and truly over in many other place you would return to reality with a bump however the world of Meribel’s après ski keeps giving and there is never a dull moment. Even the snow conditions have improved out of nowhere with almost 1 metre of snow falling in the last week! ...more

Meribel apres ski report - 25-Mar-2010

by Digby Reed | | published: 25th Mar, 2010 The last week in Meribel has been spectacular, the weather less so but the après ski entertainment with both the Little World Festival and now the Altitude Festival in full swing has been superb! Normally 2 full days of rain would take the edge of your mood but with acts such as The Feeling, Sophie Ellis Bextor, DJ Yoda and Newton Faulkner performing around the resort you cannot stay glum for long. On top of all the music comedians; Marcus Brigstocke, Andrew Maxwell, The Pub Landlord – Al Murray and Rufus Hound have all been in town as well. ...more

Meribel apres ski report - 18-Mar-2010

by Digby Reed | | published: 18th Mar, 2010 Now the arctic weather that we have been suffering from this winter has finally lifted the sun is here and the afternoons are getting longer and longer – perfect après ski weather! Not only have we been blessed with some great sunshine and warm temperatures (it is +1 Celsius today at 3000 meters the fist time the temperature has got above freezing at this altitude for the season!) the Meribel Little World Festival has been taking place with gigs and live music all over town. Organised by the Ivor Novello award winning band The Feeling who have strong links with the resort as back in 2000 they were a covers band similar to Livewire, Mullit, Hobo Chic and many of the other acts mentioned in these pages before playing at various venues in Meribel and La Tania. On their return to the UK ten years ago they managed to snare a record deal and the rest as they say…. is history! So remember if you are coming out you maybe able to say “I saw that band on holiday in Meribel before they were big!” ...more