Meribel is often referred to as the ‘heart of the Three Valleys’ as it is the central valley in the ski area, which is the largest linking ski network in the world. The resort is made up of a number of villages of which there are 3 main resorts; Meribel Village, the original farming village at 4,595 feet (1,400 meters), and Meribel resort itself at 4,760 feet (1,450 meters) where you’ll find the banks, shops & the majority of restaurants and Mottaret, a satellite resort further up the valley at 5,470 feet (1,750 meters) with fantastic links to the rest of the Three Valleys ski area.
In total there are 8 resorts that make up the Three Valley and which are skiable on the one ski pass: Meribel, Courchevel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Saint Martin de Belleville, La Tania, Orelle and Brides les Bains. Each resort is different in character and architecture but combines to offer some of the best skiing in Europe.
The Three Valleys offers 169 all-modern lifts, 335 marked runs spanning over 372 miles (600 km), and over 80 miles (130 km) of cross-country tracks. Over time the ski network has expanded to incorporate a fourth valley, though the area retains the name Trois Vallées. Meribel is located in a central location within the ski arena, with Courchevel, Brides-Les-Bains, and La Tania to the east and Les Menuires, Saint Martin de Belleville, and Val Thorens to the west.
This central location plus Meribel’s pretty chalet-style wooden buildings and village atmosphere make it a particularly vibrant and popular destination in the Alps. There are many self-catering apartments as well as hotels and beautifully appointed chalets in Meribel. Free resort shuttles link the chalets to the town center, shops, and restaurants.
Intermediates will enjoy some of the best novice skiing The Three Valleys has to offer, above and around Meribel Mottaret. A favorite for advanced skiers is the black La Face Run, used for the downhill when Meribel hosted the women’s alpine skiing events during the 1992 Winter Olympics (Albertville). Another exhilarating run is accessed from the top Meribel’s highest lifted point, the 9,685 foot (2,952 meters) Mont du Vallon. Meribel, which also hosted the Olympic ice hockey games, is still a prime choice for World Cup events and other alpine races.
