December in Méribel: What's on and weather

Whilst there will be snow up the mountain, a white Christmas is never a guarantee in the village. However, it's definitely cold, with temperatures averaging from -6°C to 1°C, with around 11 days of snowfall. Make sure thermals are on your Christmas list.

The lifts and ski runs open progressively over the first two weeks of the season. For this first week, most of the major lifts and Three Valleys links will open. More lifts and pistes generally open for the second week, with full opening expected in time for Christmas. 

Christmas and New Year is a popular time for families so the slopes are noticeably busier as soon as the holidays begin. Fortunately, Les 3 Vallées ski area is so vast, that even in high season you can find quiet slopes and minimal lift queues. Here are our insider's top tips for the school holidays:

• It will be almost impossible to book private lessons over this period, group lessons are the best option, so make sure to get your ski and snowboard lessons booked well in advance to avoid disappointment
• if you're not in ski school, be an early bird - arrive at the lifts before they open so that you get up and away before the ski school classes set out around 09:15.
• ski over lunchtime - the slopes are calmer between 12:00 and 14:00 while the French take a leisurely lunch break
• pre-book your lunch and avoid the queues - some restaurants offer a click and collect service and it's the best way to avoid the queues and make the most of your time in the mountains
• seek out the peripheral areas, try to avoid the busy main linking routes between valleys and head for calmer areas such as Méribel’s Roc de Fer, Courchevel-Moriond (1650m) or Courchevel Le Praz (1300m). 
• check out these little known runs in Méribel: Hulotte, Gypaète, Daguet, Coqs, Eterlou, Mouflon and Mauduit and the black runs are generally deserted too – the best are Face, snow-sure Bartavelle, empty Grande Rosière and high altitude Ecureuil
• get off-piste - competent off-piste skiers can book a local mountain guide and explore the vast off-piste areas in the valley or even go touring to find complete solitude in the backcountry

If, like a lot of people, you like to follow several hours of exercise with several hours of drinking, especially during the festive season, you can hit up any of a number of local opening parties and après-ski sessions. For late night entertainment, the clubs hold special nights on most days of the week.

New Year's Eve

Christmas is magical in the fairytale atmosphere of a snowy alpine village and New Year’s Eve is always celebrated in Méribel in style. If you're heading out, the restaurants will be busy, so it would be best to make a reservation to ensure you can get a table, and many bars and clubs will be ticket only, so if there's somewhere you plan to see in the New Year, make sure you've planned ahead.

Family fun

December is a very family friendly month on the events calendar. During the Christmas festivities, there is usually live music, entertainment, freebies for children and child friendly activities. Make sure you catch the torchlit descents and fireworks displays during the holiday time. During the dark December evenings, there’s always plenty going on at Méribel’s multi-sport centre. Pool parties, relaxing spa sessions, indoor climbing, bowling, aqua-gym, aqua-bike, paddleboard fitness, massages, beauty treatments – there really is something for everyone!

The season starts on the first weekend of the month with a day of entertainment in Mottaret. With so many families visiting the Three Valleys for the festive season, there is a real child-like excitement as the big day draws ever closer, and usually there's an opportunity to spot the main man himself meeting and greeting people around the resort. And with the whole of the mountain opening up in time for the Christmas guests, head to the summit of the Yeti Park, enjoy the night time views of Méribel and sledge down this spotlit green run. Then enjoy a hot chocolate, music and marshmallows at the bottom.