When to go skiing in Méribel?
Our personal views on each month available to go skiing in Méribel.
With such a long season in Méribel, it poses a great and challenging question. When is it best to go skiing this winter?
Our chalets open mid-December and close mid-April, this gives you a season-spanning 17 weeks. (119 days, 2,856 hours, 171,360 minutes and if you wanted to know, 10,281,600 seconds…)
When will you be coming to say hello?
DECEMBER
In the words of Colin, “a fabulous way to open the season on empty pistes & find one’s legs.” 13th December is when our doors open this season and with us you will also be able to benefit from reduced rates and as that’s the week before Christmas, the slopes will be great for all looking to start their season off with a bang.
20th December is when the magic comes to Méribel, the town transforms into a Winter Wonderland ready for Christmas. Father Christmas will often be spotted in town with his horse-drawn sleigh handing out presents to the young families, welcoming everyone to the resort and in tow will be a rather flamboyant acrobatics team ready to perform. Plus, you are certain to have that White Christmas you can write home about.
New Year is equally as special as Christmas week, this week welcomes everyone from couples – families – groups, all looking to start the year off with fantastic memories. With parties and events happening across the week it’s best to make sure you’re in the centre of town on New Years’ Eve for a firework display to remember. Who doesn’t want to start and end a year skiing? Few can boast that.
JANUARY
One of the best times of the year to go skiing if you want near perfect conditions and quiet slopes. With all the schools going back early January is an absolute blessing to go skiing, we see an influx in groups looking for a good deal and getting one. That 10th January week is a sensational time of year to go skiing. Our colleague Peter prefers this time as he can explore the Three Valleys virtually uninterrupted. “You have the crisp pistes and non-existent lift lines, you can just keep on skiing until your heart’s content, or your legs give up and when they do, there is always a place to stop and rest with Chocolat Chaud Grand Marnier”. As you head later into January the skiing only gets better, more snowfall will be forecast, and the prices remain incredibly competitive.
FEBRUARY
Typically a week for families. The winter season is in full swing, the pistes will be pristine (subject to the quality of our snow dance) and the resort caters perfectly for the increase in customers for this time of year. First and last weeks in February are superb times for groups to come and get some of the best conditions around and the middle two weeks are typically family weeks so probably best avoided if you are a group of adults. Families will love this time of year, the resort is transformed into a children’s paradise, ski schools will be on hand to help the kids learn and with the Three Valleys expansive reach, the lift queues won’t be anything like other resorts. Honestly could not think of a better resort to visit for a family escape during these busy periods
MARCH
Near on perfection. Why? Because the days start to get longer, the sun makes more of an appearance and the days get a little warmer. Nothing beats skiing in March when you can take a break and sit on the sun terrace and as quoted perfectly from Vicki – “I love a glass of rosé in the sun for après!”. We would love for you to join us, let us know when you’re heading out and we can make recommendations for rest spots!
For those fair-weather skiers in your group, make sure you have a week in March booked in. The sun shines often and the temperatures remain consistent so that the snow won’t start to melt away leaving you with perfect conditions.
APRIL
This month isn’t reserved just for the Easter Bunny. Like December there are some fantastic ski deals to be had for the later weeks. As for Easter ski week, this is an incredibly special time to take the family skiing, the peak week is quieter than New Year & Half Term, the weather is warmer so the kids will be less conscious of the chill and the days are that much longer so that you can enjoy Méribel in the sunshine.
The ski conditions are still exceptional too for this time of year, the snow will start to soften up around the Méribel town however up towards the peaks it’ll be just as crisp as it is in mid-season thanks to the altitude and glacier nearby in Val Thorens.
We can’t wait to see you this winter. If you have any questions about which month is best for you and your group, please, don’t hesitate to give us a call and we can help assist you.
Photo credit:
Father Christmas & Spring Skier – Sylvain Aymoz