Superbly located in the central valley of the Three Valleys ski area, the original resort was founded by a Brit in 1938. It is still very much a favourite with British skiers and boarders, and although the resort has had to grow to keep up with every increasing popularity, it has kept much of its original charm, with traditionally built chalets in stone and wood.

Meribel is divided into several sectors, all of which have their own shops, bars and restaurants and access to the Méribel skiing area. Meribel Centre (1450 - 1700m) has the greatest choice, with an excellent variety of shops and entertainment facilities and, of course, Meribel is famed for its lively apres ski and nightlife.

Meribel Les Allues (1100m) is the original village with an ancient church and old village oven. It has several restaurants and bars, a supermarket, ski shop and newsagent. Meribel Village sits a little higher up at 1400m. Developed only a few years ago, this residential hamlet is small and up-market with luxury apartments and ski chalets, served by its own chairlift to Meribel Altiport. There is also a direct gondola link to Meribel-Mottaret which takes around 15 minutes.

The satellite resort of Mottaret at 1700 - 1800m is well placed for swift access to the wider ski area, with a bus service running between here and Meribel Centre and also to Meribel Village. It appeals more to the serious skier and there is a good choice of ski in, ski out accomodation. There are plenty of restaurants here and a number of bars for your apres ski and evening entertainment.

The skiing offers something for everyone. Beginners are best to start off at the nursery slopes in the Méribel Altiport area but there is also a beginners' tow lift in Mottaret. Intermediates have the whole of the Three Valleys ski area at their disposal if they choose to buy an area pass. For experts, there are plenty of challenging mogul fields and couloirs plus seemingly endless off-piste opportunities. Snowboarders have a choice of snowparks in Meribel, Mottaret and the Three Valleys.

A six day Three Valleys lift pass will also give you acess to a day's skiing in Val d'Isere and Tignes, an hour and half away by car, or alternatively, in La Plagne or Les Arcs which are both around an hour away.