Make the most of early season skiing

Enjoy an early season ski break this year

Imprint: By Ian Huyton, Updated 16 June 2026

Here's some more great reasons to make that early ski season trip.

Traditionally the winter ski season begins the last weekend of November or the first weekend in December, and for those of you lucky enough to be there you can count yourselves among the first skiers of the winter.

The start of December can be a great time to ski, the temperatures are usually cold and the snow can be fantastic. The potential downsides are that the snow cover might be poor on the lower slopes and only the main lifts tend to be open.

A lot of your decisions will depend on snow conditions and lift opening. It's important to keep an eye on the forecast, but whether it's sunshine or snow if the temperatures are cold enough, for sure the resorts will have their best snowmaking efforts in operation on the lower slopes.

Whatever the weather, you'll find enough snow to give your legs a good warm up.

Budget Hotels in Meribel

For those opening their doors to guests in early December, you may well be offered a lovely discount for being this year's guinea pigs as they try out their new chalet staff. Hotels and apartment rental companies can also be a little bit more flexible on duration of stay at this time of year.

Les Sentiers du Tueda Apartment Residence

Location
Meribel-Mottaret

Residence du Tueda is located in the most recent part of Méribel-Mottaret resort, at walking distance from ski lifts and close to the resort centre. It is made up of four savoyard-style buildings and divided into two areas linked by a public inclined lift. The apartments enjoy splendid views the skiing runs.
Le Peillon Apartment Residence, Méribel - Les Allues

Location
Meribel

With its traditional architecture and renovated apartments, this residence is located in the very centre of the resort opposite the tourist office and close to the shops. It is made up of a single building.
Les Fermes de Méribel Premium Apartment Residence, Méribel Village

Location
Meribel

The residence "Les Fermes de Méribel" has spacious and comfortable apartments divided between six small stone and wood chalets. It lies in a pleasant wooded environment in the heart of Méribel Village.
Le Mottaret Hotel

Location
Meribel-Mottaret

Located right on the pistes in the centre of Méribel-Mottaret close to the ESF ski school and next door to a ski hire shop.
Adray Telebar Hotel

Location
Meribel

Tucked away in the forest and only accessible by ski or foot, Adray Télébar blends rustic alpine comfort with a lively atmosphere - perfect for couples, families and friends alike.
Les Ravines Apartment Residence

Location
Meribel

Featuring traditional wood and stone architecture, the Residences Les Ravines is made up of a single building. The residence is located in the centre of Méribel, a stone's throw from the shops.

Ski Hire in Meribel

At this time of year the ski hire shops have just gotten all their new skis and snowboards ready for this winter's customers. This a great opportunity to take some time to chat to the experts, they will unusually have some time, and try something new. And if you don't like it, take it back and swap for something else.

Home delivery & fitting service

Location
Meribel

Rent your equipment the easy way! This company delivers and fits your skis or snowboards at your accommodation, so there’s no need to traipse to the shop after a long journey.
Oakley La Chaudanne

Location
Meribel

This ski and snowboard rental shop is very conveniently place next to everything: ski school meeting points, underground parking, lift pass office, main lifts and free shuttle bus stop! It doesn't get more convenient than this.
Ski Higher Mobile Delivery Service

Location
Les Allues

Make ski rental simple with this delivery service. Their mobile delivery team brings high-quality ski rental equipment straight to your accommodation, and is fitted by a skilled technician. With expert support throughout your stay and competitive pricing, it’s the easiest way to organise your ski hire in Meribel.
Skishop Mottaret

Location
Meribel-Mottaret

Want to rent skis or snowboards in Meribel? Just visit the Skiset Skishop Mottaret store!
Les Glaciers

Location
Meribel

Ski & Snowboard Rental near Hotel Le Savoy. Save time and money by booking online with Intersport. Have your equipment ready to pick up as soon as you arrive and hit the slopes straight away!
Freeski

Location
Meribel

This shop is situated in Meribel Centre, near to the tourist office and the Spar. Gilles et Alexandra and team are on hand to welcome and assist you.

Ski Schools in Meribel

Not all tour operators are up and running in resort until just before Christmas, so the resorts tend to be quieter, which means it'll just be you, some locals and day trippers. With this in mind the lift pass companies often do special rates for those coming to ski before Christmas, and you can get a private ski lesson booked in to make sure your skills on the slopes are in top condition before the season really gets going.

Private ski lessons

Operating across the valley, this world-class team of ski instructors is available at three convenient points in Méribel.
Group ski lessons

Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British ski schools in France and is renowned for its fantastic instructors and excellent customer service.
Group ski lessons

This ski school offers group ski lessons for both children and adults, catering to all ability levels. Their group lessons provide a great and affordable way to improve your skiing in a safe, social and supportive environment.
Group ski lessons

This ski school is the largest in France and one of the oldest, having been established in 1945. Offering a wide range of lessons and childcare from 18 months upwards they can ensure the needs of your entire family/group are met. They even offer English only children's lessons.
Group ski lessons

Run by an Anglo-French team since 2001, this ski school knows the area inside out. Their highly qualified, multilingual instructors specialise in tailor-made lessons to suit every skier or snowboarder.
Group ski lessons

Parallel Lines is Méribel’s biggest British Ski and Snowboard School. With 28 instructors in peak weeks, whether you’re taking your first turns or exploring the off-piste that The Three Valleys has to offer.

Nightlife in Meribel

Early season temperatures tend to be colder, and the forecast is for snow. So, pop into a cosy mountain restaurant or bar and order a well-deserved mulled wine to warm up, or make your way down to one of the bars and hotels at the foot of the slopes.

At this time of year, resort staff outnumber holidaymakers in the bars. It's opening party season and there is something going on almost every night. News usually travels by word of mouth, so pop into a bar for après ski, get friendly with the staff and find out where the party is later on. With fewer people about than in peak season, you will find some busy bars, some quiet ones and some that are still closed.

See our Nightlife Guide

Lodge du Village Bar

Location
Meribel

Lodge du Village (LDV) stands above La Terrasse du Village as Méribel Village’s most iconic après-ski and late-night venue, offering a complete day-to-night experience under one roof. Open from midday, LDV is the ideal stop for lunch, a casual bite between runs, or a relaxed family meal. Their upstairs snack bar, Miaou Miaou, serves a selection of satisfying favourites throughout the day, including hot dogs, loaded fries, and smash burgers - ideal for refuelling before heading back to the slopes or settling in for the afternoon.
Le Cafe del Mott Restaurant and Bar

Location
Meribel-Mottaret

Part of the Hotel le Mottaret, this bar has a fantastic sunny terrace serving lunch and après-ski tunes, just 50m from the Perdrix and Furet green runs.
La Folie Douce Bar

Location
Meribel

At La Folie Douce, great food and unforgettable fun go hand in hand. Perched on the slopes of Méribel-Courchevel, this legendary venue redefines après-ski with its high-energy Clubbing experience, where guests can forget the everyday and immerse themselves in alpine entertainment like no other.
En Bord de Piste Bar

Location
Meribel

Perched right on the edge of the piste, En Bord de Piste Bar in Méribel is the perfect spot to unwind, whether you’ve been skiing all morning or simply want to soak up the alpine atmosphere.
Aux Petits Oignons Bar

Location
Meribel

Since 2007, the friendly team at Aux Petits Oignons has been welcoming guests with warmth, good food, and a genuine Méribel spirit. Proudly part of the Méribel 1600 community, this year-round restaurant and bar is loved by locals and visitors alike for its relaxed atmosphere, great value, and home-cooked dishes made with care.
Tsaretta Bar

Location
Meribel

Welcome to Tsaretta, a unique bar, restaurant, and live music venue open all year round in Les Allues, Méribel. Combining incredible food, a vast selection of beers, wines, and cocktails, and some of the best live music in the Meribel valley, Tsaretta offers something for everyone under one roof. Grab a cold beer, order from the delicious pizza and burger menu - which is also available to take away - and soak up the friendly, vibrant atmosphere.

Things to do in Meribel

In addition to skiing and opening parties, there's always plenty to do away from the slopes, such as ice skating, husky sledding or some early present shopping at the Christmas market.

See our Activity Guide

Snowshoe walks

Strap on your snowshoes and discover the Meribel trails with a qualified instructor.
Cross-country skiing

Location
Meribel

Why not try a new activity this winter and learn how to cross-country ski!
Hydrospeeding

Location
Bourg-Saint-Maurice

This activity is accessible to those comfortable in water, no need to be a professional diver or swimmer, you just have to be smart at using the water movements, obstacles and waves.
Adaptive ski lessons

Location
Meribel

Skiing is for everyone and everyone should be able to enjoy the mountains. The official French ski school offer adaptive lessons with specialist instructors for a variety of disabilities.
Rafting In The Alps

Location
Bourg-Saint-Maurice

White water rafting is accessible to all who love the natural environment and who are in search of a bit of adventure. These excursions will leave you with some unforgettable memories.
Telemark ski lessons

Location
Meribel

Learn one of the oldest and most elegant forms of skiing with the French ski school this winter.