Spring skiing officially starts in the middle of March. Coincidentally that is when skiing gets more fun (if that is possible).
But why is springtime so good in the mountains and spring skiing so amazing? The resort vibe begins to change, manic February is over, the weather is good, and everyone is a little more chilled out. Plus the skiing is fantastic and holiday prices are a little lower.
If you need more convincing, here are some more reasons to hit the slopes in the spring.
Blue sky and fewer layers
The absolute best things about spring skiing are the bright sunshine and warm temperatures. Navigating piste after piste without having to shy away from taking cold lifts to the summit is a dream.
More skiing time for you
Because of the longer days, the lifts open later, so you can take your time at lunch instead of rushing back to ski the last few times.
Apres ski
Once the warm evenings arrive, apres goes to the next level. There is more outside partying, with bands and concerts all on the agenda.
Or if a more reflective after-ski is your style, then chilling out in the warm sun with an Aperol into the early evening is more than possible.
In contrast to the claim of sunny sky and warm weather, the spring mountains are also prone to a fresh dump of snow from time to time, so remember your fat skis.
Less skiiers
There are fewer skiers on the mountain in the springtime. This means fewer queues, more space on the piste and more fresh tracks in the late-season snowfall.
Ski Touring
Spring is the perfect time for ski touring: skin-friendly grip snow, mild temperatures, and the ideal chance to see marmots and ibex and the rest of nature waking up from hibernation.
Easter eggs are easier to find
Finally, if you have ever been on an easter egg hunt in your garden, you will know the difficulty of trying to find bright easter eggs in a blossoming spring garden. There is no such problem in the snow as the brightly wrapped eggs stand out in the snow.
If you live and breathe skiing, and with the largest linked ski area in the world on your Méribel or La Tania chalet doorstep, you could be excused for thinking that you have everything you need right there.
But despite the 600+ km of marked pistes and the fact that the Three Valleys is one of the most snow-sure resorts in Europe, there will inevitably be times when you (or someone you’re holidaying with, at least) will fancy a change from skiing or snowboarding.
As well as ice-skating, bowling, paragliding, tobogganing, mountain biking, massage and relaxation spaces, retail therapy and plenty of apres-ski venues to keep you busy, there are all sorts of slightly more alternative activities to try in the Three Valleys.
With that in mind we’ve picked six of the best non-ski activities in the Three Valleys, guaranteed to keep dedicated skiers and non-skiers alike happy all holiday.
If you need any further information about some of the options listed below you can always give our UK office a call on 01273 466535 to see if we can advise…
Ice Driving and Ice Karting
This could just be the ultimate ‘rush’. Visit the highest ice-racing track in Europe at Val Thorens and, under the guidance of professionals, experience the thrill of driving on ice! There’s also an ice kart track which is perfect for the kids and the opportunity to try a ‘buggy’, essentially a quad bike on ice which seats two people.
Dog Sledding
There are different options here, from a high octane, adrenaline fueled exploration of the forests with ups, downs and branch-du
cking galore, to a rather more sedate, level trip around a lake. If the actual activity of Husky sledding is a step too far, there are also opportunities to simply meet and pet the dogs. Call Karine on +33 (0)6 75 41 74 94
Snow Shoeing
This is a great activity for everyone, young and old. As the saying goes; If you can walk, you can snowshoe! It is a brilliant way of getting an alternative, more tranquil view of the resort and exploring more remote and unspoilt scenery.
There are open tours, or you can book a guide for a bespoke expedition for 1-6 people.
Ski-joering
Ok, so this admittedly does have an element of skiing involved, but only minimal ski competence is necessary. This mix of skiing and equestrianism dates back hundreds of years and, in the Three Valleys, is practised in a tranquil setting away from the hustle and bustle of the pistes. The horse wears a harness with a flap for the skier to hold, and then the skier is pulled along by the strength of the horse along specially adapted paths.
To Book call +33 4 57 37 17 21
Igloo Building!
Every Wednesday evening throughout the season at the Méribel Prosneige Ski School, kids can get together for some guided mountain exploration and the chance to learn how to build an actual igloo! It’s also a chance for parents to have a moment to themselves…
Tel: 04 79 00 3646
Water Park Fun in the Mountains?
Yes, it really is possible. Aquamotion Courchevel offers everything from a well-equipped spa to a surfable wave, as well as water flumes and slides and an indoor climbing wall. Located at the crossroads between Courchevel Village and Courchevel Moriond, access to Aquamotion is on foot or by free shuttle. With an on-site restaurant, it’s a great choice for a full day’s activities away from the slopes. Tel: +33 (0)9 71 007 300
Meribel is part of the world’s biggest ski area, so to avoid getting lost, you might want to download a Meribel piste map to your phone or pick on up in your catered ski chalet or from the lift pass office.
As Meribel is part of 3 Valleys, you have three times as many opportunities to get lost, so it might be good to have a copy of the ski area. To be even more helpful, we have also included a downloadable Courchevel piste map and a Val Thoren’s piste map.
Meribel opening dates: 10 December 2022 – 28 April 2023
In the centre of the piste map, you will find Meribel Center, above that is Meribel Mottaret and at the back is Mont Vallon. Over the ridge on the left of the map is the ski resort of Courchevel and La Tania. Then over the right-hand ridge are the ski areas of Val Thorens, Orelle, Les Menuires and Saint Martin de Belleville.
Piste maps are about more than just helping you not get lost. They are also designed to help you find things, like the toilet of that red run the guy in the pub recommended you try out.
All the piste maps on this page will mark out all the runs in the resort and use a colour system to identify all the trails and how easy they are.
Green – Beginner Blue – Easy Red – Intermediate Black – Advanced
They also show you what sort of lift you are about to get on. This means if you really dislike long drag lifts, you can plan your adventure around them.
Téléski/draglift TK Télésiege/chairlift TS Télécabin/gondola TC Téléphénique/cable car TPH
Courchevel is located on the left of the area piste map but is, in fact, located to the east of Meribel. The resort is famed for its wealthy clientele and high-end accommodation. It is also an amazing place to ski.
Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in the world. The town sits at 2300 meters, and the lifts reach 3230m which is the highest point in the 3 Valleys. The season in Val Thorens is often much longer than the other resorts in the area.
In the Meribel Valley ski area, you will find gentle wide runs for learning, fun blue pistes to play on, challenging reds to push your skiing further, and black runs to lose your skis on.
When you come to the Meribel, make sure you check out all of these runs. They are full of past and future memories, legendary moments and good times.
Discover the best pistes in Meribel
Best Green Ski Runs in Meribel
Blanchot
Anyone who has learnt to ski in Meribel or watched a friend learn will have plenty of good memories from this slope.
The run is perfect for getting to grips with snowboarding or skiing. It is wide with a pitch that makes learning to ski easy.
For kids and families, there are loads of activities to mess about on when they get tired of skiing.
The Blanchot is located in the Altiport area of Meribel. You can access the run from the top of the Rhodos gondola or the Altiport lift, which also loops the run.
Little Himalaya
This green run crisscrosses the Meribel Yeti Park, which is a zone for families and beginner skiers.
The piste rolls down from the top of the Combes 1 chairlift that departs from the snow front of Meribel Motteret.
As you make your way down, there is the option to stop and have a go at loads of fun activities such as slalom, gong banging, and Igloo exploring.
This fun blue run starts at the link to La Tania above the Altiport section of Meribel.
Pic Blue starts by heading down the valley on a wide shelf carved into the mountain, as it turns to head down to Meribel, you will pass the Dragon de l’Altaï chalet and chill zone.
After that, the run reaches the tress and widens out. This is where you can really pick up some speed and safely enjoy yourself before arriving at the bottom of the Loze chairlift.
If you find that you are doing this run on repeat because you are having so much fun, look out for the dragons hidden along the trail.
Roc de Fer
Anyone can have fun on this piste. The run starts off gently enough as you traverse the ridge above the infamous black run, Face. It then suddenly drops down, sucking you towards the heart of Meribel.
There is plenty of space on the run for everyone and is often quiet due to it being near the edge of the ski area.
The run drops and rises all the way to the Chaudanne area. This undulation allows you to get in a natural rhythm with the mountain and find places for rest and speed.
At the end, you ski down the slalom stade and into the area where pro athletes arrive in glory at the end of a world cup run.
Find the start of the Roc de Fer at the top of the Olympic chairlift.
Best Red Ski Runs in Meribel
Combe de Vallon
The top of Combe de Vallon is breathtaking, the scenery mesmerising and the altitude dizzying.
At 2952m it is the heigset point in Meribel. It is accessed by the Mont Vallon cable car.
At the top, a pleasant track takes you to the top of the valley, where you drop into the run. From here you can speed down the arcs of the piste cutting big turns on the cruising sections all the way along the combe.
At the end, you can catch the Mures Rouges lift and do it all again, or you join the calmer Ours piste and link one of the longest skis of the resort all the way back to the centre of Meribel.
Maudit
On the sunny side of the valley, at the top of the Saulire run, you can join the Maudit piste.
There is plenty of pace to keep you sliding as you move under the cliffs of the Saulire. Once you have passed under the gondola, you start to turn down the mountain.
This is the place for great turns and big smiles. The slope is varied, offering up different challenges and enjoyment along with the opportunity to stop at the Folie Douce.
The end of the run winds through the trees and you arrive once again at the Chaudanne area.
Best Black Ski Runs in Meribel
Face
If ticking off famous black runs is your thing to do, then Meribels Face is a must.
Don’t be fooled by the easy start, as once you are over the ridge, you are on one of the steepest runs in the 3 Valleys.
This run will get you warmed up and your blood pumping as you make your way down the endless slope of moguls and chop. There is no let-up as the piste dog legs further down the mountain.
As your legs start to burn, the base of the Olympic lift comes into sight, and the gradient eases off a little.
Face is the perfect challenge for anyone looking to test the limits of their skiing.
Bartavelle
Bartavelle is part of the Back to the wild zone, where all the snow is natural. The location of the slope ensures that it keeps its quality all the way through the season.
There is nothing better than carving your skis on natural snow, and you can do that all the way to the bottom of this run.
It isn’t as intimidating as other black runs and isn’t that long. There are some great hits and a few rollers for anyone looking for added spice.
Meribel is one of the greatest ski destinations on the planet, but there are loads of things to do in Meribel in the summer.
A summer trip to Meribel in the summer will make you fall in love with the place all over again. The weather is fantastic, the scenery breathtaking, and the vibe is very chill.
To keep you entertained, there is a variety of activities on offer. As they say… “There is something for everyone”.
Please take a look at some of our top recommendations for Meribel in the summer.
Cycling in the summer, Meribel.
If you only want to go downhill, you can do it. In the summer, Meribel opens the Pas du Lac lifts up to the summit of La Saulire. From here, you can do a variety of runs, with the longest-running all the way down to Brides Les Bains. or take the Tougnete up for some ridge cycling. Busses with trailers run from the valley floor to pick up adventurous cyclists.
There are also enduro routes and the opportunity to traverse the whole 3 Valleys using lifts and pedal power.
11 Downhill – 9 Enduro – Pumptrack – Fun zone 3 cross country
If tarmac is more of your thing, then you will enjoy the road biking around Meribel. As a regular destination on the Tour De France, the roads are kept in great shape. In 2019 the Col de Loz road was opened up with cyclists in mind and has become one of the must-do challenges in the Alps.
There are several via ferratas in Meribel and the surrounding area. If you are inexperienced, we recommend booking a guide. However, if you have the correct safety equipment and experience, they are free to access.
La Rosiere – beginer – 3 hours Dent du Burgin – experienced – full day Pralognan – Intermediate – Guide essential
Summer Fishing in Meribel
Anyone obsessed with the Meribel webcams in the winter will have spotted Lac de Tudea. In the summer, this is the place for altitude fishing.
The lake is regularly stocked with a variety of fish. Predominantly you can catch brown and rainbow trout, but there are also walleyed, gudgeons, small tench and carp.
Summer Hiking in Meribel
A trip to the mountains isn’t complete without a hike. It is a sport open to all. You may choose to stroll around the towns and villages of Meribel.
You could take a lift up to a summit and take a walking path down. Alternatively, you could walk up and catch a gondola down.
Maybe you fancy something a bit more adventurous? Try hiking to the Soulfe pass and see the Lac Blanc and the Glacier de Gébroulaz.
For an extreme hike book a guide and explore les Glaciers du Vanoise.
1. Try wakeboarding – It is like snowboarding! 2. Try grass skiing – It sounds rubbish, and probably is. There must be a reason you don’t get grass skiing resorts. 3. Try water skiing – It is like skiing but harder, wetter and even more expensive. 4. Go in-line skating – It might be similar to snow blading but you don’t admit to doing that either. 5. Head out to the Alps and go skiing on a Glacier – There are several to choose from and are open all year round like the Grand Motte in Tignes. 6. Go riding Down Under – There is plenty of skiing and boarding to be done in Australia or New Zealand. 7. Try a snow dome – You have 5 to choose from in the UK. 8. Dry slope skiing – Over 50 dry slopes in the UK, so there should be one near you. 9. Ride the Emirates – This is a massive waste of money cable car in central London. 10. Give mountain boarding a go – Don’t be fooled by the name this is mainly done on hills. It is the snowboard equivalent to grass skiing. Expect to sit down quite a bit.
11. Go Surfing – The wet equivalent to mountain boarding and much, much cooler. 12. Sit on a chairlift – There are many located across the UK from the Isle of White to Scotland. 13. Nordic Walking – It’s like skiing without skis or snow. www.nordicwalking.co.uk 14. Watch Ski or Boarding Movies – There is a great selection on Netflix. 15. Go to a ski show – You will have to wait until October but there is one in Scotland, Manchester and London. 16. Recreate a chalet holiday at home – Click here for our handy guide. 17. Look up ski fails on YouTube – We have done it for you. Click for ski fails. 18. Get fit for your next ski holiday – Our friends at BayFitness have made a great video to help you. 19. Learn the Language – Unless you ski in Scotland, Canada or America the language is different so why not learn it. 20. Drink a half larger – Just like the Europeans do. Why not stick some peach syrup in it.
21. Book a ski holiday for next year – And that should probably be a ski holiday to Meribel. 22. Go and see a covers band – This will be like every aprés ski session you have ever been to. 23. Hunt for snow in Scotland – You can find it even in the summer as it is always cold up there. 24. Make a snow globe – It looks pretty easy. 25. Subscribe to a ski magazine – Suggestions, please. 26. Buy some new kit – Go and spend your cash in Snow and Rock or Ellis Brigham. You know you need a new jacket. 27. Bore someone with your ski stories – Someone will listen. 28. Wax & edge your skis or board – You can always get the hire shop to do it properly when you get to the resort. 29. Draw a picture of your nearest hill and add some runs 3o. Read a book about skiing – I am going to read Maggie does Meribel. 31. Drool over winter photos on Facebook – Our Facebook page will be posting plenty.
32. Play Golf – Mainly because many ski resorts are golf courses. 33. Wear your ski jacket to the pub – Great way to do number 27. 34. Give skateboarding a go – Do this month before you have booked your ski holiday as you will need the time to heal. 35. Go on a Chalet Cookery Course – Learn the trick of the trade. 36. Think about buying a chalet in the Alps – Then realise you can only afford one 5 miles away from a ski resort you have never heard of and book a ski holiday instead. 37. Go Trampolining – We are not sure why but all the winter Olympians do it. 38. Have a fondue party 39. Make Croissants – How hard can it be? 40. Design a snow park – Send us your designs we would love to see them, maybe we could build them next winter. 41. Plan a back-country ski tour – That you will never go on.
42. Watch repeats of Ski Sunday – Dust of the VHS player. 43. Practice your journey to the airport – You can never be too prepared. 44. Knit a hat – It is trendy to have a hat that looks like you made it. 45. Pack – See 43. 46. Play snowboard games – SSX is good apparently. 47. Apply for a ski job – You can apply here. 48. Become a ski instructor – You can do courses at your nearest indoor or dry slope. 49. Become a cheese connoisseur – Just because cheese is great. 50. Run a marathon in ski boots – If you do it I will sponsor you. 51. Make your own list – The chances are that it will be better than this one.
The end of March and the start of April were once times that dedicated skiers would try and avoid the slopes. But over the last few years, these six weeks have seen an increase in big fresh dumps of snow. The snow that falls in spring may not stay around as long, but it is light, fluffy, and often accompanied by blue skies when it falls.
Outrageous tan lines
A goggle mark has always been more of a statement than a lax sunscreen application approach. But why stop at a goggle mark when there are T-shirt lines to collect on your arms, neck and rear. And the best time to get yours is during the spring months.
The sighting of Marmots
To some these are mythical creatures that only exist in souvenir shops or the name of the piste where you were meant to meet your partner after their ski lesson. To others, the appearance of these giant rodents is a sign that spring is here and summer is on its way.
Mini Festivals
The alpine festival is a growing trend. Méribel alone can boast of the Ronnie Loves Music Festival and the Folie Douce Courchevel festival. Once the posters for these start to go up, we know that we are in for a good time and spring has arrived.
Rocks
Rocks are a part of the spring experience, and other than the ptex manufacturers, no one enjoys their appearance. First, the big ones that form the landscape start to appear, then slowly, smaller ones start to pop up on the lower slopes and busy intersections. By the season’s final week (if it hasn’t dumped), part of the game is to dodge the rocks.
Sunbathing lifties
An iconic ski resort image in spring is the sunbathing lift op. Over the years, the resorts have become more customer-focused and the role of the lift operator more responsible this sight happens less and less. But when it does, you can’t but think…. “I’d quite like that job”.
Puddles to skim
You know the drill. You spot a puddle or melted pond, point it out to your group, and watch someone effortlessly skim across it on skis. The challenge is on. One of your group heads back to the chalet early to dry off. In some resorts, this is now a major event. Don’t let your mate enter!
Sunshine, smiley faces, parties, funny goggle marks and more snow than you might expect. Just a few of the things we love about Spring skiing in the Three Valleys.
In fact, Méribel in the spring comes with more than just a few perks.
In this blog we’re taking a closer look at the pros of a late season session on the slopes that’ll have you searching for all the Spring Ski deals and stocking up on the Factor 50 before you can say ‘have I got any annual leave left?’
Spring skiing is all about Location, Location, Location
Méribel’s enviable position, at the centre of the largest lift-linked ski area in the world with over 600km of marked pistes and 200 ski lifts serving a 110 square mile area, is a great base for exploring the tail-end of a season. Méribel, like La Tania, is of course well connected via lft and piste to the third valley of Val Thorens.
With 99% of its ski area above 2000m, it’s Europe’s highest major resort and one of its most snowsure from the start of the season right through to May. It even comes with a snow guarantee…
With a winter’s worth of snow as a base, accumulations on Méribel’s upper slopes can regularly reach depths of 2 meters by March and April. We took a look at the spring snowfall records for the last five years and found that an average of almost 50cm fell during the last six weeks of the season, easily matching the snowfall recorded in December in those same seasons.
With the warmer temperatures and stronger sunshine though, snow quality can be more unpredictable, but fear not! Spring skiing just calls for a little pre-planning. We recommend taking to South facing runs such as Jerusalem in the morning and switching to the North facing ones, such as the Cote Brune, in the afternoons.
Skiing on a bluebird day in the spring takes on a quality different to that of the winter. It becomes less about the standard adrenaline-fuelled stuff and more about an awe-filled exploration of the mountains.
The longer, warmer days mean that you can take the time to ‘smell the flowers’ as it were. There’s a sense of new growth, a natural unfurling of the summer to come which brings with it the inevitable buzz and potential of a seasonal shift. And this is what those mountain-top bar terraces were made for…
A World Away from the Piste
If you do get the odd day where conditions are less than perfect, it’s handy to know that there are some great alternatives to the slopes.
There are some really good non-ski activities that include paragliding, Ice skating, water parks and Ice Karting on offer in Meribel and The Three Valleys. And oh, did we mention the lovely, sunshine-filled Apres?
There are a lot of parties
There’s always something going on in the Three Valleys but it’s March and April that see the focus lie heavily on parties, charity music events and top notch festivals. Firm favourites such as March’s Ronnie Loves Music Festival and the legendary Three Valleys Charity day in April are just two great examples that complement a whole host of closing parties and the inevitable ‘drink the bar dry’ nights that see the season drawn to a very merry close.
Spring time skiing in Meribel and the Three Valleys is basically about excitable early mornings on the slopes and leisurely lines back towards an especially awesome apres scene that starts in the afternoon and continues late, late into the night.
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
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