© Gemma Hunt
© Gemma Hunt
© Gemma Hunt
© Gemma Hunt
© Gemma Hunt
© Gemma Hunt
Meribel's Summer Season Has Started
Summer has arrived in Meribel & there's so much to do..
What a beautiful day for the opening of Meribel! The summer season is a million miles away from the winter season in so many respects. The ‘opening weekend’ was taken at a summer kind of pace, I think I saw around four people during my time up the mountain - bliss!
The main opening weekend really comes this coming weekend with the 3 Valleys Addict Tour on 11th and 12th July. Anyone can give it a go it’s open to both beginners and experienced riders. On Saturday there is the ‘3 Valleys Free Bike’ departing from the top of Saulire and covering 20km with a 2000m descent!
There is also the team event ‘3 Valleys Hannibal’ from Meribel-Mottaret on Saturday with teams of two to four cyclists completing a 2km loop with obstacles. On Sunday there is the 3 Valleys Free Rando (10yrs +) with a maximum of up to 80km to cover on your two wheels. Lots to have a crack at and definitely open for all abilities and ages. It's a nice time to explore the Three Valleys when it’s not covered in snow!
The Summer team have been working hard to get the Meribel Bike park open and in shipshape condition this year. There are now two new downhill tracks, two new enduro tracks and a new cross-country circuit. Altogether there are 20 different circuits covering everything from beginner level to expert for you to throw yourself down!
Lifts-wise this summer in Meribel there is Tougnete 1 and 2 are open Sunday-Friday. Over in Meribel Mottaret Pas du Lac 1 and 2 are open which will connect over to Courchevel where Saulire and Verdons are running, also Sunday-Friday. If you don’t feel extreme enough for biking down the mountain, the lifts are a great way to just take in the views or head for a hike. Just be aware of timings for lift closures and distances for walks, it takes a lot longer than to ski down that’s for sure.
You can check the trail map for specific biking and walking routes. You might also want to note that for the end of the day there are bike cleaning sites at La Chaudanne, the Plattieres gondala in Meribel-Mottaret and facilities down at Les Allues too. If you get into difficulty on any of the tracks then don’t fret - there are three bike patrollers operating this summer in Meribel and a mountain bike trail repairer touring the marked trails.
If you don’t fancy going it alone on the tracks and want an expert to show you how it’s done there are two schools operating this summer in Meribel; Ecole MCF de Meribel and LA Trace Vert with the option of either half day or full day guiding and tuition. Ecole MCF specialise mostly in free and downhill riding, taking everyone from beginners to experts and also family outings if the kids will let mum and dad come along too. The instructor at La Trace Verte is English speaking and is apparently the resorts Enduro mountain biking expert. Mountain biking in the mountains is quite different to UK riding so an instructor could be a wise investment and save you returning home with too many cuts and grazes.
If you are more of a road cyclist then you can purchase a Timtoo timing chip and transceiver from the Meribel Tourist Office and time yourself between Brides-les-Bains and the Altiport and compare your times online. A route of just 17km with an ascent of 1,100m, it’s not Le Tour de France but it’s certainly a good leg warmer.
Well it’s nice to be seeking sun umbrellas this summer rather than rain umbrellas as last year. It’s looking like a great two months ahead for the Meribel Summer season.
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Read more about summer lift prices & options. Lifts operate until the end of August in the 3 Valleys, find all the details here.
