Meribel Ski Resort

Meribel is an excellent destination for beginners, with plenty of gentle slopes to learn and practice on. The resort has several dedicated areas for novice skiers, such as the Altiport and the Rond-Point des Pistes. The Altiport has wide, slow-paced slopes that are perfect for beginners to gain confidence on. Meanwhile, the Rond-Point des Pistes has a range of easy runs, including the green Lapin piste, which is an ideal starting point for new skiers.

The resort is globally known for excellent skiing conditions in the heart of the French Alps and its high altitude which ensures fresh snow for most of the season. Meribel has several dedicated areas for beginners, including the Altiport and the Rond-Point des Pistes, and a range of runs for intermediate and advanced skiers. The village is also famous for its lively après-ski scene, which offers a range of dining and entertainment options for visitors.

The resort has numerous bars, nightclubs and restaurants to choose from, with some venues hosting live music and DJs. Meribel's après-ski scene is so popular that it has even been described as the "Ibiza of the Alps." With its exceptional skiing opportunities, stunning mountain scenery, and vibrant après-ski scene, Meribel is a favorite winter holiday destination among skiers and non-skiers alike.

Meribel Tourism mentions a few months throughout the ski season they recommend as being best to visit. The first is mid-late December if you’re looking for a destination holiday towards the beginning of the season. Next up is February if you’re trying to experience some mid-season snow, and lastly April when they typically have the most availability, despite European and American holidays falling that month.

Of course, you also get the climates that coincide with these months, visit in December for the most winter wonderland-esque experience, or opt for February and April for more sunshine and spring temperatures. Ski.com’s Mountain Travel Experts can help you create a memorable vacation and decide when to visit.

Meribel and Courchevel both offer excellent skiing and environments off the mountain; all it comes down to is what you’re looking for. To begin with, they’re on opposite sides of Saulire Peak with Courchevel facing the north and in the shadow of the mountain, preserving quality snow conditions throughout the season. Meribel soaks up more sunshine than Courchevel, and at a lower altitude it can have more variable snow conditions, particularly in the early and late season.

Between the two, Meribel has a more laid-back vibe, like what you’d expect for a standard ski town. Courchevel on the other hand specializes in everything luxury, like encouraged champagne toasts during après hours. Our team at Ski.com will walk you through both resorts, since one is not necessarily better than the other, just perhaps a better fit for what you’re looking for.

Meribel is a world-renowned ski resort in the French Alps, connected to Les 3 Vallées so offering over 400 miles of interconnected ski slopes that cater to skiers of all levels. With its high altitude, the resort provides excellent skiing conditions and visitors can enjoy skiing on fresh snow for most of the season. The ski runs vary in difficulty, but there’s a fair number of gentle greens and blues for beginners to challenging black and red runs for skiers looking for a day of adventure on the mountain.