Will it ever stop snowing? Snow has fallen every day for the past week in Méribel and I’m beginning to feel like Bill Murray’s character in the film Groundhog Day who wakes every morning to exactly the same, ceaselessly repeating, snowy day…
More snowfalls in Meribel
Constant snowfalls increase snow depth to 330cm
In the past week, we have seen epic snow falls, gales of wind, rain on the lower pistes, fog, then more and more snow. As you will see from these photos, Méribel is practically drowning in the stuff. I know this is a near-heretical thought, but with a massive 330cm (over 10 foot) on the summits, it can stop snowing now!
This weekend, I enjoyed one of the best powder days ever with deep, light and even powder at all altitudes. With expert guiding from High Mountain Guide Lionel Dench, we skied from the top of the Olympic chairlift to Raffort and then again all the way down to Les Allues at 1100m, and the snow was perfect the entire way down. When a blizzard began to blow we then skied through the trees beneath Col de la Loze in the same light and gorgeous powder. As a committed fair-weather skier, it was good for me to be reminded that you can have a fantastic day even when the weather is foul.
Since then, another 30cm of snow has fallen on the summits, but sadly it is now falling as rain on the lower slopes and in the resort. The top lifts are closed today while avalanche blasting takes place and the off-piste avalanche rating is at its highest, at 5 on the scale of 5. Please be super careful off-piste skiing right now. Heavy snowfalls, high winds and rapidly changing temperatures all lead to very unstable snow.
As for the pistes – well, conditions change from day to day and even hour to hour. I’ll go and check them out tomorrow, as the forecast is for some sunshine and dry weather at last.
One of the nicest things to do on a bad weather day is to indulge in a blowout lunch. One of my favourite places to go when the snow is falling is Le Clos Bernard. This restaurant opened a couple of years ago in the middle of the forest at Méribel’s Altiport area. Despite or perhaps because of its hidden location, it has rapidly become a very popular lunch destination. You can ski to it along a marked path starting at the bottom of the Loze chairlift, walk to it from the Altiport along the groomed walking paths or even be taken to it by horse-drawn sleigh from the Blanchot bus stop. This makes it a good place for skiers to meet up with non-skiers, as long as all members are a little adventurous and not fazed by venturing off the beaten track. The setting is gorgeous; the food good and there is something rather special about finding this ‘secret’ restaurant nestling in the trees. Service isn’t always speedy, so it’s a place to while away a good few hours rather than a bolt down a quick lunch.
I’ve also taken advantage of this week’s weather to finally get some much-needed new ski boots. Méribel is fortunate in having lots of good shops which offer specialist boot fitting. On friends’ recommendations, I went to the most recently opened, The Boot Lab. This British-run outfit offer a free assessment and a comfort guarantee (you can go back and have as many changes made as you want). I was impressed by Tom, my fitter’s professionalism and thorough knowledge of both feet and all the various equipment on offer.
Some of my previous ski boots have been so painful they have caused me to sob on chairlifts, so I’m amazed and delighted that my new boots have been comfortable from day one. Boot technology has obviously come on massively in the past decade and a good fitter who takes the time to get everything right makes all the difference.
I here pass on some top tips from The Boot Lab:
- Have your boots fitted early in your holiday so there’s time to iron out any niggles
- Be careful putting your boots on boot warmers – if they are turned up too high, it can damage the footbeds
- If you suffer from cold feet, you can solve the problem with heat pads fitted in custom insoles or heated socks.
- Wear thin socks for your fitting. Once the liners pad down after a few days, you can change back to thicker ski socks.
- You shouldn’t wear your new boots indoors to pad them down – this is better done on skis so the boots adapt to your skiing position.
Airport Transfers in Meribel
Transfers for Meribel
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Shared Airport Transfers
Low-cost and professional shuttle bus transfer service to Méribel
Booking with them means your holiday won’t involve the stress of public transport, the cost of private transfers, or the hassle of fitting snow chains on a hire car.
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Scheduled/Shuttle Coach Airport Transfers
Quick and secure way to organise transfers by coach and bus from local airports and stations
A key booking portal for local coach and bus transfers in the French ski resorts. Using this service to coordinate your travel means getting to resort could not be easier.
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Shared Airport Transfers
Geneva to Méribel from CHF 84.50 per person one-way (weekend)
Travel directly to your accommodation with a convenient minivan connection, regular scheduled departures and helpful local representatives. This affordable shared service combines a comfortable coach journey from Geneva, Lyon or Grenoble Airport with a final transfer to your chalet, hotel or apartment in Méribel.
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Private Airport Transfers
Geneva Airport to Meribel from €427 per minivan one-way (weekend rate)
With over 5,000 rides completed and 95% of clients returning, this private transfer service is designed around the needs of skiers, from reliable airport pick-ups to comfortable journeys to your accommodation. Experienced, professional English-speaking drivers, vehicles prepared for Alpine winter conditions and no extra luggage fees for skis or snowboards help make travelling easier. With airport meet and greet, door-to-door transfers, secure online booking and a focus on punctuality, you can organise your Meribel transfer with greater peace of mind.
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Private Airport Transfers
Stress-free airport transfers to Méribel, Courchevel and the Three Valleys
Enjoy safe, reliable airport transfers to Méribel, Courchevel, and the wider Three Valleys, taking the stress out of your journey to the mountains. This service isn’t a call centre or a fleet - it’s a network of independent, owner-operated drivers who live and work in the Alps year-round, bringing decades of local knowledge and experience to every trip.
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Private Airport Transfers
Geneva Airport to Meribel from €275 per budget minivan one-way (weekend rate)
This is a long-established Alpine transfer specialist that has been operating since 2008, with close to two decades of experience transporting skiers through the Three Valleys. The emphasis is on making the entire journey easy: professional drivers, genuine knowledge of the mountain roads, vehicles prepared for winter conditions and a choice of transfer styles ranging from practical minivans to luxury Mercedes vehicles.
Ski Hire in Meribel
Ski Hire in Meribel
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Sport Boutique II Carlines
Ski hire at the top of Mottaret Le Hameau, near the Rond Point lift pass office
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Meribel? Just visit the Skiset Sport Boutique 2 store!
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Le Rond Point des Pistes
Ski hire shop situated in the Alba residence
Ski hire shop located close to the pistes. 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!
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Horizon
Hire shop located next to tourist office and pharmacy in Mottaret
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Meribel? Just visit the Skiset Horizon store!
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Oakley La Chaudanne
Save 10% extra: use promo code STWSKI when booking ski hire online
This ski and snowboard rental shop is very conveniently place next to everything: ski school meeting points, underground parking, lift pass office, main lifts and free shuttle bus stop! It doesn't get more convenient than this.
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Ski Hire Mobile Delivery
Friendly ski hire and delivery, right to your door in Courchevel and Meribel
Relax and enjoy ski rental delivery. With 20 years of experience, this independent company is run by passionate skiers and snowboarders. Their expert team carefully selects and fits your equipment to the highest standards.
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Alp'Sports
One stop shop for all your ski and snowboard equipment hire in Meribel
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.
Ski Schools in Meribel
Ski School Lessons in Meribel
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Private Ski Lessons Chaudanne
Private lessons by the official French ski and snowboard school
Private lessons offer personalised tuition in English and other languages, with over 200 qualified instructors covering everything from skiing and snowboarding to off-piste and adaptive skiing. You can focus on your own goals while following the French ski-level system, a structured approach to learning that helps you choose the right levels and lessons, build confidence, and track your progress. The French approach has successfully taught hundreds of thousands of skiers over the years.
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Group ski lessons
Small groups for adults and children of all abilities with a well-established and trusted ski school
Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British ski schools in France and is renowned for its fantastic instructors and excellent customer service.
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Group Ski Lessons
Flexible ski and snowboard lessons in Méribel with multilingual instructors
Improve your skiing or snowboarding in Méribel with a handpicked team of multilingual instructors, bringing specialist expertise and a personalised approach to every lesson. Flexible shared sessions for adults and holiday group lessons for children make it easier to find instruction suited to your ability and ambitions. Whether you're building confidence, refining your technique or developing more advanced skills, enjoy supportive coaching designed to help you make the most of the Three Valleys.
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Group ski lessons
Group ski and snowboard lessons for children and adults of all ages and abilities
This ski school offers group ski lessons for both children and adults, catering to all ability levels. Their group lessons provide a great and affordable way to improve your skiing in a safe, social and supportive environment.
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Group Ski Lessons Mottaret
Group lessons by the official and largest French ski and snowboard school
Group lessons offer a friendly way to learn skiing, snowboarding and other snow sports in Méribel, with 348 qualified instructors providing tuition in English and other languages. From little children taking their first steps on snow to teenagers and adults looking to improve their technique, you can develop your skills alongside others at a similar level. The French ski-level system provides a structured approach to learning, helping you choose suitable lessons, build confidence and track your progress.
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Group ski lessons
Tailor-made ski and snowboard lessons for groups in multiple languages
Run by an Anglo-French team since 2001, this ski school knows the area inside out. Their highly qualified, multilingual instructors specialise in tailor-made lessons to suit every skier or snowboarder.
Winter Things To Do in Meribel
Wintersport Things To Do in Meribel
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Snowshoe Walks
Snowshoe walks for all abilities
Snowshoe walks offer a wonderful way to discover Méribel’s winter landscapes away from the ski slopes, with guided outings led by qualified instructors. Suitable for all levels, these walks are available in English and provide an opportunity to explore peaceful forests, mountain trails and traditional Alpine surroundings while learning more about the local wildlife, flora and mountain heritage.
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Helicopter tours
10, 30 or 60 minute private helicopter tours for up to five people
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
Heliskiing/boarding trip in Valgrisenche, The Courmayeur Valley and the Col de Petit St Bernard Pass.
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
Off piste ski touring, heliskiing, glacier walks, snowshoeing and much more
Head out into the mountains with experienced guides in either summer or winter for some amazing experiences.
Read more about Bureau des Guides winter and summer activities
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Snow shoe walks
Half and full day guided snowshoe walks in and around Courchevel
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.
