What to do in Meribel when one does not ski?

ski/SNOWBOARD, very little to me!

While most of the holiday makers come to the 3 Valleys to enjoy the world's largest ski area, where ski lifts are the quickest and most efficient that one can find, many clients wonder about the point of visiting a resort that is so focused on skiing activities!

However, that would be overlooking all that mountains have to offer!

SLIDING ACTIVITIES (because we have to mention them anyway)

Before we start discovering activities which are NOT related to sliding on a slope, let's have a quick look at the alternatives to alpine skiing or snowboarding:

- cross-country skiing: that's sliding, but for those for whom the technicity and speed of skiing seem too scary, that is a good alternative. You can "merely" put your skis into the tracks and push on the poles to move forward (but it requires good lungs anyway!) or try out skating, which consists of pushing on the skis one after the other to slide. Good heart required too.

2 sites to exercise in Meribel: Lake Tueda and Altiport.

- biathlon: this activity combines the endurance of cross-country skiing and the agility of riffle shooting. The area of Meribel Altiport hosts an homologated shooting point and is ideal to try as a family (laser riffle available too!) or with friends.

- ski touring: it consists of going up the mountains with skins on the skis and with the heels of the boot that are detached from the skis to ease climbing. Once on top, you can ski down the slopes (or off-pist) or take the gondola back down if skiing is really not your thing. Ski touring is increasingly popular in the mountains and more and more shops rent the required equipments. Ski schools also propose outings for beginners.

- telemark: based on the same idea than ski touring: a free heel. In order to turn, you bring your inside knee closer to the ski, which gives an elegant look to the glide, just like first skiers in Norway.

- sledging: guaranteed return to your childhood with sledging! 2 options available: either to sledge on the dedicated area (several areas available in Mottaret, of different sizes) or challenge yourself during a session of Black Forest Mission in Meribel (themed trail that requires a few piloting skills), or during the evening sledge sessions of Himalaya by night in Meribel Mottaret (every Thursday evening in Mottaret + on Monday during French school holidays).

Other outdoor activities

- The Nordic Ranch: for the fans of horse-back riding and poney-sledging, the nordic ranch is highly recommanded.Located in Bois d'Arbin, down the "Truite" slope, the Ranch proposes rides in outstanding locations, for all level of skiers.

- Snowmobile rides: at the top of Le Hameau, in Meribel-Mottaret, SnowBiker takes you across the ski area with your motorbike. Fan of motorsports, that is definitely for you!

- Snowshoeing walks: on your own or with a guide, snowshoe outings are a great occasion to get some fresh air and discover the mountain environment differently, at your own pace.

- Walks on the ski area with the pedestrians lift pass: often ignored and yet quite interesting, the pedestrian ski pass allows anyone to use the lifts and enjoy the outstanding sceneries of the 3 Valleys. Check out the pedestrian map here.

- Walks in the resort center: merely strolling in Meribel streets for those who are not used to such an environment is also an activity! Walking by the wood-and-stone chalets, nestled in fir tree forests, gazing at the old barns in ancient hamlets, taking a look at the nicest shop windows, tasting regional products... that is also a way to discover our heritage. And if you want to know more, check out the guided tours organised by FACIM (in French).

- Yoga: many yoga sessions are organised during the week, among which Cold yoga!

- Paragliding flight: from Col de la Loze or Saulire, take off for the flight of a lifetime! Breathtaking views of the valley, the mountains, among which Mont Blanc!

- Plane flights: Meribel's Altiport is one of the first to have been conceived in the Alps. The Aeroclub takes you for a breathtaking tour around the Tarentaise valley or even further, around Mont Blanc...

INDOOR ACTIVITIES

- Swimming-pool: equipped with a 25m-long Olympic pool, Meribel's swimming pool also features a water slide to have fun with kids! Aquabike and aquagym sessions are also proposed once a week.

- Ice rink: it has hosted all the hockey matches during Albertville's 1992 Olympics and has been open to everyone ever since.

- Climbing wall: located at the Olympic Park too, this climbing wall is 18m high and can be used with one's own equipment or with a guide

- Bowling: still at the Olymic Park, come have fun during a bowling session! Ideal with kids too as the bowling alleys are equipped with automatic barriers for kids

- Yoga: if the weather is not good enough for an outside session, come enjoy an indoor yoga session!

- Cinema: at Meribel center's auditorium or at Mottaret's cinema, several sessions are proposed every day, notably when the weather is bad. Movies are often proposed in English with French subtitles.

- Cultural visits:  small valley but many cultural sites to discover local culture! The watermill-sawmill at le Raffort, the Local culture in les Allues, the Baroque Church and village chapels... some visits can only be made from the outside, others can be visited inside too.

- Enjoy a concert or go to the theater for a play: apart from the many groups that entertain Meribel's nightlife during the seasons Meribel tourist office regularly schedule concerts and plays. Find more about the cultural program on Meribel Tourism website. 

SPA

After all those efforts, let's rest a bit!

Many spas are available in Meribel and the 3 Valleys. The most accessible is probably the one at the Olympic Park, which hosts 2 saunas, 2 stea rooms and a large jacuzzi and a resting room with a great view on Mont Vallon. Hotel Allodis**** proposes a very interesting lunch&spa formula while the spa at hôtel Kaïla***** hosts a large swimming-pool and hotel Alpen Ruitor**** has a small-yet-cosy spa in Mottaret centre.

See? Mountain resorts have so much more to offer than just skiing! so do not hesitate to come and try out all we have to offer!