♦ The Meribel Mole is yours truly, Rob Smart. I have been in Meribel every season since 1988. With the exception, of course, of the 2020-2021 season when it was closed due to Covid.

I have been blogging about Meribel and its snow conditions for great many years now since 2003 . You can also listen to me on radio Meribel on the Internet before you even arrive. Each morning from 8am French time for daily ski lift, & snow & local weather reports.
Cheers
Rob Smart

♦ December Blogs: Meribel in December can be marvellous. Heavy snow early December means empty slopes,very cold temperatures and fabulous skiing. However It might be worth booking your ski holiday last minute. Meribel has had a few dodgy starts in past years. Normally by Xmas or New Year however the snow can usually be relied upon. Also Meribel has 100’s of snow cannons working non-stop throughout December.
♦ January Blogs: Generally is a reliable month for excellent snow conditions. It is normally very cold but quite often sunny. All my researching moles love skiing in January. Also ski holidays are much cheaper at this time. If you can get away then choose January after New Year is over.
♦ February Blogs: Is almost guaranteed good snow but Meribel is very busy from around the 7th (1st weekend each season) onwards. Therefore the pistes get very worn by the afternoon. It’s not quite so cold as a rule with a fair amount of blue skies and sunshine. Ski holidays are often very expensive this month.
♦ March Blogs: Usually sunny and can be very hot in the afternoons. Snow is usually excellent in the mornings but in late March it can start to get soft and slushy after lunch. Ok for snowboarders though. All in all a great month for ski / snowboarding and sun combined.
♦ April Blogs: Snow conditions are sometimes the best of the whole season with really quiet slopes. But April can also bring rain below the mid stations. My advice for April is to book last minute. Just keep a close eye on the Mole’s reports weekly on Twitter (X). It continues right up to the end of the season, when the real moles start to pop their heads up on the mountains. Cute little creatures!

MERIBEL BLOGS FAQ’S

Meribel is a classic, family-friendly resort in the heart of the Les 3 Vallées (Three Valleys), the world’s largest linked ski area (~600km of pistes). It offers a good mix of charm, accessibility, and terrain for all levels.

1. Is Meribel good for beginners / families / intermediates / advanced skiers?

• Yes, especially for beginners and families. It has dedicated nursery areas (e.g., Altiport), gentle green and blue runs, excellent ski schools, and family-friendly facilities. Meribel-Mottaret is often recommended for ski-in/ski-out convenience.
• Intermediates love the vast linked area for exploration. Advanced skiers benefit from access to challenging terrain across the Three Valleys (including off-piste).

2. Where should I stay in Meribel — Town Centre, Mottaret, Meribel Village or elsewhere?

• Meribel Centre: Lively with more shops, restaurants, bars, and amenities; good access to lifts but can be busier and more expensive.
• Meribel-Mottaret: Higher up, almost 100% ski-in/ski-out, family-oriented, quieter evenings, limited apres ski , excellent for fast access to the pistes. Free buses connect regularly to Meribel centre.Early morning about 7.30am till about midnight.
• Meribel Village: Easy access to Meribel Altiport and Courchevel. Great for families.Good apres ski at the LDV bar here.Mainly apartments with some having free access to the swimming pool, sauna and gym.
• Meribel Morel & 1600: Apartments and catered chalets abound here. Easy access to Meribel Altiport by chairlift & town centre by free bus.
• Meribel Les Allues: The old original village. Quaint and much cheaper. Access is by gondola or free bus to Meribel lift centre at Chaudanne.
• Meribel Rond Point:Easy access to the piste.Great apres ski spot.Long bus trip to and from town in the evenings. Apartments, hotels and catered chalets in this area.
• Many prefer chalets higher up the mountain for charm and views. Location depends on priorities: convenience vs. atmosphere. Saulire side of Meribel gets the afternoon sun., especially important in March and April.

3. What is the best time to go / season dates / snow reliability?

• Season typically runs early December to mid-April.
• Best snow/skiing: January to March. Early December and late March/April can offer good value and fewer crowds but riskier snow.
• Meribel is reasonably snow-sure due to altitude (village ~1,450m, tops ~2,950m) and snow-making, though lower slopes can suffer in warm spells. Upper runs and the wider Three Valleys are more reliable.

4. How much does a Meribel ski holiday cost? (Lift passes, overall budget)

• Lift passes (3 Valleys): A 6-day adult pass is roughly €340–€425 depending on dates (higher in peak season). Meribel Valley -only is cheaper. Family discounts, early booking, and packages available. Children under 5 often free.
• Overall holiday: Mid-to-high end. Expect higher costs for accommodation, food, and passes compared to budget resorts, but more affordable than Courchevel 1850. Packages (flights + transfers + accommodation) help.

5. How do I get to Meribel? (Airports and transfers)

• Closest airports: Chambéry (~1–1.5 hrs), Geneva (~2–2.5 hrs), Lyon or Grenoble (2–3 hrs).
• Options: Private/shared transfers (popular and convenient), buses (Altibus & Bens Bus), trains to Moûtiers then shuttle, or rental car (not essential in resort). Book transfers in advance, especially in peak season.

6. Is Meribel expensive? How to save money?

• Yes, relatively premium (accommodation, dining, passes), but good value for the size/quality of the ski area. Cheaper than ultra-luxury spots; look for packages, low season value , family ski passes, and last minute online deals.

7. Do I need a car in Meribel?

• No. The resort is largely car-free with excellent free shuttles (Meribus), lifts, and walkability. Parking is available but extremely limited & expensive in peak times.

8. What about ski lessons, rentals, and après-ski?

• Plenty of ski schools (10+) offering group/private lessons for all ages/levels. Book ahead.
• Ski rentals widely available near lifts/accommodation.
• Après-ski is lively but more relaxed/family-friendly than Val Thorens; good bars, restaurants, and evening options in the centre.

9. How does Meribel compare to Courchevel or Val Thorens?

• Meribel: Prettiest/most traditional charm, central access to all valleys, great for families/intermediates.
• Courchevel: More upscale/luxury, excellent beginner areas but pricier.
• Val Thorens: Highest (best snow reliability), livelier après, more party-oriented for young people. More difficult skiing generally here.

10. Other frequent questions

• Snow conditions and piste maps. Listen to Radio Meribel on internet for snow reports 8am French time. Check out my ski guide for ski information on piste.
• Childcare, kids’ clubs, (ESF mainly for kids clubs) and non-ski activities (ice rink, s/pool, health spa, paraponting, airplane trips,snowshoe walks in the forest, tobogganing).
• What to wear/pack and equipment rental. E- Mail me for the best deals I can get you and latest weather.
• Best restaurants or lunch on the mountain.Look in my restaurant pages.Great choices.
• Crowds (Very busy in February school holidays & New Year week. Much quieter pre Xmas and January after New year & late March and April.).

MY OLD HISTORIC BLOGS !!

MERIBEL BLOGS 2025/2026 SEASON.

MERIBEL BLOGS 2018/19

 Whats new for 2018/19.

NEW LIFTS:

Another drag lift bites the dust! Cherferie has been  replaced by a new high speed 6 seater chairlift. This means Choucas will now be far less quiet than before. Sad as it was a great run for beginners in the mornings with few people on it.

Plan de L’Homme and Roc de Fer chairlifts have been replaced by Legends, a new fast 6 man chairlift with pull down covers and temperature controlled seats !! This will give very fast access to St Martin De Belleville on or off piste.

More events are planned for children during the school holidays mainly in the altiport area. The Inuit and Elements Park fun zones are being expanded too.

Meribel’s toboggan run will be open 7 days a week next season. It has nearly 300 bends ! and a vertical drop of nearly 500m. Price for 2018/19 will be 12 euros for a single descent.

Meribel opened on 8th December . Lift pass prices have increased slightly on last season. Our Moles can get your lift passes for you if required to save hassle. Just e mail for details.

 MERIBEL BLOGS 2016 / 17

THE NEW 2016/17 SEASON BEGAN 10th DECEMBER.

♦ Many ski resorts were closed but Meribel managed to have all links open to the 3 Valleys. The guys did wonders with the snow from the cannons. Until New Year it was quite ok on pistes that were open , if a bit limited and icy later in the day. New year being crowded was not so good but at least Meribel did have snow.
♦ Meribel had a poor start after the early snows in November. Sadly it got warm and all the lower snow melted. The pistes were actually not too bad till the busy New Year week, due to the 100’s of snow cannons in the 3 Valleys.

2015/16 SEASON BLOG

So for the seasonal history.

A slow start but xmas visitors did have snow.
January saw the best month of the season for powder and good weather.
February had good snow all the month with some mixed weather & some heavy snowfalls.
The top half of the mountain had up to 2 meters of snow on it.This means Meribel was set for a great March
April was again a mixed month for weather. Val Thorens had the best snow.