Le Creux de L'Ours
Rent Skis & Snowboards located on the top of Mottaret near Odalys accommodations. Save time and money by booking online with Intersport. Have your equipment ready to pick up as soon as you arrive and hit the slopes straight away!
About Off-piste skiing in Meribel
Fresh tracks, deep powder and lots of off-piste to play in
The Three Valleys is an enormous ski area and it probably comes as no surprise to hear that in such a big place, there are plenty of places to head to on a good powder day for some incredible off-piste skiing.
Méribel has some fantastic off-piste skiing and with access to the whole Three Valleys ski area, you can experience some incredible views, amazing powder and great days out. We always recommend hiring a mountain guide when you are thinking of heading off-piste, either in a group or privately.
You can join in guided off-piste tours, where you can head off in a group off-piste for the day. Both Méribel’s ESF and the Mountain Guides Office (Bureau des Guides) offer off-piste guiding groups for good skiers. Expect to walk or skin uphill for anything up to an hour, in return for untouched snow and deserted descents.
Depending on snow and weather conditions you may picnic on a summit or in a local restaurant and may ski anything from deep powder to crud, to spring snow. You need to be a strong skier with some off-piste experience to take part. The guide provides avalanche transceivers; you need to bring a ‘can-do’ attitude. Remember to bring energy bars or snacks and plenty of water and you'll have a fabulous day discovering the classic Three Valley itineraries and meet like-minded people.
Off-piste skiing in Méribel
Méribel Village - Altiport
- Dent de Burgin: From the Loze Express chairlift, follow the Boulevard de la Loze track towards Dent de Burgin. Halfway along, drop right for wide-open powder fields. Only ski this area if the track is open, as avalanche risk is high when closed.
- Loze Express: Beneath the chairlift, there's a popular off-piste run that gets busy quickly after fresh snowfall. On a powder day, catch the first lift and try skiing through the trees for fresh tracks, all the way to Méribel Village.
Méribel-Mottaret
- Côte Brune: You'll find fresh powder all around this chairlift. A short hike from the lift can lead to incredible descents with untouched snow. Check with ski patrollers at the top for safe routes before heading out.
- Roc de Tougne: Accessed via the Combes lifts, this area features long off-piste runs either side of the drag lift. Traverse at the top to find untouched powder.
Méribel Centre - Tougnète
- Olympic to Raffort: From the Olympic Express chairlift, hike along the ridge to access untouched slopes. The further you hike, the steeper the descent. Watch out for the stream at the bottom and follow the Villages piste to Les Allues
Always make sure you are prepared before embarking on any off-piste skiing or snowboarding. Check out our avalanche safety guide. It's always advisable to hire an off-piste guide who will have extensive knowledge of the area and the mountains.
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Off-piste skiing in Courchevel
The easiest and safest off-piste is the Bel Aire area above Courchevel Moriond, either side of the Pyramide, Signal, and Chapelets.
The tree areas in Courchevel are great for catching some fresh snow and playing off-piste.
With a short hike from the famous Grand Couloir piste, there is excellent off-piste skiing in the Petit couloir or in the Croix de Verdons couloir if you don't mind climbing a little further. Also, the Equinox pitch, a 15-minute hike from the top of the Chanrossa chair, is one not to be missed out on a powder day.
There are also the well-known off-piste areas of Col du Fruit and Vallée des Avals, that will take you far away from any pisted areas.
Off-piste skiing in Val Thorens
Val Thorens offers some of Europe's most stunning off-piste terrain, surrounded by six glaciers and endless powder fields. Popular routes include:
- Pierre Lory: From the Col chair into the Maurienne Valley.
- Lac du Lou: Accessible from the Combe de Rosael black run or La Masse.
- Vallée des Encombres: A thrilling descent from La Masse.
- Jerusalem to Pramint: Renowned off-piste area near St Martin, popular with local guides.
Highlights:
- Explore iconic descents like the Gebroulaz Glacier towards Méribel or Pralognan.
- Always consider weather and snow conditions due to Val Thorens’ high altitude.
Safety first:
- Check avalanche conditions and read our avalanche safety page for tips on staying safe off-piste.
- It's always advisable to hire an off-piste mountain guide who will have extensive knowledge of the area and the mountains.
Before heading off-piste
Before you head off piste, here's a few things you should be thinking about:
- hire a guide!
- take a course in avalanche awareness and practice the techniques learned
- look at the weather and avalanche forecasts for France, reviewing the degree of local avalanche risk also
- don’t ignore advice given by local mountain guides or others if advised to ski a certain path, or to keep a specific distance between fellow members in a group
- plan the route carefully, evaluating all different options and assessing all elements of danger. Look at the timings for each route. Inform others of your route, and when you expect to arrive back
- attach your transceiver properly TO YOU and DON'T FORGET to turn it on, test the signal is working, and make sure you have all the necessary equipment.
- a transceiver is of no use if the user has not been trained in its use, it is turned off, or it is in a rucksack - unless you want just your bag to be recovered
Read more about understanding avalanches and how to try to avoid them.
What should I wear when skiing or snowboarding?
Ski Hire in Meribel
See all Ski Hire in Meribel-
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Freeski
This shop is situated in Meribel Centre, near to the tourist office and the Spar. Gilles et Alexandra and team are on hand to welcome and assist you.
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Mottaret
This ski and snowboard rental shop is situated in the Club Hotel main shopping centre at the foot of the pistes right in the heart of the resort.
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Alp Attitude
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Meribel? Just visit the Skiset Alp Attitude store!
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Ski Hire Mobile Delivery
This ski hire shop is based in Méribel and offers a mobile delivery service throughout the resort, making it easy and stress-free to get your equipment wherever you are staying.
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Ski Evasion
No need to carry your ski equipment around with you! Simply pick it up from the ski shop in resort. You can collect your equipment from at least 5pm the day before your 1st skiing day.
More inspiration...
Take a look at this year's ski pass prices or find your way around with piste maps for Meribel.
