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Meribel, over rated ??

Meribel, over rated ??

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Started by Glenn Mc in France - 8 Replies

J2Ski

Glenn Mc posted Oct-2006

Just wondered what peoples thought were here..

I ski the 3v 5-6 weeks per year, but find the lower altitude of meribel means it is the least best place to ski out of the rest of the resorts out there IMO....



Add to this the fact that it is way pricey to eat out and stay, does it deserve this high end status ???


G.

Powderhound
reply to 'Meribel, over rated ??'
posted Oct-2006

Have to admit that I've not been there for a few years but would agree; always found Meribel to be crowded, expensive, and the skiing a bit, well, bland. IMO Courchevel has more interesting skiing and Val Thorens pretty much always has the best snow...

Of course, conditions are everything and a powder day at Meribel will be as good as most places - though getting freshies at Courchevel would probably be the priority if the links are all open.

That said, if partying is the top priority then Meribel is possibly the best choice... until your wallet's empty. :(

PertyB
reply to 'Meribel, over rated ??'
posted Oct-2006

Spent last season in the 3V, based in Les Menuires, as well as having skiied a few weeks from Courchevel and Meribel itself on occasion.
Meribel was my least fave place apart from the Mont Vallon end of the valley. Trouble is the pistes are overskiied, too many struggling beginners on the tricky, often icey crowded blues down to the main village and Mottaret. It was always the place to ski through. The lifts are possibly some of the oldest and slowest in the 3V as well.
Pistes were dire and sooo soggy by the end of March compared with the other 2 valleys. Am sure the nightlife is great-if you like partying with Tarquin and Sophie all night long.
In summary, a bit like Birmingham-the only good thing about it are the roads out!

Glenn Mc
reply to 'Meribel, over rated ??'
posted Oct-2006

PertyB wrote:Spent last season in the 3V, based in Les Menuires, as well as having skiied a few weeks from Courchevel and Meribel itself on occasion.
Meribel was my least fave place apart from the Mont Vallon end of the valley. Trouble is the pistes are overskiied, too many struggling beginners on the tricky, often icey crowded blues down to the main village and Mottaret. It was always the place to ski through. The lifts are possibly some of the oldest and slowest in the 3V as well.
Pistes were dire and sooo soggy by the end of March compared with the other 2 valleys. Am sure the nightlife is great-if you like partying with Tarquin and Sophie all night long.
In summary, a bit like Birmingham-the only good thing about it are the roads out!



LOL,

Where did you stay in Les menuires, and what do you think of the place ???


G.

PertyB
reply to 'Meribel, over rated ??'
posted Nov-2006

I was based in Reberty 2000, about 1.5 miles up the road from the main bit of Les Menuires. It's the new attractive bit of the resort but a bit like a chalet version of a Barratt Homes estate stuck on the side of the mountain. One (good) pub/restaurant within a t shirt dash of the chalet. Nightlife negligible, but was too knackered (and too old!) to party the night away. Skiing in Les Menuires is great, and I loved the empty pistes above St Martin.

Ipurchase
reply to 'Meribel, over rated ??'
posted Nov-2006

Meribel has a good central location but does suffer from a number of things

Noisy British
Ice
Busy
Lift quese

I would head for either VT or St Martin de Belleville

Ian
www.ski3valleys.com

Edited 4 times. Last update at 27-Nov-2007

Robdog78
reply to 'Meribel, over rated ??'
posted Nov-2007

hey guys,

been living in Japan for the last 5 years and have been getting a regular fix of powder thru the winter but here`s me thinking that travel broadens the mind so have settled on a trip meribel from 4 - 14 Jan..

have had a quick look through here and seems to be that my hard earned could be better spent in the pow over here around that time of year??

im keen for powder, chutes, and a fair bit of off piste stuff - can anyone give me any tips on runs etc i should be aiming for??

cheers

RossF
reply to 'Meribel, over rated ??'
posted Nov-2007

The down side of most ski resorts are the "British"-Mainly the English as they outnumber Scots by what, 10-1 or something?

Ross

Topic last updated on 27-November-2007 at 15:45