How should you prepare for a ski holiday?
Will our ski jackets be warm enough? Where do we pick up the keys to the chalet? Did…
Whether you're someone who says ‘I don't ski’ whenever winter holidays are mentioned, or you simply want to discover the mountains in a different way this winter, this article is for you.
With beautiful natural sites, exceptional panoramas, sporting activities and time for relaxation, there are so many ways to enjoy the mountains in winter.
Follow our suggestions for a full week of activities and let yourself fall in love with Méribel, the “ski-free” way.
Ease yourself gently into the week by strapping on snowshoes and heading towards le Mont Vallon! This emblematic peak of Méribel rises to an altitude of 2,952 metres and is one of the highest in the valley. Snowshoes are ideal for exploring snow-covered areas in safety. The reward is reaching areas with breath-taking views, particularly of the Gébroulaz glacier.
💡 Remember to buy a pedestrian lift pass, available from the lift pass offices.
After all your efforts, why not treat yourself? Once you are back in the resort, settle into one of the area’s traditional restaurants. Fondue, tartiflette, croziflette – the classics of Savoyard cuisine are waiting to be discovered, ideally accompanied by a glass of Savoie wine (in moderation, of course).
To round off your first day, discover Méribel’s engaging and welcoming atmosphere: Jazz Festivals, live shows for all ages, a Comedy Festival, film screenings, theatre and more. The schedule of events varies from week to week, but always offers memorable evenings to share with your friends.
After a great start the day before, it’s time for a change of pace on your second day in the mountains! Start the morning with a session on Méribel’s indoor climbing wall. This sport is open to all, including children aged 5 and over. It combines concentration, coordination and fun, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced climber.
In the afternoon, fasten on your skates and head to the ice rink for a few laps around the ice with family or friends. Laughter and good fun are guaranteed, in a happy and relaxed atmosphere.
And to round off an active day, there’s nothing like a well-deserved drink in one of the resort’s buzzing bars or pubs. Whether you’re sipping a hot chocolate, a cold beer or a creative cocktail, you are sure to enjoy Méribel’s lively atmosphere! It’s the perfect opportunity to recount your stories of the day.
How about a total change for this third day? Swap your snow-boots for a pair of cross-country skis. Yes, they’re skis, but the sport is totally different from downhill skiing. Glide across the vast expanses of snow and enjoy the soothing rhythm of a sport that has both a gentle side and a dynamic side. Méribel’s Nordic areas, located at the Altiport and at Tuéda, are as enjoyable for beginners as they are for experienced skiers.
💡 Cross-country skiing in the Altiport area requires a pass.
After a morning full of excitement, it’s time to wind down. Head to Méribel’s swimming pool complex for some well-deserved relaxation. Heated pools, a water slide (from age 6), a paddling pool, aquagym and aquabike classes – there are plenty of activities to delight the whole family. It’s the perfect way to end the day relaxing and having fun.
The sun is shining and maybe you fancy a walk with an extra touch of fun? Then head to the enchanting setting of Lake Tueda to take part in l’Explor Games, a digital treasure hunt combining adventure, puzzle-solving and exploration. Suitable for all ages, this immersive game takes you into the heart of the Plan de Tueda nature reserve. With your family or friends, go in search of QR codes hidden in the landscape, solve riddles and lose yourself in the story, while discovering the natural wonders of the valley.
💡Playing the game couldn’t be easier: download the app onto your phone and let yourself be guided. Allow around one and a half hours for an adventure along snow-covered paths, through forests and magical glades around a frozen lake.
But the day isn’t over yet!! Next, take part in an activity that everyone loves: tobogganing! Méribel has a number of themed toboggan runs for great descents in safety. Fun and laughter are guaranteed!
To round off this wonderful day, don’t miss the events organised by the resort: open-air concerts, shows, sports fixtures, and more, with varied entertainment every week. It’s a great way to end the day on a high note!
This fifth day has just one theme: adrenalin! Treat yourself to a winter paragliding flight and discover the mountains as you’ve never seen them before. Comfortably supported in your harness and accompanied by an instructor, you’ll glide over the valley, suspended for a moment between sky and summits. Breathtaking views of the snow-covered peaks, absolute silence, a feeling of lightness… Paragliding is an activity as poetic as it is spectacular. Depending on the weather, you may even catch a glimpse of Mont Blanc, Mont du Borgne and other Alpine giants stretching as far as the eye can see.
💡 Worth knowing: remember to book your flight in advance! This activity is very popular and also is dependent on the day’s weather conditions.
After such excitements, you don’t want to come back down to earth just yet! Head to La Folie Douce, one of Méribel’s unmissable hot spots, for a colourful après-ski. Expect music, entertainment, dancing and fine dining, all at an altitude of 2,100 metres.
After an intense day yesterday, it’s time to chill. In the calm of the snow-covered mountains and under the rays of the morning sun, it’s the perfect time to roll out your mat and enjoy an outdoor yoga session. In the midst of nature, surrounded by forests, imbibe the soothing atmosphere of the mountains.
In the afternoon, prolong this moment of relaxation. Choose between spa, gym classes, sauna, hammam, jacuzzi, body treatments, and massages of all kinds – Méribel offers a host of well-being activities to recharge your batteries.
To round off the day, treat yourself to a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow-covered countryside. These rides through the snowy fields and forests of Méribel will take you to some of the resort’s most beautiful spots. Couples will find it romantic and children will be left starry-eyed. Savour this timeless experience, to the rhythmical sound of hooves on snow.
It’s time to end your week in style by setting off in search of Méribel’s most beautiful panoramic views! Méribel Tourisme’s information desk recommends this circular trail, ideal for enjoying the great outdoors one last time.
👉 To do this, you’ll need a pedestrian lift pass to use the ski lifts.
Start your day by ascending to Col de la Loze from the Altiport. Follow Les Animaux walking path and then take the Loze chairlift using your pedestrian lift pass. From the top, you’ll enjoy breath-taking views over the Courchevel and Méribel valleys. Savour a last meal in an exceptional setting at one of our high-altitude restaurants.
In the afternoon, head for Mont Vallon by taking the Plattières gondola up and the Plan des Mains chairlift down. Then walk along the side of the ski run to the Mont Vallon gondola. At the top of this, admire the spectacular view of the Gébroulaz glacier and the Aiguille du Fruit.
❄️ Tip from the information desk: walk along the left-hand side of the Campagnol piste for around 100 metres to get another view of Mont du Borgne.
As you can see, Méribel has something for everyone, whether you’re a fan of the slopes… or not at all. Here, the many and varied non-skiing activities allow you to discover the mountains in your own way: recharge your batteries, have fun, marvel at the beauties of nature or get an adrenaline high and, above all, make memories.
There’s just one thing left to do: dig out your mittens and pack your suitcase.
We look forward to seeing you this winter ❄️