What is it really like to go skiing in Meribel with the Covid Travel Requirements?
We went skiing last weekend to find out!
Flying, transfers and arriving in resort.
We travelled through Geneva, had to show a Covid Vaccine pass and complete a simple Swiss, Passenger Locator form. It is as an emailed PDF document with a QR code. It can be stored on your phone or printed, whichever you choose. These were all checked Gatwick (in our case).
The boarder at Geneva into France is soft and people are rarely stopped. As long as you are fully vaccinated or have a recovery pass then you don’t have to test to come into Geneva (as of 22 Jan). You will need a test within 24 hours to enter France. (Chambery, Lyon, Grenoble and Eurotunnel) and a sworn declaration here
Once at the chalet, Alpine Action will deliver lift passes to your chalet, there is no need for you to go to the lift pass office with your Covid passes, hassle free!
On the slopes in Meribel – 3 Vallys
There are no facilities at the lifts for checking Covid passes but there are random spot checks. You could be asked to show your Covid QR code (the NHS QR code is fully accepted on their handheld verification app which is used).
You will be asked to lift your snood or mask from your face while gaining entry to a lift or gondola.
Bars and restaurants all use the same app to verify your Covid QR code and most will ask for this as you enter through the door.
Returning to the UK from Meribel
To return to the UK you will need to have booked a day 2 test (prices from £14.50 see here). You will get a reference number needed for the UK passenger locator form. This can only be filled in 48 hours before you come home. Tests are not required to enter the UK after 11 Feb.
Overall, the process was not very difficult, the atmosphere in the resort was buzzy, the conditions were excellent with blue skies and sun.
We don’t need to remind you this is some of the best skiing in the World! So what are you waiting for?
To book call us 01273 977677
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT TRAVEL ON OUR WEBSITE
If you find your time away from the slopes too long, then you might want to know where you can watch skiing and snowboarding on the TV.
What’s the longest you can go without thinking about skiing? If you are like us, it might not be very long.
So in the long months between spring and winter, we have to get our fix online and on TV.
Here are some of the best places to find and watch skiing and snowboarding on TV and online.
Skiing and Snowboarding on Netflix
If you have a Netflix subscription, you probably won’t find your ski fix here but can get a small dose of alpine life watching the documentary Mountains. There are some feel-good ski based movies to watch such as Chalet Girl and Eddie the Eagle.
There is also The Chalet a revenge thriller where a group of friends head to a chalet in the French Alps for a wedding, or there is The Frozen Dead a police crime investigation mystery based in the Pyrenees.
Skiing and Snowboarding on Amazon Prime
Prime subscribers have a wider selection of more traditional ski and snowboard movies that feature actual skiing and snowboarding. For the race fan, there is the documentary Streif about putting on the classic Hahnenkamm race in Kitzbuhel.
Other ski films include White Wedding, Antagonist, Gunni Season and Japow.
For snowboarders, there is a little less to watch on Amazon Prime with just Yugen and Travis Rices’ Roadless of note. However, there is MXP: Most Xtreme Primate a film about a snowboarding chimpanzee and few episodes of Paw Patrol that feature the pups boarding.
Skiing and Snowboarding on Redbull TV
For anyone looking for a serious does of incredible skiing and snowboarding movies and TV shows look no further than the free online and digital channel from the energy drink company.
This is the media house that brought the world the game-changing Art of Flight, also on the channel are all of Rices’ other movies including The Fourth Phase.
There are load of ski films on there too, as well as live streams and replays of events like the Kings and Queens of Corbets. Dig deeper and find athlete session and behind the scene clips. There is also a documentary about an alpine search and rescue team called The Horn.
Obviously, there are endless ski, and snowboard viewing opportunities to be found on YouTube but to save you searching too much here are three recommendations.
Quicksilver: The clothing brand has a great channel with some seriously good snow flick in amongst the surfing.
During the winter the Freeride world tour is streamed live on various platforms including Facebook. And they also leave them there so you can watch full competition whenever you fancy.
Don’t forget Eurosport. During the season it shows wall to wall winter sports events live. Many homes will get the channels free with Sky or Virgin media.
It is also available on smart TV and online for £39.99 a year.
When you are ready for some real skiing, give us a call or check out all our chalet holidays in Meribel and La Tania.
This is an Alpine Action ski holiday.2016/17 prices out now…!www.alpineaction.co.uk/prices-winter-16-17.htmMéribel – La Tania – Three Valleys – The world's biggest ski area#LoveMeribel #LoveLaTania
Posted by Alpine Action on Thursday, 21 January 2016
The 3 Valleys will make your holiday look good on Instagram and there is nowhere more Instagramable than the mountains!
From La Tania’s picture-perfect chalets hidden in the trees, traditional Savoie food to the trendy apres ski scene of Meribel. There are enough selfie spots to make your followers drool.
If you like your feed to look a bit more extreme than cozy chalet photos and chairlift poses then there is pleanty of slopes, off-piste terrain and extreme experiences to capture.
That is the intro… now for some more Instagram inspiration.
Location is the key to a beautiful Insta feed and the towns in the 3 Valleys proved that perfect backdrop.
La Tania is an alpine dream. The sunny village is below the tree line and many of the traditional chalets are located in the spruce forest with branches heavy with snow to make the perfect winter wonderland.
Meribel has strict planning regulations, with guidance on height, materials and style. Which may sound dull but the result is a very aesthetic and traditional alpine town.
Then there is the town of Courchevel 1850, home to the mega-rich and some of the most stylish hotels in the Alps. You may not be able to afford to stay there but you can always pretend.
Here are some selfie facts: Snow makes you look cool (literally). Snowsports make you look cool. Goggles, hats, and sunnies make you look cool. Ski and snowboard clothing make you look cool. Being on a mountain/chairlift/skis makes you look cool. Being in a ski chalet/mountain restaurant/ski resort makes you look cool. In short a ski trip is cool.
The 3 Valleys is so Instagram perfect it even provides selfie spots!
Instagram your 3 Valleys Chalet
All our chalets are Instagram compatible. Some are postcard perfect with rooms that ooze alpine style. While others have incredible views to post your morning wake up.
And don’t forget the mountain hot tub update!
Food is also important to us as which is why we put feed ready food put in front of you during your stay. Also, don’t forget to capture the fondue for your friends when you eat out!
If you’re in the mountains in the winter you will be on the slopes. So get snappy and show that you’re out there doing one of the best sports in the most stunning location.
For intermediate and advanced skiers, the beauty of Méribel is that it’s a perfect springboard resort for the Three Valleys Ski area as a whole, the largest ski area on earth in fact, with over 600km of accessible pistes.
But that’s not to say those new to skiing are overlooked or left too far behind. With a wide choice of English speaking ski schools, two separate nursery areas, 8 green runs and 25 blues to tantalise. There is plenty of places to practice those turns and work on technique.
“The master has failed more times than the beginner has ever tried”
It’s also worth saying that the friendly, welcoming and easy-going nature of the resort in general, lends itself well to those strapping on their ski boots for the first time. Because everyone’s gotta start somewhere…
The two designated beginner zones are found in the centre of Meribel Mottaret (Zen Zones) and at the Altiport area in Meribel itself. In Mottaret, the beginner-only area has its own magic carpet and drag lift, and the Combes chairlift serves the great fun green run known as Little Himalaya.
In Meribel there’s a magic carpet lift at Rond-Point and the quiet and safe slopes of the Easy Rider beginner area are great for children and adults alike to practice.
Think Snow Parks are out of bounds for beginners? Think again! Both Méribel’s Elements Park and Mottarett’s DC Area 43 have specifically designated learner zones, and they’re not just for kids!
Sourcing a Great Ski School
It goes without saying that ski schools get particularly busy during peak times and school holidays so it’s worth doing some research before you arrive and get yourself or your kids signed up. Check out our guide to some great Méribel Ski School here, all of which are English speaking and run by highly experienced skiers that know Meribel and The Three Valleys inside out.
Consolidating those skills.
After the nursery slopes comes the gentle greens, of which there are several to choose from. We love the wide, tree-lined Blanchot piste, accessed by the Rhodos Bubble Lift from the Altiport; it’s great for newbie skiers and snowboarders alike. You can return to the top via the draglift or, if you’ve had enough of falling off those for the time being, there’s a chairlift too! And remember, regular pit stops and time-outs on sunny terraces are highly recommended!
Our top tips for beginners:
Catered Chalets over Self Catering
For those coming skiing for the first time, booking a fully catered chalet is by far and away the better choice. Ski resorts can be overwhelming. Having the helpful advice of chalet staff on tap is a huge benefit. Check out our Meribel and La Tania catered chalets here.
Physical Fitness
If you can, spend some time prior to your holiday doing some preparatory exercise. We’re not talking hours in the gym here, but taking the stairs over the lift, walking the dogs a bit further and faster, and practising the classic ‘flat back against the wall with bent knees’ pose, will all help build the stamina and endurance that six days straight on skis will call for.
Practice on an Indoor Ski Slope
For those of us that like to have a teeny bit of experience before our first lesson in resort, there are 100’s of indoor slopes dotted around the UK, some big and some very small. You can find a full list of slopes on the Ski Club of Great Britain web site.
Be prepared for the cold
We’d recommend for first-timers, that wherever you can, it’s best to borrow kit rather than shell out a lot of money on clothing, helmets and goggles you may not use again (Ok, you will probably use it again, because one ski trip is rarely ever enough, but, you know, just in case). However, you need to make sure you are fully prepared for the extreme temperatures. Because nobody wants to cut short their slope time due to frozen fingers. Check out our in depth guide here.
Watch some videos
From full-length films and YouTube Ski Technique guides and tips, there’s a wealth of ski and snowboard related content out there. You could even subscribe to our channel and get a proper feel for an Alpine Action catered chalet experience. All of this will get you super keen and excited to get started on your own skiing or snowboarding journey.
(Just don’t overdo the ‘Best Ski Fails of All Time’ vids…)
Check out our current pricing and availability for your Merbel or La Tania catered Chalet holiday here.
Looking forward to seeing you shredding it very soon…x
Our guide to what’s on in Meribel & the Three Valleys this season.
7th December: The Three Valleys ski area opens for the winter.
The day also includes a laser and light performance to mark the opening from 5 pm.
25th December: Christmas celebrations kick off on the night before Christmas with fireworks, a torchlight descent and an appearance by Father Christmas.
31st December: Straight from the slopes there are parties at the main lift areas in Meribel and Motteret from 4.30 pm. Then wrap up warm for the open-air late-night party down at the Chaudanne area until 1.30 am. Or find a bar you like and party there.
28th & 29th January: Men’s Europe Cup, Giant Slalom. GS races held over two days on the 2023 World Cup slope. Winners of the event will be eligible for the WC circuit.
30th January: Winter Film Festival. An evening of short films from legends like Jeremy Prévost. The showings take place at the Auditorium by the Tourist office.
1st February: Yooni Moon Trail Run. All the best ski resorts now have a night time trail running race and Meribel is no exception. Get your head torch charged and choose between the 8km and the 15km trail. Register here https://www.meribel-sport-montagne.com.
7th March: Have you ever wanted to have a go at competitive skiing? If you have why not try the Roc de Fer. Live the life of an alpine racer by entering this competition and turning your hand at Super G, GS and Slalom. Enter here… https://salomon.win-in-sports.com/rocdefer2020/
9th – 13th March: Piste Bash Festival. A 5-day festival packed full of music, comedy and freestyle action. Acts are still being confirmed, but if we go based on past performers, it will be a great week.
14th March: The streets of Meribel get turned into a snowpark for the Jib Sessions.
27th March: The mogul’s competition is always impressive during the Olympics, but if you are in the resort this week you can watch the French Championship live in Motteret.
5th April: The Enduro des 3 Vallees is not what it sounds this is an inclusive event aimed at giving everyone to take part in multiple activities, From Biathaoln to boardercross, there are events for everyone.
Discover what is new in the 3 Valleys this winter – Season 2019/20
Every year the resorts across the Three Valleys bring new upgrades to their ski areas, resorts and event offerings.
The 2019/20 winter season is no different with new runs, lifts and entertainment.
New runs in the Three Valleys
Meribel is opening two new red runs open in the Roc de Fer area at the top of the Olympic chairlift.
Up until now, this area has been served by blue slopes and the notorious black fun Face. The new runs will be called Gypaete and Daguet which can also be accessed from the Cherferie lift.
As more and more of us want freeride to be easier to access and safer Courchevel and Meribel are introducing such zones.
Meribel is upgrading its “Back to the Wild” freeride zone that can be found on the north-facing Mont de la Challe sector. Skiiers can access area that is area via the Roc de Tougne chair.
Courchevel is revamping the Creux Noirs area that was closed for the 2018/19 season.
It will reopen as an ungroomed controlled freeride area under the name The Freeride Lab and will be accessed by a new 350m drag lift that replaces the very dated chairlift.
Starting at the 2700m peak will be two red runs and one black run, but it also means better access to some of the areas best off-piste. This is a welcome return.
New Ski lifts in the Three Valleys.
In addition to the new Creux Noirs new drag lift Courchevel are making it easier for skiers to commute from Le Praz.
A new €27 million lift will depart from Le Praz and arrive directly into La Croisette complex in Courchevel centre. This will make it easier for skiers to get to the Plantrey chairlift, the slopes and the resort
The base of the lift will also feature a multi-use centre that includes parking and a children’s activity zone.
St Martin de Belleville is upgrading Saint Martin 1 gondola that is the main lift out of the village.
It will replace all the old cabins and increase lift speed further, and capacity will rise from 1,800 to 2,400 people per hour.
More snowmaking in Meribel
To serve the growing army of snowmaking machines that keep the ski slopes white more water is needed.
Meribel has expanded two reservoirs to help increase snowmaking on the Bouvreuil Rouge, Mûres Rouge, sections of Combe du Vallon, Choucas.
New for Families in the Three Valleys
The Yeti park in Meribel-Mottaret has introduced a no skis area so children can run around, play blow Himilyan horns, have a snack and chill out.
And in the Family Cool area near the Meribel Altiport, there will be a load of free entertainment during the school holidays.
Activities will include eagle shows, ice carving, biathlon taster sessions and other surprises.
More picnic areas in the Three Valleys
After the success of the log cabin picnic spot, Cabane des Trappeurs, Meribel are introducing the Refuge at the bottom of the Lagopède piste.
Its worth remembering that the Cabane des Trappeurs doesn’t just provide seating there is also glove-warmers and smartphone chargers.
New Bars in the Three Valleys
Val Thorens is opening a new Igloo village that will be home to an ice bar for drinks and a restaurant serving mountain classics like fondue.
Meribel welcomed the return of the popular Jacks bar. It’s absence last winter was noticed by all.
This winter it will open in a new home across the road from the Chaudanne in the building that previously housed the Meribar.
If you are thinking about skiing in the Three Valleys this winter take a look at our accommodation in La Tania and Meribel.
Find out why so many pick the Three Valleys to work a season in. They say it is one of the best things you’ll ever do in your life. No probably about it!
If you are looking for the best winter season experience and a job to match then look no further that Meribel or La Tania in the 3 Valleys with us.
Here are our top 6 reasons why seasons in the 3 valleys are so good.
“Méribel is part of the largest ski domain in the world, with more than 370 miles of managed pistes. We skied non-stop for four days and barely scratched the surface of what was available.”Jon Sopel
When you’re in Méribel, you’re slap bang in the middle of the biggest linked ski area in the world, and with a Three Valleys Ski Pass, no two days will ever be the same, even over the space of a full season.
With over 600Km of accessible pistes including 328 downhill skiing pistes, 166 ski lifts and more than 2300 snow cannons, there’s no doing the same run every day here! Think adventure, think mountain exploration, think getting off the beaten track, think world-class lift systems that mean less waiting and more skiing.
By the end of the season, you’ll definitely have scratched that surface. In fact, you’ll be seeing how quickly you can ski into every village in the Three Valleys, still manage some quality pit stops in each and be back in time for work.
2.Quality as well as Quantity
So we get it, The Three Valleys is a big place. But thanks to its natural domain, the fact that 85% of the ski area is above 1800m and the impressive number of snow canons throughout the valleys, snow is guaranteed all season.
And over 70 grooming machines ensure that conditions are kept tip-top. Early morning corduroy anybody?
2.Powder Days
“One can never be bored by powder skiing because it is a special gift of the relationship between earth and sky. It only comes in sufficient amounts in particular places, at certain times on this earth; it lasts only a limited amount of time before sun or wind changes it. People devote their lives to it for the pleasure of being so purely played by gravity and snow.”– Dolores LaChapelle, Earth Wisdom, 1978
Ah, the elusive perfect powder day. If your skiing has been limited to a week here or there, truly epic powder days have probably been few and far between.
In Meribel, there is a world of fun to be had beyond the marked and bashed runs. Regular dumps of snow and extensive off-piste means your season will see you chalk up some of the most exhilarating powder days of your life.
And let’s face it, if you’re working in Meribel for five months, you’re gonna be privy to a fair few of them.
3. The SnowParks
Work on those Profile Pictures…
Over the course of a season in Meribel and the Three Valleys, you’re going to get lots of opportunities to practice those bonks and pops in the parks.
Give your Park confidence a literal boost by trying out the awesome Jump’Air at Val Thorens. The giant air cushion is the perfect solution if you want to learn or improve your freestyle skiing or snowboard technique.
The early weeks will probably see you at Elements, with its multiple kickers, rails and rollers, eagerly watching replays of your first successes, and before you know it you’ll be ripping it up at the DC Area 43 Park with the big boys and girls. And that perfectly timed photo of you nailing that corkscrew 720 will be a profile pic for months!
4. Awesome Apres and Festival Fever
It’s nothing new to say Méribel has an amazing Apres scene. And sure, if you want to party every night, Meribel and its host of bars and clubs can provide.
The institutions that are Follie Douce and The Rond Pont (AKA the Ronnie) never fail to disappoint and with five months in the resort you’re going to have some ‘memorable’ experiences!
But the Apres scene in Meribel is nicely balanced, with bars like Barometer offering a more chilled night out. Because even the most seasoned party animal will want a quieter night every now and then, especially pre-transfer day!
The Three Valleys also hosts a number of festivals and live music events featuring international artists throughout the season. And by ensuring you’re here all season, the stress of trying to book your holiday to coincide with at least one of them is no more! FOMO be gone!
5. Apparently, in the Three Valleys, people do things other than throwing themselves down a hill with planks of wood strapped to their feet…
That’s right, your downtime after work doesn’t have to be limited to epic powder days, park time and shredding the slopes (I mean, that might get boring right? …right?)
There are actually all sorts of other activities to try including Husky sledging, helicopter rides, ice skating and snowmobiling. As well as the opportunity to go all ‘Top Gear’ and have a go at Ice Driving. That’s definitely one to remember!
5. Friends in High Places
When we asked our staff what they love about working a season, they all said, erm, being able to ski five days a week, for five long snowy months, on some of the best slopes in the world?
But on an equal footing, was the fact they’d all made friends for life. There’s a camaraderie between season workers that quickly creates a special bond.
Everyone working there shares the love for all things winter…the powder days, the clear crisp mornings, the stunning scenery, the awesome Apres scene. While no-one ever said working a season was an easy job, the friendships made on the slopes see you through any tough times!
Check out our recruitment page here, and we’ll look forward to seeing you on the slopes for an epic season…
All aboard…The Alpine Action guide to getting around Méribel by bus.
Transport and transfers are part and parcel of planning your ski trip and getting you to the resort, but what about when you’re all settled in at the chalet, or exhausted at the end of a hard day on the slopes, and are wondering how to get around by bus in Méribel?
Enter those bright blue ‘Navettes,’ pulling up at a bus stop near you every 15-20 minutes.
The villages and resorts that make up the Meribel valley are thankfully very well connected by the fantastic Meribus service.
The completely free to use, the hop-on / hop-off service runs seven days a week from early morning until Midnight and makes getting around the resort super easy.
You can take your skis and poles on board with you but make sure you keep a hold of them.
Timetables are available at each stop or you can pick up a copy in resort.
Handily all Meribuses come with free onboard WiFi so you can always check the website for routes too (in between uploading your latest ski selfies to social media) .
There are four lines: Line A links Les Allues and Méribel Village with Meribel centre and La Chaudanne main ski lift area, Line B links Le Belvedere with Rond Point, while Line C runs from La Chaudanne right through Meribel up to the Altiport, stopping at Meribel Centre, Les Barons, Toubkai and Rond Point along the way. Line D serves as a link between Meribel, Mottaret Centre, the Teleporte and Le Hameau.
For our chalets
Most of our catered chalets in Meribel are located along on one of the bus routes. If they aren’t then we provide a minibus service at key points in the day.
If you are staying in Meribel Village for your holiday in Chalet Rosalie busses on line A will take you to Meribel.
Don’t panic if you accidentally get on the wrong line though, as all buses call at La Chaudanne and Méribel centre near the Tourist Office, which makes connecting from one line to another a doddle.
La Tania Bus Service
While there isn’t currently a free service between La Tania and Méribel, if you’re staying in La Tania, the free ski bus service runs between there and all the Courchevel Valley villages from the main road behind the Montana Hotel opposite La Taiga restaurant. The first bus leaves La Tania at 08.30 to arrive in Courchevel 1850 for 09.00 and then at 10 past the hour all the way through until 01.10, meaning you can well and truly make the most of the nightlife in nearby Courchevel.
A guide to some of the best pistes in the Three Valleys – Run Recommendations
There are 321 pistes in the 3 Valleys, so choosing which runs to do can be a bit of a headache without a guide.
To help we have compiled a quick guide of pistes that have been recommended and are well worth trying out next time you are skiing in Meribel, Val Thorens or Courchevel.
All these runs have been recommended by regular skiers to the area and tested by us.
Guide to Blue Pistes in The Three Valleys
Loze
The Loze runs from the top of the chairlift of the same name. The lift starts and the run ends in the Altiport area of Meribel and starts where La Tania and Meribel meet.
The piste zigzags it way down the mountain and after several hairpins, you will find yourself in the trees before an exhilarating flatline to the bottom of the lift.
Keep your eyes peeled on the run for dragons, hammocks and activities. It definitely ranks among the more challenging blue runs in the area.
Folyeres
You maybe forgiven for giving this run a miss. On paper, it looks like an essential run to use if you are staying in La Tania and need to get back to your accommodation.
However, we would say that this a must to do run as it is so much fun. It is a fast run through the trees ending in the middle of La Tania. It is also a great run if it is a whiteout.
If your there at the right time grab some lunch and catch some rays outside the Ski Lodge.
You should also double this up by skiing down the equally fun and often untouched Lanches red run that feeds into the top of the Folyeres
Gelinotte & Choucas
The Gelinotte is wide and underused run that starts midway up the side of the Valley at the top of the Roc de Fer chair and comes directly back into the Chaudanne area of Meribel.
A great run for beginners who aren’t looking to stray too far from the centre of town. The downside to this piste is that the chair that serves the run is pretty slow, however, you do get a great view of the Stade de Slalom.
You can extend the run by catching a second lift, (Olympic) to the top of the mountain and enjoying the Choucas piste directly to the top of the Gelinotte.
Jerusalem
This legendary run has recently been reclassified as a blue run but it is still truly epic. It runs from the top of the Meribel/Saint-Martin link down into Saint-Martin-de-Belleville.
From the long wide corners to the fast straight sections and the incredibly fun rollers that appear throughout, this is one of the best runs in the area.
No trip to the area is complete without a hoon down this run.
Creux
This is on many people’s list of top runs in the 3 Valleys and for a very good reason. It is a thoroughly enjoyable run.
The start is quite challenging for a blue run and it is often quite crowded but there is plenty of space and it is easy to pick your line.
As you get towards the bottom of the first section the crowds seem to disappear and you can start to pick up more speed as you go under the Creux Noir char down into the valley that divides the Courchevel ski areas up.
There is a fun compression before you pass the Chanrossa lift station and once you have passed that you can put in big carving turns all the way down the Aguille du Fruit chair.
To listen to a podcast that features all this runs click on the box below or follow the link to iTunes.
This runs down the face of the Saulire mountain underneath the Courchevel gondola and it is an incredible run. It is one of the fastest and widest runs in the 3 Valleys.
Due to its location, it is heavily used, especially in the afternoon as it is the easiest way back to Courchevel. For that reason, we recommend putting it at the beginning of your ski day while it is still groomed.
As you speed down this run take some time to enjoy the magnificent couloirs to your left and the stunning view of the valley and Mt Blanc in the distance.
Mont Vallon
If you’re staying in Meribel you must head up Mt Vallon. Firstly the vistas of the Vanoise National Park are incredible.
But primarily the runs down, Combe du Vallon and Campagnol are fun and challenging. Due to the location, they also make you feel like your actually skiing down a mountain.
Guide to Black Pistes in The Three Valleys
Muir
A secret little black run that glides past the Courchevel Altiport down into the Valley.
We like this run as very few people use it and there are some interesting features as you drop down past the tree line.
It is a challenge, but isn’t too long and makes a great place for skiers who are looking to build up their confidence on a black run that is not very busy.
M
This is a monster of a black run and runs from the top of the Vizelle bubble to the bottom. There are multiple routes to take down but try and stick to M.
The run is fairly steep all the way down and will work you hard, especially if it hasn’t been maintained regularly.
The challenge is rewarded by a big wide exit at the base of the run right by the cable car so you are ready to do it again.
Rocher Grises
To get to this black run you take the Creux Noir chair. At the top there are some stunning views and a choice of runs down, the red called Creux Noir will take you down to Meribel or you can take the Rocher Grises that splits into a red and black.
If you like MPV size moguls then this is the run for you. If you are an intermediate you will look down and feel overwhelmed, a little scared and ultimately pretty pleased with yourself.
Advanced skiers will relish the challenge that this steep run offers. Due to the location of the run, the snow is generally in good condition which allows you to really dig your edges in when needed.
It is worth mentioning that this is one of the areas guaranteed powder areas… which means that it is left ungroomed after fresh snow.
Jockeys
Another piste that is dismissed as a just a home run. Jockeys starts at the top of the Foret chair and winds its way back down to the station of Le Praz, home to the Olympic ski jump.
The run is left ungroomed after a snowfall and maintained for the rest of the time. During periods of low snowfall, the run can be a bit icey.
However, when the run is in top condition it is fast and a lot of fun.
Our guide to what’s across the 3 Valleys in 2018/2019.
We’ve already put together a rundown of what’s new in Méribel for 2018/19 and with the season fast approaching, anticipation and general excitement is now reaching its annual fever pitch!
The Three Valleys is more than just the largest linked ski area in the world and as always, there are lots of events taking place throughout the season that you won’t want to miss if you can help it.
We’ve put together a few dates for your diary for the 2018 / 2019 season in Méribel and The Three Valleys.
Ski Area opening day. Snow cover permitting, the Three Valleys ski area is scheduled to open from 8th December, so expect a huge buzz with lots of smiling faces and eager lift-goers jostling for space on the newly opened slopes.
The Audi FIS Ski World Cup takes place over in Courchevel over a full weekend, 21st-22nd December. Many championstake part, all keen to become the next Mikaela Shiffrin (USA), who won last year’s competition ahead of Tessa Worley (France) and Manuela Moelgg (Italy).
Also in December, catch the inaugural, Meribel stage of the Ladies Night Tour. An International women’s Alpine tour, the dual slalom event takes place at night which really ups the atmospheric stakes and is the best place to catch up with the female French skiers at the top of their game.
See in 2019 in style with the New Year celebrations, Meribel style. Expect fireworks and champagne corks and some great parties at a whole host of clubs and bars such as the Folie Douce, The Rond Point, O’Sullivans and Jacks. Be sure to check their websites beforehand as some bars and clubs are ticketed on NYE.
In January, catch The French Slopestyle Cup, held in the DC Area 43 Terrain Park. See top athletes performing simply extraordinary jumps and tricks in this spectacular competition, guaranteed ‘ohs’ and ‘ahs’ as standard.
Kicking off on the 14th and then throughout February and March, join upwards of 8,000 spectators to witness some of the most amazing firework displays you’re ever likely to see, at the International Fireworks Festival in Courchevel.
March is all about Music and sees the return of The Ronnie Loves Music Festival. Back for its seventh consecutive year, the week-long family friendly festival features top name events and a Big Air contest, all in one of the Alps’ top Apres Ski venues.
As April arrives and we start to think about the season’s end, there’s still time for the Three Valleys Enduro event which sees teams of pros, amateurs and families compete in some great challenges and events such as the Giant Slalom and Skicross.
Also in April is the Annual Three Valleys Charity Day, held in Meribel Village. The event is a firm favourite and has been running for more than 15 years now. The lineup this year includes hip-hop DJ Jaguar and perennial partiers, the Dub Pistols.
Unless you’re lucky enough to be spending the whole season in Méribel, chances are you’ll only be able to catch one or two of the events we’ve highlighted here. Handily, we’ve also got a Meribel Bucket List guide, which is all perfectly doable, even if you have just the one week in Meribel and The Three Valleys.
