Méribel is one of the best places in France for a family ski holiday. Set in the heart of Les 3 Vallées, in Savoie, the resort has slopes for every level, ski schools for every age and plenty to do once the boots come off.
Méribel is also a natural choice for English-speaking families. The resort was founded in 1938 by a Scot, Colonel Peter Lindsay, and English has been heard on its slopes ever since. Instructors who speak English are never hard to find, and several ski schools run lessons in English. Geneva, Lyon and Chambéry airports are all around two hours away or less, and trains run to Moûtiers, 18 km down the valley. Add a long tradition of catered chalets, many with childcare included, and it is easy to see why so many families come back every school holiday.
Why Méribel works for families
There is plenty to do off the skis in Méribel, from toboggan runs and night sledging to snowshoeing, fat biking, pony sledging and snowmobiling. A family ski holiday here is never just about skiing.
Purpose-built toboggan runs keep sledging safe for younger children, and night sessions turn it into a proper adventure. Snowshoe through the pine forest around the Altiport, then warm up with Savoyard snacks inside an igloo. Ride a fat bike around frozen Tuéda Lake, let a pony pull the little ones across the snow, or pick up the pace on a snowmobile.
The Parc Olympique in Méribel Centre brings together a swimming pool, an ice rink, a spa, a climbing wall and ten-pin bowling under one roof. It suits every age and works at any time of day.
On a stormy morning, it saves the day. After skiing, it is the easiest way to keep everyone happy until dinner. Themed evenings bring extra life to the pool and the ice rink, and the spa offers family packages so nobody misses out.
Throughout the holidays, children can join supervised activities at two venues in the resort: the Ludothèque (games library) in the Parc Olympique, in Méribel Centre, and the Maison de la Réserve by Tuéda Lake, in Mottaret.
An activity leader guides little ones through creative play, games and indoor and outdoor activities. At the Maison de la Réserve, the focus turns to nature. Children learn how the mountain works, what lives in the Tuéda nature reserve, and why it is worth protecting, all without realising they are learning.
English-speaking instructors are easy to find in Méribel, in the big ski schools as well as in smaller schools run by British instructors. Group and private lessons run in the morning, the afternoon and over lunchtime. Lunchtime lessons also leave the rest of the day free to ski together as a family.
For the very youngest, nurseries and snow kindergartens offer a gentle first taste of snow, through games and play. Places go quickly, so we recommend to book well in advance, especially during school holidays.
Our local English-speaking advisors are here to help you organise your holiday from A to Z. They will help you to compare and select your accommodation, ski lessons and the best value ski passes. As well as saving you time, it’s reassuring and helpful to have somebody advise you both before and during your stay!
Contact us for an individual response:
Parents pay the same price as their children, which makes the Family Flex the simplest way to cut the cost of a week in Méribel. It is designed for families of three or more, and the price is the same whichever resort you start from.
Booking your accommodation and ski passes together on Destination Méribel can save you up to 25% during several weeks outside the school holidays. A ski lesson and ski pass package can also bring the price down, depending on the time of season and the package you choose. For family members who are just starting out or who would rather not ski, beginner and non-skier passes are also available.
Méribel is around two to two and a half hours by road from Geneva and Lyon, and closer from Chambéry. Most families book a private or shared transfer, which is the easiest option with children, luggage and ski equipment, and it is worth asking for child seats when you book. If you prefer the train, Moûtiers station is 18 km down the valley, with a bus or taxi to the resort. In winter, check road conditions before you leave, and book early for busy weekends and school holidays.
Choosing your accommodation is the first step: chalets, apartments, tourist residences, hotels and guest houses all welcome families, with options close to the slopes or served by the free buses. The village you choose matters just as much. Méribel Centre, Méribel Village and Mottaret each have their own atmosphere, from livelier to quieter or closer to the slopes, so it is worth taking a moment to see which one suits your family best. Explore the valley on our 3D map to find out more.
There is plenty to do in Méribel with children away from the slopes, both indoors and out. The Parc Olympique in Méribel Centre has a swimming pool, an ice rink, a spa, a climbing wall and ten-pin bowling under one roof, perfect for a snowy day or once the lifts close. Younger children can join supervised activities at the Ludothèque, inside the Parc Olympique, or at the Maison de la Réserve by Tuéda Lake in Mottaret, where they learn about mountain nature. Outdoors, families can enjoy dedicated toboggan runs, night sledging, snowshoeing, fat biking or a pony sledge ride.
How do you get to Méribel?
The journey is part of your holiday, so let’s make it as enjoyable as possible.
Autumn in Méribel – the secret season
You know Méribel in winter and you may have discovered it in summer. But what do you…
The Big Summer 2026 Round-up
That's it. Summer's already over.
Discover Méribel as a couple
Méribel certainly offers a lot to families, but that’s not all! There are so many ex…
Book 
