Non-skiing things to do and see
There are many things to do in Meribel. Other than skiing or snowboarding, Meribel offers more than a handful of other activities for you to enjoy during your stay - from taking a walk to paragliding. Whether you want to spend the rest of your day with all the family and do something fun, or if you’re looking for non -skiing activities for the whole week, scroll through the guide below and you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Don’t forget to ask your chalet manager for the Three Valleys Footmap or the pedestrian lift map.
Meribel
Throughout Meribel and its surroundings you will find many walks, ranging from a short stroll to a veritable hike, snow conditions permitting of course! If you opted for the Pedestrian pass for your holiday, you will not run out of scenic walk routes for the whole week. Meribel offers 25km of wonderful winter walking trails which link the various villages. They are regularly groomed and well signposted and all you need is a pair of walking boots to enjoy them.
Les Allues
From Meribel Village there is a lovely walk down the valley to Les Allues, where you can either take a wander around the village before heading back up or, if one way is enough, the free Meribus will bring you right back into Meribel Village or Meribel Centre.
The 'Trout'
From Mottaret you can walk down the path next to the ‘Truite’ run all the way to Meribel (if you are feeling energetic you can walk it the other way too of course!). The free Navette will take you from Meribel to Mottaret to start.
Lac Tueda
A common favourite is the very easy circular path around the Lac Tuéda above Mottaret. The frozen lake and jagged peaks make for a wonderfully picturesque setting and there’s a restaurant (le Restaurant du lac de Tuéda) and slightly more distant refuge (Refuge du Plan) where you can enjoy lunch in the sun. Top tip: plan to visit around the middle of the day as this valley loses the sun relatively early in the afternoon.
Refuge de la Traye
For those of you who prefer a bit more of a climb, why not book a meal at the Refuge de la Traye? You can book a lunch or dinner in advance and walk up from Les Allues – it takes about 2 hours – through the woods on a well-kept path. For those of you who don’t fancy the walk you can also take an exhilarating skidoo ride up to the refuge.
See the Refuge de la Traye website
For the majority of the paths you can comfortably walk in hiking boots; however, it is sometimes advisable to take snowshoes in case you hit a patch of powder. Most Ski hire shops will hire a pair of snowshoes, but it’s worth checking in advance as the equipment can be limited.
Pedestrian lift passes are available from the lift pass office or can be prebooked with your chalet manager. It allows you to travel using many of the chairlifts and bubble lifts throughout the Three Valleys. Good for meeting your skiing friends for lunch on the slopes or heading up for a drink at one of the spectacular viewpoints around the valley.
A great outing alone or in a group, this tranquil activity puts you bang in the middle of some of the most beautiful trails that the Alps have to offer. The basis of walking with snow shoes means that you can walk over even the lightest of powder to have a look at nature which would not normally be accessible. Skiers and boarders can sometimes zoom by these secret spots but without snowshoes, you would never have the time to have a closer look and trust us, it’s definitely worthwhile.
Visit: ski-school-meribel-mottaret.com/nordic-ski/snowshoes
The free Meribus runs three separate routes around Meribel and its surroundings: Les Allues - Meribel Centre (via Meribel Village); Meribel Centre-Mottaret; Meribel Centre-Altiport.
If you have bought a lift pass, using the Olympic lift going from Meribel Chaudanne, you can head all the way down the valley in 30 minutes, visit the Grand Thermal Spa for the day or take a walk around the Thermal Gardens in the centre of town. The gondola also stops at Les Allues if you wish to explore there.
Why not take your children into Meribel and try a galette (savoury pancake) down by La Chaudanne? Or venture up to Mottaret where you can visit the Crêperie Au Temps Perdu or La Vieille Crêperie for a delicious crepe and a cup of steaming hot chocolate? For a more adult orientated Crêperie experience pop into the Crêperie du Doron situated next to the popular 5-star hotel l’Helios, around a 20 minute walk up from the centre.
Whether you are shopping for new ski wear, Parisien chic or top-class equipment, Meribel has it all. Take a wander down the high street from the Galerie des Cimes towards La Chaudanne and discover all Meribel has to offer. You will also find boutiques and delicious food shops - try the Maisson Braissand bakery or the many Savoyard specialities - as well as a range of practical shops (optician, pharmacy, newsagents etc).
If the normal après-ski bars do not interest you, why not take a trip into Le Saint-Amour, a lovely little wine bar next to the Cinema, about 100m up from the Tourist Office. Snack on some tapas while you try something new with the advice of the delightful owner from her huge selection of wines.
Choose from a wide variety of options, from a massage to a beauty treatment in your chalet to sauna and spa facilities around resort you’ll never be short of ways to make you feel good.
Massage Me
Massage Me offers treatments in your chalet. Their professional and experienced team offer sports massages, massages for relaxation, physiotherapy and even hot candle massage. Go to their website to make a booking and see their deals.
View their website
hello@massage-me.com
Tel +33 479 042 066
Nuxe - Hôtel le Kaïla / Hôtel la Chaudanne
In a natural setting in the heart of Meribel, NUXE offers a true sensory thanks to its 6 booth, including 2 doubles for sensual and relaxing moments with friends, family or for yourself.
View their service and price list
Tel +33 479 416 934
Spa des Neiges by Clarins de l'Hôtel Allodis
For ultimate relaxation, let yourself to be pampered at the Spa des Neiges by Clarins and take advantage of massages, spa and beauty treatments signed Clarins. Also, at your disposal: swimming-pool, sauna, turkish bath and fitness room.
View their website
Tel +33 479 005 600
Destination Pamper
View their website
enquiries@destinationpamper.com
Tel +44 7950 038 353 or +33 617 608 902
Olympic Centre Spa
My Spa by ‘Pure Altitude’ consists of four treatments rooms (including one double), one relaxation area with herbal tea bar, two saunas and two steam rooms and one large jacuzzi. Children allowed from sixteen years old. For the treatment area, children allowed from seven years accompanied by a parent. The entrance to the spa is just through the main doors (where the indoor climbing wall is) in the Olympic sports centre and up a floor with the lift on the right.
View their service and price list
myspa@meribel.net
Tel +33 479 004 230
The ‘Bowling Meribel’ is part of the Olympic Centre at La Chaudanne. There are 6 lanes as well as pool tables, a games arcade and air hockey. There is also a bar which serves draught beers, snacks and cocktails whilst you watch the game on their big screen. Bowling is open from 2pm to 2am (from 10am on bad weather days) and costs approx €12 for a game and shoe hire.
View their website
Tel +33 479 003 644
The 25m indoor swimming pool (complete with a slide for the little ones) is located in the Olympic Centre at La Chaudanne. Normal opening hours are 2pm – 7pm with a late opening (until 10pm) on Wednesdays. Special events and activities are organized throughout the season. Family entertainment, themed evenings. Activities : Paddle,Aqua-gym, Aqua-bike, Aqua-Palms, swimming training and swimming lessons on reservation.
Tel +33 479 008 000
The ice rink in Meribel is located in the Olympic Centre at La Chaudanne. Normal opening hours are 4pm – 7.30pm. The ice skating rink is open to all the public. If you are a beginner, you can have skating lessons (booking advised) or use their free skate helping equipment (limited quantities).
During the winter season there are ice hockey matches on almost every Thursday evening at 8.30pm which are well worth a visit. At only €6 a ticket it is a thoroughly entertaining and great value night out. Tickets cannot be reserved though usually there are plenty of spaces available. For more information check the Coup du Coeur.
For a touch of culture you can visit the Musée des Allues where you will learn about all the history and traditions of Meribel Valley. The museum holds guided tours twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays between 2pm and 6.30pm) and there are regular events throughout the winter.
terredesallues@wanadoo.fr
View their website
From the top of Saulire or Col de Loze you can launch yourself (plus your skis or board) off the top of the mountain in this exhilarating and breath-taking activity.
More details
Tel +33 769 532 800
If you have your own car the day trip to Annecy couldn’t be easier, a little over an hour’s drive and you will find yourself in a lovely, traditional French town on the shores of a beautiful lake with a stunning backdrop of snowy mountains.
More details
For those who don’t know what a snow-mobile is, it’s a bit like riding a set of four skis with a motor, only safer! Available for adults after the lifts have shut to give you full run of the slopes, but there is also a day version for children which runs on a special circuit. The bikes carry 1-2 people - you can switch halfway through if you prefer so you both can enjoy the sensation of being in control (or out of it!).
Go to the Snow Biker website for more details
info@snow-biker.com
Tel +33 609 941 811
For a whole new perspective of the astoundingly beautiful landscape, try taking one of these surprisingly good value plane rides. Planes carry up to 3 passengers and depart from the Altiport in Meribel.
More info here
When it comes to luge, there are so many choices throughout the three valleys. Some run only during the day and some are open even after the lifts close, so you can sled on floodlight pistes and enjoy the evening views. Don’t forget to grab your helmet, goggles and warm gloves! See below for the best options around Meribel.
Mission Black Forest
The closest one is the Black Forest Mission which is located at the Tougnète lift in Meribel, La Chaudanne. It is a 3.4 km sledge run on snow, descending 470m with 28 corners. Welcome in a fantastic universe : the magical Arbin forest, full of creatures and games of all kinds. Minimum height 1.40m. Start from Tougnète Gondola. Pre-purchased lift pass is not essential as they provide you with a temporary one.
More details
Himalaya by Night - Night tobogganing
Whether you’re looking to spend the evening with your children, your friends or your other half, test tobogganing under the stars in Meribel Mottaret. Hit the Little Himalaya green slope at full speed or at your own pace: a magical evening and fun guaranteed! The sledges with special metal brakes need to be rented separately from the luge hire in the shop 50m away.
More details
Moriond Racing
To really test your F1 skills and experience the Grand Prix hairpins, go full throttle on the straights and zoom through the 8 tunnels, go to Courchevel and visit Moriond Racing course. Come here with your family and friends as it’s open every day from 12.00pm to 4.30pm – just beware of the lift closing times! If you have your own car, you drive to Courchevel 1650 and experience floodlit racing until 7.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
More details
Free Luge – Courchevel 1850
You can sled down all the way to Courchevel 1550 on the free sled run serviced by the Grangettes bubble. A thrilling 2km forest sledge run. Try it in the day and at night too as it’s open from 9am to 7.30pm – however, you will need to have own transport to return to Meribel. You can rent a sled with the required metal brakes in the Regis Sports hire shop at Courchevel 1550 or most ski hire shops in Courchevel 1850. For non-skipass holders, 1 ski lift journey up is €8.
Speed Mountain - Toboggan on rails
Experience the alpine roller coaster if you really want to go through the twisting turns at high speed! Speed Mountain is located in Les Menuires at the Bruyères Snow front. Open from 1pm to 8pm – Beware of the lift closing times to get back to Meribel Valley.
More details
Tyrolienne la Bee – Val Thorens
If you want to experience the speed of the ground, why not take the plunge on a zip wire 65m above the piste! With BEE, SETAM is also helping Bleu Blanc Ruche to protect the bees. It is €35 per descent.
More info here
There are two cinemas, one in the centre of Meribel in the Auditorium, just next to the post office and the other in Meribel Mottaret’s Tourist office. Both cinemas are small but have some blockbusters as well as regional films on the repertoire. There’s always a good choice for all the family. Check their website below for the upcoming films and prices.
More info here
The Meribel Auditorium occasionally hosts comedy shows and film festivals. Keep an eye on the upcoming events in the Coup de Coeur.
Elements Park - Meribel
Come and have fun with your friends or family and challenge them in the Boardercross of the Elements Park, the snow park dedicated to young and beginners! This Boardercross themed on the water element offers a red level for maximum sensations. A succession of sharp turns, bumps and other ground movements that will delight young and old! Elements Park is the guarantee to have a good time whatever your level of skiing. There are 4 areas waiting for you at the top of the Legends chairlift, departing from La Chaudanne : the Boardercross, the Whoops line, the mini-zone, and the fun slope.
Walibi Gliss - Les Menuires
Are you up for a musical skiing challenge? Test your speed, agility and musical skills in this family fun zone in Les Menuires. Compete against your family and friends on the blue slalom, speed around the bends of the boardercross and complete the musical tasks to take your place on the winners’ podium and take the opportunity to collect your souvenir photo! To get here, take the gondola Masse 1 or chairlift Rocher Noir, located in the La Masse sector of Les Ménuires.
Just to the right of piste ‘Truite’ on Route de Mottaret, you can find the Equestrian centre. You can enjoy a ride in the middle of the pine trees, the kids can ride the ponies or get pulled by a pony on a sledge or try Ski-Joëring which is a combination of skiing and horse riding. If you can ski a green piste, you are able to try the activity with your own skis and depending on your skiing level there is even a mini slalom, jumps and a race. Reserve by the hour, half or full day using the link below.
More info here
Meribel has its own mountain guide club and you can book several activities with them including Snowshoeing, Ski Touring, Ski Guiding, Off Piste skiing and even Ice Climbing. Fully qualified IFMGA mountain guides are the top specialists of the above activities. Their daily practice gives them unmatched technique and experience so your experiences and safety is prioritised.
More info here