Category Archives: Winter Olympics

Swimming in Meribel: An alternative Apres ski idea.

Alpine Actions Managing director Dionne was pleasantly surprised when she decided to go for a swim in the Meribel swimming pool after skiing instead of the usual Apres ski experiences. 

And she may be onto something. Her alternative apres was fun, budget-friendly and relaxing. 

Here is what Dionne had to say about her aquatic adventure…

Meribel Swimming pool

Swimming in Meribel, an alternative to après! I hear you gasp!

I have always loved swimming, which is something to do with living on the south coast of the UK, where Alpine Action is based. I regularly take a dip in the sea before or after my day in the office. Taking a sea swim all year round helps me stay connected to nature and prepares me for winter ski trips. 

So, imagine my delight when I finally decided to visit Meribel’s swimming centre on a recent resort trip.

The pool is located in the Parc Olympic, where you will also find the ice rink and other activities. 

Once poolside, I felt that instant calm and relaxation you get when you come into contact with water. The space is warm, and the water is welcoming. 

Meribel Swimming pool

The swimming pool is 25m with lane swimming and a flume for children aged 6+; there is also a paddling pool for little ones. There are also activities such as Aqua-gym (aqua aerobics) and aqua-bike (I didn’t try either). They also offer a variety of special events and activities throughout the season.

The other joy of this activity is the price. 7€ yes, that is right, just 7€, cheaper than a dessert or a pint. It could quite possibly be the cheapest thing to do in Meribel. Free for those under five years.

There is also a spa at the centre, offering a sauna, hammam and steam room. This was from 22€ pp.

If you like this idea, remember to pack your swimming kit. For men, note that there is a strict speedo or tighty trunk policy, and board or loose shorts will not be tolerated.  

Fortunately, a vending machine sells everything you need to enjoy a swim for you and your children, swim shorts, goggles, swimsuits, armbands, and swimming nappies – all at very reasonable prices! Cards taken for payment.

We found the pool to be empty, very clean, and a great alternative to après (if you could imagine such a thing).

Key information about the Meribel swimming pool.

Entrance is through Parc Olympique building right at the La Chaudanne

It is open from 2 pm until 7 pm

You can hire a towel for 4€

You’ll need a refundable 1€ for the locker.

There are free hairdryers.

English spoken.

Last entry: 45mins before closing time.


James “Woodsy” Woods top tips : How to perfect tricks in the park.

James “Woodsy” Woods top 6 tips to nailing a trick

During this winter our resort reporter Eloise was lucky enough to meet up with  Team GB Olympian James “Woodsy” Woods. Woodsy was in Méribel for a bit of skiing shortly after bagging Gold in the Big Air at the 2017 Winter X Games Aspen.

James Woods Meribel

Woodsy started out on Sheffield Dry Ski Slope as a teenager and has quickly taken himself to the top of his game. On the way, he has won FIS medals, finished 5th in slopestyle at the Winter Olympics in Sochi and has legions of fans across the world.

When Eliose caught up with Woodsy at the Méribel Planks Clothing store she didn’t waste the opportunity and got him to share his top tips on perfecting tricks in the park.

1. Look where you are going & let your eyes do the trick:

Wherever the eyes go the body follows, looking where you are going and spotting your landing is the most important thing when setting out to do a trick.

2. Finger guns:

Point your fingers out in front of you as if you are going to shoot something – this is where your hands should be.

3. Hold the box:

Imagine you are holding the corners of a box in front of you, this helps to keep your shoulders and body open.

4. Z legs:

Your legs need to be z-shaped, pushing your shins into the front of your boots.

5. Imagine you’re an apple:

When you throw an apple it doesn’t change its rotation mid-air. You should do the same, imagine you are an apple and continue your rotation.

6. If landing switch look back up the hill:

When landing backwards it is easy to be nervous and land at an angle, spot your landing then immediately look back up the hill to straighten out the landing so you are on both feet.


Quick Guide to Méribel Snow Parks

Meribel is home to one of the best Freestyle Snow Parks in Europe…DC Area 43.

DC Area 43 currently has something for everyone, with a mini-pipe, super-pipe, side hips, rails, boxes  and kickers (jumps) for intermediate – advanced park skier/boarders. The main drop into the park has a choice of 4 courses, on the left beginner/intermediate boxes, next blue and red kickers and sectioned off on the right a pro-line set up with multiple features. This truly is a park for all standards.

A GUIDE TO SNOW PARKS IN THE 3 VALLEYS

Then you get to the hut/picnic area, this year it supports WiFi, weekly entertainment with prizes, such as DC merchandise, a fusball table and a perfect view of the whole park.

If you want to perfect your tricks in the parks of Méribel the give us a call on 0127 3466 535 or check out our catered ski chalets.

 


The best ski and snowboard movies to stream

It’s a fact that we spend more time thinking about skiing or boarding than we actually spend on the snow doing it. Some of us are happy just dreaming of being on the mountain but occasionally we need a reminder of what we are missing. The other day we found ourselves sat on the sofa trawling the internet for ski movies to get us through the summer. We found some new, some old and some very boring movies to watch and after we had quenched our frozen water thirst we thought we would share what is out there with you so you could hydrate yourself.

Watching a snow movie reminds you how much fun you can have out it the mountains.

Below is a selection of ski and snowboard movies and TV shows that are available on the internet with subscription services like Netflix and Amazon, as well as free services such as Red Bull TV and YouTube.

Netflix

Steep

Steep was filmed in 2007 and looks at the history of extreme skiing, it starts by looking back at the 1979’s when a skier called Bill Briggs who was a pioneer of Big Mountain Riding skied down the Teton Mountain in Jackson Hole. The history of the sport is told with the help of ski legend such as Shane McConkey, Chris Davenport and Ingrid Backstrom. The motto of the film and the people featured in it is “ski where the sport of skiing is still an adventure” and this is what the film is about too.

Deeper – Further – Higher

This trilogy of snowboarding films starring Jeremy Jones isn’t all about tricks and montages, it truly is about the adventure of free-riding and searching for the ultimate line in some of the worlds most extreme places. Jones and his crew don’t just rely on heli drops they believe that mountaineering is part of the experience of big mountain riding. These films follow Jeremy and the team who film him as they go deeper into the back country. These aren’t films about goofy snowboard dudes these are documentary’s about pioneers and explores who respect their environment who just happen to have the best way of getting down a snowy mountain.

Jeremy Jones’ Deeper Trailer – A Snowboard Film from Teton Gravity Research on Vimeo.

Chalet Girl

I went to the Cinema to watch this when it came out and spent the time scoffing at the unrealistic depiction of chalet staff, later on I reflected on this thought and realised that being realistic would have made a pretty boring film. The movie is loosely based on the story of Olympic Bronze Medallist Jenny Jones and her life as a seaonnaire. While the actual ski and snowboarding content is limited, in an odd way, you might find this film inspires you to get back on the snow or even apply for a job as a chalet host.

Chalet Girl Trailer from Transmission Films on Vimeo.

Also on Netfilx is My Side of the sky a TV docudrama about Windells Academy a school for snowboarders.

Amazon

Going Downhill Fast

If you are a fan of science movies that you were shown in school in the 90’s and made in the 80’s then this is the ski movie for you and it is also Amazons only ski offering. The documentary talks about going fast on skis and has interviews with experts who talk about snow in terms of penetrating particles and freezing points. Watch this if you want to learn something, not if you want arty shots of powder runs and big air.
Going Downhill fast

Red Bull TV

Art Of Flight

If I owned a company that made too much money, I like to think that, like Red Bull, I would just keep ploughing the money into doing cool stuff to promote my company! Despite the fact that The Art Of Flight is a feature length advert, but then aren’t most ski films, this is one of the best and possibly the most beautiful winter sports film ever made. The film starring Travis Rice documents what its like to challenge yourself in a dangerous environment and challenges what you may think about riders who put are searching constantly and pushing the boundaries.

 

Red Bull TV has plenty to keep any winter sport fan entertained for hours with shows such as Keep Your Tips Up a documentary about a group of riders making a movie, a film about Lindsay Vonn’s comeback and one about Mike Shaw a pro skier who was told he may never walk again.

You Tube

Apocalypse Snow

There are 4 of these movies that have been since 1983, originally a promo video for Les Arcs these films have turned into a cult classic. This isn’t your usual ski movie and don’t let what I am about to tell you put you off. Firstly there is a plot that revolves around the snowboard legend Régis Rolland on his swallow tail board as he is chased around the mountain by evil mono skiers trying to capture the secret of skiing. The music is incredible the stunts amazing and the ski outfits are some of the best you will ever see. Still not convinced.. I have put the first instalment below. Trust me you will be hooked.

Few Words

Also on YouTube is the movie a Few Words which is a documentary by Quicksilver about one of the worlds most accomplished skier, Candide Thovex. One reviewer describe its as “A great overview of the life of this incredible skier…. great cinematography as well as music and the skiing out of this world 10/10; this is one ski film worth buying and keeping.”. Which obviously you don’t have to as they have uploaded it to Youtube. It is a high quality movie that will make you consider the possibilities of what is possible with a pair of skis, before you realise that remembering which pocket you put your lift pass in is hard enough.

And if that isn’t enough you can always search YouTube for epic ski fails!


Meribel Alpine Skiing World Cup

Meribel Alpine Skiing World Cup

At the heart of alpine skiing world cup finals - Méribel Worldcup Finales 2014-2015.clipularThis is the week that Meribel hits the big time – Not that we arn’t saying that Meribel isn’t a big time resort. it frequently appears in top 10 ski resort list and if it doesent one of its sister resorts in the Three Valleys does. Anyhow as I was saying, this is the week that the Alpine World Cup comes to Meribel. Not only that it is this this seasons final.

When is it on?

It starts on Wednesday the 18th of March but there is practising going on from the 16th. Highlights will be the Downhill starting at 9.30 on Wednesday the 18th and the Slalom over the weekend.  Take a look at the full scheduled below.
flyer_mwc2015_verso_prog_a5

Who is racing?

If you follow Alpine racing avidly then you will recognise all of the names as these are the top 25 point scorers from this winter season. It is the Female 25 that has the big recognisable names in Lindsey Vonn, Julia Mancuso and Tina Maze.

Is it on Ski sunday?

Sadly Ski Sunday has ended for the winter. We did hope that there would be a Meribel special due to Meribel being such a hot spot for British skiers and snowboarders. My twitter stalking suggests that the presenters arn’t in resort either.

meribel_la_piste_ski_worldcupHow can I watch it?

If you are in resort you can get a great view if the race climax down at the Chaudanne in the centre of Meribel of try and get a spot along side the race course. Or if you are at home in the UK then the event will be streamed live here http://livetv.sx/en/competitions/?c_407.

What else is on?

Lots! Every day there is a concert or ceremony to watch. Also you are in the 3 Valleys so go skiing in the worlds biggest and best ski area! There is also some pretty decent Apres Ski to enjouy, with most bars having some Alpine World Cup theme going on. And if that is not enough why not try and compleate our Alpine World Cup bingo card.