Things to do in Meribel

Pedestrian Lift passes

You don’t have to be on ski’s or a board to see the views and feel the highs on the mountainside. Pedestrian lift passes are available from the lift pass office at a cost of only €74 for 6 days and allow you to travel using many of the chair lifts and bubble lifts throughout the Three Valleys. Perfect for meeting the rest of the family or friends on the slopes for a spot of lunch, handing over the kids to the grandparents or heading up to take in one of the spectacular view points around the valley.

Stunning Walking

The area is teaming with great walking routes, from short strolls to challenging hikes, it’s always worth slowing down and exploring the mountains of Meribel and its surroundings under your feet. The free navette from many of these back to Meribel Village or Meribel centre makes a one way trip an option too. A few of our favourites:

Snoe-shoe the wilderness

Crunching over the snow up a mountain in complete peace is an experience like no other, alone or with a group there are beautiful trails across the Alps that give you access to secret spots where no others can go. The specially designed snow shoes give you the ability to walk over even the lightest of powder without disturbing the nature around you. Off the tracks skiers and boarders might glide by but most of the time the snow shoes give you the chance to go where other hikers and skiers just can’t go.

Husky Sledding

Feeling the symbiotic relationship built on trust and training with the owners and incredibly skilled beautiful Husky dogs is a unique experience. With guidance you can charge your own traditional Alpine sled and team of dogs, driving them through the twists and turns of the forest. This truly is a very exhilarating activity and not for the faint hearted. It’s great fun for all the family with a slice of nature thrown in.

Go ice-skating or catch a puck

It’s not all about figure skating and twirling, in the mountains Ice Hockey is a way of life. During the winter season ice hockey matches are held almost every Tuesday evening. At only €3 a ticket it is a thoroughly enjoyable and great value night out. Tickets cannot be reserved though usually there are plenty of spaces available.

The ice rink in Meribel is located in the Olympic Centre at La Chaudanne. Normal opening hours are 2pm – 2am but in bad weather there is an earlier opening time of 11am.

Shop till you drop

Gear up with the best technical wear, the latest gadgets, high fashion or simply some souvenirs for the office, Meribel has it all. Follow the road from Galerie des Cimes towards La Chaudanne and you will find brand boutiques, practical outlets such as the pharmacy, supermarkets, opticians and mouth watering food shops – try the Les Glaciers bakery for Savoyard specialities.

Classic crèperies

A holiday in France isn’t complete without at least one delicious crèpe or filled galette (savory buckwheat pancake). The Chaudanne is a great spot for an afternoon break with boozy offerings from Grand Marnier Crèperie among others. The crèperie Au Temps Perdu or La Vieille Crèperie are two more favourites in Mottaret.

Musée des Allues

Break up the outdoor exhilaration with some food for thought at the Musée des Allues . Understand the history and traditions of the Meribel Valley and mountain lifestyle. The museum holds guided tours twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays between 2pm and 6.30pm) and there are regular events throughout the winter.

Massage, Spa and Beauty treatments

Choose from a wide variety of options, from a sports massage to get rid of any niggles or aches before they stop you enjoying your time on the slopes or more indulgent beauty treatments in your chalet there are services to make you feel completely comfortable l in your own chalet With sauna and spa facilities around resort you’ll never be short of ways to make you feel good.

www.massage-me.co.uk
www.destinationpamper.com
www.chaudanne.com

Snow-Mobile

Whether you’ve seen these in movies or on the mountains carrying staff and locals to and fro chances are you wish you could jump on one. Not dissimilar from quad biking it’s a little like riding a set of four skis with a motor.

Available when the lifts have closed the slopes become your adult playground. The bikes carry one to two people so even those who don’t want to be in the driving seat can enjoy the thrill of the ride.

For children there is also a day version for children which runs on a special circuit.

Paragliding

Tandem or solo explore the mountains from the air. Launched at 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 breathtaking activity. It’s not just for those pros, the flight is for everyone, from 5 and 80 years old. A tandem flight usually in the afternoon lasts about 20 minutes, depending on the weather and aerological conditions.

Wine Tasting

You might be far from the vineyard but Le Saint-Amour offers an educated local insight into wines of the region and beyond. This bijou of a bar is situated next to the cinema, about 100m up from the Tourist Office. Make sure you are not drinking on an empty stomach with some delicious tapas while you try something new from the huge selection available.

Take a day trip to Annecy

Nestled by the northwestern shore of its namesake lake, Annecy is the jewel of the Haute-Savoie. A town full of history, culture and natural beauty a trip from Meribel to Annecy takes around an hour in the car and couldn’t be easier. From its crowning Château down to its rippling canals, Annecy’s Vieille Ville (Old Town) oozes antique charm but there are also plenty of modern boutiques and attractions to discover in the narrow streets.

Go Bowling

Bowling, pool tables, a games arcade and air hockey make ‘Le Canadien’, at the Olympic Centre at La Chaudanne, a popular place in the afternoons and evening. There are 6 lanes so booking is advisable. Open from 2pm to 2am (from 11am on bad weather days) and costs approx €10 for a game and shoe hire.

If you are in to the big sports events there is also a bar which serves draught beers and cocktails whilst you watch the game on their big screen. Tuesday and Thursdays are ‘flourescent’ nights, the party atmosphere starts, music is turned up and the glow in the dark fun begins.

Go Swimming

The 25 metre indoor swimming pool is located in the Olympic Centre at La Chaudanne. There is a designated sport lane for those who want swim seriously and a paddling pool and flume for the little ones too. Normal opening hours are 2pm – 2am but in bad weather there is an earlier opening time of 11am.

Cinema Time

When the weather is bad or you are looking for a quiet evening’s entertainment escape the chalet for a couple of hours and cosy up in the cinema with some popcorn and a good movie. Located in the Cimes shopping complex at the top of town, 100m up from the Tourist Office films are screened at 9pm but on bad weather days the cinemas may open at 2pm. There are often posters around the town. English language films are marked VOST on the cinema guide.

Take sightseeing plane trip

You can fly high over the mountains giving you the birds eye view of the valleys and slopes below on a stunning sightseeing trip for surprisingly good value. Planes carry up to 3 passengers and depart from the Altiport in Meribel.