About Meribel and the Three Valleys ski areas

The Méribel ski area

Situated in the Tarentaise Valley, within the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, Méribel is one of the main resorts that makes up the Three Valleys. Composed of several districts spread out across varying altitudes, the main five villages are Méribel Les Allues (1,100m), Méribel Centre (1,450m), Méribel Mottaret (1,750m), Méribel Les Hauts (1,600m) and Méribel Village (1,450m). Located in an idyll of forests, valleys and peaks, you'll enjoy incredible views of the Alps and Mont Blanc wherever you base yourself. At the head of the Méribel valley you'll find Mont Du Vallon, at a height of 2,952m, the views are stunning and the ski down even more so. Try and ski to the bottom with no stops and your legs will be on fire!

What's it like to ski and snowboard in Méribel?

Méribel, nestled at an altitude of 1,450m, has been a premier ski destination since 1938, thanks to Scotsman Peter Lindsay's vision. Embracing traditional Savoyard architecture, it played host to key events during the 1992 Winter Olympics.

Méribel is ideal for all levels with easily accessible off-piste areas and two great snowparks. Méribel is popular with both families and experienced hard core skiers and snowboarders.

Key areas in Méribel

• Méribel Centre: Tougnète and Saulire
• Méribel-Mottaret
• Méribel Village: Altiport

Méribel Centre

• Central hub with modern lifts departing from La Chaudanne
• Noteworthy pistes include Faon (blue) and Combe Tougnète (red)
• The Elements Park, boardercross and Back to the Wild free-ski area
  The Saulire Express gondola leads to runs suitable for all levels, including the famous Go Pro Couloir (black)

Our recommendation is to ski in the sun on the Tougnète side in the morning and cross over to the Saulire in the afternoon!

Méribel-Mottaret

• Positioned in the heart of the Three Valleys, offering ski-in, ski-out convenience.
• Hosts the DC Area 43 snowpark and several challenging off-piste areas.
• Must-try runs: Sitelle and Martre (blues), and the long Combe de Vallon (red).

Méribel Village/Altiport

• Served by the fast Golf chairlift that accesses the whole of the Méribel and Three Valleys ski area
• Family-friendly, the Altiport area is for beginners with may greens, blues and cruisy reds. The Piste des Inuits area is great for kids with gentle greens and blues.
• Advanced skiers can explore reds and off-piste routes near the Dent de Burgin lift.
• Lapin and Houlotte are scenic runs leading back to the village.

The Three Valleys ski area

Three Valleys overview

The Three Valleys is a vast ski paradise with 319 pistes (600km total), 200 lifts, and 1,500 snow cannons. Its eight resorts: Courchevel, La Tania, Méribel, Brides-les-Bains, Les Menuires, Val Thorens, Orelle, and St Martin de Belleville offer terrain for all abilities. 

You can buy ski passes for each resort, but to get the most out of a trip here we'd recommend you buy a Three Valleys ski pass which covers the whole area

Key Three Valleys statistics:

• Pistes: 51 green, 132 blue, 106 red, 32 black
• Terrain: Glaciers, tree skiing, powder bowls, beginner zones, and top-tier snowparks
• Lift System: Modern, fast, and efficient

Méribel

• Pistes: 64 total (8 green, 25 blue, 24 red, 7 black) ranging from 1,100m to 2,952m.
• Snowpark: Among Europe's best, with features for all levels, from beginner lines to a superpipe.

Advanced skiing in Meribel

• Face Run: 1992 Olympic downhill course, ideal mid-morning.
• Mont Vallon Reds: Long, steep, and mogul-filled.
• GoPro Couloir: Narrow, steep (37°), and for experts only.

Off-piste in Meribel

• Loze Express to Dent du Burgin: Powder plains and tree runs.
• Côte Brune and Olympic Express: Fresh tracks with some hiking required.
• Roc de Tougne: Powder-filled off-piste options on both sides of the drag lift.

Courchevel

Situated on the northern side, Courchevel has 150km of pistes and stunning views of Mont Blanc. It’s known for challenging terrain and off-piste options.

Advanced skiing in Courchevel

• Couloirs: Grand Couloir and Saulire offer steep, technical runs.
• Chapelets Red: A favourite early morning run freshly groomed run.
• La Tania Area: Includes Dou des Lanches black and the Freeride Face.

Off-piste in Courchevel

• Les Avals Valley: Over 1,000m of powder runs.
• Saulire Couloirs and Roc Merlet: Steep and technical.
• Dou des Lanches Area: Varied terrain with powder, cliffs, and tree skiing.

Snowpark in Courchevel

The Family Park at Courchevel 1850 caters to all freestyle levels with small, gentle features perfect for progression.

Val Thorens ski area 

Val Thorens combines world-class snow, diverse terrain and modern amenities, making it a popular ski destination for all skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts.

• Beginner to Expert: Beginner areas, advanced glacier skiing, and a top-notch snowpark in the Plateau sector cater to all levels.
• Jerusalem Run: A popular blue run with stunning views, ideal for cruising to St Martin de Belleville.
• Pointe de la Masse: Offers sunny slopes, long blues, and challenging blacks like Lac Noir and Dame Blanche.
• Funitel Peclet Glacier: Great for sunset skiing with wide pistes like Lac Blanc and Les Vires.

Tips for optimal skiing

• Avoid the busy Méribel access lifts in the morning and late afternoon; midday is best.
• Explore quieter areas like Orelle’s Glacier de la Pointe Renod, offering serene runs and the challenging Combe de Rosael black.

Off piste and freestyle

• Extensive off-piste opportunities in Val Thorens and Orelle, with notable routes from Boismint and Méribel borders.
• The Plateau snowpark features kickers, rails, and boxes for all levels.

The Three Valleys offers something for everyone, from serene beginner areas to advanced pistes and off-piste challenges, all linked by an unparalleled lift system.

Orelle - the fourth valley

Orelle, located on the far side of Val Thorens, is home to the highest point in the ski area at 3,230m. It joined the Three Valleys in 1996 with the introduction of the Three Vallées Express gondola, a 5km link ascending 1,470m in altitude through forests and steep terrain.

Key highlights of Orelle ski area

New lifts:

• Orelle Gondola: Replaces the Three Vallées Express with faster, safer, and more comfortable rides.
• Orelle-Caron Gondola: Climbs 820m over 2.2km to Cime Caron in 7 minutes, featuring fully glazed cabins for panoramic views.

Ski slopes in Orelle:

• 11 green, 33 blue, 29 red, and 9 black runs between 900m and 3,200m.
• Coraia Red Run: The highest in the Three Valleys, starting at 3,230m, offers stunning views and a long, gentle descent.

Off-piste in Orelle:

• Best terrain is around the Bouchet lift, ideal for fresh tracks.

With excellent snow conditions, breath taking vistas, and advanced lift technology, Orelle is a must-visit for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.

When is the ski area open in Méribel?

The winter season usually runs from mid-December to mid-April, with any early lift openings depending on snow conditions (check ski lift opening dates for this winter openings). 

• January: Ideal for quiet slopes and fresh snow.
• February: Best for families with school holiday activities.
• March/April: For sunny pistes and relaxing on mountain restaurant terraces

If you're coming early or late in the season

It's a good idea to check which lifts are open in Meribel. You might want to check the Meribel webcams too, for up to the minute view of the conditions on the pistes.

Advanced areas in the Méribel valley

There are several black runs in Méribel that will offer a challenge for the advanced skier.

Méribel Centre

• Tougnète - Face: This Olympic downhill run from the 1992 Winter Games can be in excellent condition. Best skied mid-morning when the snow softens slightly.
• Saulire - Tetras: Accessible via the Loze chairlift, this run is often packed with moguls and demands strong legs.
• GoPro Couloir: A steep, narrow couloir (37° gradient) under the Saulire Express lift. Only for experts, with no escape routes. A video camera records your descent.
• Brides les Bains Itinerary: A unique off-piste experience from the Saulire summit (2,738m) to Brides les Bains (600m). Ski through forests and orchards before enjoying a well-deserved lunch. A guide is essential for this un-patrolled route and it is only open when there is enough snow, to ski all the way down.

Méribel-Mottaret

• Sanglier and Grande Rosière: Both challenging pistes, accessible via the Pas du Lac lift, ideal for advanced skiers.
• Combe Vallon: A long, north-facing red run from Mont Vallon with a 1,000m vertical drop. Steep and mogul-filled at the top, it gradually opens up and keeps excellent snow conditions all season.
• Martre Moguls: A bumps run parallel to the Martre piste, ending at the Mottaret plateau. A great spot to show off your mogul skills in view of the Plattières lift.

Bad weather areas in the Méribel valley

When visibility is poor, the tree-lined runs offer better contrast, making skiing easier. The areas around the Altiport and Méribel Village are particularly good, as the trees provide variation during whiteouts. Similarly, the Combes area in Mottaret features natural obstacles that help skiers navigate in low visibility conditions.

For more advanced skiers, the Raffort and Villages runs below the main resort are worth exploring. Raffort winds through the trees down to the village of the same name, while Villages is a long, gentle piste passing traditional hamlets on the way to Les Allues. From there, you can rejoin the main ski area using the Olympe gondola or the free shuttle buses to Méribel Centre. Always check the webcams before setting out, as fog can settle in the valley while the summits enjoy sunshine.

Beginner areas in the Méribel valley

Méribel is a great place for beginners and those improving from learning to intermediate, offering plenty of nursery slopes and green runs in a relaxed easy going resort. The resort has two dedicated beginner areas in Méribel Mottaret and the Altiport, both with eight free lifts and beginner friendly zones. Many ski schools have private beginner lifts, and a "mini-pass" lift ticket provides access to suitable slopes and chairlifts for new skiers.

Méribel-Mottaret

Mottaret boasts a really fabulous beginner area, complete with a magic carpet, drag lift, and the Combes chairlift, which leads to the Little Himalaya green run. Two ZEN zones offer safe spaces to practice and build confidence on skis.

Méribel Centre - Tougnète

The Tougnète/Roc de Fer area is ideal for all abilities, featuring scenic rolling blue runs. Highlights include the rolling Faon and the ridge-side Jerusalem with panoramic views. Choucas, a snow-sure favourite for ski schools, and the competition Roc de Fer blue run provide excellent challenges for learners.

Méribel Village - Altiport

Above Méribel, the green Blanchot run starts at Saulire Express 1 and leads to the Altiport area, while the Forêt trail continues into Méribel resort along the Ski Cool route. Lapin is a tree-lined favourite descending to Méribel Village, perfect in flat light. Pic Bleu, a quiet blue run, offers stunning forest views and generally has good snow conditions. For families, Moon Wild, a themed piste with model animals and a forest quiz, adds fun for children near the bottom of Blanchot piste.

Blue pistes: If you want to challenge yourself there are 28 blue runs in Méribel some harder than others so it is best to do these with more experienced skiers or someone who knows their way around the pistes, they do provide a great challenge for a beginner.

Best pistes in Meribel

The ski area is vast and it can be difficult to know where to start, so we have put together some of our favourite runs throughout the Meribel ski area, whether you're into moguls, steep and long descents or simply beautiful, quiet pistes with great snow. 

Off-piste areas in the Méribel Valley

Méribel Village - Altiport

• Dent de Burgin: From the Loze Express chairlift, follow the Boulevard de la Loze track towards Dent de Burgin. Halfway along, drop right for wide-open powder fields. Only ski this area if the track is open, as avalanche risk is high when closed.
• Loze Express: Beneath the chairlift, there's a popular off-piste run that gets busy quickly after fresh snowfall. On a powder day, catch the first lift and try skiing through the trees for fresh tracks, all the way to Méribel Village.

Méribel-Mottaret

• Côte Brune: You'll find fresh powder all around this chairlift. A short hike from the lift can lead to incredible descents with untouched snow. Check with ski patrollers at the top for safe routes before heading out.
• Roc de Tougne: Accessed via the Combes lifts, this area features long off-piste runs either side of the drag lift. Traverse at the top to find untouched powder.

Méribel Centre - Tougnète

• Olympic to Raffort: From the Olympic Express chairlift, hike along the ridge to access untouched slopes. The further you hike, the steeper the descent. Watch out for the stream at the bottom and follow the Villages piste to Les Allues

Always make sure you are prepared before embarking on any off-piste skiing or snowboarding. Check out our avalanche safety guide. It's always advisable to hire an off-piste guide who will have extensive knowledge of the area and the mountains.

Snowparks in the Méribel Valley

Elements Park

Ideal for beginners and families, this park, serviced by the Arpasson drag lift, is divided into four themed zones:

• Earth: Mini features with foam characters, soft jumps, and fun spins for kids.
• Wind: A playful run with whoops, accessible from the Legends chairlift.
• Fire: A blue level fun run with small jumps, turns, and arches to ski through.
• Water: A red level boardercross with banked turns, jumps, and challenging terrain.

Located on the east-facing slopes, Elements Park is an ideal afternoon stop for budding freestylers.

More inspiration...

Take a look at this year's ski pass prices or, if you're not sure which pass to buy.