Bad Weather Ski Areas in Meribel
Discover the top Meribel bad-weather skiing
It can be hard to know what to do when the weather closes in and the snow falls. Méribel has some great places to go when the clouds come in and the visibility fades, the best thing to do is to stick to the tree-lined pistes as they will give you definition in the flat light.
The high, open pistes lack the contrast required for orientation during white out conditions and slope and sky can blur into one.
However, there are certain runs that offer more contrast providing vast amounts of skiing/snowboarding when the flakes are falling.
Head for the trees
The trick is to head for the pistes that are tree-lined and more sheltered, as they help provide definition when everything else seems to be white.
Bear in mind, the valley floors can sometimes be covered in fog but the summits are bathed in glorious sunshine. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check out the webcams before you set off for the day.
Bad weather skiing in Méribel
When visibility is poor due to snow or white-out conditions, it’s essential to keep the piste markers in sight. These poles indicate the difficulty of the run with their colour—green, blue, red, or black.
Staying on piste in low visibility
A simple trick helps you stay on track in a white-out: the poles on the right-hand side of the piste (looking downhill) have a 20 cm orange band at the top. If you see one, keep it on your right. If the pole is a single colour all the way up, keep it on your left. Following this guide ensures you stay safely on the piste.
Best areas for skiing in poor weather
Méribel has several tree-lined areas that offer better contrast and improved visibility on bad weather days. However, these runs can be busier as many skiers seek them out.
- Altiport and Méribel Village – The tree-lined pistes in this area provide natural definition, making navigation easier in flat light or white-out conditions. This is a better option than high, open pistes where the sky and snow can blend into one.
- Mottaret – Combes chairlift area – This area features natural obstacles that help with depth perception, making skiing easier when visibility is low.
Lower runs for shelter and contrast
If conditions are particularly poor, consider skiing the lower red runs below the main resort:
- Raffort – This red run winds through the trees down to the village of Raffort, offering improved visibility.
- Villages – A long, mostly gentle run passing traditional hamlets on its way to Les Allues.
To return to the main ski area, take the Olympe gondola or use the free bus service back to Méribel Centre.
More inspiration...
Take a look at this year's ski pass prices or find your way around with piste maps for Meribel.
