Meribel

Méribel is at the centre of the Three Valleys ski area, the most extensive skiing area in the world. It is also, arguably where ski chalets and the concept of the ski chalet holiday first began.

The original Méribel was founded by British skier Peter Lindsay in the 1930's, who began developing the resort after World War 2 with the help of French ski racer Emile Allais. The area they created at 1450m became the hub of the resort with the main lift station at La Chaudanne, flanked by the majority of the shops, bars and restaurants.

Since then the resort has spread outwards in almost every direction with picturesque chalets stretching up the road towards the altiport and down the road towards the lower villages of Chandon and Les Allues. Lifts have been installed to provide easy ski access from these lower villages and regular ski buses make Méribel's lively apres-ski scene easier for everyone to enjoy.

At 1750m is Mottaret which provides more ski-in ski-out accommodation and 2km along the road towards La Tania is the newer satellite of Méribel Village, which has adopted the chocolate box architectural style of it's neighbour. A chairlift links it into the ski area.

Meribel can arguably be considered as the starting point for the classic chalet holiday - all buildings are chalet style, and low rise.