| Most skiers can only dream of endless, uncrowded, | | | | descents through the trees. There are 18 chairlifts, 16 |
| powdery slopes. Méribel, located at the heart of | | | | gondola lifts, and 14 draglifts, and the infrastructure is |
| Les Trois Vallées, the world's biggest ski area, is | | | | being continually improved. Méribel's also has 685 |
| the perfect place to make that dream come true. | | | | snow cannon and 25 grooming machines that go to |
| Méribel's resorts have been built especially for | | | | work as soon as the runs are closed to ensure your |
| skiers and are interlinked with all other resorts in Les | | | | next day's skiing is the best possible. The resort also |
| Trois Vallées, so that one pass provides access | | | | has many skiing and snowboarding schools for all ages |
| to over 180 ski lifts and more than 600 km of ski runs - | | | | and capabilities, plus non-ski kindergartens and |
| as well as 120 km of cross-country trails. Skiing doesn't | | | | créches that are open daily. The nightlife is lively |
| get any better than this. Méribel is one of the | | | | and the bars and restaurants in the village centre are |
| world's great cosmopolitan ski resorts Founded in 1938, | | | | reasonably priced - try the Platin or the Plein Soleil for |
| Méribel is now one of the world's great | | | | a delicious meal. There are also plenty of shops, |
| cosmopolitan ski resorts. Situated between 1450 and | | | | supermarkets, vacation centres, a mobile home park, |
| 1700 metres above sea level, the main village of | | | | banks, a post office, and of course all kinds of |
| Méribel has real Alpine charm, with authentic | | | | accommodation. Not only skiing Once you've had |
| chalets built of wood and stone. The more traditional | | | | enough skiing, you can try the indoor swimming pool |
| and less developed village of Les Allues, is situated | | | | and the climbing wall at the Olympic centre, situated |
| below the main resort, at 1100 metres, and is linked to | | | | near the Chaudanne lifts. The resort also has an |
| the resort lift system by gondola, while | | | | ice-skating rink, bowling alley, fitness centres, cinemas, |
| Méribel-Mottaret, with chalets that are mostly | | | | and facilities for snowshoeing, parasailing, hang-gliding, |
| budget, mid-range and self-catering, is sited above the | | | | plus hot air balloon flights. If you'd rather take a walk, |
| main resort at 1700-1800m metres. Méribel | | | | the Méribel Valley offers over 25 km of |
| Village, to the east, is a smaller development, set at | | | | groomed walking trails, even during the winter, and you |
| 1400 metres, with mid-range, luxury, and self-catering | | | | don't need snowshoes or special equipment to enjoy |
| chalets. From here you can take the 'golf chair', for a | | | | them. The trails link the resorts to the local villages as |
| fast ride to the Altiport, at 1700 metres, where planes | | | | well as some of the mountain restaurants, and you |
| can land. A variety of fantastic snow sport options | | | | can also join a group for a guided snowshoe walk |
| With over 70 groomed runs, Méribel caters for | | | | around the valley. Méribel's ski season runs from |
| skiers and snowboarders at every level of expertise. | | | | early December to late April, but the area is beautiful all |
| Most slopes are particularly suited to intermediate and | | | | year round. Just take a train to Moutiers, then a bus or |
| advanced skiers, plus there are 11 green slopes for | | | | taxi to Méribel, and enjoy your stay in the 'jewel' |
| beginners and nine expert slopes, as well as two | | | | of Les Trois Vallées. |
| incredible snowboard areas. Many advanced skiers | | | | Rod Ritchie, a travel writer and editor, writes for many |
| favour the alpine skiing, with its excellent powder and | | | | publishers including AA Publishing and Fodors. |
| mogul fields, glacier skiing options, and exciting, steep | | | | |