About Meribel & Three Valleys ski areas
The legendary resort of Meribel offers a wide variety of ski runs for all ages and abilities, from complete beginners to freeride experts, and is part of one of the largest linked ski areas in the world, the Three Valleys - all of which is accessible with the same pass.
Méribel is a snow sure resort where 85% of the area sits above 1,800m and an extensive snow making network ensures excellent conditions throughout the season. Perfect for families and beginners, it holds the Famille Plus label, offering facilities tailored to children and older visitors. Reaching Méribel is simple, with easy access from Geneva, Lyon, Chambéry and Moûtiers. At the heart of the legendary Three Valleys, the largest interlinked ski area in the world, Méribel gives you endless possibilities with a single lift pass, opening up the slopes of Courchevel, Val Thorens and far beyond.
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Ski Area Overview
The Three Valleys is a vast ski paradise with over 500 marked pistes (600km total), just under 200 lifts, and 2,300 snow cannons covering over 56% of the area.
It's made up of eight resorts: Courchevel, La Tania, Méribel, Brides-les-Bains, Les Menuires, Val Thorens, Orelle, and St Martin de Belleville offering skiable terrain for all abilities.
Courchevel
On the northern side of the Three Valleys, Courchevel has 150km of pistes and breathtaking views of Mont Blanc. It's renowned for challenging terrain, technical couloirs and favourite runs like the freshly groomed Chapelets red run. La Tania adds further excitement with the Dou des Lanches black and the Freeride Face. Off piste, options abound, from the vast powder fields of Les Avals Valley to steep, technical descents around Saulire Couloirs, Roc Merlet, and the Dou des Lanches area with cliffs, trees, and varied terrain. For freestyle, the Family Park at Courchevel 1850 caters to all levels, with gentle features ideal for beginners and progressive riders.
Val Thorens
A world class ski resort with excellent snow, varied terrain, and modern facilities, appealing to skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. Beginners benefit from dedicated areas, whilst experts enjoy glacier skiing and extensive off-piste routes. Highlights include the scenic Jerusalem run to St Martin de Belleville, the sunny slopes of Pointe de la Masse with blues and challenging blacks, and wide glacier pistes like Lac Blanc and Les Vires, perfect at sunset. To avoid crowds, use Méribel access lifts around midday and explore the quieter Orelle area. Freestyle fans will love the snowpark with kickers, rails, and boxes for all levels.
Méribel
Méribel, located in the Tarentaise Valley of Savoie at 1,450 metres, is a central resort in the Three Valleys. Surrounded by forests, valleys, and Alpine peaks, it offers stunning views of Mont Blanc. Founded in 1938 by Scotsman Peter Lindsay, it blends traditional Savoyard architecture and was chosen to host events during the 1992 Winter Olympics. Suitable for all levels, Méribel features accessible off-piste terrain, two snowparks, and attracts both families and expert skiers. Mont du Vallon, at 2,952 metres, offers challenging descents for the adventurous. Composed of several districts spread out across varying altitudes, the main five villages are:
- Méribel Les Allues (1,100m)
- Méribel Centre (1,450m)
- Méribel Village (1,450m)
- Méribel Les Hauts (1,600m)
- Méribel Mottaret (1,750m)
Méribel Centre
The resort’s central hub at La Chaudanne, features modern lifts and access to key pistes like the Faon blue and Combe Tougnète red runs. Freestyle enthusiasts can enjoy Elements Park, boardercross, and the Back to the Wild area. The Saulire Express gondola connects skiers to runs for all abilities, including the challenging Go Pro Couloir black.
Our recommendation is to ski in the sun on the Tougnète side in the morning and cross over to the Saulire in the afternoon
Méribel-Mottaret
Sitting at the heart of the Three Valleys, offering ski-in, ski-out access, it features the snowpark and several challenging off-piste zones. Key runs include the Sitelle and Martre blue pistes, as well as the long red descent of Combe de Vallon, perfect for skiers seeking variety and adventure.
Méribel Village - Altiport
Served by the fast Golf chairlift which provides access to the entire Méribel and Three Valleys ski area. Ideal for families and beginners, it offers numerous green and blue runs, while the Piste des Inuits is perfect for children. Advanced skiers can tackle reds and off-piste near Dent de Burgin, and scenic runs like Lapin and Houlotte lead back to the village.
Orelle - the fourth valley
Orelle is a must visit corner of the Three Valleys, offering superb snow, modern lifts, and breathtaking scenery. It joined the Three Valleys in 1996 with the introduction of the Three Vallées Express gondola, a 5km link ascending 1,470m in altitude through forests and steep terrain. The new gondola ensures faster, safer journeys, whilst the Orelle Caron Gondola soars 820m to Cime Caron in just seven minutes, with panoramic views from its glazed cabins.
The area boasts runs ranging from gentle greens to challenging blacks, including the Coraia red, the highest piste in the Three Valleys at 3,230m. Off-piste enthusiasts will find the best terrain near the Bouchet lift, where fresh powder and exciting routes await. Suitable for beginners, intermediates, and experts alike, Orelle combines reliable snow, varied skiing, and cutting edge lift technology, making it a rewarding destination for all.
Ski Area Statistics
| Skiable area | 150km |
| Resort height | 1,450m |
| Aspect | North, north west |
| Highest lift - Saulire Express | 2,738m |
| Vertical drop | 1000m |
| Pistes | 150km |
| Number of green, blue, red, black pistes | 8 / 28/ 24 / 7 |
| Longest piste | 3.6km |
| Number of lifts | 45 |
Ski Area Opening Dates
The winter season usually runs from mid-December to mid-April, with any early lift openings depending on snow conditions. January is ideal for quiet slopes and fresh snow, February is geared towards families on their school holidays, and in March and April expect sunny pistes and relaxing on mountain restaurant terraces.
If you're coming early or late in the season
It's a good idea to check which lifts are open in Meribel. You might want to check the webcams too, for up to the minute view of the conditions on the pistes.
Advanced areas in Meribel
Experience Méribel’s iconic runs, from the Olympic Tougnète Face, to Saulire’s mogul filled Tetras.
Experts can tackle the thrilling GoPro Couloir, while adventurous skiers enjoy the guided off-piste itinerary from Saulire to Brides les Bains, descending through forests to the valley for a rewarding lunch. Advanced skiers will also love Sanglier and Grande Rosière, both accessed from the Pas du Lac lift.
The legendary Combe Vallon offers a thrilling 1km descent with reliable snow all season. For mogul enthusiasts, the Martre Moguls run near Mottaret provides the perfect stage to showcase your bump skiing skills.
Beginner areas in Meribel
Méribel is a fantastic resort for beginners and those moving towards intermediate skiing, with gentle nursery slopes, green runs, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Two main beginner zones in Méribel Mottaret and the Altiport feature free lifts, ZEN areas, and safe spaces to build confidence, while a mini pass ticket provides affordable access to suitable slopes.
Mottaret offers the Little Himalaya green run and dedicated practice areas, while Méribel Centre’s Tougnète and Roc de Fer areas provide scenic blue runs such as Faon, Jerusalem, Choucas, and Roc de Fer for progressing learners.
The Altiport area includes the gentle Blanchot run, tree lined Lapin, quiet Pic Bleu, and family favourite Moon Wild, a themed piste with animals and quizzes. With over 25 blue runs across the resort, ranging from easy to more challenging, Méribel ensures a perfect balance of progression, fun, and variety for new skiers and families alike.
Snowparks in Meribel
Méribel has two snowparks, the Open Park and the long-running favourite and smaller, Elements Park. Open Park caters to all levels with half pipes, kickers, rails, pro features, and a video system to capture your runs, plus WiFi, boardercross, and lively events. Elements Park is family friendly, divided into themed zones with playful features, fun runs, and a boardercross, perfect for beginners.
Best pistes in Meribel
The ski area is vast and it can be difficult to know where to start, so we have put together some of our favourite runs throughout the Meribel ski area, whether you're into moguls, steep and long descents or simply beautiful, quiet pistes with great snow.
Off-piste areas in the Méribel Valley
Méribel offers a wealth of off piste adventures for confident skiers seeking powder and variety.
From Méribel Village, the Dent de Burgin descent provides wide open fields accessible from the Boulevard de la Loze, though only when avalanche risk is low. Beneath the Loze Express, tree lined runs offer great powder after fresh snowfall, especially if you catch the first lift.
In Méribel Mottaret, Côte Brune is renowned for powder hunting, with short hikes unlocking spectacular descents, while Roc de Tougne delivers long runs with hidden stashes either side of the lift.
From Méribel Centre, adventurous skiers can hike from the Olympic Express to reach untouched slopes on the ridge, with steeper terrain the further you go. Caution is vital, as some routes lead to a stream at the bottom, but the reward is superb powder skiing before rejoining the pistes back to Les Allues.
Bad weather areas in the Méribel valley
When visibility drops, Méribel’s tree lined runs provide welcome contrast, making skiing safer and more enjoyable.
The Altiport and Méribel Village areas are especially useful in whiteouts, while the Combes sector in Mottaret offers natural features that aid navigation. For advanced skiers, the Raffort and Villages pistes below the main resort are excellent choices. Raffort winds through dense forest to the village, while Villages offers a long, scenic descent past hamlets en route to Les Allues. From there, the Olympe gondola or free shuttle buses connect back to Méribel Centre.
Conditions can vary, so always check webcams before heading out, as fog often lingers in the valley while higher slopes bask in sunshine. These sheltered pistes combine variety, charm, and practicality, making them ideal in poor weather and offering a memorable skiing experience even when the mountain views are hidden.
