© merinet
© merinet
© merinet
© merinet
© merinet
© merinet
Meribel Snow Report: 17th February 2016
Half Term Fun
I’m very glad to report that skiing conditions have got more and more agreeable this half term week. The snowfalls, gales and poor visibility at the start of the week have been replaced by blue skies and gorgeous skiing conditions. The snow was in excellent condition this morning and the current low temperatures should keep it in good shape.
I have to admit, the February holidays are not my favourite time to ski. I don’t like queueing and am irritated by children who ski better than me. I set myself a challenge this half term week of avoiding crowds and finding different way to enjoy the mountains. So I have spent time on the cross-country tracks (where snow conditions are excellent and 100% of the trails are open). I have also walked my snow depth dog on the winter walking paths (also in perfect condition) and joined a very enjoyable guided snowshoe outing.
I’m always a fan of getting on first lifts at 9.00 in the morning to beat the queues. This morning, I went one better by being on the lifts at 8.00am and enjoying utterly deserted slopes. This was done by joining Mottaret’s “First Tracks” which involves breakfast on the summit of Saulire and putting down first tracks. This is certainly the best way of ensuring you have whole pistes to yourself during the holiday period: sadly it only lasts for two or three runs.
It goes without saying there are lots of children on the slopes this week. Skiing around Méribel’s Altiport today, I was struck by how many piste activities and entertainments are now laid on for small skiers.
Just in the one Altiport zone, there is now a filmed parallel slalom course; the Inuit piste with organised activities and free-to-use games; the Moon Wild Animal path with its life-sized animal models and quiz, and Magic in Motion’s big air bag. A short chairlift away, on the Pic Blue run, is the brand new Dragons de l’Altai family area. Here, children can enjoy spotting the dragons hidden in the forest and relax at the picnic area with its dragon-shaped chairs and tables.
And of course, elsewhere in the valley you’ll find snow parks and boardercrosses and trampolines and sledding areas and the new Mottaret Yeti park. Learning to ski is a lot more fun than when I began skiing many years ago. If you are coming out at Easter with the children, do check out these fun areas: they are all marked on the piste map and virtually all are free.
