Meribel

Morning People,

There does not appear to be a topic on all things meribel so I thought I would start one. Only 17 days before i go for 2 weeks now and all I seem to be doing at work is checking webcams and monitoring ski forums!!! I really should do more work!!

Anyway this will be my first time staying in Meribel and besides all the reports of high prices that i have read, I think I have saved up enough for one round of beers at least!!

The past two times i have been to Passo Tonale and Canazei, and before that have been to Les Arcs, Serre Che, Andorra, Val Thorens, Davos, and Zell Am See. Val Thorens was a long time ago and i remember skiing quickly through Meribel but cant remember which run.

Is there anyone who has been there with any tips on where the best places to ski/board, eat and drink are. I have read meribel-unplugged and merinet which are both great sites but still like to hear from people who have been.

So anything in general about Meribel would be good to put in this topic too for any future people going there.

Ninder

Great resort, stayed there twice. Best looking of all the big French resorts, if that matters to you.

My favorite runs on the Meribel side are off Mont Du Vallon, two great reds and loads of other possibilities :D . Also the runs under the Plattieres lift are great.

The best skiing I'd say is across in Courchevel, you have easy access to The Grand Couloir, Suisse and M black runs. (Proper black runs!)

Best area in the world for getting the miles under your skis, Meribel is the perfect base as it's central.

I think 3 Valleys will see my return in 2011.

Ok now i want to go now!!! I keep reading about "Le Face" is it that good. im not sure if i will manage the blacks at the begning..maybe by the end though.

I'm having one week of lessons with Magic. has anyboy used them before? I didnt really like ESF so didnt want to go back to them and play follow the leader all week.

Meribel is a fantastic resort, brilliant for access to all of the 3VL and a really good apres atmosphere!

I would second the recommendations for runs off the Platieres lift (both into Meribel and Courchevel valleys) and also the Mont Vallon runs.

Also Jerusalem is a fantastic run down towards St Martin which never seems to be too busy and can be skied very fast if that's your thing!

Food wise, Zig Zag in Mottaret is good and cheap for France, there is also a little creperie in Courchevel 1550 which is brilliant value for money however only probably worth it if you're in 1850, starving and not flash enough for the 1850 price tag.

The bar straight ahead with green chairs when you ski into the Courchevel 1850 lift stations is best avoided. I asked my wife to be to marry me on a little bit of off piste above and then thought we should go to the nearest bar for a celibratory vin chaud.......24 EUROS later (for 2) I thought it may have been a step too far, (the wine, not the proposal!)

I don't know if you've sorted ski hire yet but I can't recommend Freeride enough. Slightly more expensive than some places but the level of service and the quality of kit was excellent last year. I only need skis but I had a brand new pair of Scott Aztec Pros to play with all week for about 100 euros.

Also if you've already booked lessons it's probably not helpful but I have had very good reviews from friends in our party of Parallel lines ski school. I am slightly biased as I know one of the owners but know him to be very professional and (annoyingly) a much better skiier than I will ever be!

Finally, when are you out there? I'll be around with some mates from the 23rd Jan for a week and absolutely can't wait!!

Paul

Simply the best resort in the world - but i may be Biased having worked there from 1990-1995!
Mont Vallon , both sides is great with some fun off piste from the Combe or under the bubble. Bartavelle used to be fun for bumps, the runs down to Les Allues and all the way to the valley floor can be fun too.

If you're good enough, try Meribel Couloir if the snow permits.

You'll have better access to the Courcevel bowl than those staying in C'vel. Also head over to 1650 to ease the ski legs back into the grove.

La Face always used to be quiet (other side of Les Menuires, all reds & blacks and some fun O/P itineraries.

Cime de Caron iabove VT is fun as is the 4th valley.

Where are you staying and who with?

Happy New Year!

I'm off on the 17th till the 31st. And now all the traditional holidays are over i'm looking forward to it even more!!

We are staying in a chalet in the Mussolin area of Meribel...so a little walk to the lift but dont mind that..it clears the hangovers and is close to dicks t bar.

I've heard zig zag has now changed into a little italian joint. but not sure if it has kept the prices too.

There was a nice dump this weekend. 15cm has fallen overnight and several smaller snowfalls over the past week. Snow depths are now over 1m on the upper slopes....

I'm having one week of lessons with Magic. has anyboy used them before? I didnt really like ESF so didnt want to go back to them and play follow the leader all week.

Used Magic in 2008, but over in the Courchevel valley and were very good.

My OH struggled the previous year in Avoriaz with instruction there, so knew I had a battle on my hands, but by the end of the week with Magic she was skiing greens & blues and my youngest also had her first weeks course at aged 6 and was able to ski competently and safely with our group on greens and blues.

I had a 2 hour private lesson which was worth the money and wished I had booked more, but the girl I had instructing did say that she does get people questioning the drills etc. she wants them to do to improve, so if they become a pain and don't want to learn then she basically will ski guide them around the resort to use up the time!

Have also stayed in Meribel in 2008 and is a great base to get miles under the ski's as you can easily get over to Courchevel and opposiate way to Les Mennuire and Val Thoren. You can spend a couple of days in the Courchevel Valley without getting bored quite easily, but if you are going to eat at lunchtime head further down to 1650 or 1550 and not 1850 you won't find your Euro's buying you much there!

IN Meribel we used a bar literally called THE PUB but was a little walk up the road from the Chaudanne but there is a sneaky esculator that will take you off the piste right by the Tourist Office (I think it is!) and you
literally stumble in the door of the PUB.

There are ski lockers at the bottom of the lifts and you may be able to book them via the tourist office before you go.

Im hoping for magic to give me that extra confidence boost from Reds to Blacks and maybe some more off-piste. I enjoy reds, but not the extra steeps parts which is just all in the head!!

The tip about the ski lockers is a great one as i think we are a bit of a trek from Chaudanne. And im sure the wife will get me carrying her skis as well!! :)