Méribel sits in the middle of Les 3 Vallées, with Courchevel on one side and Les Menuires and Val Thorens on the other. That central position is its big selling point: you can ski in either direction across the 600 km linked area without long transfers at the end of the day, and you’re never too far from home when the weather turns.
The Méribel valley itself has 43 lifts and about 150 km of pistes, with 85% of the ski area above 1,800 m. Unlike many big French resorts, its villages are built in a traditional chalet style, in wood and stone.
Méribel ski area: the heart of Les 3 Vallées
The resort is spread along the Allues valley. Méribel centre, at about 1,450 m, is the main village. Méribel-Mottaret, at about 1,750 m, sits higher up the valley, closer to the links towards Val Thorens and Les Menuires. Méribel Village is the smallest base, and Les Allues, below them all, is the original village. Free Méribus shuttles link them.
Lifts climb both sides of the valley. Over the top, you can ski to Courchevel via La Saulire or the Col de la Loze, and to Les Menuires and Val Thorens to the west. The valley also has the Méribel-Mottaret Snowpark, and the Châtelet chairlift is back in service this winter, with direct access from the bottom of the park.
Skiing in Méribel for beginners
About half of Méribel’s runs are green or blue. The Altiport has wide, gentle slopes, the Yéti Park is a broad green run with Himalaya-themed games, and the Piste des Animaux winds through the forest. The Mini Pass covers the green and blue runs and the beginner areas, so first-timers don’t need to pay for the full 3 Vallées pass.
Skiing in Méribel for intermediates
Méribel is an intermediate’s dream. You can spend a day cruising the valley, then head over to Courchevel, Les Menuires or Val Thorens the next. The tree-lined runs above Méribel centre and the Altiport are a good plan on flat-light days.
Skiing in Méribel for experts
Strong skiers have the long Mont Vallon descent, one of the longest runs in Les 3 Vallées, and Olympic history on Roc de Fer and La Face, both linked to the 1992 Winter Olympics. Off-piste routes from Mont Vallon and the Glacier de Gébroulaz are serious terrain, so go with a guide.
Mont Vallon and the Olympic runs: Méribel’s signature skiing
The Mont Vallon side, above Mottaret, is the high, wild end of the valley, with long descents and big off-piste when the snow is good. On the other side of the valley, La Face and Roc de Fer carry the legacy of the 1992 Olympic champions, and they’re a proper test for strong skiers. There’s also an off-piste route from the top of the Olympic lift through the firs down to Les Allues.
Snow in Méribel and the 2026/27 season
For 2026/27, Méribel’s lifts and the links to the rest of Les 3 Vallées are scheduled to run from 5 December 2026 to 18 April 2027, subject to snow.
With 85% of the area above 1,800 m, snow cover is usually reliable. This winter, the Niverolle run has been reprofiled and fitted with snowmaking, and the snowmaking on the Truite, the run linking Mottaret and Méribel centre, has been renovated. The weak spot is the bottom of the valley: in a warm spell or late in the season, the home runs to Méribel centre and Les Allues are the first to suffer. Mottaret, 300 m higher, is the safer bet at either end of the season.
Is Méribel good for a last-minute ski trip?
Yes, especially if you want flexibility. From Méribel you can chase the best snow across Les 3 Vallées, from the high slopes of Val Thorens to the wooded runs of Courchevel. It’s 18 km up from Moûtiers, which has trains from Paris and coaches from Geneva, Lyon and Chambéry airports, so it’s easy to reach at short notice.
The catch is price. Méribel is expensive in peak weeks, and the season is shorter than in Val Thorens. For a late-April trip, stay in Mottaret. Then find a place to stay in Méribel.
Méribel lift passes
You can buy a Méribel valley pass or a 3 Vallées pass. A few things worth knowing:
- Children under 5 and adults over 75 ski free on Méribel passes, with proof of age.
- The Mini Pass covers green and blue runs and the beginner areas.
- Family Flex, for groups of 3 or more with one or two adults and one to six children aged 5 to 18, gives everyone the child price.
- The 6-day 3 Vallées pass is priced as 5 days.
- Saturday 3 Vallées: 20% off on Saturdays if you reload your pass before 11.59 pm on Friday.
Après-ski and things to do in Méribel
Méribel has a lively après scene. La Folie Douce Méribel-Courchevel opens in December for music and dancing on the slopes, and Jacks, at the foot of the slopes in Méribel centre, is a popular après spot. Mottaret is quieter in the evenings.
Off the slopes:
- The Olympic Park has a swimming pool, an ice rink, a bowling alley, a climbing wall and spas, with family rates.
- Sledging at the Altiport, on the Luge du Doron, and on the Black Forest run: 3.4 km with 470 m of descent and 28 bends.
- Cross-country skiing and walks in the Tuéda nature reserve, above Mottaret.
- Mini-adventures run by Méribel Tourisme, from treasure hunts to igloo building.
Who Méribel suits, and who it doesn’t
- Great for: intermediates who want to explore the whole of Les 3 Vallées, families, beginners, and anyone who wants a chalet-style resort with plenty going on.
- Think twice if: you’re on a tight budget, especially in peak weeks, or you want guaranteed snow to the door in late April in Méribel centre.
Skiing with children? Read our guide to Méribel with kids.
How to get to Méribel
Driving to Méribel
Take the A43 motorway to Albertville, then the N90, a free two-lane dual carriageway, to Moûtiers. From Moûtiers, the D90 climbs 18 km to Méribel. It’s a winding mountain road, so allow extra time on busy Saturdays, and check Savoie Route or Bison Futé before you set off.
From 1 November to 31 March, you must have winter tyres, or at least carry chains or snow socks. Book parking in advance through the Méribel Parking website. Several covered car parks have electric car chargers.
By train and bus
The nearest station is Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-les-Bains. From there, take an Altibus coach, a taxi or a private transfer up to the resort. From Brides-les-Bains, near the station, the Olympe gondola climbs to Méribel centre.
Nearest airports
Geneva, Lyon Saint-Exupéry, Grenoble and Chambéry are the four nearest airports. Altibus runs coaches from Geneva, Lyon and Chambéry.
