Can Someone Give Me The Low Down On Meribel??

A snowHead

I fancy trying Meribel, did 3V last year but stayed at Val Thoren and didnt see any of Meribel town. Busy looking for accomodation now and want to be close to all the apres action and pubs which I believe are in Meribel Centre but we also like to be close to the lifts. Is this possible in Meribel? Everything i can find is 800m+ away from a lift if it is near the centre? I understand the valley is also split up into lots of little villages, which area is best for close lifts/piste with out being too far out from the apres scene? Alot of accomodation claims to be next to the dicks Tea Bar, where is this located?

Cheers

A snowHead

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

I'd stick with VT.

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Just pop down to Guildford town centre - similar vibe, generaly better snow Twisted Evil

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

gav_in59,

Meribel is the main village which is where the action is, and includes places liked Dicks, Barometer and a fair few others. It's quite elongated however so if you're staying down by Dick's it a good walk to where the lifts run up/down aka la chaudanne

winding up the hill from meribel is a road that runs up to 'rond pont des pistes' which is where the Ronnie (apres bar) is located. It's possible to ski back from the rond pont intowards the town and down to la chaudanne

Further up the valley is meribel mottaret, which I'm sure has a bar or too. Spread further down the valley is places like Les Allues, Raffort and Les villages which may (or may not) have a decent bar - Lodge du village in les villages spread to mind. These are lifted linked but then but back after apres is bus or taxi (28 euro last season from villages to les allues)

there's a map here which pretty much sums up the valley - but if night lift is your thing then you want to be in meribel itself.

This thread adds some more colour - http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=2147320&highlight=meribel+seasonnaires#2147320 I especially like the comment

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Full of Brits and stones

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Thanks for the feedback, doesnt look like Meribel is too popular with most snowheads ha. We are just looking for somewhere new, large ski area and average/good apres. We have done the resorts listed below but like to try a new one each season, any suggestions welcome for ths years trip?

Tignes
Pas de la Casa
La Rosiere
Pila
La Plagne
Alpe D'Huez
Val Thoren

After all it is free

Ever thought of Austria? If you like après you'll like Austria!

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gav_in59, if you've skied Val Thorens- and you like to try somwhere new - then forget Meribel. You've been there already, you just didn't realise.

Verbier might suit

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snow reports

The clue is in the thread title ...

it's a little bit too low down

gav_in59, given that list, and if you want to stay in France, the obvious gap is Val D'Isere. But the Austrian suggestions sound like more of a change.

You know it makes sense.

Meribel Village is about 2km from the centre of Meribel

The Folie Douce opens up the mountain in Meribel and is going to be a fantastic apres ski bar, far better than the Rond Point, or as it has become know the Ronnie!

Alpine Action have chalets and an apartment in "Meribel Centre"

We offer holidays with flights and transfers or accommodation only, please call 01273 466535 for further details, we know all there is to know about Meribel and where to be!

www.alpineaction.co.uk

sales@alpineaction.co.uk Very Happy

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

gav_in59, There is the Inghams chalet hotel (Les Grangettes) right by the lifts if you are looking for a package deal. It is pretty basic but the location is great.

If not then most chalet companies offer a minibus service and will drive you to and from the slopes. There are many cool bars in Meribel and it is a fun resort. The snow might not be the best in Meribel itself but you can easily access the other valleys.

If you are keen on a big resort then you could try Val d'Isere or Tignes in the Espace Killy or Les Arcs in the Paradiski. You also have Morzine which has a decent aprés-ski offering and the Portes du Soleil will keep you busy for sure.

Of course you can try Austria for a change or Switzerland - Zermatt is great fun!

A snowHead

Went to meribel last December, stayed with alpine elements in a chalet near the rond pont. Had a 50m walk to the slope to ski down to the chaudanne lifts, could ski pretty much back to the chalet. It was a 10-15 min walk down to all the main bars or the ski bus went from pretty much outside the chalet. Loved the ski area as you are right in the middle of the 3 vallees. Couldn't see much the week we were there as it was a white out pretty much everyday but the snow conditions were the best I have experienced. Definitely will go back.

Try Soll in Austria if you want great après, the ski welt is also a great ski area.

A snowHead

gav_in59, If you wanted to go back to the 3V area, and specifically the other side to VT, then I would suggest La Tania... Ok so the place is 'a lot' smaller and is on the whole a family area, but from wherever you stay, you are pretty much at the lifts and piste and there a couple of great, very lively, bars in the village... Not to say it is a beautiful village nestled in the trees...

http://www.publeskilodge.com/photogallery.html
http://www.easytaiga.com/ - Had some very good nights in here...
http://www.enimages.net/visites/savoie/la-tania/hiver/commerces/la-taiga/visite.php

I have ridden around Meribel a couple of times visiting my cousin, who lives and works in a place at the La Chaudanne and despite what has been already said, I really liked it... Stayed down in Les Allues, which is a great place with good access, via bubble or very frequent bus, and in good snow you can ride all the way back down at the end of the day... However, if you are after 'big' pares then there is only one bar here (which is still a cool little bar for a beer, run by a scouse bloke I think)

http://www.tsaretta-meribel-lesallues.co.uk/

Hope this is helpful buddy... Enjoy your trip, wherever you decide...

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

I went to Meribel a few years ago and had a great time! Skiing down from the Ronie was fun but dangerous... Smile

The snow was great as well but I guess that's down to luck as well!

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Val d'Isere huge area, something to frighten anyone I promise you. Or as suggested La Tania or La Praz both give entry to 3V, Tania good for OP back of Meribel or if OOmpah is more your bag St>Anton plus Lech

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

I've lived around Meribel for years and can assure you it's a great resort to base yourself in to get the best from the 3 Valleys. Après wise there's a massive new Folie Douce bar/ restaurant opening this winter on the sunny Saulire side of the valley, après will never be the same again. If you know VT you'll probably have an idea of what to expect.

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I never quite understand some of the negativity about Meribel. I love the place.

Yes, the Ronnie is full of "daddy's credit card' types but also there are some pretty cool people there too. We end everyday skiing there, have a couple of beers then ski or bus (depending on amount of beers) back down to the centre.

La Tavern is an awesome place for some decent food and a beer during the day, Barometer is ok too (but I think they are getting a little above their station with their prices.... sheessh, who do they think they are??? Le Poste?!).

If you're lazy, you will find the full-fledged English spots, but put a little thought and there is plenty of options!

Love skiing too!

#AllezMeribel

#yesididjustuseahashtagonapost

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Can Someone Give Me The Low Down On Meribel??

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