Things to do in Meribel

There are many things to do in Meribel. Other than skiing, Meribel offers more than a handful of other activities for you to enjoy during your stay.

Go for a walk

Throughout Meribel and its surroundings you will find many walks, ranging from a short stroll to a veritable hike, snow conditions permitting of course!

Les Allues

From Meribel Village there is a lovely walk down the valley to Les Allues, where you can either take a wander around the village before heading back up or, if one way is enough, the free navette will bring you right back into Meribel Village or Meribel Centre.

The Trout

From Mottaret you can walk down the path next to the ‘Truite' run all the way to Meribel (if you are feeling energetic you can walk it the other way too of course!). The free navette will take you from Meribel to Mottaret to start.

Lac Tueda

Also from Mottaret you can walk through the car park at the far end of the bus route out towards a gorgeous mountain lake. You can walk along the side of the lake and further up the mountainside if you are feeling adventurous, or stop at the refuge where you can enjoy a vin chaud or hot chocolate with spectacular views.

Refuge de la Traie

For those of you who prefer a bit more of a climb, why not book a meal at the Refuge de la Traie? You can book a lunch or dinner in advance and walk up from Les Allues – it takes about 2hours – through the woods on a well kept path. For those of you who don't fancy the walk you can also take an exhilarating skidoo ride up to the refuge.

For the majority of the paths you can comfortably walk in hiking boots; however, it is sometimes advisable to take snow shoes in case you hit a patch of powder.

Retail therapy

Whether you are shopping for new ski wear, Parisien chic or top-class equipment, Meribel has it all. Take a wander down the high street from the Galerie des Cimes towards La Chaudanne and discover all Meribel has to offer. You will also find boutiques and delicious food shops - try the Les Glaciers bakery or the many Savoyard specialities - as well as a range of practical shops (optician, pharmacy, newsagents etc).

Explore with the free bus service

The free Meribus runs three separate routes around Meribel and its surroundings: Les Allues - Meribel Centre (via Meribel Village); Meribel Centre-Mottaret; Meribel Centre-Altiport.

Try out the creperies

Why not take your children into Meribel and try a galette (savory pancake) down by La Chaudanne? Or venture up to Mottaret where you can visit the Creperie Au Temps Perdu or La Vieille Creperie for a delicious crepe and a cup of steaming hot chocolate? For a more adult orientated experience pop into the Grand Marnier Creperie on the road up from the Chuadnane towards the Tourist Office where both hot chocolate and crepes are flavoured with, you guessed it, Grand Marnier!

Musée des Allues

For a touch of culture you can visit the Musée des Allues where you will learn about all the history and traditions of the Meribel Valley. The museum holds guided tours twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays between 2pm and 6.30pm) and there are regular events throughout the winter.

Pedestrian passes

Pedestrian lift passes are available from the lift pass office at a cost of only €56 for 6 days and allow you to travel using many of the chair lifts and bubble lifts throughout the Three Valleys. Good for meeting more energetic friends for lunch on the slopes or heading up for a drink at one of the spectacular view points around the valley.

Try snow-shoeing

A great outing alone or in a group, this tranquil activity puts you bang in the middle of some of the most beautiful trails that the Alps have to offer. The basis of walking with snow shoes means that you can walk over even the lightest of powder to have a look at nature which would normally not be accessible. Skiers and boarders can sometimes zoom by these secret spots but without snowshoes, you would never have the time to have a closer look and trust us, it's definitely worthwhile.

www.thingstodoinmeribel.com

Pamper yourself

Choose from a wide variety of options, from a massage or beauty treatments in your chalet to sauna and spa facilities around resort you'll never be short of ways to make you feel good.

www.massage-me.co.uk
www.pamperoffpiste.com
www.chaudanne.com/hiver/bien-etre.html

Go bowling

The bowling alley ‘Le Canadien' is part of the Olympic Centre at La Chaudanne. There are 6 lanes as well as pool tables, a games arcade and air hockey. There is also a bar which serves draught beers and cocktails whilst you watch the game on their big screen. Each Tuesday and Thursday is 'flourescent' night, when the lights are dimmed, the music is turned up and everything glows in the dark!

‘Le Canadien' is open from 2pm to 2am (from 11am on bad weather days) and costs approx €10 for a game and shoe hire.

Husky sledding

Be at one with nature and charge your own traditional Alpine sled and team of dogs, driving them through the twists and turns of the forest. This truly is a very exhilarating activity and not for the faint hearted. It's great fun for all the family with a slice of nature thrown in.

www.thingstodoinmeribel.com

Go ice-skating

The ice rink in Meribel is located in the Olympic Centre at La Chaudanne. Normal opening hours are 2pm – 2am but in bad weather there is an earlier opening time of 11am.

During the winter season there are ice hockey matches on almost every Tuesday evening which are well worth a visit. At only €3 a ticket it is a thoroughly entertaining and great value night out. Tickets cannot be reserved though usually there are plenty of spaces available.

On Monday nights the Ice Karting also takes place on the rink at 9pm. It is charged at €20 for 10 minutes.

See a film

The cinema is part of the Cimes shopping complex at the top of town, 100m up from the Tourist Office. Each week it shows film two or three times a week in English which are marked VOST on the cinema guide. These are available from the Tourist Office and are also posted around town. Films are usually screened at 9pm but on bad weather days the cinemas may open at 2pm.

Paragliding

From the top of Saulire or Col de Loze you can launch yourself (plus your skis or board) off the top of the mountain in this exhilarating and breathtaking activity.

www.thingstodoinmeribel.com

Sample some French wines

If the normal après-ski bars do not interest you, why not take a trip into Le Saint-Amour, a lovely little wine bar next to the cinema, about 100m up from the Tourist Office. Snack on some tapas while you try something new with the advice of the delightful owner from her huge selection of wines.

Take a day trip to Annecy

If you have your own car the day trip to Annecy couldn't be easier, a little over an hour's drive and you will find yourself in a lovely, traditional French town on the shores of a beautiful lake with a stunning backdrop of snowy mountains.

Snow-mobile

For those who don't even know what a snow-mobile is, it's a bit like riding a set of four skis with a motor, only a bit safer! Available for adults after the lifts have shut to give you full run of the slopes, but there is also a day version for children which runs on a special circuit. The bikes carry 1-2 people - you can switch half way through if you prefer so you both can enjoy the sensation of being in control (or out of it!).

www.thingstodoinmeribel.com

Go swimming

The swimming pool (complete with a slide for the little ones) is located in the Olympic Centre at La Chaudanne. Normal opening hours are 2pm – 2am but in bad weather there is an earlier opening time of 11am.

Take a sightseeing plane trip

For a whole new perspective of the astoundingly beautiful landscape, try taking one of these surprisingly good value plane rides. Planes carry up to 3 passengers and depart from the Altiport in Meribel.

www.thingstodoinmeribel.com

I love staying with Ski Basics - your hosts are always super friendly and attentive. Our needs have changed over the many years we’ve been coming to Meribel, as we now have lots of children of varying ages, but the hosts always work hard to accommodate us and it really is greatly appreciated. Thank you Antonia, Hannah and James for another great week!

Dennis Colenutt - January, 2022