Méribel-Mottaret: The Perfect Gateway to Les Trois Vallées

No skiing enthusiast is truly a connoisseur until they have taken a trip to Les Trois Vallées! There are enough slopes, bars and restaurants in the world’s largest ski area to keep you entertained for far longer than whatever the duration of your stay. Furthermore, for those looking for a bit of advanced skiing, the Val Thorens glaciers and winding reds off Mont Vallon (plus all of the off-piste in between) are second to none.

Situated at the heart of this skiing mecca is Méribel-Mottaret which, at 1700m, promises excellent snow coverage all season, a wealth of convenient ski-in/ski-out accommodation options and direct access to the 600km worth of piste across Les Trois Vallées.

Where to Ski

Méribel-Mottaret is perfectly situated in the middle of Les Trois Vallées, giving you unparalleled quick and convenient access to Courchevel, Val Thorens and the wider Méribel valley. (It is in fact quicker to get to the Courchevel valley pistes from Méribel-Mottaret than it is from the Courcheval resorts themselves!)

Close to home, don’t miss the idyllic Combe de Vallon that winds down from the top of Mont Vallon, a perfect place for a race to the bottom. Next up, take a trip to the high-altitude conditions of Val Thorens and journey up the Funitel Péclet to access Christine, where you can really put your parallel turns to the test on the sharp bends. Lastly, for some of the most advanced skiing that Les Trois Vallées has to offer, make your way to the Grand Couloir, a treacherously bumpy black run accessible from both the Courchevel and Méribel valleys that offers the added bonus of incredible vistas from its summit.

Après Ski

Within the Méribel-Mottaret valley, La Folie Douce has more or less become an institution on the après scene and is a must visit at least once during your trip. Expect pumping live music, free flowing drinks and dancing on tables. Similarly rowdy is The Ronnie at the Méribel Rond Point while, if you have the appetite to continue into the night, O’Sullivans in Méribel centre will offer up cocktails, clubbing and DJ events.

Getting around

A range of lift pass options are available depending on your ambitions and stay duration. To access the full extent of all the advanced skiing that the resort has to offer, a full Trois Vallées pass is ideal, and will set you back €294 for 6 days (although discounts are available at the start and end of the season). Alternatively, if the weather in the adjacent resorts is looking suspect, the adult price for a pass for the Méribel valley only is €244, with the option to extend to the rest of Les Trois Vallées at a day rate of €33.50.

Accommodation

Méribel-Mottaret is broadly divided into two separate areas, each with an excellent range of accommodation options and conveniently located bars and restaurants. On the western side, Le Laitelet extends from the centre up into the mountains and is easily connected from the base via the Chalets cable car. The Hotel Alpen Ruitor offers stunning views of the village and easy access to the central lift area, as well as group rooms for up to four people. On the eastern side, Le Chatelet hosts several comfortable and well positioned residences, including the Pierre et Vacances Premium Les Crets at the upper end of the village.

Belinda Smythson works for Ski Amis, a specialist ski travel agency and booking service that has been helping avid skiers craft their perfect winter holiday for over a quarter of a century. If you're looking for the best advanced skiing and accommodation in the Three Valleys, Paradiski, Espace Killy or Chamonix Valley, Ski Amis is the go-to company for winter sports fans searching for the holiday of a lifetime.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.