The Meribel Valley

Meribel (at 1450m) is at the heart of the Three Vallees and has long been a favourite with the Brits.

There are numerous ski runs down to Meribel from Courchevel crossing over at Saulire or Col de Loze with several runs joining at the 'Rond-Point' where skiers often congregate for a drink and a bite to eat before carrying on down to Meribel itself or Meribel Village via the Altiport.

However, simply because it is in the middle valley, it can get very busy during the peak season with lengthy lift queues during half terms and bank holidays. Because of this it is advisable to allow yourself extra time if you are coming back to Courchevel via Meribel or Mottaret at the end of the day in peak season.

Further up the valley is the resort of Mottaret (1750m), with its hotels, bars and restaurants located at the foot of the runs and at the junction of most of the major cablecars and chairlifts. Once again this area can get very busy in high season but if you are going to venture up to Val Thorens then passing through Mottaret is virtually inevitable!

The Meribel/Mottaret valley offers some excellent skiing for all standards and for those of you who enjoy half pipes, rails and jumps then the Mottaret Snow-Parks are the place for you.

Be careful of the final couple of kms of blue runs down into Mottaret from both sides of the mountain when the conditions are icy or claggy at the end of a long days skiing....they can be treacherous and need to be treated with caution because there are often a lot of beginners struggling to get home!