Skiing the French Alps is an experience that is not to be missed, whether you’re a novice or a pro, and one of the best spots to learn or to show off your most daredevil skills is at Meribel in the Three Valleys. The resort was founded in the late 1930′s by a German skier, Peter Lindsay, and you get the benefit of his knowledge and love of the sport in everything from the easy access skiing to the wonderful range of terrain.
The Altiport area is just perfect for beginners, only a short ride from the main lift area. Its mild slopes will allow all the practice needed to gain confidence for more challenging runs, and mini-passes are available that cover the whole area for a day or half-day.
For small children not quite ready to strap on skis, there are sleighs and toboggans galore, providing a lot of fun for the little ones, not to mention parents who need a bit of a rest from the steeper slopes. Snowboarding is another great introduction to the world of winter joys, and lots of space is available for first-timers as well as advanced boarders.
If you are an aficionado of fresh powder, Mount Vallon, Meribel’s highest mountain at 3,000 metres offers an expanse of un-pisted slopes with an absolutely exhilarating 5km run from the top. You might have to hike a short distance from the lift, but if you do you’re likely to find paradise in stretches of untouched powder.
Those with plenty of experience can find all the challenges they can handle on the mogul fields to the side of the slopes accessed by the “Dent de Burgin” lift. Then there’s glacier skiing at Val Thorens and off piste slopes with some seriously adrenalin-producing runs like the “Combes de Saulire” that runs down almost to Courchevel.
One of the most beautiful runs (not for beginners) “Le Grand Duc” is reached via the “Olympic” chairlift; that one is scheduled to host one of the races at the World Cup in 2015, with good reason.
If you catch the “Caron” gondola to the top of Val Thorens you’ll get to ski down some pristine runs, and the next valley over is also a terrific spot for long, uncrowded runs to the valley.
If competition is your thing, competition you will find. Races, tournaments and exhibitions of skill are going on all the time in different areas and aspects of winter sports. For a little extra excitement, you will occasionally hear a sound like a gunshot, but it’s only the management setting off one of the controlled avalanches – a safety measure, not a threat.
It’s definitely worthy of note that Meribel and the Three Valleys are a year-round resort area, but there are more world-class ski resorts concentrated here than in any other place in the world. Chalet and hotel accommodations of all types are available throughout the year, with slightly cheaper rates during off-ski season. The area also boasts a multitude of good restaurants and lively pubs, so there’s no lack of après ski activities.
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