Things to do in Meribel
There are many things to do in Meribel. Other than skiing, Meribel offers more than a handful of other activities for you to enjoy during your stay.
FREE THINGS TO DO IN MERIBEL
LEISURE ACTIVITIES
MEMORABLE ACTIVITIES IN MERIBEL
Free things to do in Meribel
Explore Meribel’s trails and walks
Throughout Meribel and its surroundings you will find many walks, ranging from a short stroll to a veritable hike, snow conditions permitting of course!
For the majority of the paths you can comfortably walk in hiking boots; however, it's sometimes advisable to take snow shoes in case you hit a patch of powder.
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 navette (Meribel shuttle bus) 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
From Mottaret you can also walk through the car park at the far end of the bus route out towards a gorgeous mountain lake. You can walk along the side of the lake and further up the mountainside if you are feeling adventurous, or stop at the refuge where you can enjoy a vin chaud or hot chocolate with spectacular views.
Refuge de la Traie
For those of you who prefer a bit more of a climb, why not book a meal at the Refuge de la Traie? 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.
Find out more about Meribel's complimentary shuttle bus.
FREE MERIBEL SHUTTLE BUS INFO
Take a day trip to Annecy
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 the beautiful lake Annecy with a stunning backdrop of snowy mountains.
Musée des Allues
For a touch of culture you can visit the Musée des Allues where you will learn about all the history and traditions of the 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.
Leisure activities
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 Les Glaciers bakery or the many Savoyard specialities - as well as a range of practical shops (opticians, pharmacy, newsagents, etc).
Choose from a wide variety of options, from a massage or beauty treatments in your chalet to sauna and spa facilities around resort you'll never be short of ways to make you feel good.
We recommend Massage Me and La Chaudanne Hotel & Spa.
Why not take your children into Meribel and try a galette (savory pancake) down by La Chaudanne? Or venture up to Mottaret where you can visit the Creperie Au Temps Perdu or La Vieille Creperie for a delicious crepe and a cup of steaming hot chocolate?
For a more adult orientated experience pop into the Grand Marnier Creperie on the road up from the Chuadnane towards the Tourist Office where both hot chocolate and crepes are flavoured with, you guessed it, Grand Marnier!
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.
The cinema is part of the Cimes shopping complex at the top of town, 100m up from the Tourist Office.
Two or three times a week they premier films in English which are marked VOST on the cinema guide. These are available from the Tourist Office and are also posted around town.
Films are usually screened at 9pm but on bad weather days the cinemas may open at 2pm.
The bowling alley ‘Le Canadien' 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 and cocktails whilst you watch the game on their big screen. Each Tuesday and Thursday is 'flourescent' night, when the lights are dimmed, the music is turned up and everything glows in the dark!
‘Le Canadien' is open from 2pm to 2am (from 11am on bad weather days) and costs approx €10 for a game and shoe hire.
The swimming pool (complete with a slide for the little ones) 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.
Memorable activities in Meribel
Husky sledding
Be at one with nature and 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.
Ice skating
Ice skating in Meribel is available every day. The ice rink is located in the Olympic Centre at La Chaudanne. Normal opening hours are in the afternoon but in bad weather it will often open mid-morning.
During the winter season there are ice hockey matches on almost every Tuesday evening which are well worth a visit. From around €3 a ticket it is a thoroughly entertaining and great value night out.
Paragliding
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 breathtaking activity.
Snow-mobile
For those who don't even know what a snow-mobile is, it's a bit like riding a set of four skis with a motor, only a bit 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 half way through if you prefer so you both can enjoy the sensation of being in control (or out of it!).
Take a sightseeing plane trip
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.
Try snow-shoeing
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 normally not 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.
How to get around Meribel
The free Meribus service runs three separate routes around Meribel and its surroundings: Les Allues - Meribel Centre (via Meribel Village); Meribel Centre-Mottaret; Meribel Centre-Altiport.
Pedestrian lift passes are available from the lift pass office and allow you to travel using many of the chair lifts and bubble lifts throughout The Three Valleys; good for meeting more energetic friends for lunch on the slopes or heading up for a drink at one of the spectacular view points around the valley.
Ready to go skiing in Meribel?
We offer both catered and self-catered ski chalet options to suit various budgets and ensure maximum flexibility. With over 20 years of experience in providing great value chalet holidays, we are passionate about great skiing and know Meribel and The Three Valleys inside out.