Not a skier? Pas de problème! While the alpine town of Méribel is renowned for offering some of the best skiing and snowboarding terrain in the world, it also has plenty of activities for visitors to enjoy off the slopes. With high-tech wellness, cultural experiences, action packed adventures and world-class après ski bars, discover eight of the best non-ski activities for those who want to experience more than the mountains in this winter wonderland.
1. Combine high-tech with high altitude wellness at Spa de la Traye
A high altitude eco-luxury hotel in the heart of Méribel, Refuge de la Traye’s leading spa is now a partner of the prestigious Biologique Recherche brand, known for its clinical approach to personalised beauty care. Its innovative new treatments and massages for the 23/24 season can be combined with other existing services such as LED light therapy, a Japanese sauna Iyashi Dôme, water massages and physical rehabilitation with the Stendo device.
2. Disconnect with the Zen Altitude Festival (Spring 2024)
Spend 15 days recharging your batteries in the mountains at the Zen Altitude Festival. A rich and varied programme that focuses on well-being and relaxation, the festival offers various activities and workshops, such as barefoot snow yoga, raw foods workshops, breathing and mindfulness, meditation, facial reflexology and much more.
3. Party the night away at The Rond Point
Méribel boasts some of the best après-ski in the Alps with many lively bars to choose from throughout the town as well as on the slopes. Many visitors will head to the world-renowned Folie Douce, but those who want a truly authentic après experience should pay a visit to The Rond Point (known as Ronnie’s), where they can dance the night atop a table to live music performed by local musicians as the snow falls, replenishing the slopes for the next day.
4. Attend an exhilarating ice hockey match
On select Thursdays and Saturdays throughout the winter season, thrilling ice hockey games are held at the Olympique Centre in Méribel Centre. With a bus stop right outside the venue for guests staying outside of the centre of town, this is a great way to spend an evening with friends or family after a long day on the slopes.
5. Trot through the snow at Ranch Nordique
Walk, trot or gallop through Méribel’s incredible mountain scenery with a trip to Ranch Nordique. Open in both the summer and winter seasons, the family-run ranch offers a variety of different horse-riding experiences for all ability levels, ranging from one-hour rides for beginners to full-day trips venturing along challenging mountain trails and traversing through dramatic snow-coated alpine landscapes.
6. Get active at the Parc Olympique
If the weather is playing up or if you’re still finding your ski legs, head to Méribel’s Parc Olympique sports centre. Located in the heart of Méribel centre, this hub of activity offers swimming, ice skating and an exhilarating indoor climbing wall. There’s also a gym and fitness centre for anyone to use, perfect for building up the quads in case you do plan to ski.
7. Try Nordic Cross-Country Skiing
Not one for downhill? Why not give cross country skiing a go. With just under 40 kilometres of much flatter cross country trails in the Méribel valley, visitors can head out on a range of cross-country tracks spread across different areas of the resort. For beginners, venture up to the beautiful Lac de Tueda or Altiport area where visitors can glide through gentle green and blue tracks lined with trees and experience the area’s natural beauty at a slower pace. For those up for the challenge, visitors can ski all the way to Courchevel or La Tania on a 17 km journey with a 230-metre altitude climb.
8. Soar over the Three Valleys
There’s no better way to see Méribel than on a paragliding flight soaring over the Three Valleys and Mont Blanc at a comfortable cruising speed of 35 km/h. Offering flights in both summer and winter, visitors can take in the magnificent mountain scenery from a totally unique point of view.
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About Méribel Tourisme
Meribel Tourisme (MT) promotes the heart of the 3 Valleys, Méribel, as a world class Alpine travel destination. MT aims to educate the wider public on what the region has to offer through the strengthening and development of the tourism industry, promoting local development that is economically viable, environmentally responsible and fulfilling on a human level. Easily accessible from the UK by train, plane and car, Méribel is home to 600 km of meandering slopes, majestic nature reserves and mouth-watering menus across the valley. From mountain-biking, hiking, horse-riding, golfing and yoga in the summer, to carving famous ski runs, snowshoeing, ice-skating and more in the winter, there is something for every traveller to enjoy.
For further information on Méribel Tourisme, please visit: www.meribel.net/en
