Meribel in January 2020 - What weather to expect & what to do

January in Méribel: What's on and weather

Quiet slopes, great atmosphere and some special events

Imprint: By Tracy Wise, Updated 2 May 2026

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!

See our Ski Pass Guide See all

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.

See all Ski Hire in Meribel See our Ski Areas, Pistes & Parks

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.

See our Nightlife Guide

Barometer Bar and Restaurant

Location
Meribel

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.
Le Cafe del Mott Restaurant and Bar

Location
Meribel-Mottaret

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.
Aux Petits Oignons Bar

Location
Meribel

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.
En Bord de Piste Bar

Location
Meribel

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.
La Folie Douce Bar

Location
Meribel

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.
Tsaretta Bar

Location
Meribel

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

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.

See our Activity Guide

Snowshoe walks

Strap on your snowshoes and discover the Meribel trails with a qualified instructor.
Helicopter tours

Location
Bourg-Saint-Maurice

A fantastic way to see the resort with your friends and family and a great way to entertain any non-skiers in your group.
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.
Bureau des Guides winter and summer activities

Location
Courchevel 1850

Head out into the mountains with experienced guides in either summer or winter for some amazing experiences.
Snow shoe walks

Location
Courchevel 1850

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.

Fête de la Musique

Next event date
21 June 2026
Location
Chamonix

The Fête de la Musique is a celebration that takes place every summer solstice on 21 June in cities, towns and villages across France.
Gran Fondo Col de la Loze

Next event date
12 July 2026
Location
Brides Les Bains

Take part in an unforgettable cycling challenge starting from Brides-les-Bains, with four routes to choose from: 117 km – 53 km – 46 km – 30 km. Several of the routes cross the legendary Col de la Loze.
Bastille Day

Next event date
14 July 2026

Bastille Day is celebrated across the whole of France with a bang...well, several in fact, fireworks always feature heavily.
Beaujolais Nouveau

Next event date
19 November 2026

The third Thursday in November is when this year's Beaujolais hits the shelves and is cause for celebration across France.

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.

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