Week end ski break in France

May 23, 2022

Expérience à la journée

Les bons plans ski, c'est ici !

Week end ski break in France

A short break in a French ski resort is synonymous with escape and freedom. It allows us to forget everyday life and exist purely in the present moment. Some might say “being at one with the snow”, or “becoming part of the landscape”. Either way: an all inclusive ski weekend in the French Alps is one of those experiences that we look forward to and that do us a power of good.

When you come for a weekend or a short stay, it is wise to choose a resort that is easy to reach. This is the case of Méribel, which, all winter long, welcomes skiers on day trips. Located in the heart of the largest ski area in the world, Méribel offers great access to the slopes of the 3 Valleys and great deals to allow you to enjoy them to the max. One can pass from one valley to another without taking your skis off; fun zones; 50% of the runs are accessible blue and green runs; a plethora of restaurants and bars at altitude… it is all designed to allow you to fulfil all your desires. It is impossible to ski down all our slopes in one day, so it is impossible to get bored on a ski break! And for those who love to mix skiing with other activities and for example spend a ski & spa weekend or are curious to discover outdoor and non-skiing activities, a day or weekend in the mountains in winter is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a multitude of experiences.

A romantic ski break at the heart of the 3 Vallées

Méribel, a ski resort for lovers?

Méribel is known for its postcard-like landscapes. Imagine for a moment: wooden chalets covered in snow, charming mountain villages surrounded by forests of fir trees, grandiose panoramas in the heart of the largest ski area in the world, spas in star-rated establishments or elegant lounges ideal for sharing a drink by the fire… this is the ideal setting for a romantic weekend in the french Alps…

What is the ideal ski day in meribel for two?

Would you like to spend a day on the slopes as a couple? We’ll help you create the perfect programme.

9.30am: On the slopes in the sun. Warm up your muscles in the Tougnète sector in the morning, ideal for a relaxed start to the day’s skiing. Start at La Chaudanne in Méribel Centre and take the Legends chairlift and then the Cherferie chairlift. At the top of the Cherferie chairlift, you can take the blue Choucas and then Gelinotte slopes which meander through the fir trees to the centre of Méribel.

Then, thanks to the Tougnète 1 gondola and the Tougnète 2 chairlift, climb to the summit of Tougnète. At an altitude of 2,434 m, enjoy a magnificent view of the Méribel and the Belleville valleys. Then discover the Belleville valley by the red Pramint piste and the blue Pelozet piste which takes you to the bottom of the Saint Martin Express chairlift.

11am: comfort break. It’s time for a little break and why not surprise your partner with a romantic treat. Take advantage of the “cabanes Cœur” (heart huts) located in several places in the ski area. These wooden cabins are open to the outside world and have a small, comfortable sofa. There is one, for example, at the top of the Legends chairlift in the Tougnète sector.

11:30am: on the legendary slopes of the domain. Come and ski in a wild environment by diving down the black piste of the Bartavelle. To do so take the Roc de Tougne chairlift.

Continue exploring the area from summit to summit, take the Tougnète 2 chairlift. Then, switch back to the Saint Martin de Belleville side by the blue Gros Tougne piste which takes you to the foot of the Les Granges chairlift. Thanks to the latter, you will reach the 3 Marches summit at an altitude of 2,704 m, which offers a 360° panoramic view.

12.30pm: lunch at the summit. Afterwards, head to a chic restaurant at altitude to eat on the slopes. When you take off your skis, you’ll discover the menus of the top brasseries on the slopes of Méribel. Whether you prefer to have lunch on a sunny terrace or in a cosy and elegant interior, a day on the slopes with your partner is the ideal way to treat yourself thanks to the bistronomy of the 3 Vallées.

2pm: Feel yourself become absorbed into the grandiose panoramas. 

  • On the pistes of les 3 Vallées. Head to the Saulire sector for a trip to the slopes of Courchevel. Take a moment to meander through the beautiful chalets and chic boutiques for which Courchevel is famous. Then take the Chenus gondola and the Dou Des Lanches chairlift up to the Col de la Loze. Then, onto Méribel Village via the Altiport in a ski-romantic atmosphere.

or

  • Paragliding flight at the top of the Saulire. Make the biggest flight in the 3 Vallées with its almost 1,400 m of negative altitude difference. This is the only paragliding flight that gives you a full view of the summit of Mont Blanc.

4.30pm: Après-ski

  • chic and gourmet treat. Head to one of the hotels in Méribel that offer a high tea formula to be enjoyed in a warm and elegant setting such as the Savoy bar, the Alpen Ruitor or the bar of the Allodis hotel.

and/or

  • spa and massage for two. After a day on the slopes with your partner, come and relax and take care of yourself by ending the day at the spa. Create your own tailor-made treatment by choosing from the wide range of treatments available in Méribel.

Or

  • Live concert. Head to one of the covered terraces or bars that offer live concerts everyday. Méribel has one of the most vibrant and varied live music scenes with some of the best musicians in the French Alps.

A short ski break with friends :what’s the ideal day on the slopes

Do you want to spend a day skiing with friends?  Located in the heart of the 3 Valleys, Méribel is the ideal starting point to quickly take advantage of the best spots in the largest ski area in the world: iconic slopes, ideal panoramas for a group photo and hotspots to get in the mood…

9.30am: Ski trip to Val Thorens. Start with the Tougnète 1 gondola and the Tougnète 2 chairlift to enjoy a sunny descent on the Méribel side. Then take Tougnète 2 again to switch to Les Ménuires. Then take the Les Granges chairlift to Roc des 3 Marches to descend to Les Ménuires, there you’ll discover the new 2 800 m La Masse gondola. Return to Les Ménuires and take the Bruyères gondola to the top of Mont de la Chambre.  Ski towards Val Thorens, then climb to the emblematic cime Caron at 3 200 m and off you go for 1000 metres of vertical drop with spectacular scenery. For the fast and strong, push on to the Péclet glacier sector by the funicular of the same name.

12.30pm: Lunch in Val Thorens. Take a lunch break on the slopes or in the resort. Everything is close at hand, which will make it much easier for you to choose. No need to waste time hesitating when you can satisfy everyone.

2pm: Back to Méribel via the most beautiful panoramas. It’s time to return to Meribel to enjoy the resort before heading to the hotspots for a festive evening with friends.

To do this, go to the Mont de la Chambre from Val Thorens and then switch to Méribel-Mottaret via the Lac de la Chambre piste. You are then just a few minutes away from Mont Vallon, a summit at an altitude of 2,930 m. Enjoy the view of the Vanoise glaciers for a few moments and immortalise the day with the photo frame illustrated by the artist Lauriane Miara. Then ski the colossus of the 3 Vallées: the Combe du Vallon, a demanding 3 km long slope.

To finish your tour of the most beautiful panoramas of Méribel, go up to the Saulire thanks to the Pas du Lac gondola from Mottaret and come back to Méribel by the mythical red run: Mauduit. A descent of more than 1 000 m of difference in altitude. A real physical challenge which brings you back to the heart of Méribel..

Between 3 and 7pm 

Whether you prefer the cosy atmosphere of a cocktail bar or the lively atmosphere of a pub at the foot of the slopes, come and round off your day’s skiing with friends with an après-ski drink at one of the resort’s must-see spots…

Good deals on day ski passes

By choosing the 3 Vallées ski pass for your day out, you are choosing freedom.

  • Good skiers will be able to ski down the mythical slopes of the area and access several high altitude sectors.
  • Relaxed skiers or families will be able to ski on green or blue itineraries to contemplate and discover the different atmospheres of the resorts and an infinite amount of skiing space..

On saturdays, there are fewer people on the slopes and you ski at 20% off in the 3 Vallées. 

Thanks to the Ski Atout Prix card, ski in Méribel at 50% off on Saturdays and 30% off on Sundays. Ski Atout Prix is THE great deal that allows you to ski for less at weekends! To benefit from it, order your Ski Atout Prix card before or at the beginning of the season.

Tips for ski weekends & short stays in Méribel – France

En réservant votre hébergement en même temps que votre forfait en ligne sur notre site, vous bénéficiez d’un forfait de ski à – 25 %. L’offre Happy Ski est possible à partir de 2 nuits et 2 jours de ski, idéale donc pour un week-end tout compris. Évadez-vous en toute simplicité !

Tips and tricks for your ski day

Don’t waste a single minute

Park for the day in Méribel. Gain peace of mind by reserving your parking space. You can park in the covered car parks and one day’s parking is offered to you if you book your car park on our site.

Don’t go to the ticket office. Book your ski pass and receive your rechargeable card at home. This way, you are ready to ski right away without having to go to the cash desk when you arrive in the resort

Enjoy the ski area with peace of mind

Access the slopes by shuttle bus. Leave your car in a large car park and take the free shuttle bus to the start of the lifts.

Rent your equipment in Méribel. Hire your ski equipment directly from one of the shops on site. This way, you will have everything: skis on your feet and the guarantee of an impeccable and tailor-made service!

Don’t worry. For a chic restaurant for two, a spa or a paragliding flight… remember to make a reservation so that there are no disappointments in your day.

Download the 3 Vallées app. This will give you an interactive piste map in your pocket so you can enjoy the best pistes in the 3 Vallées. From now on, it’s impossible to get lost in the world’s largest ski area!