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.
January in Méribel: What's on and weather
Quiet slopes, great atmosphere and some special events
It's pretty cold and the days are short, but the skies are blue and the pistes are quiet.
After the Christmas holidays are over, January is the quietest part of the main winter season in Méribel. This means you have the slopes to yourselves, rarely have to queue for a lift and can enjoy pistes in great condition. Keen skiers often rate January as their favourite time to visit Méribel.
This month often gives us some of the best skiing conditions of the entire season, with low temperatures keeping the snow in great condition while the slopes are beautifully quiet, especially at the start of the month.
The quiet conditions on the mountain don't translate into quiet nights in the resort. There are fewer families and more adult visitors, meaning it can be easier to get a table at a restaurant, and the bars are buzzing with plenty of live music and party nights to keep you entertained whilst you warm your hands on a glass of vin chaud.
Read on for a look at what we like to do in resort throughout January.
What are the weather and snow conditions like
January weather can vary from bright sunshine to heavy snowfalls, and temperatures may be low. There is on average 12 days of snowfall and subzero temperatures keep it nice and fresh. In January, the average daytime temperatures generally fall between a high of 1°C and a low of -7°C. Definitely pack those thermals!
Skiing
January is the ideal month to make the most of the world’s largest ski area. With virtually no lift queues and blissfully empty slopes, this is the perfect time to explore every corner of the ski area with its 600km of pistes.
Our top tips: take advantage of the lack of lift queues on the popular Cime Caron cable car in Val Thorens end enjoy the magnificent red runs from its 3,200m summit, venture to the furthest point in distant Orelle – the ‘fourth’ valley – to enjoy its spectacular scenery, and make the most of the stunning wooded pistes above Courchevel le Praz while there is great snow cover on these lower slopes.
Nightlife in Meribel
At this time of the season we are looking forward to some live music sessions, whether from local bands or even one of the open mike nights and jam sessions that the local bars often hold. So, whether you fancy yourself an Adele, Bob Dylan or a Billie Eilish, there's definitely somewhere you can 'entertain' the crowds.
Of course, that's if we've made it home from one of the many après-ski events taking place every evening across town.
Bars & Clubs in Meribel
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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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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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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.
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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.
Winter Things To Do in Meribel
Family fun
Fun and thrills are assured on Méribel’s themed sled run, the Black Forest Mission. Or bring out your inner child on a sledding evening. Alternatively, if you’ve been bitten by the ski touring bug, why not take the family on an evening climb lit by a head torch.
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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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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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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Bureau des Guides winter and summer activities
Head out into the mountains with experienced guides in either summer or winter for some amazing experiences.
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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.
January events in Meribel
Now that the festivities of December are behind us we can look forward to a calendar of events full of sporting professionals competing up on the slopes of Meribel and Courchevel, plus a plethora of events in the resort to keep everyone entertained. Keep an eye on the events calendar to ensure you don't miss a thing.
Events in Meribel
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2 for 1 Burgers at Lodge du Village
End the weekend with hearty comfort food and a relaxed, feel-good atmosphere.
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2 for 1 Cocktails at Lodge du Village
Enjoy late-night classics at great prices and keep the party going from 10 pm to 1 am.
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Family fun with the Inuit shaman
Meet Ithako, a famous Inuit Shaman.
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Valentine's Day in Meribel
If you're looking for a special way of celebrating Valentine's with a loved one then Meribel is a great choice.
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Subsessions - Drum & Bass DJs at Lodge du Village
Get ready for deep bass, sweaty dancefloors, and town favourites on the decks every month.
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Yooni Moon Trail
Immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere of the Tueda Nature Reserve at night.
More inspiration...
This is only a small selection of what's on in Méribel during the first month of the year. Take a look at our events calendar for a full rundown and to find some accommodation for your stay.
