Meribel, France

dave carter from UNITED KINGDOM writes:

Skiing & Riding

Meribel is a really great resort. We managed to do the whole season last year and managed to learn snowboarding and skiing from absolute beginner to very good skier and reasonable snowboarder. There are now about a dozen ski & snowboard schools.

You really need a 3 Valley pass unless you are a beginner for just one week's holiday. The Meribel Pass would be ok and is cheaper. You can also buy a one-day extension if you need to.
There are two snowboard parks here plus others in Courchevel, Les Menuires and Val Thorens.Meribel is THE place to stay but the best area for skiing must be Courchevel. But anyway you can reach any of the other resorts in about 30 minutes so from Meribel you have such a wide choice every day.

Many people complain about crowds here but that is only New Year and French School Holidays '2nd week of Feb for one month'.

Unless you have children you would be crazy to come at this time. It's true. Thousands of kids and crowded lifts and pistes. But all the rest of the season it's a dream. It’s the biggest ski area in the world with nearly 400 miles of fabulous long pistes, and almost no queues anywhere. I met one American who said the 3 valleys were the equivalent of 20 of their average resorts all rolled in to one.

A Season Workers Tourist Guide to Meribel



It can be expensive here so be careful.Check out this guide if you don't want to get ripped off.

A group of Meribel season workers have created a free guide to Meribel (Meribel Unplugged) and its really great. Have a look at their web site for loads of inside information on accommodation,especially chalets in Meribel & Les Allues, restaurants, bars and apres-ski and everything else you can think of in Meribel. Even season work too. This web site is essential reading for anyone on any kind of a budget.It is the best restaurant guide we have ever come across for the Trois Vallees. We never paid more than about £10 (€15) for a meal with wine all season.We did hear some real horror stories from some tourists.If you have got kids 'NEVER' let them be seduced in to ordering a 'LARGE' coke. You might end up with a litre glass at about £8 or more.

Apres Ski & Nightlife.

The apres-ski is not as good as Austria, but still great for France. There are two exceptional places here in the afternoons. The Rond Point in Meribel which has fantastic live bands every afternoon and LDV which is in Meribel Village, a small satellite of Meribel. Both get packed so it's best to get in before the bands start at 5pm.The drinks are also cheaper between 4-5 so get them in before. With these two bars you have all you need for apres-ski.

Nightlife in Meribel centres around the Pub and Taverne for live music. Plus there are many other bars with normal Pub atmosphere, usually full of British who have taken over most of Meribel. Dick's Tea Bar is the Brits favourite disco where all the chalet girls go, but if you want a more international flavour try the Loft.

Mottaret.

Up in Mottaret there is just one disco The Privilege which can be very good especially on Tuesdays. Le Rastro bar in Mottaret has a famous Tuesday night rock party with everybody dancing on the tables and they all head off to the disco at throwing out time.

Mountain Restaurants:

Be sure to check out the Meribel season workers web site but our favourites were :for a social lunch in Meribel,The Rond Point where everybody meets up.(great omelettes) La Voute in St Martin for the most fantastic Ducks leg in the world. Le Cretes at the top of Tougnete for the best local sausages in wine.(£7.50) Ski Lodge Pub in La Tania for a great pub lunch.(€6.00) Zig Zag in Mottaret for the best value lunch in all 3 valleys (€6) La Fermes in Les Menuires for the best gigantic steak in Onions (£8.00) La Chaumiere in Val Thorens for great lunches at

about £7-8.Courchevel 1650. Petite Savoyard if you want dessert as it comes free with lunch (€8.00)

I would say that it is a wonderful resort suitable for all levels, with every choice of accommodation available, plus the best skiing in the world. Try it for yourself. You won't be disappointed. Just try not to get ripped off anywhere. See you on the slopes coz were going back!

2004-09-12

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