Here's some more great reasons to make that early ski season trip.
Make the most of early season skiing
Enjoy an early season ski break this year
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.
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Les Ravines Apartment Residence
An aparthotel in Meribel centre
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.
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Les Sentiers du Tueda Apartment Residence
A three star aparthotel in 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.
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Les Fermes de Méribel Premium Apartment Residence, Méribel Village
A four star apart-hotel in Méribel Village
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.
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Adray Telebar Hotel
Hidden slopeside chalet with Savoyard charm and a rock’n’roll spirit
Tucked away in the forest and only accessible by ski or foot, this rustic hotel blends alpine comfort with a lively atmosphere - perfect for couples, families and friends alike.
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Le Mottaret Hotel
3 Star recently renovated hotel in a fantastic location with ski-in, ski-out access
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.
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Les Bleuets Apartment Residence
A Meribel aparthotel
The residence is located in the heart of Méribel-Mottaret. A shopping centre is also close by. In the heart of the 3 Vallées, this is an authentic Savoy resort with large chalets.
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.
Bars & Clubs in Meribel
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En Bord de Piste Bar
Relax with drinks and mountain views from sun terrace to fireside
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.
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Aux Petits Oignons Bar
Year-round 'locals' bar attached to a delicious French restaurant
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.
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Le Cafe del Mott Restaurant and Bar
Hotel bar with great sunny terrace and chilled après-ski scene
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.
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Lodge du Village Bar
Live bands for après-ski, tasty cocktails and non-stop bar food
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.
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La Folie Douce Bar
Famous on piste après-ski bar near the mid station of the Saulire Express
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.
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Tsaretta Bar
Popular bar with live music and showing sports, open all year round in the heart of Les Allues
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.
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.
Ski Hire in Meribel
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Home delivery & fitting service
Ski and snowboard rental delivered anywhere in Meribel, with easy online booking
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.
Visit websiteSave an extra 10%. Click website button and use code: SEE10
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Le Plateau
Ski rental at the Rond Point des Pistes near the Residence Les Carlines
Ski and snowboard hire in the direction of the altiport, just near slopes' round about (rond point des pistes) along the shopping gallery 'Plateau'. Slopes, skipass registers and the ESF skiing school nearby. Parking facilities and free shuttle to Meribus.. 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!
Visit websiteSave an extra 5%. Use Intersport ski hire discount code: STWSKI
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Hameau Sports
Ski rental shop located at the top of Meribel Mottaret - Le Hameau area
This shop is situated towards the top of resort in the Odalys Residence (opposite the Arpasson and Gebroulaz Residences) in the shopping centre between the Hameau Bar and the Le Florentin Italian Restaurant. Thierry and his team are on hand to welcome and assist you.
Visit websiteSave an extra 5%. Ski hire discount applied automatically on website visit
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SkiPlace
Ski hire shop in the Galerie Ruitor, leading directly onto the pistes in Mottaret
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Meribel? Just visit the NetSki SkiPlace Meribel store!
Visit websiteSave an extra 5%. Netski ski hire discount applied automatically on website visit
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Sport Boutique II Carlines
Ski hire at the top of Mottaret Le Hameau, near the Rond Point lift pass office
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Meribel? Just visit the Skiset Sport Boutique 2 store!
Visit websiteSave an extra 5%. Skiset ski hire discount applied automatically on website visit
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Ski Hire Mobile Delivery
Friendly ski hire and delivery, right to your door in Courchevel and Meribel
Relax and enjoy ski rental delivery. With 20 years of experience, this independent company is run by passionate skiers and snowboarders. Their expert team carefully selects and fits your equipment to the highest standards.
Visit websiteSave up to 40% using the promo code: SNOW
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.
Ski School Lessons in Meribel
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Private ski lessons
Exceptional coaching tailored to your needs for unforgettable skiing
Operating across the valley, this world-class team of ski instructors is available at three convenient points in Méribel.
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Group ski lessons
Group lessons by the official and largest French ski and snowboard school
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.
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Private ski lessons
British school offering a wide range of private lesson options tailored to all ages and abilities
Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British-run ski schools in France. Their team is known for going the extra mile, offering excellent customer service and delivering outstanding lessons and guiding.
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Private ski lessons
Private skiing and snowboarding lessons with highly rated instructors
This ski school connects snow sports enthusiasts of all abilities with expert ski and snowboard instructors across Europe’s top resorts. With thousands of top-rated, verified instructors to choose from, their private lessons offer a flexible and personalised learning experience.
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Private ski lessons
Tailored ski and snowboard lessons with multilingual instructors
Run by an Anglo-French team since 2001, this ski school knows the Three Valleys inside out. Their highly qualified, multilingual instructors specialise in tailor-made lessons designed to suit every skier or snowboarder.
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Private ski lessons
British-run private ski and snowboard lessons for all levels
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, Parallel Lines can provide fantastic lessons designed around you.
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.
Things To Do in Meribel
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Hydrospeeding
Half-day white water swimming/hydrospeeding. This is fast, fun and unforgettable
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.
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Telemark ski lessons
Private telemark lessons for all levels
Learn one of the oldest and most elegant forms of skiing with the French ski school this winter.
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Rafting In The Alps
Half and full day white water rafting for all abilities from eight years-old
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.
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Biathlon lessons
Private and group biathlon lessons for all levels
Escape the busy slopes this winter and get a biathlon lesson!
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Adaptive ski lessons
Adaptive skiing with the official French ski school
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.
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Snowshoe walks
Snowshoe walks for all abilities
Strap on your snowshoes and discover the Meribel trails with a qualified instructor.
