The Best Courchevel and Meribel Picnic Spots
The best Courchevel and Meribel picnic spots
In the Three Valleys we have a huge selection of mountain restaurants but eating out every lunchtime doesn’t always fit into the holiday budget.
Whilst you’re staying in a catered chalet, you may also feel that a huge lunch would just be a bit too much (especially if you plan to enjoy a slice of cake once you get back to the chalet), so a quick sarnie and a snack will hit the spot as well as not costing the earth.
And when the sky is blue, the best seat in the house is surely a picnic bench with a panorama of endless white peaks!
Even if you haven’t been blessed by glorious weather, or your face needs a rest from the dazzling sun, there are also inside picnic rooms too, but they’re not always easy to find so let us share our top picnic tips for you…
The best Courchevel and Meribel picnic spots: outdoors
If you’re a fan of dining al fresco, then here are the best spots in the Courchevel Valley to park yourself for a picnic:
- La Tania, Col de la Loze
Easy to access from our La Tania chalets, there’s a single picnic bench perched on the side of the mountain from which you can peek over into the Meribel valley and beyond and even watch the tandem paragliders soaring around the mountains. Also near Col de la Loze, and new for 2023 is ‘Le Nid’, a fabulous triangular shelter with reclining seats and THE most incredible views of Courchevel and towards the Mont Blanc. - Courchevel Moriond, Chapelets/Signal
At the meeting point between these two chairs there are several benches which overlook the Vanoise National Park: a wild, protected with no lifts, just acres of untracked snow and the formidable crags of the Breche de la Portetta mountain. If arriving from the Signal chair you can mark the moment using the huge photo frame mounted in the snow! - Courchevel 1850, Biollay/Pralong
Take a seat at the benches to watch the world go by, and maybe even a plane or helicopter taking off from the Courchevel altiport! The picnic benches are close to annually changing sculptures which are part of Courchevel’s ‘L’Art au Sommet’ project. - Courchevel Moriond, Western Ski Park
This beginner’s area is a great spot for a picnic with little ones and is accessible via the Ariondaz gondola. Part of the Western Ski Park is a tipi run by a family who accept donations for their hot chocolate, vin chaud and toasted marshmallows. They’re very welcoming to children who can nosey around the stuffed animals, bones, books and other trinkets, try on a native American head-dress, and have their face painted. They also run an archery activity. - Courchevel 1850, Family Park/Verdons
Once children are able to ski a blue, they’ll be keen to head to the Family Park… At the bottom there’s a round hut space for families to take a pause on the wooden benches. Alternatively, the Big Air Bag is also great fun and there are picnic benches available at the bottom – it’s best to save the picnic for after the jumping! - Meribel, Mont Vallon
At the base of the Mont Vallon cable car you’ll find a picnic spot from which to admire the mountain itself. - Meribel, Snow Park
Half way down the Meribel snowpark ‘Open Park’ on the right you’ll see a raised area you can stop in and check out the freestylers as they show off their slope style. - Meribel, Roc de Fer
At 2294m altitude you’ll have a magnificent view as you tuck into your sarnie.
Click here to see the 3 Valleys piste map
Courchevel and Meribel’s indoor picnic spots
In snowy or chilly weather, there are designated indoor picnic areas in Courchevel called ‘Salle Hors Sac’:
- 1850: Turn right at the top of the Verdons gondola
Newly refurbished, this is a fabulous new addition for Courchevel. There are big benches, hooks and storage, phone charging spots, vending machines, water to refill your bottle, even microwaves to heat up your lunch. Plus a huge window to gaze out of. Another little bonus is that there’s a snack bar in the same building if you want to top up your picnic with some chips or ‘frites’, in French. There are adjoining toilets too. - Moriond: Turn left at the top of Ariondaz gondola
A warm room with long tables to share, as well as charging spots, water, a microwave and vending machines with coffee/snacks. Toilets are next door. - La Tania: Outside the Tania gondola
Not really an ‘inside’ spot but there are sheltered picnic benches at the top of La Tania gondola. - Meribel: on the Pic Bleu slope
If you’re skiing with kids, then check out the dragons on this run on your way down to the little chalet on the right of the piste. There are picnic tables and loungers. - Meribel: Chaudanne Lounge, bottom of Saulire Express
At the bottom of Meribel’s Saulire Express you’ll find a warm lounge with tables and chairs, comfy sofas, microwaves and free WiFi.
Courchevel picnic spots: what to eat?
In La Tania, we have a few good options for acquiring picnic fodder, with our little Sherpa supermarket containing everything you’d need for stocking up on sandwich fillers and snacks.
Alternatively, if you’re skiing down into Courchevel 1850, stay left before you get to the lift station and take off your skis opposite the Jean Blanc sports shop. Cross the road towards the Maison de Presse in the building called Le Forum and inside this shopping centre you’ll find a boulangerie with ready-made sandwiches, pizza and quiches. There’s also a small supermarket inside the Forum building. It’s not cheap but it is cheap-er than a restaurant lunch.
Over in the village of Courchevel Moriond, there is a boulangerie across the main road from the bottom of the escalators, which sells sarnies, quiche and pizzas, and cakes of course, as well as a selection of breads. You could also try the neighbouring Chez le Gaulois raclette sandwiches if you have a hearty appetite! This legendary establishment has been in Moriond for years and is the locals’ favourite! There are two supermarkets in Moriond, a pricey but easily accessible Spar, and further down the road which leads to 1850 is a more reasonable Utile and a larger Carrefour Market.
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