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Meribel Top Tips
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With a resort as big and as active as this there's always something new to discover or something different to try. Our Top Tips bring you expert advice from the people who live and work in the resort. Things to do and places to see, ways to improve your skiing/boarding, avalanche survival information, money saving tips and even 'green' info. We bring you all the information you'll need to help you get the most out of your stay. |
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| Meribel Top Tips: Activities |
Paragliding (parapente)
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.
An early intermediate skier can manage the take-off, but for boarders a good technical level is needed. In summer one simply runs down a slope until you take off.
Top tip: go on a sunny, warm day when the thermals will keep your airborne for longer.
Adrenaline factor: 9/10
Merinet verdict:The most fun you can have with skis on. Contact details |  |
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Snow-mobile (motoneige)
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.
Top tip: wrap up warmly especially if you go after dark, and bring goggles if there is powder.
Adrenaline factor: 9/10
Merinet verdict: excellent fun for speed lovers, not for the timid. Contact details |  |
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Indoor climbing wall (mur d’escalade)
Complete beginners can make a first ascent of the indoor climbing wall 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. Open to adults and children 5 or over.
Available Tues and Thurs 6 – 8pm (Tues to Fri during holiday periods).
Adrenaline factor: 4/10
Top tip: don’t look down
Merinet verdict: surprisingly challenging physically, and good fun. Contact details |
 | Snowshoe outing (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. This is a perfect activity for bad weather conditions, or for non-skiers. Snowshoes and ski poles can be inexpensively rented from ski hire shops.
Adrenaline factor: 1/10
Top tip: take energy bars and wear comfortable boots.
Merinet verdict: walkers and nature lovers will love these outings. Contact details |
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 | Cross-country skiing (ski de fond)
Get back to nature and explore tranquil cross-country trails at your own pace. Hire the comfortable boots and lightweight skis and poles from any hire shop, and book a group or private lesson to learn the basics. For those used to downhill skis, at first you feel precariously balanced and downhill sections are definitely more exciting on narrow skis with no edges. Once you have grasped the essentials, head off into the beautiful and tranquil cross-country trails situated at the Alitport in Méribel, or around the Lac Tueda in Mottaret. No lift pass is needed, and one can be as energetic or slow as one likes.
Adrenaline factor: 2/10
Top tip: wear layers of clothing that can be removed as you warm up.
Merinet verdict: perfect for anyone who enjoys peace and quiet, or who finds the downhill pistes too crowded or too steep. Contact details |
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 | Off-piste group guiding (ski découverte)
Spend a whole day off-piste with a guide – all for the price of a group lesson. Both Méribel’s ESF and the Mountain Guides Office offer off-piste guiding groups for good skiers. Expect to walk or skin uphill for anything up to an hour, in return for untouched snow and deserted descents. Depending on snow and weather conditions you may picnic on a summit or in a local restaurant, and may ski anything from deep powder, to crud, to spring snow. You need to be a strong skier with some off-piste experience to take part. The guide provides avalanche transceivers; you need to bring a ‘can-do’ attitude.
Adrenaline factor: 6/10
Top tip: bring energy bars and plenty of water.
Merinet verdict: a fabulous way to discover the classic 3 Valley itineraries and meet like-minded people. Contact details here or here |
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Walking trails (itinéraires piétons)
The Méribel valley 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.
Adrenalin factor: 0/10
Top tip: buy ‘grippers’ for your walking boots to prevent slipping (available from Sport Boutique, 15€)
Merinet verdict: these beautiful trails are a wonderful way of exploring the valley in peace and quiet. |  |
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 | Tourist flights (vols touristiques en avion)
Take off from Méribel’s Altiport in a light aircraft equipped with skis. Flights vary from a ten minute flight around the valley to a one hour tour of Mont Blanc. The small plane takes up to three passengers, and for those used to jet planes, it sounds worryingly sound like a diesel engine Morris Minor. Once airborne you forget the rattling and shaking and enjoy spectacular views.
Adrenaline factor: 6/10
Top tip: chose a sunny day for maximum wow factor
Merinet verdict: Not to be missed, except by those nervous of flying. Contact details |
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Hot air balloon flight (vol en montgolfière)
Hot air ballooning looks serene, but there are moments of excitement. Once the creaking wicker basket rises of the ground you are uncomfortably reminded that you are suspended hundreds of metres above the ground in a small twig structure. The views are stunning, and as you glide over the forests you may see deer and other animals normally hidden from view. The pilot controls the height but the wind determines which direction you take, so the flight can take anything from one to two hours, depending on when a suitable landing site comes into view.
Top tip: warm clothing
Adrenaline factor: 5/10
Merinet verdict: unforgettable experience, but not ideal if you suffer from vertigo. Contact details |  |
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Husky sledding (traineaux a chiens)
Be in charge of your own sled and team of dogs, driving them along forest paths. After a brief explanation of how to make your team stop and start (you shout), and strict instructions not to led 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, try to control the speed downhill, and hanging on for dear life when you upset going around corners. Going uphill you have to help push the sled, so this is hard physical work.
Top tip: for a less physical outing, chose the version where you sit in the sled and the guide does all the work.
Adrenaline factor: 6/10
Merinet verdict: an exhilarating experience. Contact details |  |
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Via Ferrata – summer only
A prepared itinerary around a rock face, equipped with metal rungs and ropes, which allows beginners to experience the thrills of rock climbing in complete safety and without any previous experience. 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 Vie Ferrate, and provides all the necessary equipment.
Top Tip: don’t look down if you suffer from vertigo
Adrenalin factor: 8/10
Merinet verdict: a fantastic way for all ages to experience climbing.
Contact details
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Golf - summer only
One of the main draws to Méribel in summer is its excellent 18 hole golf course. Situated at the Altiport area the 71 par course stretches from 1400m up to 1735m. Although not particularly long at 5834m the course is technically challenging due to its narrow fairways. The mountain setting means the views are superb, and the ball obligingly flies further because of the altitude. Private lessons and week-long courses in English are available for all levels of player. During 2005 the back nine, lying under the Blanchot piste, were remodelled, and are now much harder as well as more elegant.
Top Tip: unless you are fit take a buggy or just play 9 holes.
Merinet verdict: a beautiful course, not to be missed.
Contact details |
Mountain Biking (VTT) - summer only
Mountain biking is becoming increasingly popular in Alpine resorts. Méribel and the Three Valleys have fitted special bike racks to the gondolas and some chairlifts, so you can be transported to the top of the trails and freewheel down. A trail map covering the Three Valleys is available from the Tourist Office, and group outings are organised during the summer season. Mountain bikes are available to hire from several sports shops in the resort.
Top Tip: check which lifts are open each day in advance at the Tourist Office. Wear a helmet.
Adrenaline factor: 7/10
Merinet verdict: the best way to cover the Three Valleys in summer
Contact details |
Canyoning – summer only
Canyoning is a sport in which you make your way down a steep mountain river bed, treating it as a natural obstacle course. With a Mountain Guide you will walk, swim, scramble, jump into rock pools, abseil and slide your way down the water course. Canyons of varying difficulty are easily accessible from Méribel, most of which are suitable for children. Thrills, spills and good exercise. Helmet and full wetsuit are provided by the guide.
Top Tip: don’t organise to do anything else for the rest of the day – you’ll be exhausted.
Adrenalin factor: 7/10
Merinet verdict: a must-try sport.
Contact details |
Walking (randonée) - summer
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.
Top Tip: take plenty of water, sunscreen and waterproofs – the weather can change fast
Adrenalin factor: 1/10
Merinet Verdict: beautiful walking scenery and uncrowded trails
Contact details |
Tennis - summer only
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 |
Riding (l’équitation) - summer only
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 |
Adventure park (parc aventure) – summer only
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 |
Swimming Pool (piscine) open winter and summer
25m indoor pool, plus flume, children’s paddling pool and Jacuzzi. Swimming lessons and aqua-gym classes are also available.
Top Tip: go early on poor weather days to avoid the hoards of children
Adrenalin factor: 0/10
Merinet verdict: get fitter faster by swimming at altitude.
Contact details
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Other summer activities to try:
Archery, crazy-golf, clay pigeon shooting, paintball*, trampoline, rafting, fly fishing, ice-skating*, quad/motorbike tours, ten-pin bowling*, skateboard park.
*also available in winter
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