February in Méribel: What's on and weather

February generally sees great conditions in Les 3 Vallées. Méribel is often blessed with abundant snowfalls in February, averaging 11 days snowfall which is usually mixed with plenty of sunny days. Like January, the average daily temperatures generally fall between a high of freezing and a low of -7°C, still very much time for wearing a thermal underlayer or two. The lengthening afternoons also allows the lift companies to extend the lift opening period at the end of the day.

During the school holidays you will find plenty of entertainment for all the family. ESF put on their torchlit descents, followed by a firework display.

Forest kids night walks
Every Wednesday during the school holidays, join ESF on a forest walk as night falls in search of the magic cauldron.

Valentine's Day
For this 14th February, take your pick of the best restaurants in town from our list below, and if you're after some entertainment after dinner many places will put on live music.

February is a popular month for families so the slopes are noticeably busier as soon as the four-week French holidays begin. Fortunately, Les 3 Vallées ski area is so vast, that even in high season you can find quiet slopes and minimal lift queues. Here are our insider's top tips for the school holidays:

1. It will be almost impossible to book private lessons over this period, group lessons are the best option. Make sure to get your ski and snowboard lessons booked well in advance to avoid disappointment.
2. If you're not in ski school, be an early bird. Arrive at the lifts before they open so that you get up and away before the ski school classes set out around 09:15.
3. Ski over lunchtime. The slopes are calmer between 12:00 and 14:00 while the French take a leisurely lunch break.
4. Pre-book your lunch and avoid the queues. Some restaurants offer a click and collect service. It's the best way to avoid the queues and make the most of your time in the mountains.
5. Seek out the peripheral areas: try to avoid the busy main linking routes between valleys and head for calmer areas such as Méribel’s Roc de Fer, Courchevel-Moriond (1650m) or Courchevel Le Praz (1300m). Check out these little-known runs in Méribel: Hulotte, Gypaète, Daguet, Coqs, Eterlou, Mouflon and Mauduit. Black runs are generally deserted too – the best are Face, snow-sure Bartavelle, empty Grande rosière and high-altitude Ecureuil
6. Get off-piste. Competent off-piste skiers can book a local mountain guide and explore the vast off-piste areas in the valley or even go touring to find complete solitude in the backcountry.

Family fun on the slopes
Younger kids will adore Méribel’s various fun zones on the slopes. Méribel’s game-filled Piste des Inuits and Inuit Village are always a huge hit with smaller skiers. Face painting, husky petting and ice sculpting shows are just some of the extra half term activities held here. Mottaret’s Yeti Park is equally popular with the children. Here they will find Himalayan trumpets to blow, magic whispering tunnels and even a yeti’s grotto to explore.

Budding freestylers should visit Méribel’s Elements Park, a child-sized terrain park with zones for all levels, or the beginner’s Turn and Run area of Mottaret’s Snow Park where there are mini-jumps and tunnels. The Pic Bleu is a dragon-themed piste, with picnic spots and hammocks to relax in while the kids hunt for dragons, while the Animal Piste is a perennial favourite with smaller children who enjoy searching for life-size animal models in the Altiport woods. Addicts of the Frozen movies will enjoy the specially themed Frozen 2 piste, also at the Altiport.

Après-ski family fun
For après-ski, children can take part in a special torchlit descent in Méribel on Wednesday evenings, followed by a ski instructors’ show at la Chaudanne (book at the ESF). In Mottaret, regular sledding evenings are held on the 2km Little Himalaya green run. And don’t forget that Méribel’s sports complex, the Parc Olympique, offers a multitude of activities for all ages, from indoor climbing to pool parties, ice-discos, bowling, family swim sessions, flumes, stand-up paddle-boarding and much more.

World famous après-ski
Méribel has a well deserved reputation for excellent après-ski live music, and each evening you have a choice of great bands playing in bars such as La Taverne, Lodge du Village, Jacks Bar or The Brewer’s Den. Take a look at our events calendar to find out more.

For an unforgettable, Ibiza-on-snow vibe, La Folie Douce, on the slopes above Méribel, is a must. Dancers, flying champagne bottles, fireworks, singers and an uber-cool DJ, the Folie afternoon cabaret is an essential part of most people’s Méribel experience. Finally, for late-night partying, O’Sullivan’s is the hottest spot in town.