7 Best Things to Do In Meribel
Ranch Nordique MeribelFun Things To Do in Meribel
Skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, tobogganing, snowmobiles… The popular destination of Meribel, in the Three Valleys, France, has all the usual snowy activities you’d expect in a winter resort!
But if snow sports are not your thing, there are still plenty of great activities to help you make the most of your week in the mountains: bowling, swimming and spa, even paragliding!
With 20+ years of experience in the area, let us give you an insider’s guide to the best things to do in Meribel…
Skiing & snowboarding
Right in the middle of legendary ski area the Three Valleys, in France, you can expect excellent snow conditions for your ski or snowboard holiday.
Meribel, and its neighbouring resorts of Courchevel, Val Thorens and Les Menuires, all have quick and easily accessible ski lifts to ensure you spend plenty of time exploring the 600km of slopes.
Alongside downhill skiing and snowboarding – the most popular activities – you could also mix it up a little, and try something different. How about cross country/nordic skiing and biathlon? Or get fit whilst ski touring up the hill with special equipment including skins. Telemarking harks back to the nordic origins of skiing, with bindings attached just at the toe, and a fluid movement which is less damaging on the knees. We recommend booking a session with a mountain guide to explore the fabulous off piste in Meribel and the Three Valleys.
The Olympic Centre: Swim, Bowl, Ice Skate and Climb
Meribel’s Olympic centre is a hub for activities away from the slopes:
- If you fancy a dip, try the swimming pool and slide. There’s even a mini pool for young children, and prices are very reasonable (in winter 23-24 it was €7 adult, €5 for children.)
- If you want to keep up with training during your stay, there is a fitness suite (also open to 16+ year olds).
- The bowling alley opens in the afternoons, or at 11am if the weather isn’t too good.
- Another fun activity to try in Meribel is ice skating. It’s an indoor ice rink, open between 4-7pm every day, which makes it a good spot for families, especially as it is free for under 5 year olds, who can use the little trolleys to move around. The children’s rate applies to all under 18s.
- If you’re already a climber, you can head to the climbing wall with your own gear after booking a slot with the Bureau de Guides: +33 (0)6 43 89 72 91 or guides.meribel@gmail.com. If you’d like a lesson, you need to book a guide as well (same contact details). The price for 23-24 was: €70 for 2 people for 1 hour, or €15 per person up to 6 people max.
Image: Bady Abbas, Unsplash
Reach new heights: Paragliding
You might think paragliding is only for daredevils, but floating in the air in the safety of your qualified tandem pilot, you are actually in for quite a relaxing, gentle experience, way above the skiers and snowboarders below. (That is, unless you want to ask your pilot for a more wild ride!)
Either way, the experienced team at Smiles Parapente will look after you on your tandem paragliding flight and give you a whole new perspective: the snow-clad mountains as far as the eye can see make for a truly unforgettable experience.
Get a new perspective on the mountains: paragliding over La Tania forests.
Go Tobogganing at Mission Black Forest
If it’s sledging you’re after, head to Meribel Mottaret. For younger children, the Luge de Doron is free to use and even has a ‘magic carpet’ you can ride to the top, to save your energy!
For the more adventurous tobogganer, then Mission Black Forest is an unmissable experience. With 28 hairpins over almost 4km in distance and a 470m altitude descent, it’s a genuinely thrilling ride! Open from 1pm to 4.25pm, or 4.50pm later in the season (from mid-February)
The price in 23-24 was €13 per person (includes sledge with brakes) or €10pp if you book 4 or more rides. One person per sledge.
Relax at the Spa
After all that adventure, how about a spot of relaxation? A spa and wellbeing zone is open to anyone over 16 in the Olympic Centre: Spa Pure Altitude.
With two saunas, two steam rooms, a large jacuzzi and a relaxation room, the price also includes towel and robe. Massages and treatments are available too.
Image: Huum/Unsplash
Try Ski Joëring
“What on earth is ski joëring?” Whilst this sport has taken off in Scandinavia and the US, it’s relatively new to the French Alps, but you can do it in Meribel! Ranch Nordique, Meribel’s lovely equestrian centre, offers ski joëring, in which skiers are pulled along by a pony ridden by a riding instructor around a track.
To do this fun activity, the skiers need to be able to ski parallel and use skis less than 1m50 long (which means it is mostly a children’s activity as adult skis would be around 1m60+.)
Fly high (and land on the Big Air Bag)
Fancy pushing your limits with some freestyle jumps that you don’t want to try in the park, or flying through the air on a huge inflatable cushion? Of course you do! Then get yourselves down to the big air bag in Mottaret. Take your skis or snowboard up to the top, or the big inflatable ring, and hold your nerve as you fly down the short but steep slope and launch into the air, to land in the enormous air bag. Great fun for anyone over 4 years old.
In 23-24 the prices started from €4 for one jump, €12 for 5 jumps, or €15 for 30 minutes.
Drive a snowmobile
No driving licence required for this wild and snowy activity!
The team at Snow Biker in Mottaret welcome visitors to give snowmobiling/skidooing a try. Prices depend on experience and whether or not you go with an instructor. There are different package options, including short snowmobile rides for kids 5-15.
Image: Nate Johnston/Unsplash
Planning Your Meribel Trip
If you’re planning a trip to Meribel and looking for accommodation and inspiration, take a look around our Meribel Chalet or Contact Us for a tailored quote for your group ski holiday.
Our Meribel resort guide includes all the information you’ll need on ski lessons, equipment hire and ski passes, as well as restaurants and apres-ski!
Apres-ski at the Meribel Folie Douce
Best Times to Visit Meribel
Meribel is a great base from which to explore the incredible Three Valleys. The Meribel ski season starts in early December and finishes in mid April. Find out more about which dates would suit your group best in our When to Ski guide.
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