The Resort - Meribel & 3Vs

The Meribel Valley, in our opinion, the most beautiful, along with the soaring peaks of Val Thorens and the fantastic restaurants in Courchevel make up the skiing area of the Trois Vallees. As one of the largest ski areas in the world, the Trois Valleys provides some of the most fantastic skiing in the Alps, with over 600km of home runs, peaks rising to 3300m and 550 snow cannons on standby when the heavens are not obeying. There are gentle runs around the Altiport for beginners, miles of blues and reds in all directions for the intermediates, couloirs for the experts and two snow parks for the nutters! The lift system is one of the best in the world, updated a couple of years ago, gone are the days of a dropped glove, or an elastic snapping in your face as you struggle to find your lift pass tucked into you millions of layers, the Trois Vallees has gone electronic. You simply pop your lift pass in your pocket.

Meribel Village is situated 2km from the main town; it is linked via a chair a stones throw from your front door to the Altiport, the main beginner's area in Meribel. From there you not only have easy access to Courchevel, but avoid the big queues that tend to form at peak times at the Chaudanne, the main lift area in the resort itself. The route home could not be easier; a gentle blue run from the bottom of the altiport allows you to ski right to your front door, such a rarity in Meribel. This year sees the new Golf Chairlift open up giving access up and down (excellent for beginners, tired legs and non-skiers) from the Altiport in just 6 minutes.

Meribel Village is home to the bar restaurant Le Lodge de Village with live music most evenings for aprés, for fine dining on your staff day off Le Boa Mille, a small supermarket and a yummy French patisserie / café in what is renowned as the "best bakery in the 3 Valleys". Undoubtedly the best aprés ski to be had is at the Rond Point which you'll find on your way down the mountain. After a few toffee vodkas and vin chauds you can either ski back, or call the Fish and Pips driver to collect you.

If you are tempted by the bright lights of the main town there's an array of bars awaiting. As well as the Fish and Pips minibus (until 11 00, and from 16 30 to 19 30), the local bus leaves from the bottom of the chairlift regularly between 8am and midnight, after that there are plenty of taxis to bring you back the 1.5km from Dicks T Bar (the famous British owned nightclub, conveniently positioned on your way home), though you may be tempted to walk off the Mutzig and Genepe!

For further information on the resort visit Meribel's website: www.merinet.com