Cross-country skiing in fresh snow in Meribel

As a fair-weather skier, though I am utterly delighted to see all this white stuff fall from the heavens, I don’t particularly enjoy downhill skiing when I can’t see beyond my ski tips (I’m one of those people who goes queasy and green in poor viz).  Fortunately, Méribel has a fantastic range of other activities for “bad” weather days, both indoors and out. Snowshoeing, dog walking on the winter walking paths and cross-country skiing are three of my favourite ways to enjoy the snow when it’s windy, snowing hard or the weather has closed in and the light is flat.

If you’ve never tried any of these activities, I heartily recommend them, especially cross-country skiing. Contrary to common belief, you don’t have to be super fit to do ‘ski de fond’, nor do you have to look good in lycra. The technique is easy to pick up, and once you have mastered the knack of gliding along on skinny skis, it’s remarkably relaxing and peaceful.

Cross-country is ideal on bad weather days as it takes place in the shelter of the forest. It’s great when the light is flat as the trees give good definition. And when the wind is blowing hard, you are sheltered from its icy blasts and happily unaffected by any closed lifts. And if it’s freezing, you keep warm through all the physical effort and never have to sit shivering on exposed chairlifts.

'Ski de fond' is also ideal when the slopes are at their busiest in high season. The cross-country trails never become crowded, nor are there any queues. Perhaps it’s because you see relatively few people that everybody is friendly – cross-country skiers usually say ‘bonjour’ to each other or even stop to exchange a few words. 

Cross-country skiing is fantastic exercise too. Whatever your fitness level, you get as much of a workout as you choose. I’ve seen genteel ladies wearing fur coats potter around the cross-country tracks at a walking pace as well as mega-fit members of the French team sprinting past. It works your heart and lungs and just about every muscle in your body, including the wobbly bits like the back of your arms that rarely get enough exercise.

Another advantage is if you fall over, you are much less likely to hurt yourself. For people who don’t like heights, it’s perfect as it doesn’t involve lifts or high places. For people who don’t enjoy speeding downhill, it’s perfect too as you can stay on the flat.

Cross-country equipment is much cheaper than downhill skis to rent or buy and much easier to lug about. What’s more, it's free!  The more I think about all the advantages of Nordic skiing, the more I wonder why more people don’t try it…

Méribel’s two cross-country skiing areas are located in the most spectacularly beautiful spots in the valley: Lake Tuéda in Mottaret and the Altiport in Méribel. Méribel’s 90km of trails loop through the forests and take you as far as la Tania or Courchevel 1850. The ski schools offer private lessons and the ESF runs group lessons too. And when you’ve had enough exercise, you can tuck into a well-earned lunch at one of the excellent restaurants located by the cross-country trails: Le Clos St Bernard or le Blanchot in Méribel, and Refuge du Plan in Mottaret. Why not give it a try?

Fair-weather skiers of all types may be glad to know the weather is set to change. The snow is forecast to die out and sunshine and blues skies are the order of the day for the next week. I can’t wait…