En Bord de Piste Bar
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.
December in Méribel: What's on and weather
This month sees the start of the winter season
It's December, the ski lifts are opening and the Christmas holidays are on the horizon.
December is a very special month to visit Méribel and the first weeks of the season are treasured by locals. There’s the thrill of being back on skis and the excitement of the start of a brand new season.
The virgin snow is soft and un-skied and best of all, the slopes are empty with a total absence of lift queues. Having the valley virtually to yourself in early December is the closest you can come to owning your private ski area.
We can expect sports competitions, opening parties, and there will obviously be lots of festive celebrations including a visit from a certain Papa Noël. As you are no doubt aware, most things in December revolve around the last two weeks of the month, schools break up and travellers from near and far descend on Les 3 Vallées. There are a plethora of events coming up, from parades to special Christmas menus and New Year's blowouts.
Read on for a look at what we like to do in resort throughout December.
What are the weather and snow conditions like?
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.
School holidays skiing
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. In Méribel, this includes Tougnète 1 and 2, Saulire 1 and 2, Golf and Altiport. In Mottaret, Chalets, Plattières 1 and 3, Combes, Mont Vallon, Côte Brune, Mûres Rouges and Plan des Mains. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Opening parties
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.
Bars & Clubs in Meribel
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Le Cafe del Mott Restaurant and Bar
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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Barometer Bar and Restaurant
Located at the heart of the Three Valleys, Barometer Bar offers a warm, vibrant, and stylish setting with a truly international atmosphere. Whether you’re visiting Méribel for skiing, sightseeing, or simply to unwind, this bar and restaurant provides the perfect place to relax, enjoy great food, and soak up the lively alpine energy. Open every day, Barometer is famous for serving some of the best pizzas in town, alongside a menu inspired by both French and Italian cuisine.
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Lodge du Village Bar
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
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
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.
Winter Things To Do in Meribel
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!
Wintersport Things To Do in Meribel
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Snowshoe walks
Strap on your snowshoes and discover the Meribel trails with a qualified instructor.
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Heliskiing/boarding
For backcountry adventures, this independent company operates in and around the following three heliski destinations: Valgrisenche, The Courmayeur Valley and the Col de Petit St Bernard Pass. They have pioneered 32 drop zones within these three broad valley regions giving you a huge choice of terrain, snow conditions and mountain orientation to ensure you have a day best suited to your ability and preferences.
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Helicopter tours
A fantastic way to see the resort with your friends and family and a great way to entertain any non-skiers in your group.
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Snow shoe walks
Laurence is a certified mountain leader, who enjoys taking clients away from the busy pistes and spicing up your ski holiday with a guided snowshoeing trip.
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Bureau des Guides winter and summer activities
Head out into the mountains with experienced guides in either summer or winter for some amazing experiences.
December events in Meribel
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.
Events in Meribel
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French Ski Mountaineering Championships - Sprint
The Sprint course has a trajectory requiring conversions, punctuated by stairs and portages. The descent, marked by giant gates, is also timed. 120 riders are expected.
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Women's Ski Audi FIS World Cup
The best female skiers in the world will be there for a night-time slalom. Festive atmosphere and spectacle guaranteed
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Christmas in Méribel
Christmas magic, festivities, parades, shows and meeting Santa!
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Family fun with the Inuit shaman
Meet Ithako, a famous Inuit Shaman.
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ESF Ski Show (Mottaret)
A spectacular ski show on the Mottaret snow front over Christmas.
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Christmas Day torchlit descent
Walk off your Christmas lunch with a little leg stretch down to the Chaudanne where the local ski instructors and children will put on a festive Christmas Day torchlit descent.
More inspiration...
For more happening in Méribel this December, check out our events calendar and start booking your early season holidays soon!
