Meribel was founded by Scotsman Colonel Peter Lindsay in 1938 when he built the first lift (a 31-seater fixed rope sled that was installed above Les Allues). His aim was to create a purpose built ski resort, which remained faithful to the mountains that surrounded it.

Though Méribel has grown into one of the great ski resorts and is at the heart of the largest and, for many, the finest ski area in the world, it has remained faithful, to this day, to Peter Lindsay's aims.  All the buildings in the town are constructed in the traditional Savoyarde style from wood and stone, making Méribel one of the most attractive ski resorts in France.

There is something for everyone in Méribel, convivial bars and every type of restaurant, from the Michelin Starred to the simple, offering crêpes and traditional Savoyarde cuisine. For non-skiers and skiers alike there are plenty of non-skiing diversions. There are many scenic walks around Méribel and Mottaret and many of the mountain restaurants can be accessed from the gondolas.

The village sits at the heart of the Three Valleys ski area in the world and is without doubt the largest and finest linked ski area in the world. The area is naturally blessed with good snow falls and, along with 1,200 snow cannons, skiing is virtually assured from Christmas through to the beginning of May.

The ski area is truly inexhaustible and with 600km of pistes in the Three Valleys (600km in Meribel), there is something for every standard of skier. The valleys are superbly linked, with Val Thorens under an hour away and Courchevel even closer. So whether you are looking for beautifully groomed pistes, bumps, steeps, or out of the way off-piste runs you will find it in the Trois Vallées.

Sightseeing flights can be taken from the Altiport. There is the Olympic Ice Rink, swimming pool, a bowling alley, fitness centre, squash courts, snow-mobiling and shops of every kind.

Useful web sites

www.meribel.net - official tourist office site

www.merinet.com - unofficial site for everything Meribel