© Caroline Sayer
© Caroline Sayer
© Caroline Sayer
© Caroline Sayer
© Caroline Sayer
© Caroline Sayer
Méribel conditions are Fa-Bu-Lous!
Skiing doesn’t get any better than this
The past two days have seen simply exceptional conditions in Méribel. After days and days of snowfalls, the sun finally made a return and we have been enjoying perfect piste conditions under cloudless skies. In sharp contrast to last year, there are masses of snow on the slopes (170cm on the summits and 70cm at resort level) and the whole valley is picture-postcard perfect with snow all the way down to Moûtiers and beyond.
To make things even better, the slopes are virtually empty this week and you can walk straight onto every lift. The snow quality is perfect at all altitudes and the vast majority of the runs have now opened so you can ski almost everywhere in Les 3 Vallées. I’ve certainly enjoyed my best couple of piste skiing days for several years – I was grinning so hard this morning my teeth ached from the cold…
To keep you up-to-date on the ski area, I’ve been to check out some of this season’s new lifts. Méribel’s new 6-seat Roc de Tougne chairlift is now open and offers a faster, more comfortable and relaxing ride than the ancient drag lifts it replaces. From the top of this lift, you can access one of my favourite pistes, Lagopède. This red run has now been rerouted through the middle section, avoiding the tricky narrow path section. If you don’t know Lapogède, it is worth seeking out for its excellent snow and lovely views. It was in such perfect groomed condition this morning that we went straight up and skied it a second time.
The alternative black run, Bartavelle, has not yet opened, but I’m told that this too has been reshaped and improved. To find this slightly tucked-away part of the ski area, take the Tougnète lifts from Méribel or the Combes lift from Mottaret.
Another of my favourite parts of Les 3 Vallées ski area is Courchevel-Moriond (1650). This is another tranquil corner of the resort which has beautiful views and snow-sure north-facing pistes. The only drawback to this area used to be the queue that tended to form at the main Ariondaz gondola lift in high season. I am delighted that it has been replaced by a new, higher-capacity gondola of the same name, which should reduce queueing time. The entrance is also much better designed, with no steps to negotiate and a better cabin-loading area. Thank you to lift company S3V for these two lovely new lifts!
We finished our day with a couple of runs down le Mont Vallon. The snow here was excellent, with perfectly groomed, soft snow from the top to the bottom. If you want a test of your ski fitness, try skiing the long Combe du Vallon red run without stopping – or, for the iron-thighed, continue all the way down through Mottaret to Méribel la Chaudanne, a non-stop descent of over 1502 metres… I have to admit, my legs are now rather achy!
The forecast is for fine weather until after Christmas, and then possibly some more snow from the 27th onwards. I’ll be away for the next week, so our SeeCourchevel snow reporter, Eliot, will take over these reports over the Christmas holidays. Joyeux Noël!
