A Guide to Meribel Beginners Slopes: Best Runs for New Skiers

 

There’s nothing more exciting than heading on your first ski holiday. Though, we understand that the prospect of putting on your ski or snowboard and heading out on the slopes for the first time can also be a little nerve wracking and it’s completely understandable! 

However, by checking out the best beginner ski areas ahead of time, making yourself familiar with the different kinds of slopes and preparing by booking a few ski lessons, you’ll soon discover that there’s nothing to worry about.

Meribel boasts a huge variety of slopes meaning it’s a perfect destination for beginners and group ski holidays, particularly those with mixed abilities. It also means that even once you’ve learnt to ski, you’ll have plenty of slopes to enjoy for years to come. The resort offers over 150 km of alpine runs and 600 km of connected slopes across the Three Valley ski area.

Meribel itself is a balanced mix of 25% green, 40% blue, 28% red and 7% black slopes meaning as a beginner, there’s plenty of terrain to explore. There’s even two dedicated learner zones in the Meribel Valley, meaning beginners are able to practise their skills without worry of other more experienced skiers around them. 

In this blog we’ll provide you with everything you need to know ahead of your first ski trip to Meribel, from the best places to head as a beginner to what the different slope colours mean and how to prepare for your first ski holiday. So, all you need to do is read on and prepare for the holiday of a lifetime. 

 

The Best Beginner Ski Slopes in Meribel

Meribel offers two dedicated areas for beginner skiers and snowboarders, one near the Altiport and another in Meribel Mottaret. The Altiport area can be reached via the Rhodos lift or the free resort bus if you don’t have a lift pass. There, you’ll find the Altiport drag lift, giving access to several wide green pistes that are perfect for those new to skiing. In 2016, the resort made a significant investment in Mottaret, reshaping the mountain to create a brand-new beginner zone. From the midpoint of the Combes chairlift, beginners can enjoy the Yeti Park and Little Himalaya slopes.

Whilst there’s plenty of great beginner slopes to choose from, here are 5 of the best beginner slopes in Meribel. 

 

Beginner Only Areas – Ski Cool Run & Zen Zone

Meribel provides two specially designed beginner zones, complete with free lifts, offering a relaxed, beginner-only space to help you build confidence on the slopes. These zones are situated from the Sailure Mid-Station to the Altiport area in Meribel (known as the Ski Cool Zone) and in the heart of Meribel Mottaret (the Yeti Park & Zen Zone).

On the piste map, you’ll see these areas are highlighted in yellow indicating ‘Ski & Fun’  Zones. 

Meribel – Ski Cool Zone

Mottaret – Zen Zone

Near the Zen Zone in Mottaret, you’ll also find the much loved Yeti Park. The winding green run is a safe, accessible, and wide piste with playful features like gongs, trumpets, and prayer wheels, reminiscent of Yooni’s Himalayan home.

Brand New Beginner Ski Zone at La Chaudanne, Meribel Centre

An exciting, brand-new beginner area is being built at La Chaudanne, set to open for the first time this winter – forming Meribel’s third beginner only zone. Located just to the right of the Rhodos bubble, this area will feature a covered moving carpet, allowing first-time skiers to start practising without needing to use a lift or purchase a lift pass.

Altiport Area – Blanchot Green Run

Once you feel more confident and have purchased a lift pass, you can take the Altiport chairlift to explore various green runs in the beginner Ski Cool Zone, often where your instructor will take you for your first lesson. Here you’ll find the Blanchot Green Run, a wide and brilliant slope for honing your skills. 

To reach the Alitport area from La Chaudanne, jump onto the Rhodos Gondola and continue on to the top, which is the 2nd stop. 

From here, you’ll be able to ski directly to the Blanchot slope and practice where you’ve been during the morning.

Once you’ve had enough for the day and it’s time to head to apres, you can either use the Forêt rope pull from just by the Alitport chairlift to pull you across to the Forêt Green Run which will bring you just above the Rond Point (aka the Ronnie). Or, if you’d prefer, you can get on the Altiport chairlift and ski down to the 2nd station of the Rhodos Gondola and head down to the midstation and ski a short distance down from there. 

From The Ronnie, we’d recommend getting the bus back to your accommodation which can be done from just outside the front of the bar. The ski back to La Chaudanne once The Ronnie closes is usually in the dark and can get pretty busy with everyone leaving at the same time – so it’s best to avoid this if possible whilst you’re still building your confidence. 

Truite Green Run

Another lovely green to practise your skills on is the Truite Green run, known locally as the Trout, which will also allow you to do a full loop from La Chaundanne and back again with the help of the Tougnette Gondola. From La Chaudane, head for Toungette Gondola and head up to the top. Once you reach the end, exit the lift station. You’ll notice there’s a chairlift, Tougnette 2 just next to the exit for the Gondola but you’re not getting on there just yet. 

Instead, pop on your skis and do a right down the green Pedrix run (marked ‘Piste’ on the map below), continue down the slope and follow it down. It can get a little flat up ahead of it’s useful to go as fast as you feel confident to. Continue down through the yellow section on the map which is the beginner zone. Keep to the left and here you’ll be able to stick to this zone, avoiding the busier main slope. 

At the bottom, continue skiing past the restaurants, the Mottaret Tourist Office, and the Medical Centre. Glide under the tunnel, and shortly after passing the Chalet Gondola Station, you’ll arrive at the top of the Truite green slope.

From here, simply cruise your way down and at the bottom, you’ll find yourself back at La Chaudanne where you started. 

 

Rond-Point – Forêt Green Run

As mentioned, the Forêt green run takes you from the Altiport area, across to Le Rond Point (where you’ll find The Ronnie). This is a scenic green path that will take you winding through the forest, full of snow filled trees making it a firm favourite among skiers of all levels for its idyllic, winter wonderland feel. 

 

Meribel Village – Lapin Blue Run

The Lapin blue run is a scenic and gentle piste leading down to Meribel Village from the Alitport Area, making it a popular choice for both beginners and intermediates. It starts from the top of the Golf chairlift, offering beautiful views as you descend through tree-lined sections and wide-open areas. The run itself is well-maintained and not too steep, allowing for a relaxed ski down to the village. Along the way, you’ll pass through peaceful wooded areas and gentle slopes, making it a pleasant route to wind down or build confidence.

At the end of the Lapin run, you’ll arrive in Meribel Village, a charming spot with traditional chalet-style buildings and a laid-back atmosphere. Here, you can stop at one of the local cafes or bars, like the popular Lodge du Village, to enjoy a well-deserved drink or snack before catching the Golf chairlift back up.

If you’re staying in Meribel Village, this will be your route home via the slopes each day.

 

How to Understand the Different Slopes and Etiquette

Throughout Meribel, The Three Valleys and all ski resorts in France, pistes are categorised into four main colours. These are Green, Blue, Red and Black. The colours represent the difficulty of the slope. Outside of these main categories, you’ll find beginner slopes and there’s also a selection of other areas including snow parks, free-ride areas and dedicated areas for activities such as ski touring as well as, off piste skiing. 

When you’re a beginner skier or snowboarder learning the ropes, it’s useful to familiarise yourself with the different coloured slopes and what they mean to ensure you don’t end up somewhere that’s out of your comfort zone. Let’s explore what each slope means and where you should stick to as a beginner. 

Green Runs

Green slopes are those that have been categorised as “Tres Facile” meaning very easy. These are your go to slopes once you’ve nailed down the basics and are ready to venture out of the beginner area. In Meribel, there are 8 green slopes throughout the valley, ensuring you’re well connected and able to explore the area.

 

Blue Runs

Next up are blue runs. These are those considered to be easy and in Meribel, you’ll find 25 blue runs through the valley. Whilst they represent a step up from green runs, blues are often popular with beginners and novices mastering their skills as they are often lovely and wide meaning you can really perfect those turns as you cruise down the mountain. 

 

Avoid Red & Black Runs

After blue runs, come red followed by black. Red runs are considered difficult with black being very difficult and the hardest type of pisted slope. 

How quickly you’re ready to tackle reds and even blacks will of course depend on how quickly you pick things up but it’s recommended to steer clear of both reds and blacks during your first week on the slopes, atleast. 

Our recommendation would be to only venture on to the more difficult slopes once you have done so with your instructor as they’ll know when you’re ready to do so. 

 

Mountain Etiquette

Skiing and snowboarding in Meribel and across France are incredibly enjoyable, with everyone out to have a great time and appreciate the beautiful mountains together. However, it’s important to be mindful of mountain etiquette to keep everyone safe. Here are some key things to remember:

 

• Right of Way: Skiers and snowboarders ahead of you have the right of way. If you’re skiing behind someone, it’s your responsibility to avoid them and maintain a safe distance when overtaking.
• Give Way: When joining a slope or entering from a side path, always give way to skiers who are already on the piste. This ensures smoother merging and helps avoid collisions.
• Never Go on a Closed Piste: Closed pistes are marked for safety reasons, often due to avalanche risk, maintenance, or poor conditions. Respect these signs and avoid any closed areas.
• Stopping: Don’t stop in narrow sections or places with limited visibility, such as just over a hill. If you need to pause, move to the side to keep the main path clear.
• Speed Control: Keep your speed at a safe level based on your ability, slope difficulty, and crowdedness. Faster skiers should steer clear of beginner-heavy areas.
• Respect the Environment and Safety Signs: Dispose of litter responsibly and stay on marked trails to avoid disturbing wildlife or entering hazardous zones.
• Accident Assistance: If you witness an accident, stop to offer help if safe, and notify ski patrol if assistance is needed. 
• Making an Accident Visible: If those involved in the accident are unable to get up and must remain down while waiting for help, use your skis or poles to make the scene as visible as possible. A common practice is to place your skis in an X shape to signal to oncoming skiers to avoid the area. This is especially important if the accident occurred in a low-visibility area, such as just over the brow of a hill.

 

Tips for a Successful First Day on the Slopes

Take a Ski Lesson

It’s always a good idea to book some lessons for your beginner ski holidays. Spending time with a professional instructor makes all the difference to your learning experience and helps you build skills and confidence much faster than trying to learn on your own.

Meribel is home to a selection of brilliant ski schools to choose from and booking your lessons in advance is also recommended, especially during peak periods like school holidays.

Buying the right pass

Getting your ski pass is an essential part of your ski holiday in Meribel. If you’re staying with Ski Basics, we can help you arrange your ski pass, ensuring a seamless experience from the moment you arrive. You can conveniently purchase your pass online via the MySkiBasics portal before your trip, which is highly recommended to save time. Your chalet manager will then deliver to them your chalet on your arrival.

The passes offer access to a variety of slopes, allowing you to explore the extensive Three Valleys area. There are different options available depending on the duration of your stay and where you’d like to ski and your age, including Kids, Adults, Veterans and family flex passes.

Start Slow

It’s always best to start slow on the slopes and build up your confidence on Meribel’s beginner slopes. As tempting as it may be to take on the more difficult slopes and keep up with more advanced skiers, it’s important to stay safe and doing so will do wonders for your confidence and ability in the long run! 

Practise the Basics

Practising the basics is crucial. If you have the opportunity, it can be useful to try a dry slope at home before your first ski holiday. Doing so can help you familiarise yourself with the movements and balance needed for skiing, making your transition to the snow smoother.

Once you’re on your holiday, taking lessons with a professional instructor is invaluable. They’ll provide you with essential techniques and tips to help you progress quickly. After your lessons, be sure to dedicate time to practising what you’ve learned. This practice will be key to nailing your technique and building muscle memory.

By focusing on the basics and honing your skills, you’ll build a solid foundation for your skiing journey. This will not only enhance your confidence but also allow you to develop your abilities more effectively as you take on new challenges on the slopes.

How to prepare for a Ski Day

 

Preparing for a ski holiday, especially if it’s your first one, can feel like a daunting task—particularly when you’re travelling with kids. Our top tip is always to keep it simple! You’ll spend the large majority of your time wearing your ski gear and any time aside from that will likely be with your feet up by the fire or out in fairly casual clothing for dinner or a walk around town. 

The main thing to think about is your clothing for our on the slopes, from thermals to waterproofs and not forgetting essentials like gloves and goggles. For a complete A-Z on what to pack for your first ski holiday (and all the others after that) we’ve compiled a ski holiday packing checklist, complete with downloadable guide. 

 

Understanding the Weather

Understanding the weather and snow forecast is an important part of enjoying your ski holiday. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the forecast using websites like Snow-forecast.Com, as well as checking the information boards for any lift closures due to weather conditions. Your chalet host can also tune in to the local Meribel radio each morning, which will provide a helpful overview of what to expect for the day ahead. Staying informed will help you make the most of your time on the slopes!

Recognising Fatigue & The Importance of Rest

Recognising fatigue and understanding the importance of rest is also important for an enjoyable ski holiday. Skiing can be physically demanding, and it’s easy to push yourself too hard, especially when you’re excited to hit the slopes. Pay attention to your body and take breaks to enjoy a good lunch in one of Meribel’s delicious restaurants when you need it; this will help prevent injuries and ensure you have enough energy to enjoy your time. 

To prepare for your trip, consider doing some pre-ski holiday exercises to get your body ready for the slopes.

Looking to book your first ski trip?

So there you have it! Your guide to Meribel beginners slopes and all you need to know to help you ski with confidence (aside from the ski lessons themselves!). If you’re ready to plan your ski holiday to Meribel, why not explore where to stay in Meribel, take a look at our range of beautiful Meribel chalets or check out our remaining availability for the upcoming season.

If you have any questions at all, simply get in contact and a member of the team would be pleased to hear from you.