Tag Archives: Half Term

Make the most of your half-term ski trip to Meribel.

If you love skiing and want to share your passion with your children, then it is likely that you will be going on a February Half term ski trip. 

We want you to be able to enjoy your ski trip no matter what week it is. But we also know that many factors can make a half-term ski trip a bit more hectic. 

So whether you’re a teacher, married to a teacher or have school children, we have some handy advice on how to get the most out of a half-term ski trip. 

Choose a modern resort for half-term

Firstly you should book a resort with excellent lift infrastructure. Meribel and the Three Valleys is a good choice. The constantly evolving lift system is good at keeping people moving. Currently, the area can move 284,113 per hour uphill.

Go for a positive approach

Remember you are on holiday, and sure so is the rest of the UK but stay with the holiday attitude. It will be busy, but as long as you are prepared for that, you will have a good time. 

If you feel negative, you will have a bad time. But if you go with a positive attitude and a chilled-out approach, you will have a much better time. 

Start early at half-term

A practical tip is to start early, get to the lower lifts early and avoid the mid-morning rush. 9 am is much quieter than 10 am.

Ski at lunch

A classic tip to avoid queuing in a ski resort is to ski during the lunch window. And it works. Over half of all the skiers on the mountain will be enjoying lunch in a mountain restaurant between 12 and 2 pm.

You can also flip this idea by brunching instead of lunching or having a late lunch. 

Baguettes on the lift are the ultimate way to stay fuled and not miss a moment. There are also loads of indoor and outdoor picnic areas dotted across Meribel and The 3 Valleys. 

Stay high

Take the lift out of the resort and stay high. Head to the fringes of the ski area. It is incredible how many people don’t explore the whole area. Once you are up out of the resort, stay up high and avoid returning to the main lift. 

Try the Olympic chair in Meribel, Point de la Masse in Les Menuires, Chaplets in Courchevel 1650 and La Tania for some possible quiet skiing. 

resturant - meribel - half-term

Looping the same run is not a crime

If you find a lift with few people, it might be a good idea to ski it a few times, explore the natural features and push yourself to improve down a familiar face.

Have some fun games to play in lift lines

You will find that you rarely have to queue for very long, and all the hype about waiting hours doesn’t materialise. 

But if it does happen, have a few games up your sleeve to keep your children and kidults entertained. 

Games like the Alphabet Memory Game “I went on a ski holiday, and I packed…”, 2 Truths & a Lie, or stick Heads Up on your phone.  

Meribel at half-term

Interesting queuing fact: The average wait time at Alton Towers is 60 minutes.

Book ahead for the best places to eat at half-term

If you are a planner, know what you want to eat and where to book it as early as possible. You can always ask your resort rep for advice or help.

This also applies to resort activities and limited events.

Get a ski instructor.

Ski schools get priority access to all lifts in Meribel. You could always book an instructor if you want to avoid the lift queues. The downside is when your instructor leaves you, and you have to queue like everyone else. 

However, as it is half-term, you may find that instructors get booked up fast, so you may need to plan ahead and book early. 

Or…

… ignore all of this, do what you want, go when you like and just be chilled out about what happens. You are on holiday.


What’s On Guide – Meribel and La Tania

Hello, Salute, Bonjour and welcome to the Alpine Action blog. We have dabbled in the past, but this time we are serious. Serious about blogging, but not always serious blogs. What you can expect is a mixture of info about the Three Valleys, comment, ski news, useful articles, interviews with a good dose of humour. If you like the sound of that then add us to your RSS feed or follow the blog. Most important of all, join in by posting your comments.

Below you will find the first of our monthly ‘ What’s On Guide’ that will tell you all you need to know about the big events in the Three Valleys, as well as smaller events going on in Meribel and La Tania. Make sure you have a look at what is going on before you head out to the mountains to make sure don’t miss out!

February – What’s On Guide

It is worth mentioning for those that don’t have children and can’t remember that much about school that February is half term for most UK schools. This year it starts on the 16th for one week. There are also some schools having half term the week before but so few it’s really not worth worrying about. Also during these weeks many French schools will also be on holiday. You can expect busy resorts during the middle of the month. To avoid the crowds ski early and over lunch time,  also ask your chalet host where the quietest runs are.

7th Feb – MeribelMeribel Center

After  5pm during Après hour, just outside the Méribel  tourist office, the resort is throwing a street party.  There will be free mulled wine and a DJ playing the distorted euro pop out of tinny speakers! Not much to get excited about, I hear you say, but there is also a live band called Willie and the Bandits who are a UK Blues Band. They are not your usual Après band and are well worth checking out. We have seen them many times in the West Country, as they are regulars in many pubs during the summer season.

8th Feb – Meribel

It has been 25 years since the Mont-Vallon ski area opened to the skiing public. Many a guest has spent a joyous time on the Mont-Vallon slopes. Many a guest has also spent a lot of time on the old Plattieres gondola, although the time was not so joyous. Fortunately the Plattieres has been replaced, saving skiers lots of time. To celebrate both the 25th anniversary and the demise of one of the most torturous lift journeys in the Three Valleys, the resort of Meribel will be holding a celebration in Méribel-Mottaret from 7- 8pm. Highlights include free hot chocolate, (with or without popular local nun juice, Chartreuse) and a torchlight descent.

Feb 12th – La Tania

This winter the world’s most culturally diverse festival, Mardi Gras, has teamed up with ultra conservative batter flipping day, Shrove Tuesday, to provide the earth’s population with what may become known as Triple –entendre day. Not one to miss an opportunity to throw a party, The Ski Lodge is holding a fancy dress “Carnival Party”. So dust of your non-stick outfit/frying pan and get ready to toss a few pancakes. Free toffee vodka, one would assume!

14th Feb – Three Valley

St Valentines Day. So you have taken her on a ski holiday, that should cover it. Probably not. Giving her a heart shaped cookie the chalet host knocked up for afternoon tea  probably won’t cover it either.  A vat of melted cheese with bread on a stick, in a traditional mountain restaurant?  You are now on to a winner. Ask your chalet host to recommend the best venue. Treat this as a reminder and a warning!

Feb 21st – Courchevel Courchevel Fireworks

It has been 4 months since you stared at the sky and shouted “Oooooo, Ahhhhh, Weeeee”. If you find yourself in Courchevel from the 21st February, then get ready to say it all again. Only this time you will mean it, as Courchevel hosts the International Firework Festival.  Guaranteed to be better than Granddad’s  back garden display where only  50% of the fireworks leave the plant pot! No sparklers allowed…ok, they are, but it’s strictly BYO!

Feb 23rd – Meribel

Finally your chance to appear on Ski Sunday has come. The Audi FIS Ski World Cup Womens downhill event rolls into town. Dust of your most flamboyant bobble hat, set the Sky + and go and find where Graham Bell does his piece to the camera.  Our tip is to head to the Chaudanne area as this is where the competition takes place. If anyone does get on Ski Sunday please send us the evidence so we can share it on our Facebook page, Chemmy Alcott need not apply!

Whatever you end up doing, whenever you are on your ski trip, please get in touch and tell us about your holiday.