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MERIBEL |
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History of Meribel |
We all know by now that Peter Lindsay,
a Scotsman by the way, not an Englishman, discovered Meribel just before
the last war.
Rumour has it he was made to feel most unwelcome at that time In Austria
and he travelled to France to find an alternative ski village.
Having discovered Meribel he had to move out a bit sharpish as the
Nazis followed him in to France. After the war he came back, and eventually
set up Meribel Alpina, which was the only British owned Ski Lift company
in France.
Another rumour is that he actually purchased most of the land that
the village now stands on. It was just farming pastures etc. He then
very generously gave back the land for free to local residents in order
that they could build the shops ,hotels etc that would cater for the
future visitors. His main concern was the creation of his lift company.
Meribel became very popular with the wealthy English and gradually
the rest of us got to hear about it. Prices became a little more reasonable
and Hence it is now one of the most popular resorts for British skiers
and boarders in Europe. One of the first tour operators in Meribel
was a company called Snowtime which has since died as did the founder
Don Kramer. However many of the old Snowtime staff still live on including
Colin Mathews, who founded his own company, Meriski, not to mention
James, the Bar manager of the Rond Point, who started life in Le French
Connection, imitating a French waiter together with stripe jersey and
false "ello ello" mustache.
History of Meribel's Social Scene
Years before the Pub, the main bar in town was the Capricorn, which
was first to sell the wicked Mutzig. In fact it was the only bar in
town at one time. Sadly Manu the very popular owner died and it is
now a very chic bar called Le Poste. Up in Mottaret the first bar to
open was Le Rastro in 1986. It became famous in the 90's for its wild
Tuesday rock nights and most of Meribel's locals would show up every
week for the wildest party in Town.
The 1992 winter Olympics came to the region and Meribel hosted the
Ladies down hill and Ice Hockey. Together with the decision to hold
the olympics in the Savoie came the government finance to improve the
road-rail connections. Many new hotels were also contructed, but during
the Olympics itself Meribel was actually extremely quiet due to high
prices keeping tourists away. The superb swimming pool complex is a
direct result of the Olympics being held here.
Around this time. Chris York, a Brit, took over the Rond Point and
turned it in to the apres-ski party venue of Meribel, replacing the
French Connection as the Brit's No 1 bar. Two years later he disappeared
literally overnight, leaving a pile of unpaid debts. The Mark Warner
organisation then took over "Yorkies", changed the name back
to the original Rond Point and went on to create the most famous apres-ski
venue in the Alps.
Up in Mottaret the Plein Soleil had changed from a restaurant to a
Pub + restaurant and also transformed Mottaret for several years with
live bands most nights of the week. This has now also gone, replaced
by the Le Grain de Sel restaurant. The only bar in Mottaret for party
animals is once again the Rastro
Still rocking every Tuesday after 15 years!
History of Meribel Skiing.
Meribel is fortunate to be at the very heart of the 3 Valleys so all
600km is available each day to Meribel clients. The 3-valley circuit
started to take shape in 1950 when Meribel linked up with Courchevel.
Ten years later the Tougnete bubble was built, linking the Belleville
Valley to Meribel.
Mottaret was opened in 1972 and has itself expanded greatly over the
last 30 years. This satellite village has the advantage of door to
door skiing but does not have the same atmosphere as Meribel.
Until the end of the 80's there was only one ski school in Meribel.
The ESF, which is the national French Ski School. This was established
in Meribel in 1947.In January 1986 the ESF introduced its first off
piste course. It was called "Rally Savage" and one of our
team was actually the very first client, having bought his ticket from
David Lindsey (son of Peter). David had been helping the ESF develop
its international section for British clients. The course name was
changed a few years later as the name itself was thought to scare off
potential clients!
At this time, snowboards were yet to appear, only the mono-board had
arrived. Hence the off piste was relatively unspoilt as not many Brits
could ski powder. January was absolute heaven in 1986-1987-1988: 2
metres of cold sugery powder and nobody in it! The Rally Savage group
actually skied deep powder in 1986 through the middle of the trees
that lead down to the truite. The head Bladon Lines rep had to be rescued
from hanging upside down by his skis, in the branches of trees that
were so close together. Sadly the snow has not quite matched these
3 golden years since.
The course still runs as "Ski Discovery" and is thoroughly
recommended for good skiers. Heli skiing has also been introduced by
way of a trip to La Rosiere on Italian/French border.
A private company Ski Cocktail fought many court battles in the 80's
in order to operate in Meribel and eventually won the right to compete
with the ESF. However a few years later, in the latter part of the
90's it died a death but not before the flood gates had opened for
private schools. Many still remember the famous "shaker" .This
was a bumps competition organised by Ski Cocktail each March, up on
the Bartavelle run. It was always the party of the season, not least
because a regular feature was the "Naked Shaker". An adventurous
(and Brave) young chalet girl skiing or snowboarding the course completely
naked! Ah, fond memories!
Now there are approx. 12 different ski schools in Meribel, most of
them specialising in teaching UK clients and several under British
ownership/management.
Finally special courses have been introduced for British skiers and
boarders to become qualified instructors. See our seasonal work section
for details.
It’s a great way to spend your winter!
Ps.
If you have any historical stories that might fit in this section send
us an e-mail.
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©2008 Meribel Unplugged. All rights reserved. |