Resort Guide to Meribel & Mottaret, France

The twin areas of Meribel & Mottaret form the central part of the 3 Valleys ski & board area. There are easy links from both Meribel & Mottaret into the Courcheval and Val Thorens valleys.

 

Skiing & Boarding

The skiing and boarding here is second to none with a variety of pistes and conditions throughout the valley. Check out Mont du Vallon at the head of the valley for an endless supply of off piste while the runs from Saulire down to the Altiport offer perfectly groomed pistes of varying difficulty that stay in the sun until the late afternoon. There is more than enough here to keep even the most determined skier or boarder content for months. And if you do get bored with the Meribel valley? Well, get an area lift pass and you've got access to what's reported to be the biggest ski area in the world!

 

Meribel

Meribel is a lively resort full of character, with rows of picture perfect chalets ascending up the mountain side to the altiport. The town centre has over 90 shops and 40 restaurants and retains a feeling of being an alpine village. Though modern, this is a classic style resort perfect for skiers and boarders of all levels who enjoy an energetic community feeling, while being free from concrete towers peering over you. There is a good, free bus system that operates through the resort and no matter where you're staying you'll never be far away from either a slope or a bus stop.

 

Mottaret

Mottaret is located just up the valley from it's bigger brother Meribel. It is a purpose built resort with one of the main slopes descending around the town's edge. This allows for a lot of the resort's large hotels to offer great ski in/out facilities and provides holiday makers with great views of what's happening on the slopes. The town centre, though small and not as picturesque as Meribel offers a varied selection of restaurants and bars and is only seconds away from the main lift stations. There are free buses to from the town centre to Meribel every 30 mins between 8:30am - 8pm and every hour until 11:30pm. Mottaret is a perfect resort for people looking to relax in the heart of the 3 valleys and make the most of the ideal ski in/out situation.

 

Be sure to check out La Rond Pont just on the edge of the slopes above Meribel for live music from late afternoon to the early evening and Dicks T-Bar is the place to be for late night partying!

 

Part of 3 Valleys Ski Area

Lively Resort

Snow Sure

Family Friendly

 

Après Ski   Meribel has a lively night life with many popular and varying bars and clubs.   Try out La Pub and Le Rond Pont for live music, straight off the slopes while Dicks T-Bar and Chez Kiki's will keep you dancing all night long.   Mottaret, though quieter still has some fantastic bars to kick back and relax the evenings away in.	Activities   Meribel has a well equipped sports centre, offering: Indoor pool, squash, olympic ice skating rink, gym and climbing wall.   There is also a bowling alley and cinema at the Le Chaudanne (Meribel) and many companies in the valley offering skidoo outings, hand-gliding, parasailing and snowshoeing.   Twice weekly (Tues & Fri) Meribel hosts a small market offering local produce, including cheeses and the rather powerful alcoholic Genepe made from local mountain flowers.	Eating Out   With over 40 restaurants in Meribel and a further 15 in Mottaret, there is no end of choice for places to eat no matter what your budget or taste.   Local specialties served in many of the restaurants include Fondues and Raclette.   Recommended are La Taverne (Meribel town centre), Les Enfants Terribles (Meribel 1600) & Le Boa A Mil (Mottaret).   It should be noted that due to the number of chalet companies having the same night off, restaurants can get booked up very early in the week. If you are on a chalet holiday and want a good meal on the staff's night off, book early!
Ski/Board Tuition   Meribel has one of the best ranges of ski schools we know of in the Alps, with several, highly qualified & English speaking independent schools nipping at the heals of the French E.S.F.   Highly recommended for both adults and children is Magic in Motion & New Generation.	Ski/Board Hire   Adult prices from: €90 pw Child prices from: €55 pw   There are many ski and board hire shops all offering competitive rates. Ask your holiday rep/host for their recommendations and special offers.	Childcare   Day kindergarten for children aged between 18 months and 3 years is available in Meribel centre from 9am to 5pm and costs approx. €190 for 6 days.   Ski kindergarten is available for children aged 3-5 years in both Meribel centre and Mottaret from 9am to 5pm and costs approx. €192 for 6 days.