16/04/2019
Finding the right property for your ski holiday is key to making the most of your trip. If this is your first ski holiday, or your tenth, we’ve created this guide based on our expert local knowledge to help you consider everything before you book your holiday.
Where you should stay
The Three Valleys offers the largest ski area in the world and 600 kms of interconnected slopes. Wherever you stay in the Three Valleys, it’s very easy to access the whole ski area. Choosing exactly where you want to stay is the first step.
Meribel is the heart of the Three Valleys, and offers the quickest access to the other valleys. Meribel is split into four main villages. Les Allues is the lowest point, offering very affordable accommodation with still two runs leading back down to the valley, and a gondola to take you right into the main lift hub La Chaudanne. Meribel Village is the perfect spot for families, situated right on the slopes but away from the bustle of the centre. Meribel centre is perfect for those looking for nightlife and easy access to the slopes. Its savoyard style architecture makes it one of the prettiest town centres in the Three Valleys. Meribel Mottaret, the highest point in Meribel, is great for those who want to be out skiing at 9am everyday. It is easiest from here to get to the other valleys, but offers less apres and spots for nights out.
Courchevel is perhaps the most famous of the Three Valleys. It is often considered to have some of the best snow in the Three Valleys, with the sun always shining on the slopes, and skiing between the trees offering great visibility. Courchevel 1850 is the most famous village, and the highest point of the Valley, but also the most expensive place to find accommodation. Courchevel 1650 offers a lively town centre, with plenty of ski-in ski-out chalets and apartments. Courchevel Village (1550) is a quieter hub just a little further down the mountain, with gentle blue runs leading into it from the top of the Valley. There is also Le Praz, the lowest of the villages, which has a unique rustic feel to it and is connected by a gondola and a fast chairlift to the slopes, and La Tania, which offers a great-value, family-friendly resort still well connected to the slopes.
Val Thorens is the highest of the Three Valleys, as well as in the whole of Europe. The lifts normally open a week earlier and shut a week later here, due to the better snow conditions higher up.The vast majority of the resort is ski-in, ski-out, and it offers some of the liveliest apre-ski in the Three Valleys.
When should you go
If you’re not restricted by school holidays or work schedules, then booking a ski holiday for a quieter month such as January or March means you can enjoy the quiet slopes and cheaper prices. December and February are the busiest months of the season, meaning accommodation is often scarce and more expensive. If you are planning a visit for January or March we are also able to offer our guests an exclusive 10% discount off the price of 6-day or more adult lift passes.
Consider the ski level of your group
If your kids are in ski school, or you’re booked in for early ski lessons, then being close to the centre where the meeting point of the ski school is beneficial, to avoid the mad rush to ski school in the mornings. If you don’t want to be right in the centre, make sure you check out the easiest route to ski school, and the nearest bus stop before booking a property.
If you’re beginners, make sure you check the piste-level of the runs closest to your accommodation so you can maximise your skiing. If you’re experienced skiiers, then you should consider staying further away from the centre to reap the benefits of cheaper accommodation, and potentially higher access to the slopes.
Consider what you plan to do in the evenings
If you want to spend the evenings apres-ing and staying out then consider staying closer to the town centres. Catered options restrict what time you eat and being able to go out at night, but are great for those who want to relax in the chalet after a hard day of skiing. Catered chalets are available on a private or shared basis, so even if your party is only two people, you can still go catered!
If you prefer relaxing in your own company and don’t want a catered option, there are also great options to eat in. We partner with Huski, who offer oven-ready food delivered to your door, as well as breakfast baskets, to make self-catering easy. They sell the COOK food in the Alps, as well as offering their self-crafted Savoyard dishes, made right here in the Alps. To order online or veiw their delicious menus, view their website: www.hu.ski/partner/meribelchaletaparts
Travel
The vast majority of the ski industry operates on a Saturday to Saturday basis. Make sure you book your accommodation before cheaper flights on odd dates, as it may restrict your accommodation options. For the Three Valleys, the majority of transfers are to and from Geneva so this is often the easiest airport to fly to, especially if you are looking for a shared transfer. We partner with great companies who offer our guests discount on transfers. Visit our website for more details: https://www.meribel-chalets-apartments.com/travel-info.htm
What extras do you want?
For some, especially those with kids, wifi is an absolute essential. For others, who are looking for a little more luxury in their trip, a hot tub is an absolute necessity. If you’re picking a self-catered property, consider how equipped the kitchen needs to be for your use. Once you have figured out when and where to stay, think about what is essential to make your trip, and what is desirable. Once you have figured this out, you can narrow down your options based on your budget.
Call us on +44 20 300 20 320 to discuss your requirements with the local experts and find the perfect property for you!