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3 Valleys

Ski Chalets

Posted on: November 5th, 2022 by SkiGB

Going on a Ski Holiday and staying in a Ski Chalet is one of the nicest ways to enjoy the mountains.

Whether you and your group fill up the whole Chalet or join other holidaymakers the results are the same, relaxing, comfortable and enjoyable.

We have gathered together some of the best quality Chalets which are located in convenient locations within the resort.

SkiGB.com specialise the Ski Resorts that are favourites with British snow worshipers.

Ski Chalet Food

Staying in a Ski Chalet is like home from home, but with more cake!

Your private chef will not only create sumptuous breakfasts and dinners but will also bake you a cake ready for when return from Apres Ski!

Breakfast includes hot and cold options and the evening dinner consists of a 3-course feast.

If you have any dietary requirements you will need to inform the Chalet at the time of booking.

Wine is usually included which doesn’t stop until at least the end of the meal, sometimes longer.

Chalet Layout

Most Ski Chalets are individual buildings consisting of a number of bedrooms most likely with ensuite bathrooms. A communal lounge and Kitchen area. A Ski and Boot room to store your, well, ski boots and Skis. Then additionally more luxurious Chalets could have Saunas, Steam rooms and even private swimming pools.

How big are Ski Chalets?

The size of the chalets ranges from small 6-person properties to large 20+ person chalets. If you are interested in Chalets that are larger we recommend also looking at Chalet-Hotels which are a mixture of the two.

Can I book the whole Chalet?

Yes of course. If this something that interests you recommend booking as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Are Ski Chalets suitable for Children?

Some Chalets are for adults only, you will be able to use the filters in our search but most are child friendly.

How hard is it to ski from Val Thorens to Courchevel?

Posted on: November 2nd, 2022 by SkiGB

Part of our “How hard is it…” series we explain how hard it is to ski from Val Thorens to Courchevel.

Route

There are several route options with slightly different variations for each route. Depending on where you start in Val Thorens might decide which route to take. For example, if you are staying at the bottom of the resort you might prefer to ski the nice easy path down to Les Menuires and make your way over to Meribel from there.

My personal favourite starting point is to stay high and take the lifts up over and ski either under Cote Brune lift – off-piste – or the main piste and end up at the Base of Mont Vallon.

You may have noticed I am not naming the lifts or even pistes as you wouldn’t believe this but the resorts keep changing their names. Granted mainly due to lift upgrades or replacements but it might confuse you if I did name them and you can’t find them on the map.

Anyway, back to the route. So far we have only skied one piste, quite a long one though. If it isn’t too busy – timing is everything here – this is a really nice piste. The top is a little steeper – Red level – but quite wide to traverse if needed, further down it does get thinner but nowhere need as steep – Blue level.

From Mont Vallon –  worth a trip up the Mont Vallon lift and ski down if fresh snow as it’s amazing – you can either grab a short lift up and ski down to Motteret or take the picturesque path through the trees. The path is not very snowboard friendly as it is quite flat. Wouldn’t advise boarding down there on fresh snow, take the lift.

Skip through Motteret and climb up the other side.

Once you get into the Courchevel ski area you will notice the pistes get wider and less steep. Great for less confident skiers or just if you fancy a blast. There is a great little boarder-cross course at the top which is fun. Keep your eye out for the famous airport from one of the James Bond films as you gently slide your way past some rather posh-looking Chalets. Incidentally, if you have £20 million spare and looking for a Ski Chalet you should check out Belle Air in Courchevel.

 

Part 1 complete you are at Courchevel 1850.

 

If you choose to return via the same route you came via then bear in mind you will need to use a very very very long drag lift, definitely not snowboard friendly.

So I tend to stay low and take a route back via Meribel village. The biggest “pain” with this route is Meribel, don’t get me wrong Meribel is beautiful and well worth a visit or even a whole ski holiday stay. But it can get a little crowded at certain times. With the Val Thorens crew skiing over to Courchevel and the same vice versa, they tend to meet up at the same time in Meribel. Add on top of the holidaymakers staying at “Britain in the Mountains” – Meribel – and you have a whole lot of people in one place.

Take the Platiers lift – oops I mentioned lift name – to get some height as at the moment if you climbed over the mountain where you would end up in Les Menuires or even St Martin de Belleville.

Meribel has upgraded its lift system a lot lately and planning more upgrades soon too which has made the return trip from Meribel to Val Thorens much better. They upgraded the lifts to help people staying in Meribel get to the better snow higher up around Mont Vallon and into Val Thorens.

Take the Cote Brune lift up and over into Val Thorens and you’re back home just in time for a quick drink – or two – at the Folie Douce.

 

How long does it take to ski from Val Thorens to Courchevel?

Obviously, everyone skis at different speeds and some stop more often than others. That said if you are a good skier – Ski Blacks well – then you could do the whole route in a few hours – depending on queues.

If you are a Red piste skier I recommend starting early, say within an hour of lifts opening just to make sure.

 

Is it Snowboard friendly?

Yes, I would say so, I mentioned the path at Mont Vallon earlier but apart from that, you are good to go!

 

Minimum Skiing ability

I would say you need to be able to get down a red piste – in fact you would have to do just that – if you want to do this route. Also, bear in mind your fitness as you will be skiing most of the day and depending on how many courses you had a lunch you might have to put a wiggle on if you are close to lifts closing.

 

Considerations before you go

My main concern is wind, not the smelly type but mother nature’s breath. Val Thorens in particular can get quite windy which forces the lift companies to close certain lifts due to safety concerns. Can you guess which lifts they could close?

Yep, the ones taking you back over from the Meribel valley. The new lifts have helped this but still can happen.

Just so you know if you get stuck in either Courchevel’s or Meribel’s valleys when lifts close you have four options.

  1. Take a taxi which would need to drive right down to Moutiers and back up the Val Thorens valley. Not the cheapest taxi ride you would have had.
  2. Jump on a public bus that takes you to Moutiers then get another one up to Val Thorens. Bare in mind if the wind closes the lifts it more than likely has caught out many people, so stand room only on the buses.
  3. Find a room in Meribel for the night. Good luck with that one!
  4. Strap your skis to your back and start walking up the pistes.

Well worth downloading the E valley Apps beforehand so you can monitor wind warnings. If you are down in Courchevel you might not know it’s windy at the top.

 

Do I need to hire a guide?

If you are a lone skier then I would recommend joining a group or ski school to go with. If you got stuck or injured a long way from Val Thorens you might need help.

Other than there is no need to hire a guide. Read the piste map beforehand, plan your route and make sure you are somewhere in the Val Thorens valley before Apres!

SETAM 3 Valleys VIP Ski Pass Booking

Posted on: February 12th, 2018 by SkiGB

Best way to Ski into the Orelle valley

Posted on: February 12th, 2018 by SkiGB

 

If you have not picked up a 3 Valleys or Val Thorens piste map or have not read much about skiing in the 3 valleys and Val Thorens then you might not realise that there are actually 4 valleys in the 3 valleys!
Anyone in marketing is probably thinking that they have missed a trick here, after all surely 4 valleys is better than 3 valleys? Well without going into this too deep why this is as this post is not about the history of the 3 valleys, but here is a brief run down:

A long long time ago on a mountain far far away…

… a few decades ago the force was strong between the three major ski resorts in the area, Courchevel, Meribel and Val Thorens. This became too great and instead of battling it out on their own they decided to join an alliance to create a superpower of a ski area. As the three members were located in three valleys they called the alliance, The Resistance!

Sadly they couldn’t get the website name for that so they changed their minds and called it the 3 Valleys (actually 3 Vallees) instead.

Meanwhile just over the mountain a little village started to become a small ski resort in their own right called Orelle. They had access to some great powder and good slopes but didn’t have access to the vast 3 valleys. Well I say that, for many years you could actually squeeze through a gap in the mountain to ski either side, but the lifts and passes were not connected in anyway.
Fast forward several years and Orelle became part of the 3 Valleys and they made the gap in the mountain bigger and moved (replaced) the lift on Val Thorens side higher so we could and still can ski over to Orelle’s ski area.

I guess changing the name from 3 Valleys to 4 Valleys would be a lot of work, plus there is already a ski area in the world called the 4 Valleys.

ANYWAY I have got side tracked, this post is about the best way to ski into the Orelle valley.
There are two main ways to get into the valley, often people only know of one, the obvious one as mentioned above. So instead of skiing through the gap in the mountain from the Grand Fond lift head up the Cime de Caron. Take the piste off the other side of the mountain and turn left into the Orelle Valley, you need to ski down a bit of a path (sometimes depending on snow conditions) but the piste opens up. Now a little word of warning about this piste, it can get a little bumpy if skied by a lot of people but if you are skiing early on in the day you should be OK.
Skiing in from this side you should get a great view of the valley too weather permitting.

For the powder skiers/snowboards out there, which is everyone isn’t it?

This piste on a powder day is quite supreme and is a get there first thing piste, big tip!

Hope you enjoy!

The History of Meribel Ski Resort in the 3 Valleys

Posted on: February 10th, 2018 by SkiGB

The History of Meribel, the Ski Resort

One of world’s finest ski resorts, Meribel has adventure and excitement from top to base, this is the history of Meribel and how it became a ski resort. Pristine snow peaks, wooden chalet-style architecture, rustic villages, a friendly atmosphere and dramatic surroundings are but a few of the things you’ll experience. In addition to the beauty of the place, the history of Meribel is very fascinating.

 

Everyone enjoying the beauty and brilliance of the Meribel ski resort owes it to the far-fetched vision of a Scotsman named Colonel Peter Lindsay. During the late 1930s when the globe was on the brink of war, the political and ideological closeness between Austria and Germany made it difficult for skiers to enjoy the white slopes of the Austrian Mountains, where many people revelled in winter sports. This is why the Scotsman Lindsay decided to find a location in France where he could design and develop a new ski resort.

 

Finding the Location, Building the Resort

 

Along with another legendary skier, Frenchman Emile Allais, Peter Lindsay found the village of Les Allues. He thought the village was the perfect location for a ski resort thanks to its altitude, climate, and orientation. Mesmerised by the place, Lindsay immediately founded the company ‘Societe Fonciere de la Vallee des Allues’ in 1938. Soon, he began buying nearby land from local farmers to build his vision. Unlike other resorts nearby such as the Three Valleys that was built using public money, Meribal was built using private funds invested by French and British developers.

 

Before the war broke out, the first lift was constructed above the village of Les Allues, and the construction of hotels and chalets also started in Meribel. The development paused during the second world war, but it wasn’t long afterwards until construction started again. Colonel Lindsay, with the help of popular architects Paul Grillo and Chirstian Durupt, built cottages and chalets that were in complete harmony with the rest of the area.

 

Nestled between Courchevel to the East and Val Thorens in the West, Meribel is one of the most popular and lift-ridden ski resorts in the world. The highest point is the Altiport at approximately 1700 meters, and bringing more people into the resort by bus and gondola are Brides les Bains, Meribel Village and Les Allues –the lower lying resorts. In addition to this, there is a satellite resort at the top of the village called Meribel Mottaret, which is connected to the rest of the neighbouring resorts with the help of the sophisticated Saulire Express. This gondola takes up to 2400 people to the top of the Saulire peak within a few minutes.

 

Little England Upon the Alps

 

Meribel ski resort is at 1,450 meters above sea level, and has become a favourite among the British—it is known as ‘Little England upon the Alps.’(Britons take up more than half of all the visitors.) One of the most interesting aspects of Meribel is that not many high-rise buildings are allowed. This gives it a distinct look of chalet-like architecture that spreads over 10 kilometres along the valley, rather than climbing up the mountain side. And down in the village, it’s very common to see skiers enjoying toffee vodka at the local bars!

 

Meribel ski resort has excellent terrain that makes it perfect for all kinds of skiers enjoying the location. It poses a challenge to expert skiers while the young beginners can try the more safer routes without too many problems.

 

Although the Meribel ski resort was founded more than 70 years ago, it is still one of the most popular places among skiers around. Skiing enthusiasts from all over the world have been flying en-masse to this snowcapped paradise. It may be old, but it has kept up with the changing times.

 

From demanding skiers and sportsmen to beginners and children, the Meribel Ski resort is perfect for all kinds of skiers. With the right dose of enthusiasm and excitement, Meribel is the perfect place for you to glide down its alpine slopes and enjoy this captivating wonderland.

Buying a Property in Meribel

Posted on: February 10th, 2018 by SkiGB

What is Involved When Buying a Property in a French Ski Resort like Meribel?

 

So you want to buy a piece of the peaks and live the ‘high’ life? These days, everyone seems to be getting the mountain-call — the charm of the snowcapped mountains with luxurious ski resorts atop have left everyone scrambling up the hills in search of a good property to buy. There are reports to suggest that the sales enquiries for ski property are experiencing a surge with the economy finally brightening up — these properties are back in high demand.

Among all the ski areas, France is still the country with the most sought-after locations for skiing — especially Meribel Ski Resort. You may be wondering what it takes to own a property in a place like that; let’s find out!

Snow-Capped Wonder

For some it is a dream come true to own a property on the snowy slopes, for others with spare money it is a fashion. Whatever your case, it’s important you understand the far-reaching implications of investing so much money to buy a property you might not use throughout the year.

One of the first questions you need to ask yourself is whether you really want to buy the property. It’s true — owning a piece of the steep snowcapped mountain sounds romantic, but is it the right decision?

There are 2 reasons why someone would buy a ski property: as a permanent residence or as a holiday-home investment. If you are an avid mountaineer and would like to live near the slopes every day, then buying a top-notch ski resort makes perfect sense. However, if you are looking to invest in a place at a renowned resort like Meribel, then you should consider a number of factors that determine the price.

Can You Get There?

One of the first decisions you need to make when trying to buy a property in a resort like Meribel is travel. Commuting from Paris, London or any other place in the world is a tough ask considering the expenses and time involved. Even if you live nearby, it may not be possible to drive up the icy paths throughout the year.

And don’t forget, travelling to the place is a waste of time when you want to be skiing down the slopes!

Year-Round Holidays

Another factor you should consider is the year-round activities. In case you are only looking to spend the summers and enjoy the snow, then choosing a high altitude site like Meribel makes sense.

Higher altitudes may mean higher prices, but there are numerous advantages as well — you can enjoy the snow for as long as you want, and the views are simply breathtaking!

With a lower altitude resort, the snow quality tends to be lower and the skiing (or snowboarding) period is shorter. However, they are easier to access and you may be able to enjoy other outdoor activities such as cycling and hiking.

However high up in the mountains you want a property, you’ll be able to use it as a tool to earn money. With thousands of tourists heading to these places each year for the snow, biking and walking, renting out your property for a tidy profit is pretty straightforward.

Meribel, a Place For All

Meribel has a lot to offer in terms of snow and summer activities for visitors; in fact, a large bulk of tourists from all over the world head to the Meribel year after year to enjoy its serene beauty.

If you decide to buy a property, you should consider the two ways to own one: Classic Freehold and Leaseback Freehold. With a Classic Freehold, you have the option of renting out your property at will, but with Leaseback Freehold you can do away with the headache of management and upkeep of the property — you no longer own it, but have the luxury to use it.

With a place like Meribel — a well-established ski resort — you and anyone who uses your property will have the luxury of the ski lifts, gliding slopes, shops nearby and the scenic wonder.

Of course buying a property in Meribel isn’t your only option to ski the area, you could visit the resort as an when you want by renting an apartment. There are plenty of great offers to be had over on our Meribel apartments page, so have a look!

Where are the best damn bars in Meribel?

Posted on: February 10th, 2018 by SkiGB

The chalets of Meribel and the enchanting countryside can force you into a kind of relaxed stupor that you never want to shake from. However, don’t let the idyllic surroundings and inviting accommodation keep you from visiting the many bars, restaurants and pubs dotted around the town. Listed here are some of the best places to go at any time of year. Some are more suited to casual afternoon drinkers, others are ideal for the younger crowd wanting to throw some beers back watching live music.

Most of the bars around Meribel are British-run. What this says about people from the little Island I don’t care to guess, but you are guaranteed a warm welcome and ice-cold beer.

La Folie Douce

If you’re coming straight in off the slopes, La Folie Douce is the place to head. This place invariably attracts a younger crowd, pounding music emanating from the DJ, a raucous atmosphere if you go at the right time, and an incredible mountainside view.

Rond Point

As Douce begins to die down at around 5pm, seasoned Meribel party-people will head over to the ‘Ronny‘, or Rond Point, as it says above the door. Happy Hour is from 4 – 5pm, although it is generally fairly priced so there’s no real need to rush from Douce. However, be sure to leave La Folie Douce before it closes at 5pm, lest you be caught in the swell that surges to the ‘Ronny’. Rond Point offers live music from 5pm, usually until around 7pm, and it is normally worth seeing. Both of these places offer an excellent lunch menu. Although the food is, in my opinion, nicer at La Folie, it is certainly more expensive, and not necessarily worth it if you are looking for a tasty, filling lunch which can easily be found at the ‘Ronny’.

Barometer

If you are more inclined to wander out for some fresh mountain air and a few looseners before dinner (or if you are still with us from Rond Point), then Barometer in the middle of town is absolutely perfect. It has a cosy, welcoming country-pub ambiance,  and it is certainly several notches quieter than La Folie Douce. It has a great array of beers and wines, and on occasion it will have some music playing, although it is in general much more sedate than the much busier places in town.

Le Poste de Secours

Le Poste de Secours is a very similar haunt; it seems to attract an exclusively older crowd, for which I am sure many of its patrons are very grateful. It has an incredibly relaxed atmosphere early on, progressing into a more lively and loud place as the night wears on and people let their inhibitions go. Both of these places are excellent for a quiet drink before dinner, or for a relaxing beer after a late lunch. It is also perfect for those wanting to avoid the pounding music that seems to permeate from most other places in town.

 

After a long day tearing it up on the slopes, nobody can blame you for wanting to tear it up on the dancefloor. If that is the case, you will not be disappointed by what Meribel has to offer. A whole host of late bars dot the town with live bands, DJs, drinks promotions, happy hours, and the ubiquitous two-for-one cocktail offer.

Jack’s Bar

If pressed to recommend one place to really let your hair down, it would have to be Jack’s Bar. Bands perform throughout the afternoon and evening at varying times, and they quite often have a stand-up comedian. You’ll find plenty of drinks promotions here, and the cocktail hour is nothing short of dangerous. Getting there at the right time, ordering one of their big jugs of cold beer and listening to some, surprisingly excellent, live music is sheer bliss. Particularly if you’re nursing aching feet from a day on the snow.

 

Regardless of your taste, Meribel’s night life has a lot to offer. Be sure to check out these places the next time you are in town and I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Depending on where you go, you may not want to arrange an early pick-up the next day!

Where is the best place to stay in Meribel

Posted on: February 10th, 2018 by SkiGB

If you are planning a trip to the Trois Vallees, and in particularly Meribel, well done for choosing one of the best ski resorts in the world. Meribel is one of those resorts that exceeds all expectations and the sheer volume of visitors who return here time and time again pays testament to its wide reaching appeal. Those struggling with finding their perfect accommodation need look no further as we have compiled this guide aimed at helping you find the best place to stay in Meribel to suit your needs.

As you would expect from a world class ski resort the accommodation options in Meribel are both plentiful and superb. This can have a downside however as you may feel as if you have too much choice to be able to make an informed decision, especially if this is your first trip here. There are hotels, residences, apartments and chalets on offer in Meribel and as they are all within easy reach of the ski lifts and apres ski activities on offer here which area you choose is very much dependent on what you want from your accommodation.

The resort is divided into 4 main geographical areas;  Mottaret is ideal for those serious skiers looking for cheaper apartment to rest their head. Lower Meribel Centre is the place to go for both party goers intent on making the most of the nightlife and also beginners as it gives the best access to the easier slopes. Meribel Village offers good value accommodation and that quintessential village atmosphere and Upper Meribel centre will appeal to beginners, sybarites and those devotees who want to be as close as possible to The Rond-Point, rated as one of the worlds best Alpine bars.

It is generally accepted that the best apartments for families or large groups in Meribel can be found on the Eastern Slopes. These are within easy walking distance to the main resort centre but quiet enough at night to ensure everyone gets a good nights rest after a day packed with snow based activities. These apartments offer a real home from home atmosphere and offer every convenience you could wish for those times when you just want to kick back and relax.

For ardent skiers who want everything on their doorstep Mottaret ticks all the boxes.  Situated at the top of the valley it offers visitors access to the best slopes in the Alps.  Those who choose to stay in Mottaret compromise on choice of evening entertainment to concentrate on their skiing. There are several and restaurants here but their obviously isn’t the choice on offer in the village centre. That said, the serious skier stays in Mottaret to satisfy their constant lust for an adrenalin buzz and want to relax at night as opposed to partying the night away.

Meribel Town extends up the side of the valley and the higher you get the more elegant and altogether more French it becomes.  This is the ultimate in irony as Upper Meribel Centre is also home to the Rond-Point, the number one meeting point for British visitors to the area. The accommodation of choice here are self catering apartments which give you the luxury of coming and going as you please and within easy crawling distance of ‘The Ronnie’ once your night has come to an end.

Chalet of the Month: Chopine, Meribel

Posted on: January 10th, 2018 by SkiGB

Chalet Chopine is the archetype of a luxurious alpine retreat. Situated in Meribel, in the heart of the Three Valleys Ski area, this chalet is breathtaking in its elegance. Having recently undergone extensive interior refurbishment works, Chalet Chopine now offers its guests a truly superior experience.

The chalet has five double or twin bedrooms, each complete with a brand new en suite bathroom. All bedrooms are beautifully furnished, and it is clear from the choice of colours, woods and fabrics that comfort has been given top priority.

 

Many chalet’s share Chopine’s commitment to luxury and taste, yet few can boast such a comfort-centered design. There is more than enough room for 10 guests in the open plan living and dining area, which somehow manages to be at once sprawling and cozy. Fur throws, warm woods and delicate lighting make the living area the perfect place to unwind after a long day on the mountains. Of course, as you would expect from a perfect alpine retreat, the living area boasts a crackling fire to warm your toes after a day in the blistering cold of the ski season.

 

 

The downstairs spa area includes a sauna, shower, hammam and a large bubbling Jacuzzi. As if this wasn’t opulent enough, the entire spa area is covered by a sound system, which can be controlled from the comfort of the Jacuzzi by a waterproof floating remote. There is no better place to seek refuge from the harsh alpine winter than in the almost decadent comfort of the Chopine spa.

The Chopine booking price includes gourmet dinners prepared nightly by a resident chef, a selection of hand-picked wines, an open spirit bar, and champagne on a daily basis. After indulging in a fantastic evening meal, guests can walk a few steps and recline on a sofa for an evening in front of the fire; or, if you would rather, in front of the wall-mounted, HD TV that flanks the fireplace. If the TV near to the fireplace is not to everyone’s taste, then some guests can while away a snowy evening in the separate cinema room.

 

It is perhaps the services that come with the chalet that set Chopine apart from other chalets that share such excellent standards of location and facilities. The winter booking price affords you tea and coffee in bed, breakfast and afternoon tea, daily newspapers to your order, a resort chauffeur, and a daily champagne reception.

It is also possible for guests to pre-arrange a number of services that may not be provided when booking less superlative chalets, including: resort transfers by taxi or helicopter (weather depending), in-chalet equipment fitting, a personal laundry service, in-chalet massage and beauty therapy, and, for those days when you need some well-deserved time to yourself, in-chalet childcare.

Chopine is an outstanding chalet. It shares a convenient location with its neighbours, and the breathtaking views that come with it. Where it surpasses its neighbours is in the perfect melding of class and homeliness; of luxury and comfort. This is our chalet of the month, but it is the embodiment of many guest’s holiday of a lifetime.

Latest Snow & Ski Report – Day 5

Posted on: February 11th, 2016 by SkiGB

It’s our second to last posting session for this week, welcome to day 5 of our silly but factual build up to half term week here in Meribel.
If you missed yesterday’s or in fact the whole weeks worth of our reports you can find them HERE.

Thursday 11th February 2016

 

The forecast for today looked stunning, the typical bluebird day with little to no wind so an early start was needed to attack the hill and make squiggles in the snow. There is something really nice and calming in ski resorts just before the lifts open and Meribel isn’t any different. It wasn’t too busy either, the main traffic on foot or skis were seasonal workers heading for work.

We decided that we wanted to go up high right away and get the big slopes before they got tracked out, so big = Grand which must mean we should ski the Grand Couloirs for the first run of the day.
But don’t worry we did our stretches and warm up exercises beforehand.
Guess what? We had first tracks!
In fact our first tracks stayed there on their own for a number of hours so we didn’t need to hurry in the end, oh well.

Next we skipped up to Mont Vallon where it was a little tracked from yesterday but still plenty to keep us happy.
Then my favourite, under the Cote Brune lift. If you like skiing powder get there quick as the guys from Val Thorens will also be heading there.

A quick lunch then we just hit the pistes hard, the snow is great, very grippy and a dusting of powder (or POW if you are younger than 20 years old) if you want to play. It was only lower down that the pistes got a little icy in shadows and where ski schools had scraped the nice snow off.

More snow is heading our way too so it is looking really good for next week!

It started to get a little cloudy around 3pm so the light got a bit flat, I don’t care though as it was blue sky for the most of the day.

We finished off as per normal with a couple of drinks to celebrate the days events.

Tomorrow being our last post for the lead up to half term we are going to do something extra cool!

 

 

Day 4 of our Meribel focus

Posted on: February 10th, 2016 by SkiGB

Welcome to day 4 of this week’s run up to half term Meribel focus. I’m sorry we are posting this a little later today, there is a very reason and i would just like to say it wasn’t my fault! More on that later on.

 

Wednesday 10th February 2016

 

Some days when you are on the snow it reminds you why you put up with the bad ski days, today was one of those. Where we saw rain yesterday today was completely different. With the recent snow fall over night the snow conditions have gone from a soggy sloppy mess to bright white fluffy powder.
If you can imagine white candy floss spread over a beautiful landscape, today was a GOOD day!

 

Most of the day though the cloud hung around which at times made the light flat, but every so often the Sun came out and lit up the mountain to give you a perfect view.
Through-out the day it snowed steadily, not too much to stop you seeing but enough to make a difference under the ski.

It was best to keep low and near the trees as higher up it got a little foggy.

Queue were low today and once again the slopes were not too busy so looking after the snow for next week.
The forecast for tomorrow looks like a day you would miss your best friends wedding for, after all no friends on a powder day!

Now back to the reason this post is a little late. I was very happily skiing alone with some friends and they DRAGGED me kicking and screaming to Ront Point (bar on piste) and forced a brownish cold liquid down my throat several times over! I highly recommend you don’t do this as it makes your eye sight blurry and you become wobbly, not fun!

Day 3 of our Meribel Focus!

Posted on: February 9th, 2016 by SkiGB

Welcome to day 3 of our lead up to half term in Meribel, the centre of the 3 Valleys.

 

Tuesday 9th February 2016

 

Before we start the report of Meribel for today we have had a few mentions on Facebook and Twitter that we seem to end up in bars regularly. I think it is important to provide a good cross section of information about Meribel, whether it is the snow condition, news about queues, weather or beer. Tough job this isn’t it!

Today’s report is dominated by wind, no nothing to do with the beans I had for breakfast and the beer last night. This is the type of wind that closes lifts, a lot of lifts!

The Meribel resort information screens pretty much just say ‘Stay in your Valley as you might not make it back’. I am assuming they mean make it back to the Meribel valley rather than never coming back ever again??

There really wasn’t any point of this sign really as they had closed all the lifts that reached the top of all the peaks anyway.

We have come to the conclusion that there must be a black hole in Meribel which transports people to another dimension or somewhere. Upon arrival at the ski lifts in Meribel centre this morning there were only three lifts working, each of these lifts had queues longer than half a dozen football pitches, it wasn’t the best site in the world!
But the funny thing was though once you get up the hill all those people just simply disappeared, the pistes were once again (like yesterday) just mine. Maybe there is a run I don’t know about which everyone wanted to ski? We think that is unlikely because that just doesn’t make sense so it just must be a black hole!

Time for some good news i think, the snow in the morning even half way up the hill was pretty good, I really enjoyed skiing it. If you are heading out next week you will too!

These focus reports are not going to sugar coat the conditions, if you are of a weak disposition you might want to read the rest of this behind your sofa!

After midday the conditions turned from ‘not great’ to ‘worse than not great’. The snow started to get slushy, yes slushy! However I actually like skiing in slush, it’s just wet powder isn’t it?
It wasn’t all bad, at least it wasn’t raining!

Around 13:00 it started to rain. Damn!
With more lifts closing and bars getting fuller by the minute we decided to call it a day and go home for a nice cup of tea.

Right after a couple of pints! 🙂

 

 

Meribel Snow Focus day 2

Posted on: February 8th, 2016 by SkiGB

It’s day 2 of our Meribel and the 3 Valleys build up to half term focus.

 

Monday 8th February 2016

 

The weather forecast looked like it would be one of those days where in the evening beforehand you mutter the words ‘no more beer for me it’s a powder day tomorrow’!

So up nice an early to make first tracks in the ‘powder’ raring to go. You’re probably thinking I’m going to write something like ‘what powder?’ or ‘i really should have had that extra beer last night as today’s snow is pants’!

 

But NO! Not only was powder present it was there with much of its friends. Don’t get me wrong it wasn’t deep enough to flow over your head and can’t breath. But there was best part of a foot of light fluffy heaven so all was good.

But do you know what the best bit was? It seems like people in resort this week don’t want to mess it up as I had first tracks for a couple of hours! And yes I did have a big grin! 🙂

Right so on to the weather and snow conditions, quite the mixed bag today and like a good horror film it doesn’t have a happy ending!

But before that, lets start with the weather in Meribel first thing. As mentioned above we were expecting a nice sunny day but it was quite cloudy, i always think if you are going to give us a cloudy day with flat light you might as well snow too!

Still hit the slopes feeling fresh and by 10:30 the Sun made an appearance, it pushed away all the clouds and showed Meribel in all its snowy glory!

We skied to Courchevel yesterday (see yesterday’s post) so we thought we would go the other way to report back on how Val Thorens was doing.
Big crowds hanging around the resort of Val Thorens as if they were waiting for someone to shout ‘GO!’ before they were allowed to venture further. I didn’t wait for the green light and skipped around the resort testing their powder and creating pretty lines.

Around 13:00 the wind started to show its hand and the flags at the 360 bar (I wasn’t drinking honestly!) were as solid as if they were placed in the North Pole. We decided to get back to the Meribel valley.

If you remember one thing about these little posts it should be this: in the 3 valleys when the wind comes lift start to close down, get in your valley!

It was quite lucky too as wouldn’t you believe it the lifts started to close.

All day the pistes were empty, at times we had them to ourselves. It was if this was the first or last week of the season, where were all the skiers??

We skied on down the Mottaret around 14:00 for a bite to eat, and WOW!
I have lived in the 3 valleys for over 5 years and I have never seen so many people queuing for the three main lifts in Mottaret.

Imagine all the skiers from Courchevel AND all the skiers from Val Thorens all in one place trying to get home and you would be spot on! That is exactly what was happening!

There were some very worried looking faces in the queues. However on the up side the taxi drivers face had big grins!

By about 15:00 it was hard to get out of Meribel, we decided to call it a day. After all the lifts might be closed, but the bar is aways open…

What’s new in Meribel and what’s planned?

Posted on: February 15th, 2015 by SkiGB

You may or may not, depending on how much of a skiing fan you are, know about the big changes that are afoot in the Trois Vallées. This huge area which includes the very best of the European ski resorts including Meribel, Courchevel and Val Thorens is the largest in the world but the last thing the powers that be want to do is rest on their laurels; they want to keep their place at the top of the tree, or mountain.

Meribel has brought even more fame to the area by being the first French ski resort ever to be chosen to host the Alpine World Cup Finals in 2015. This prestigious event which is what every professional skier aims to take part in during their long and gruelling season has put Meribel well and truly in the spotlight across the globe. Millions of viewers are expected to tune into Eurosport to see the often death defying exploits by virtuosos of the piste.

“Over €60m are being invested in the area between now and 2022”

One of the best known skiing areas of Meribel is Mottaret and it is here the biggest changes are being made. Over €60m are being invested in the area between now and 2022 and when completed its fair to say that the Trois Vallées will be leaving the rest of the world trailing even further behind.

So what are these big changes?

The first one is the creation of a new area dedicated to beginners which is directly adjacent to the resort itself. Over the next 2 years the Mont de Challe area right next to Meribel will be completely transformed with a brand new chairlift, a green piste for beginners, floodlighting and a sled zone.

Both the Table Verte and Arolles chairlifts will be disappearing from the landscape forever and be replaced by the very latest Combes chairlift which serves the entire area. This new lift will have a station mid way to allow beginners to disembark at the top of their new green run. The toboggan run is bound to be hugely successful as those who want their thrills in another way will be able to hurtle around the track without the edge of danger which is always present for the serious skier.

Night time skiing is coming to Meribel thanks to the planned floodlights, so Après-ski, for some anyway, in the resort may actually be skiing! The last change to Mont de Challe will be the creation of an entire new beginners zone that will be equipped with both a draglift and magic carpet lift.

“Night time skiing is coming to Meribel”

There are more major improvements planned for the Mottaret ski area which haven’t been revealed yet. Hervé Lenoire is the director of S3V, the premier ski lift company, and he has spoken about the €60m investment being made with understandable enthusiasm. Some of the planned changes we do know about is the modernisation and renovation of the Chalets Gondola which will take place in 2016/17. The replacement of the double Roc de Tougne draglifts with a new and much faster chairlift will also be taking place in time for the 2016/17 season.

3 Valleys Restaurants get Michelin Stars

Posted on: February 3rd, 2015 by SkiGB

Michelin Star awarded restaurants are considered the best restaurants in the world. Starting with the first star ranging up to three stars for the best of the best. If you are not aware of Michelin Stars they are the restaurant equivalent of the hotel star ratings system.

To get a single Michelin Star you have to be an amazing chef, and be a little lucky too! Each year the judges incognito visit the restaurants that either already have a star or are looking to get one to check the quality of their dishes. If the quality of the food isn’t good enough on that visit, tough! This ensures the chefs have to produce this high quality food all the time.

So you can see Michelin Stars are hard to get. To get one star is extremely good, two stars you are in the top few percentage of chefs in the world and three stars you are basically a god in the kitchen.

There are only 609 chefs in the world who have a star for 2015 which is 1 less than 2014. If you have been awarded with a star you might only get to keep it for one year, if the food isn’t up to scratch on the next visit by the judges they can take the star away again.

The 3 Valleys is very fortunate to have some Michelin Stars already and as of yesterday our local restaurants have plenty to be proud of!

After they collect all the judges results they produce a directory of all the restaurants that have a Michelin Star, this is the first time anyone is told who has a star for the coming year. This includes the chefs!

2015’s directory has just been announced and here are the results for the 3 Valleys:

  • La Bouitte in Saint-Martin-de-Belleville picked up its third star! There were only two new three star chefs in the world!
  • The Ekrin in Meribel secured its first star.
  • The Epicurean in Val Thorens also picked up its first star.

Sadly the restaurant Le Strato in Courchevel loses two stars but we are sure they will get them back as the place is great!

Well done to all!

Alpine Skiing World Cup Finals in Meribel 2015

Posted on: February 1st, 2015 by SkiGB

Whether your idea of fun is hurtling down the mountain side at break neck speeds or not there are few sporting events quite as thrilling as watching the experts at work. TV coverage is all very well to but to experience the buzz that cuts through the frozen air like a hot knife through butter you need to be there in person.  If you planning on getting off the couch and onto the piste the Alpine Ski World Cup finals at Meribel are just around the corner.

Between the 18th and 22nd of March 2015 the elite members of the skiing world will take to Meribel’s competitive Roc de Fer slope to thrill viewers across the globe with their daring exploits. This will be the first time this prestigious event has ever been held in Meribel and this premier French resort has gone all out to make it a week to remember.  It is the biggest event to take place on these pristine slopes since the 1992 Winter Olympics at Albertville. It is also the first time a French resort has been given the honour of hosting the World Cup Finals, making Meribel THE place to become March.

The World Cup Finals is the culmination of the highly competitive ski season and is the one everyone wants to win.  The top 25 skiers who have excelled in each of the 4 disciplines will be taking part in one final competition hoping to lift the highly coveted crystal globes. Competitors from 20 countries will be taking part in the downhill, slalom, giant slalom and Super-G and after one of the most exciting seasons is recent times competition has never been so fierce, or the field so open.

Considered to the blue ribbon event, the downhill will start near the summit of Roc de Fer with the other disciplines starting from progressively lower points.  Every competitor will cross the finish line at la Chaudanne, slap bang in the centre of the resort and those lucky enough to secure a prime spot will experience both the elation and the disappointment as each competitor checks their times on completion.  This is also the best view point to catch the best of the action for the team and slalom events where there will be both giant screens and grandstands.

If you want to see the best of the downhill and the Super-G then you want to head for the Cherferie tunnel which is the point where the piste on the Roc de Fer crosses over the Gelinotte piste. This viewpoint allows you to get close to the action and see part of the course. Meribel have also said there will be giant TV screens at this point, commentary via loud speakers and a bar to give you Aprèsski  par excellence.

The programme kicks off on Wednesday the 18th March with both the men and the women’s downhill.  The next day is dedicated to the Super-G for both sexes and the team events take place on Friday 20th. The weekend is taken up with the men’s giant slalom on the Saturday and the last day, Sunday 22nd, sees the men’s slalom and women’s giant slalom bring the event to a close.

If you want to combine your winter break with the World Cup Finals then the good news is that although there are an extra 70,000 visitors expected (the resort has predicted) the competition will have little impact on recreational skiing.  The Roc de Fer actually only accounts for a very small amount of the actually ski area on offer at Meribel and thanks to its enviable position at the heart of Les Trois Vallées there is still more than enough space to partake in your favourite sport.

Key Stats

  • 85 Million potential viewers
  • 10 live TV broadcast on Eurosport international, ORF, ZDF, RAI Sport, NTV Plus, RTV Slovénie, SRF, SVT 1, RSI, Eurosport Asie
  • 9 World Cups in one week
  • 25 of the best men and ladies athletes from each discipline
  • 70 000 spectators expected throughout the week
  • 400 volunteers
  • 300 media accreditations

The Full Programme

  • Wednesday 18th : Descent Ladies & Men
  • Thursday 19th : Super-G Ladies & Men
  • Friday 20th : Team event
  • Saturday 21st : Slalom Ladies / Giant Slalom Men
  • Sunday 22nd : Slalom Men / Giant Slalom Ladies

The Slope

  • Name of the course : “Roc de Fer” downhill
  • Orientation : the top part faces East ; middle part East-North/East ; final part East
  • Starting gate : « Sous le Petit Col », altitude 2150m
  • Finish line : Plateau de la Chaudanne, altitude 1432m
  • Vertical drop : 718m
  • Length : 2355m
  • Slope : maximum inclination 58% ; minimum inclination 7% ; average slope 30%
  • Access : the lower part of the course is accessible using 2 chairlifts: Plan de l’Homme (capacity : 2400 pers/hr) and Roc de Fer (1500 pers/hr) and the start of the downhill by the Olympic Express (1500 pers/hr). Above the Super G start, a 50 m tunnel allows tourists and spectators a safe circulation
  • Start area: « Sous le Petit Col », 200m North and below the top station of the Olympic Express chairlift
  • Finish area: Chaudanne plateau. Around the racers’ finish area, separate easily accessible positions have been prepared for the press, radio and TV commentators as well as for the public

 

 

Save Time on Arrival on your Ski Holiday

Posted on: December 12th, 2014 by SkiGB

 

WOW how exciting it is!

 

The ski holiday is almost upon you, you have had to wait months and months until you get your chance to stand on the snow for the first time this season. To feel the crunch of the crisp white snow under your feet, there really isn’t a better sound is there?!
Have you got your new ski gear?
Does the new helmet match the rest of the suit and are you fully covered with ski insurance. Yes Great!

 

When you only have a short amount of time on holiday it is important not to waste any moment of your ski holiday. Most skiers from the UK only get one or two weeks if lucky per season, so about 7 days a year, minus the travelling time that really only gives you 6 days skiing.

 

Then you get to the resort, whether the ski resort is in the 3 Valleys or elsewhere the procedure upon arriving in the ski resort is the same.

 

  • Head down to ski shop and join the queue to hire your skis or snowboard (lets hope they have the right equipment in stock for you!).
  • Then join the long queue outside the lift office to buy your ski lift pass so you don’t waste any time in the morning (after all it’s what everyone is going to do!).
  • If you have travelled by car you might need to buy a car park ticket as most ski resorts don’t allow you to park on the roads. You won’t be alone there either so join that queue too!

 

After all that you might have the chance to get something to eat after your long journey!

 

WOW not the best way to start your very important ski holiday is it?

 

The world has changed (shock!) and all those painful jobs can be organised before leaving the UK online, and it couldn’t be easier! Not only can you book everything online right NOW but by booking online you will make sure the correct pair of skis or type of snowboard is sitting there waiting for you when you arrive.

 

We are going to make it even easier here too by collecting all the links you need for each of the 3 Valleys Ski resorts.

Starting with Courchevel
To book each of the items you need here are the links:
Courchevel Ski or Snowboard Rental
Courchevel Ski Lift Pass
Courchevel Car Park booking
Courchevel Apartments to Rent
Courchevel Ski Insurance

Meribel Information
To make your holiday in Meribel or Mottaret completely organised:

Meribel Ski or Snowboard Rental
Meribel Ski Lift Pass
Meribel Car Park booking (as Meribel is spread out easier to start at main site)
Meribel Apartments to Rent
Meribel Ski Insurance

Finally Val Thorens
It’s really easy to make your ski holiday in Val Thorens Organised:

Val Thorens Ski or Snowboard Rental
Val Thorens Ski Lift Pass
Val Thorens Car Park booking
Val Thorens Apartments to Rent
Val Thorens Ski Insurance

Now you can rest and relax knowing that you will be the smug person on the coach travelling to the ski resort who has everything organised! 🙂

 

Val Thorens Wins best Ski Resort in France

Posted on: November 23rd, 2014 by SkiGB

Congratulations to our 3 Valleys and Meribel neighbours Val Thorens for winning two of the biggest ski resort awards for the second year in a row!

For the second year running ski resort Val Thorens has won Best Ski Resort in France and Best Ski Resort in the World.

Every year the ski industry awards ski resorts accolades for doing well. It could be that they promote the sports well or they invest and maintain their patch of the Alps the best. In fact there are many criterias to be judged on.

For a French ski resort to win the best ski resort in France is obviously the one they want to win. So quite rightly they are very happy to win it twice in a row.

But to win the big one, the best ski resort in the World and to win once again twice in two years must be something they have only dreamt of.

From all of us here at SkiGB.com congratulations Val Thorens!!

Val Thorens Wins World Best Ski Award AGAIN!

Posted on: November 23rd, 2014 by SkiGB

For the second year running ski resort Val Thorens has won Best Ski Resort in France and Best Ski Resort in the World.

Every year the ski industry awards ski resorts accolades for doing well. It could be that they promote the sports well or they invest and maintain their patch of the Alps the best. In fact there are many criterias to be judged on.

For a French ski resort to win the best ski resort in France is obviously the one they want to win. So quite rightly they are very happy to win it twice in a row.

But to win the big one, the best ski resort in the World and to win once again twice in two years must be something they have only dreamed of.

From all of us here at SkiGB.com congratulations Val Thorens!!

 

Ski Season 2014 – 2015 Resort opening Dates

Posted on: August 16th, 2014 by SkiGB

The summer is coming to an end which means only one thing, it’s time to think about this years ski season!

The ski resorts of the 3 Valleys have released their opening and closing dates for this season, here they are:

 

Val Thorens: 22nd November 2014 to 10th May 2015

Les Menuires: 6th December 2014 to 24th April 2015

Mottaret: 6th December 2014 to 24th April 2015

Meribel: 6th December 2014 to 24th April 2015

La Tania: 13th December 2014 to 24th April 2015

Courchevel 1850: 6th December 2014 to 24th April 2015

Courchevel 1650: 6th December 2014 to 24th April 2015

Courchevel 1550: 6th December 2014 to 24th April 2015

Courchevel 1300: 6th December 2014 to 24th April 2015

 

There you have it, if you would like to see what apartments are available to stay in head over to Apartments for Rent page!