10 good reasons to ski in Méribel this winter

You've probably heard that this ski resort is located in the heart of the 3 Vallées, and that this ski area is the largest in the world. Our villages have the advantage of allowing you to enjoy an authentic setting while offering high-quality services. You'll also find a diverse range of landscapes and atmospheres (between forests and high mountains). We're so keen for you to have a great time here that we've come up with 10 good reasons to come and ski in Méribel.

Because once you've read this article, you'll wonder why you didn't think of it sooner. Let's get started!

As you climb up to the villages (Méribel village - Méribel centre - Méribel Mottaret), you'll feel like you're entering a whole new dimension. Urban civilisation gives way to cosy chalets that follow one another along your itinerary. You'll feel the magic of the place before you've even reached your destination. You'll get a foretaste of what awaits you at the top.

What's more, Méribel is a very accessible resort, whether by plane, train or car. From Chambéry, it will take you around 1h20 to get there, and 2h from Lyon or Geneva airports.

If you're coming by train, Moûtiers station is less than 20km away. You can then get to the resort by taxi or coach.

What really surprises you when you arrive at the resort and take to the ski slopes is the wealth of panoramic views. As soon as you take a ski lift, you'll reach breathtaking vantage points.

For example, if you go skiing below the summit of the Saulire, you'll see the Aiguille du Fruit, the Grande Casse (in the Vanoise), the Polset glacier, the Caron summit, the Meije (in the Écrins), and many more. You'll have plenty to see! You'll be immersed in the high mountains, and you won't want to come back down because you'll be so enchanted by your surroundings.

And the craziest thing is that you can enjoy it even if you're a beginner skier. There are numerous blue runs from the top of the ski area (the Pic Bleu run at the Col de la Loze, or the Biche run at La Saulire, for example).

There are also gondolas that allow you to make the round trip without skis, just to admire the view (Saulire Express gondolas 1 and 2). Ideal for a family getaway.

You'll also have the pleasure of skiing in the middle of fir forests (pistes des Animaux, piste du Lapin, etc.), valleys and mountain pastures. What more could you ask for?

One of the special things about Méribel is that there is rarely a shortage of snow. Most of the slopes in the ski area are above 1800 metres, so you can be sure of good snow cover even at the end of April (handy for those who want to take their skiing holidays in the spring). What's more, you'll have more peace and quiet on the slopes at this time of year.

And don't forget that living in Méribel gives you the immense advantage of being able to ski on around 600 kilometres of pistes, as you'll be in the heart of the 3 Valleys. You'll be able to discover new skiing sensations and varied landscapes as you switch to Courchevel, Les Ménuires, Val-Thorens or St-Martin-de-Belleville.

Who says that when you're skiing you spend all your time freezing and can't see more than two metres in front of you? Well, OK, it can happen, this isn't Tahiti either. But you'd be surprised how many sunny days there are in an entire ski season. The weather forecasts are often reliable, and if you decide to come for the day, you can always check the webcams posted around Méribel before you leave.

Many of the runs are sunny, which means that even on chilly days you can easily warm up your face after a hard sprint and get a tan that will make your colleagues jealous (unless you've forgotten the sun cream and gone back to work in crayfish mode, but there's nothing we can do about that).

Or almost: because as there's something for everyone, it's important for ski fans to be able to enjoy runs with slightly more complicated profiles, such as moguls, for example. Yes, there are some who like that. But don't panic, these runs are reserved for very good skiers and are classified as black.

Otherwise, the groomers do an exceptional job every day to give you very well groomed runs, which is reassuring, especially for beginners. This means you can progress more quickly and try out different coloured runs.

Given the sheer size of the 3 vallées ski area, you might think that the slopes are only for the most experienced skiers. Rest assured, you don't need to be a skiing pro to come to us. That's why our resort is particularly family-friendly.

Whether you're a beginner, a very good skier or just a thrill-seeker, you'll find the slopes to suit you. You'll find plenty of blue runs starting from our peaks, so you can enjoy our many vantage points even if you're not experienced. Because with us, everyone can enjoy everything! Our slopes are often wide enough to avoid collisions if there are a few people around, and you'll be able to ski in very quiet areas.

We've also prepared a series of easy runs and expert itineraries. And in our ski resort, you can do whatever you like: downhill skiing, snowboarding, ski touring, Nordic skiing, etc.

The big plus: we've come up with loads of fun runs you won't believe. Whether it's for the little ones (Animal slope, Inuit slope at the Méribel Altiport, Yéti Park, etc.) or the older ones (boardercross, half-pipe, series of modules, etc.), the activities are incredible. We've also tested the slopes for you, and we've even seen young people in their twenties having the time of their lives on slopes reserved for younger children!

Even if we offer you the very best in skiing, that doesn't stop us from being aware of the environmental problems facing our planet. That's why Les 3 Vallées is taking a number of steps to minimise the impact of its winter sports facilities on the environment, including the installation of a two-way solar power plant (turn your head when you arrive at the Saulire Express intermediate station!), and replacing the mixing valves on the snow cannons to optimise production and reduce energy consumption.

All of which is to say that we're lucky enough to be able to offer you a magical, authentic place, and we have every intention of keeping it that way.

For all these reasons, we really invite you to come and have a look around. Whether you come with your family or friends, for a weekend or a longer stay, we're sure you'll find it hard to leave us afterwards. We offer a range of package deals, and if you're really keen, you can ski the whole of the 3 Vallées ski area (3 vallées ski pass).

Before leaving, we'd like to remind you that our resort has been awarded the Famille Plus label, which means we do our utmost to offer a high-quality welcome to families who come to us, whether it's for activities, entertainment, services, etc.

In our opinion, all you have to do now is pack your bags. See you soon on the ski slopes of Méribel-les-Allues!