What's New in Meribel winter 2016-17

A range of services to improve skier comfort and enjoyment is the emphasis in Méribel next winter rather than any big infrastructure projects.

Special attention has been given to the needs of families and in improving WiFi coverage.

WiFi on the slopes

You will be able to tweet, share and like all day long for free thanks to the extended WiFi spots around the ski area. Find the free WiFi spots at the summit of Plan des Mains chairlift, at the DC AREA 43 chill zone, at the finish of the Yooni slalom in the Yeti Park, in the new Mottaret centre Piknic’n Relax room, at the top of Rhodos gondola lift and top of Plan de l’homme chairlift.

New Indian Restaurant

Located in Altitude 1600 (Morel) just above the main town, Tsaretta Spice will be bringing you contemporary Indian cuisine of the highest quality when it opens its doors for the first time on 3rd December 2016.

New indoor picnic area and relaxation room

Méribel’s Chaudanne Lounge has proved so popular that Mottaret has decided to create its own indoor picnic room. Here you can get out of the cold, eat in comfort and enjoy a bit of downtime between runs. The new “Piknic’n Relax” room is situated under the Pas du Lac gondola in Méribel-Mottaret centre. You can enjoy free use of comfy sofas, a kitchen area, WiFi and phone recharging points.

Easier, safer beginner slopes

Two of Méribel’s green slopes have been re-designed to make them easier for learners and children. The Escargot slope in the Tougnète area now offers a green alternative route reserved for beginners and an easy route for all other skiers. Part of the beginner Blanchot piste above the Altiport follows a new path to make the descent easier.

Family break time

When the kids are beginning to tire, simply make for the new outdoor relaxation areas where they can recharge their batteries. Comfy foam mattresses and wide benches will allow all the family to stretch out together for some well-earned rest. All the new areas are fenced off from skiers for safety.

The ultimate family rest spot is the Altai Dragon, opened part way through last season. Located just off the blue Pic piste and accessed by the Loze chairlift, this is an exception setting to enjoy a break. While you make the most of the hammocks and loungers and drink in the views, the children can try to find the dragon hiding somewhere in the forests….

Terrain Parks

The Moon Park has become the Elements Park. Méribel’s terrain park has been renamed and is now dedicated to freestylers of every level. Even novices will enjoy the boardercross, can whoop it up on the whoops, enjoy the Fun Cross and try their first tricks on the soft impact boxes, rails and jibs.

Mottaret’s DC Area 43 terrain park also sees improvements with newly decorated shipping containers, free WiFi, a new fun boardercross piste and entertainment every Tuesday and regular “DC parties” with contests.

Night Sledding at Méribel-Mottaret

Unleash your inner child (or your real children) on the “Himalaya by night” sledding evenings. These take place every Tuesday of the season and on Thursdays during French school holidays. Gorge yourself on marshmallows and hot chocolate and whizz down the floodlit piste to music and enjoy being a child again…..

Children’s fun and entertainment

As if skiing isn’t enough fun, Méribel will be proving even more entertainment for children on the slopes this winter.

Mottaret’s excellent Yeti Park, which opened last winter, has now been extended. Along with the existing whoops, trumpets and tunnels, there is now a zip-wire, toboggans, igloos and more.

Méribel’s popular Inuit Village at the Altiport now has two children’s entertainers and even more features: a climbing web, swings, drums, an igloo village, golf on snow and fishing games. And during the French school holidays, your children can meet a musher and her team of sled dogs.

The nearby animal themed piste has new wooden games to teach children about mountain animals. Ten new wooden mini-games based around the five senses will stir children’s interest with smells to recognise, sounds to hear and quiz questions to answer.

For the eight weeks of the French holidays, extra family entertainment is laid on at Méribel’s Altiport. Watch eagles fly, try archery or biathlon, or even discover magic – and all these special events are free! Find out more in our entertainment guide.

See all these improvements for yourself when the winter season starts in the Méribel Valley on 10 December 2016. (Season ends 23 April 2017.)