Madame Vacances Hôtel & Spa Le Mottaret
Méribel - Chemin des Chardons 7
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Nestled in the beautiful alpine valley of Les Allues, Méribel is a renowned ski resort where you can experience the quintessential ski holiday.
The Méribel valley is one of the most popular destinations especially among British skiers: the village was in fact founded by a British colonel, Peter Lindsay, in 1938. Consisting of picture-postcard chalets and chalet-style flat and hotel buildings, Méribel has retained all the charm of a traditional mountain village, with its wood and stone buildings and the beautiful forest environment that surrounds it.
Fast, modern ski lifts offer easy access to the Méribel ski area, which consists of 150 km of slopes from 1450 to 1700 metres and the 3 Valleys: in fact, Méribel is connected to Courchevel and Val Thorens, with another 600 km of slopes.
A legendary ski resort, Meribel offers a wide variety of ski slopes for all ages and abilities, from absolute beginners to freeride experts, and is part of one of the world’s largest connected ski areas, the Trois Vallées, all accessible with the same pass.
Located in the Tarentaise valley in the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Méribel consists of around 45 ski lifts giving access to ski areas ranging from 1,100 m to 2,952 m altitude and around 150 km of slopes. This ski area is varied and offers plenty to keep skiers and snowboarders of all levels busy.
Méribel is also the perfect place to learn to ski with the family. With 71 ski slopes and 45 ski lifts, the Vallée de Méribel ski area offers an extensive ski playground. You will find fun runs for the whole family(Inuit run, Animal run, Yeti Park), technical runs to challenge yourself with friends(Ecureuil, Julie, Blaireau, Mauduit, Chamois) and ski runs that cross magnificent landscapes(Lapin, Crêtes, Faon, Boulevard de la Loze).
There are 16 green, 25 blue, 24 red and 7 black slopes in Méribel. Most of the slopes are either green or blue: this means that while expert skiers challenge themselves on specially prepared pistes, beginners can perfect their turns on tracks suited to their level. With 62,000 metres of altitude difference, 15 peaks and 6 glaciers, it is impossible to get bored skiing in Méribel. The ski area’s legendary and challenging slopes await veteran skiers.
In the Tougnète area, there is a good mix of levels and access to St. Martin and Les Menuires: this is the start of the Val Thorens circuit. The Elements Park and boardercross are located here, and the Back to the Wild area at the top of the Roc de Tougne chairlift is an ideal free ski area to test off-piste skills. Popular slopes are Faon, a blue one with wide, long, easy turns that tends to be quiet all day, and Combe Tougnète, a steep, wide red slope with beautiful views over the valley.
The Saulire area is accessible via the cable car network and is good for all levels with an excellent choice of slopes. Most people start from the Saulire Express 1 and 2 cable car and the area below is perfect for beginners with mostly green and blue runs. Biche is a wide and easy blue slope with breathtaking views. Mauduit is a fabulous red, long and steep in places. For those looking for a famous black, we recommend the Go Pro Couloir, with a slope of 37°, not for the faint-hearted.
For intermediate/advanced skiers and snowboarders, there is a wide range of red runs here, and for those looking for more adventure, there are some excellent off-piste runs to the right of the Campagnol slope: you will also find a large snow park called DC Area 43 next to the Chatelet chairlift.
Noteworthy blue runs are Sitelle and Martre, which are long and winding from the summit to Mottaret. A couple of red slopes not to be missed are Venturon, which is fantastic in the early morning sunshine, and Combe du Vallon, which, at 3.2 km, is the longest slope in the Méribel valley with a difference in altitude of 1,000 m.
The Altiport area is a paradise for beginners and novices, full of green, blue and red pistes, and a perfect area for children around the Piste des Inuits.
However, more experienced skiers will also find interesting red runs and fantastic off-piste runs at the top of the Dent de Burgin chairlift. Among those worth mentioning are Geai, a long and smooth blue run, and Lapin and Houlotte.
The main attraction for those who come to Meribel in winter is, of course, skiing and snowboarding: however, there is a whole range of other activities to do for those who want to enjoy the winter and its atmosphere.
Snowshoeing in Meribel is a perfect activity when the weather conditions do not permit skiing or for those who do not practice this adrenaline sport.
We recommend booking a private guide or joining a group excursion: it may seem safer than skiing, but you will be exploring inland trails where the risk of avalanches is high, so it is always best to be accompanied by experienced guides. These outings start at around €30 for half a day.
To stay in touch with nature and have an unforgettable experience, try husky dog sled rides, guiding them along forest paths in winter. This ancestral sport provides an undeniable sense of joy and freedom, which you share with your four-legged friends.
Alternatively, you can participate in a guided outing, without direct involvement in the handling of the dogs and sled. This is a very popular winter activity, so it is recommended to book at least 48 hours in advance. Outings take place from the beginning of December to the end of April (snow permitting) and cost around € 100 for half a day, with discounts for children.
If you are looking for a fun activity to do as a family, or in a group for a different après-ski, ice skating is perfect for those who want to enjoy the beautiful view of the mountains.
A single admission to the ice skating rink in Meribel costs about €4, as does the rental of skates.
In winter, the S3V ski pass offices offer ‘tubing’ as a winter activity: whizzing and sliding down the slopes in an inflatable ring, an adrenaline-filled and fun experience for groups and families.
For true mountain lovers, climbing an icy waterfall or glacier is undoubtedly a fantastic sport. The ice climbing season reaches its peak between December and March. You can choose to be accompanied by an experienced guide who will provide you with all the necessary equipment or bring your own kit.
Ice climbing prices in Meribel start at around €250 for a half-day group course.
The region’s peaks and ridges are fantastic terrain for discovering ski mountaineering. The amount of snow in winter usually requires the use of touring skis.
The Vanoise Massif is a magnificent playground for low-altitude mountaineering ‘races’: Grand Bec (3398 m), Mont-Pourri (3778 m), Aiguille de la Glière (3392 m), Grande Casse (3850 m). One can consider climbing higher, to the nearby Mont Blanc, Grand Paradis and Oisans massifs: depending on the conditions, level and desire, one can follow rocky, glacial, snow-covered or mixed routes.
If you are looking for calm and relaxation, head to a luxurious day spa or book massages and beauty treatments.
A day spa is also the perfect activity when the weather changes or after a hard day’s skiing: you can warm up and revitalise aching muscles in saunas, Turkish baths and Jacuzzis or take a refreshing dip in the swimming pool.
Activities in the Alps also attract more and more people in summer: come and discover exceptional fauna and flora in the Plan de Tuéda Nature Reserve or in the rocky environment of the 3,000 m peaks bordering the Vanoise National Park.
Whether you love sports or want to get in touch with nature, you can try all the family-friendly activities that Méribel offers in summer.
In the summer months, Meribel is an Alpine mecca for walks and hikes in the beautiful Alpine mountains. When the snow melts and the sun begins to shine, the mountains become an excellent place to immerse yourself in nature and forests. Hiking is the perfect activity for groups, families and friends.
Méribel offers a wide range of itineraries for all levels of preparation, through an unspoilt natural environment: every moment of the day has its own special colours and every trail has its own character. The best-loved and most beaten tracks are:
There are more than 200 kilometres of running trails in the area, a nature park and refuges for overnight stays. From beginner trails to extreme heights, Meribel has something for every level of trail runner.
The magnificent setting of the Méribel valley is the ideal place for mountain biking in the Alps. The Meribel bike park offers trails for all levels, from green to black, including downhill runs, enduro routes and cross-country trails. The variety of terrain ensures that everyone, from beginners to experienced and professional downhill and freeride riders, can spend many days in the saddle on routes suited to their preferences and skill level.
Those, on the other hand, who prefer cycling in nature, will need to know that cycling in Meribel and in the Alps in general is much more challenging than in their own country. The roads around Meribel can be the setting for some of the most gruelling sections of the Tour de France, but with the right equipment and preparation they can also be tackled by enthusiasts and professionals.
Those who are not so familiar with fatigue can make use of e-bike hire and can also ride off-road in the mountains, where mountain biking is not always easy. Méribel offers 3 special circuits:
Meribel, like all Alpine regions, is a paradise for fishing. You can do it at Lake Tueda, which is rich in rainbow trout, but bear in mind that one half of the lake is reserved for fly fishing with barbless hooks.
You must also have the correct fishing permit and be aware of the local fishing regulations.
Méribel offers an 18-hole course along the wooded slopes below Dent de Burgin. It boasts a large putting green of 1100 m 2, a chipping green, a bunker and a driving range with 40 tees. It is possible to hire a buggy, an electric trolley and a manual trolley.
There is also a 12-hole miniature golf course in the centre of Méribel-Mottaret.
The Three Valleys offer a vast expanse of spectacular terrain to explore riding a magnificent horse and a wide range of trails and paths.
There is a riding centre at the Bois d’Arbin open every day, all year round. They also offer private and group riding lessons, as well as pony rides for younger children.
Daily scenic helicopter flights (weather permitting) are available with several local airlines for breathtaking views over snow-capped mountain peaks, glaciers and alpine forests.
Canyoning is one of the most popular summer activities in Méribel. Participants really enjoy the combination of jumps, abseiling down waterfalls and descents down natural slides: a fun, easy, exciting and time-saving activity.
Canyoning takes place at two sites: at Pussy (30 km from Méribel) for half-day sessions and at Montmin (near Faverges) for full-day sessions. The canyons are very close to the starting points of the route; the first plunge will take place after just a 5-15 minute walk.
Also recommended for families: in fact, children can participate from the age of 10 and these water courses include jumps (not compulsory) ranging from 2 to 8 metres in height in a humid and very green environment with a water temperature of around 14°C.
Each participant must wear a 5 mm neoprene wetsuit with elbow, knee and back protectors, a helmet, a harness and neoprene liners to put in their shoes, all provided by the agencies.
In the Tarentaise valley, in the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Méribel is one of the main resorts that make up the Three Valleys.
Situated at an altitude of 1,450 m, Méribel has been welcoming skiers since before World War II, when the Scotsman Peter Lindsay visited Les Allues and had the far-sighted intuition that the area could become a top ski resort. The first ski lift was installed above the village in 1938 and a year later the first hotels and chalets were built in Méribel. All new buildings were constructed in the Savoyard style, eschewing the trend towards modern architecture seen in other ski resorts.
Consisting of several districts spread over different altitudes, Méribel is made up of four main villages: set in an idyll of forests, valleys and peaks, you will enjoy incredible views of the Alps and Mont Blanc wherever you choose to stay. Each village has its own particular personality.
It is the heart of entertainment but also the backbone of the valley’s services: it is the largest of the various villages in the resort and is home to the main shopping area and the largest selection of restaurants.
Geographical heart, nerve centre of activities, it is the hub for those who like to have everything at their fingertips, day and night: tourist office, cinema, swimming pool, wellness areas, shops, bars, restaurants, Parc Olympique, discos.
The atmosphere is unique thanks to the pretty chalets clad in light wood and local stone, with pitched roofs. The village is perfectly integrated into the forest landscape and offers harmonious and authentic architecture. Spend your holiday in a cosy atmosphere: this picture-postcard setting will be the backdrop for your mountain holiday.
This is the best positioned resort to fully and easily enjoy the 3 Valleys.
It shares the chalet-style architecture of Méribel, but most of its accommodation is in the form of large blocks of flats and hotels. It is mostly car-free and much of the accommodation is ski-in, ski-out. It has a good selection of shops, services, bars and restaurants.
With its village with a warm atmosphere and modern mountain residences at the foot of the slopes, Méribel-Mottaret is the ideal meeting place for
Until the 1990s, the site had only a few scattered sheepfolds, then it became a charming village in the purest Savoyard tradition, with its restored chalets and barns, its chapel, its bread oven, its shops and its terraces.
Organised around a very pleasant and sunny central square, Méribel-Village is served by the Golf fast chairlift giving access to the entire Méribel and 3 Vallées ski area. When the day is over, you can ski to the heart of the village on the blue Lapin slope and in the evening, the free shuttle bus will take you to Méribel-Centre in a few minutes.
Although slightly removed from the buzz of entertainment in Méribel-Centre and the Méribel-Mottaret resort, Méribel-Village is far from being an isolated outpost: it boasts the liveliest après-ski venues and hosts a number of fantastic events throughout the year. Its south-west exposure makes it the ideal place to enjoy the afternoon sun. Ideal for those seeking tranquillity at a stone’s throw from the social life.
Their names are Les Allues, Le Raffort, Cruet, Vanthier, Chandon, Nantgerel, la Gittaz and Plantin: these small villages inspired the Scotsman Peter Lindsay in 1938, in search of a new site for winter recreation.
Today, these pretty villages are little gems of traditional mountain architecture, which you pass through before arriving in the newer ‘quarters’ of the Méribel valley.
Méribel les Allues is a precious place for lovers of authenticity, calm, culture, peaceful walks and skiing. The Olympe cable car provides access within minutes to La Chaudanne and the 3 Vallées, the largest ski area in the world. At nightfall, it is with this same cable car, or ski in, that you descend to find the relaxing atmosphere of your chalet and the tranquillity of the village.
Thanks to the nearby train station and the numerous airports that can be reached in three hours by car, there are many possibilities to reach Meribel: it is located in the heart of the Three Valleys, the largest ski area in the world.
The Meribel ski resort is only 2 hours and 15 minutes from Geneva International Airport, two hours from Lyon Airport or Grenoble Airport, 1 hour and 15 minutes from Chambéry or 45 minutes from the Moûtiers train station.
Meribel is not on a railway line, but high-speed trains (TGV) from Paris and the Eurostar Snow train stop in Moûtiers, which is only 25 km away. From there, you can take a bus to the resort. Shuttles are available from Moutiers or from the airports or train stations, according to the ALTIBUS timetable.
If you plan to travel by car, the journey is easy until Moûtiers: after that the road becomes arduous, with a 25 km climb to Meribel. This road is cleared every day during the winter, but it is not a route suitable for inexperienced drivers, especially when the weather is bad. Also remember that if you come for a skiing holiday, you will have to mount winter tyres or keep snow chains in the boot of your car.
What's the weather at Méribel? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Méribel for the next few days.
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