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The legendary resort of Meribel offers a wide variety of ski runs for all ages and abilities, from complete beginners to freeride experts, and is part of one of the largest linked ski areas in the world, the Three Valleys - all of which is accessible with the same pass.
Find loads of top tips and local insights in our Meribel Ski Areas, Pistes & Parks.
Fantastic mountain guiding and off piste ski tuition in Meribel
Explore beyond the marked pistes with off-piste lessons and mountain guiding in Méribel. Whether you're new to off-piste skiing or an experienced skier, there are options to suit different abilities and interests, from private lessons and group outings to freeride skiing and ski touring. You must have at least an Étoile d'Or or Confirmed skiing level for certain introductory off-piste programmes, while the adult Ride Pack group lessons require a Class four skiing level. With private instruction available in English and other languages, you can focus on your own goals while following the French ski-level system, a structured approach to learning that helps you choose the right levels and lessons, build confidence and track your progress. The French approach has successfully taught hundreds of thousands of skiers over the years.
Off-piste skiing offers a different way to discover Méribel and the wider Three Valleys, from quieter valleys and untracked snow to more technical routes and challenging descents. With an instructor or mountain guide who knows the local terrain, you can explore new areas while developing your technique and mountain awareness.
Your experience will be adapted to your ability, ambitions and the conditions on the day. Depending on your chosen outing, you could discover introductory off-piste routes, explore hidden valleys or tackle more technical terrain, including couloirs, where appropriate.
Safety is an essential part of off-piste skiing. Your instructor or guide will assess the terrain, consider avalanche risk and adapt the route to the weather and snow conditions. Appropriate safety equipment is also vital, including an avalanche transceiver (DVA), shovel and probe, and you should know how to use it.
Safety equipment is provided for the adult Ride Pack group lessons. For other outings, check what is included when booking and whether you need to bring your own equipment. Professional guidance helps you prepare and make informed decisions, but it cannot eliminate the risks associated with off-piste skiing.
There are several ways to explore the mountains around Méribel, whether you're looking to gain confidence off-piste, improve your technique or take on a more adventurous outing.
Private off-piste lessons
Private lessons offer personalised tuition with an off-piste specialist who can tailor the outing to your ability and goals. They're a useful option if you're trying off-piste skiing for the first time, want to improve your control on ungroomed snow or are looking for more challenging routes. The instructor can recommend suitable terrain and help you progress at your own pace.
Group off-piste lessons
If you'd prefer to share the experience with other skiers, the adult Ride Pack offers group off-piste skiing with an expert instructor. Sessions are for skiers aged sixteen and over, in groups of up to six, with five outings available from Monday to Friday. The programme includes safety training, with the option of a ski touring trip during the week.
These group lessons require a Class four skiing level, so they're best suited to confident, experienced skiers who are ready to develop their off-piste technique.
Guided off-piste outings
For a more adventurous day in the mountains, a private outing with an instructor or qualified mountain guide gives you the opportunity to discover different routes across the Three Valleys. Suggested experiences range from introductory descents to more demanding itineraries, depending on your ability and the conditions.
Your instructor or guide can help select a suitable route, whether you're interested in exploring quieter valleys, enjoying fresh snow or tackling more technical terrain.
Ski touring
Ski touring combines climbing uphill on skins with skiing back down, offering a different way to explore the mountains away from the busiest slopes. Private ski touring lessons are tailored to your ability, fitness level and ambitions, whether you're learning climbing techniques, taking your first steps in ski touring or aiming for more challenging ascents.
There are different outings to consider, from shorter introductory routes to longer mountain adventures. Your instructor can help you choose a suitable itinerary and develop your touring skills along the way.
If you're visiting from the UK, being able to learn in English makes it easier to follow instructions, ask questions and get useful feedback. Private lessons are available in a range of languages, subject to instructor availability, so it's worth checking when booking.
Méribel's specialist instructors and mountain guides have knowledge of the local terrain and can help you choose an outing suited to your interests and experience. Their advice can be particularly useful when exploring unfamiliar off-piste routes or deciding which type of mountain experience is right for you.
French ski instruction follows a structured progression, with recognised stages and assessments to help you develop your skills step by step. It provides clear goals to work towards and a useful way to measure your progress throughout your lessons.
For children, familiar stages include Ourson, Flocon and the different Étoile levels, progressing through to Étoile d'Or. Adults also have recognised ability levels, helping instructors assess your skiing and recommend suitable lessons.
Understanding the French ski-level system can help you choose the right programme, particularly if you've previously taken lessons elsewhere. If you're booking for yourself or a child, explain your previous experience and any badges or levels achieved so that the instructor can help assess your needs.
For off-piste skiing, it's important to distinguish between your general Alpine skiing ability and your off-piste experience. Some programmes welcome skiers who are new to off-piste skiing, provided they meet the stated skiing-level requirements, while more advanced group outings require a higher level. Always check the requirements for your chosen lesson before booking.
Whether you're booking a private off-piste lesson, joining a group programme or planning a ski touring experience, professional instruction offers an opportunity to develop your skills and discover more of Méribel's mountain surroundings.
The right outing will depend on your ability, fitness, interests and the conditions. Weather, snow quality and avalanche risk can affect which routes are suitable, so your itinerary may need to change.
Check the level requirements, equipment arrangements and insurance cover for your chosen experience before setting off. With the right preparation and guidance, you can enjoy a rewarding mountain adventure and make more of your time in Méribel.
Handpicked multilingual guides working throughout Meribel
Operating across the valley, this world-class team of expert mountain guides is available at convenient meeting points in Méribel.
If you want to explore the incredible off-piste terrain of the Méribel valley, hiring a mountain guide will help you get the most from your day on the slopes. Guides can meet you at any ski area in the valley, allowing you to maximise your time on the mountain wherever you’re staying.
The team consists of individual experts, each with a world-class background in snowsports. Every guide has extensive experience in their speciality - skiing or snowboarding - as well as a broad knowledge of the sport overall. The international team means you’re likely to find a guide who speaks your language, with fluency in English, French, German, Italian and more.
These guides understand that skiing in fresh, untouched powder is an unforgettable experience, and they aim to make it a highlight of your off-piste adventure.
Off-piste lessons and guided adventures in the Three Valleys
Based in Méribel and Courchevel, this company offers off-piste guiding along with ski and snowboard lessons.
Their professional instructors know the Three Valleys inside out and will help you ski or snowboard on all kinds of terrain - from fresh powder to spring slush and wind-packed snow - so you can make the most of the mountains in any conditions.
They’ll guide you to the best spots for your level, giving tips and advice along the way. Whether you’re an experienced off-piste skier or snowboarder, or trying it for the first time, your instructor will tailor the lesson so you get the most out of it.
For the ultimate off-piste adventure, heli-skiing is also available. Fly over the peaks and escape the pistes and lifts as your pilot takes you to some of the most remote and beautiful places, ready to be explored with just you and your guide.
Private ski or snowboard guiding for up to six people - on and off-piste
A private ski or snowboard session for all ability levels – on and off-piste. It’s all about fun, improvement and discovering new off piste terrain.
Guided off-piste and touring are a great way to experience the back country with an experienced, UIAGM mountain guide or instructor.
You’ll encounter a variety of snow conditions and terrain; from powder fields, to tree runs, allowing you to improve your off-piste skills. Their packages offer something for every ability so you’ll experience the back country at your own pace. Their UIAGM mountain guides or instructors will offer technique pointers, guiding and simulation avalanche rescue training to ensure you’re fully prepared for your Experience.
Split boarding has become hugely popular in recent years due to exciting new product development: making boards lighter, stronger and easier to use. The possibilities of travelling into the back country have been transformed, with snowboarders now able to access terrain that was previously hard to reach. These courses offer snowboarders a unique experience by heading deeper into the back country whilst learning important back country skills.
Get fresh tracks with FT Outdoors guides. Heli-skiing, off-piste, ski-touring and more
These professional mountain guides offer a wide range of activities where you can discover remote areas of the mountain appropriate to your level of experience.
FT Outdoors will take you on a thrilling off-piste adventure where you will get to discover remote areas and ski in fresh powder away from all the crowds. Skiers and snowboarders wanting to go off-piste should be confident on both red and black runs.
Their fully qualified guides and off-piste specialists have years of experience which helps minimise risk. To further ensure your safety, they provide small backpacks containing an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel for each off-piste client. ABS backpacks are also available upon request for a small additional fee.
With FT Outdoors you don't have to worry about any communication barriers, they have some British guides as well as instructors who speak Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and German. There will also be no waiting around in lift queues, their clients have the fantastic advantage of lift line priority.
Off piste adventures with experience English speaking mountain guides
These mountain guides provide excellent off-piste experiences with safety equipment provided.
Make the most of each powder day. If you want to explore the true terrain of the mountain, learn how to ski across powder and ride the line of the season, they are there to help. They offer sessions for those that are just starting to explore off-piste through to those that already have plenty of experience and want to find the best powder spots in the valley.
All their mountain guides are fully qualified and have plenty of experience in the local terrain. They all speak English (other languages are also available) so you can relax and communicate with ease. They take safety seriously.
That’s why when you book one of their off-piste and guiding lessons, they provide transceivers, shovels, probes and ABS bags completely free of charge. At this school, they know how to handle the mountain with care.
Enjoy summer and winter outdoor activities tailored to suit you and your group
The bureau of Mountain Guides Montchavin les Coches can tailor each activity to suit you and your group, from canyoning, hiking, and high mountain adventures.
In summer you can go hiking, mountaineering, canyoning, climbing and try via feratta. And in winter there is snow shoeing, ski touring, winter mountaineering and ice climbing.
They cover the whole of the Tarentaise but also lead guided tours to other popular mountain destinations such as Chamonix and Mont Blanc, Zermett and the Gran Paradiso in Italy.
Coaching and bike hire with local specialist downhill mountain biker and guide
Learn some skills from local guide and mountain biker Clement, a specialist downhill enduro rider.
Clement likes to take his students to places with beautiful panoramic views to enjoy the local scenery which is just as important as improving your performance!
He offers advice on electric mountain bikes as well as regular ones, and you can book to go out with him for a half-day, full day or even longer. He also covers family groups as well as individuals.
Two days women specific courses and groups and mountain bike hire
For girls who want to go mountain biking in women's specific groups, or for those who wish to develop their skills with advice from mountain bike guides, Fast Riding People mountain bike school offers guiding and courses.
On the beautiful slopes of Meribel and with 100 km labelled mountain bike trails in the Three Valleys, the girls will quickly learn how to ride like champions!
Courses run with Fast Riding People
Established British instructors offering professional private ski tuition
These private instructors tailor their lessons 100% to you. Their flexible approach is aimed at helping you achieve your ski ambitions so that you get the most out of your ski holiday.
Michael and Martin are both fully qualified (BASI Level 4 - International) British ski instructors who have over 20 years teaching experience in the Three Valleys and are perfectly placed to show you the best parts of this ski domain suited to your level.
Whether you are clicking on skis for the very first time or you’re a black run junkie, they can help you take your skiing to the next level. As they both started skiing as young adults, they remember the emotions involved in the experience of learning to ski, enabling them to tailor their teaching to your exact needs so that you can make lasting breakthroughs in your skiing performance.
If you would like an introduction to off-piste skiing without any gung-ho attitude, then look no further. The emphasis at this level is on safety, your ski ability and technique, plus mountain conditions and risk assessment. They can also provide tuition in safety training, including avalanche beeps searches.
They teach individuals, families and small groups of friends. If you are planning to learn with family members or friends, it is advisable that you are all of a similar level to get the most out of your time on the mountain. They offer full weeks, full days, half days (mornings or afternoons) of ski tuition.
Whether you're looking for ski guiding in the massive Three Valleys from first to last lift, or want your personal instruction blended with the best hot chocolate and lunch venues, Michael and Martin will make your holiday truly memorable.