Family holidays in Meribel

If you’re coming for a ski holiday with a young family, look for accommodation near any of the lifts. The fewer steps your little people have to take in ski boots, the better (for all concerned!).

Taking the family on a ski holiday can be hard work so finding good family-friendly accommodation is essential to making life that little bit easier. Méribel and the surrounding villages have a huge selection of hotels, chalets and apartments. Many families tend to come here because of Méribel's extensive choice of catered and self-catered chalets, allowing them to enjoy that traditional Alpine ski holiday. There is also a big range of apartment rentals to suit all budgets.

Méribel Centre: Locate yourselves here if you want to be near all the amenities and activities.

Méribel Village: A quieter place five minutes drive from the main resort.

Les Allues: A charming village further down the valley, connected to the ski area by gondola.

Mottaret: A purpose built village with large apartment residences right on the ski slopes.

Lift passes make up a significant portion of the cost of a family holiday to the mountains, so it pays to check you’re buying the right ticket for your group. 

Here in Meribel there are various concessions to help you keep your costs down, such as:

• kids under 5 use the lifts for free
• kids between 5 and 12 pay a reduced ('youth') rate
• there are reduced-price ski passes if you only want to use the beginner areas
• you can buy a pedestrian pass - if maybe you or your partner don’t ski, but you still want to go up and watch the kids

You can buy half day lift tickets if a full day on the mountain seems too long for the little ones. It’s not a lot cheaper than an all day ticket, but it’ll save you a little bit. 

Lift passes in Meribel for families of four or more

If you're a family of four or more, you'll be able to save money on the regular ticket price by buying a 'family lift pass'. With one of these:  

• everyone pays the child pass price
• two adults can be parents or grandparents 
• up to seven children (aged 5 to 12) can be included in the offer

If you have designs on raising the next Shaun White or Chemmy Alcot, then getting your children into ski school will be a priority!

The main ski schools that cater for young children offer: 

• full and half-day sessions
• have English speaking guides
• will take your kids to a dedicated area where they can learn how to snow plough, stop, turn and glide safely

Ski schools usually take weekly bookings, so if you’re only here for a few days it’s good to check if there’s any space for your children.

What age can children start ski lessons

Ski schools will take them from 3 or 4 years old. At this age, the focus is on having fun in the snow, so there are normally inflatables and games to play. 

Most beginner areas also have a ‘magic carpet’ travelator (a bit like the ones you get at airports) to get kids and beginner adults to the top of the slopes without having to contend with lifts.

Whether you’re a kid or an adult, half-day lessons are normally more than enough if you’re a novice.

What’s included in the price of a lesson

The price you pay for a ski lesson is for tuition only. Ski passes are not included.

So for kids aged 5 and over, you’ll need to make sure they have: 

• a valid ski pass (you can get discounted passes if you're only using the nursery slopes)
• skis, helmets, goggles - you can hire these from one of the many ski hire shops in the resort
• appropriate clothing, like salopettes and a jacket, warm layers and gloves  
• sunscreen

A ski pass isn’t necessary for those under five, but you'll still need to buy a hands-free card for them to use on the turnstiles. You can get one of these from any lift station, take ID to prove their age.

Méribel is a beginner-friendly ski resort with dedicated areas set out especially for those new to skiing.

Altiport: a couple of green runs and two specially designed children's areas:

• La Piste des Inuits is a mini snowpark with banked turns, small jumps and slalom courses. 
• Moon Wild piste, a trail through the trees with hidden life-size animal models to find.

Mottaret: more green runs and the Yeti Park. Suitable for those on skis and on foot, there are plenty of fun things here for the whole family. There are also Ski Cool green runs here where you can practice your turns in peace and away from faster skiers.

There are two snow parks in Méribel and further parks in both Courchevel and Val Thorens. The Elements Park (the old Moon Park) has something for everyone, no matter what your ability. From small whoops for beginners to a boarder cross, boxes and rails for more advanced riders. The Plattieres Park, known as DC Area 43 has half pipes, a boarder cross and regular parties. There's no way your experienced teenagers will get bored here!

Méribel is a year-round resort, and it’s a great place to come whether it’s winter or summer. It all depends on what you love doing.

If you’ve got children, here are a few things you might want to try.

There are several options for childcare in Méribel.

If you're here during summer

The sports centre of each town sometimes hosts a kids club during the summer holidays, with activities like swimming, climbing, tennis, basketball and ice-skating.

Check availability at the local tourist offices.