Skiing in april: Slow mode in Meribel & Les 3 Vallées
Where can you ski in peace and quiet in April? In Méribel, of course!
Light, in every sense
Think ‘light’ in every sense of the word: without a bulky ski jacket to restrain your movements; without being rushed, without pressure - the slopes are less crowded than in peak season so you can even find pistes that are still nicely groomed at midday.
The days are getting longer and longer, and so are the ski lift opening times (until 5 pm), so you can take as much time as you like and stop rushing from one place to another!
Our advice
Let us share our wisdom:
We enjoy skiing in the morning, especially on higher slopes when the pistes are perfectly groomed. With 85% of the area above 1800m, there’s plenty of high-altitude skiing to explore in the 3 Valleys.
We suggest these areas: Mont Vallon (Méribel), Cime Carron (Val Thorens), Orelle for white mountaintops and a high-altitude atmosphere.
Take a backpack with water, sun cream and sunglasses for the lunchtime terrace. Don’t forget to save some space to shed a layer in case you get a little too warm!
Relax
FOR RELAXATION - APPRECIATE THE CONTRASTS
Skiing? Well of course, but that’s not all we have to offer! Take the time to really chill out, rest and enjoy looking at what is going on around you. Snow on the peaks and blossoming trees in the valleys. It's quite a contrast, but how nice is it to take off your ski boots and be able to walk around barefoot on your terrace, reading quietly in the sun with the chirping of birds in the background...?
What are our top tips?
Soaking up the sun and the views:
The terrace of the Plan des Mains restaurant: sheltered from the wind, on this sunny plateau, facing Mont Vallon... And let yourself be seduced by the giant dessert buffet 😉
The 1928 terrace at the Col de la Loze, with an incredible view of the valleys of Courchevel and Méribel
To have even more choice, find our selection of sunny terraces in Méribel and in Les 3 Vallées.
Bubble, swim, bathe:
At the Méribel Olympic Center, with its swimming pool or Spa
All the other hotel spas: there's something for everyone, you're bound to find what you're looking for!
Learning to slide slowly
Low impact!
Soft snow is actually a real benefit when learning to ski. The impact during a fall is softer, much better than on ice. So yes, put on a light jacket and gloves and head to one of the many areas dedicated to learning: wide, separated slopes, with gentle gradients and dedicated lifts for beginners.
The dedicated spaces for beginners, right at the foot of your accommodation:
Doron and Ourson on the Méribel-Mottaret snow front (free): dedicated magic carpets and a very gentle slope.
The Arolles T-bar – ideal from the Hameau. With the Yeti Park slope to try once you feel more confident on your skis!
The perfect ski pass for beginners: the Minipass. A discounted pass for access to a small area, suitable for those with a beginner's level.
Dare to try new activities
Take yourself out of comfort zone
Whether it’s with your heels released, two feet attached, uphill, around crevasses, surprising the local chamois or seeing the mountains from the air. Is it time to venture into a new discipline?
Our 3 activities to take the plunge:
Ski touring
Spring is the best time to try the ‘skinning’ experience: the risk of avalanche is usually around 2/5, snow that "décailles" as we say (softens on the surface) and which is therefore more easy to ski than deep powder snow… Why not have a go at ski touring!
Since zero danger is non-existent in the mountains, treat yourself to an instructor or a guide for the day – you could even go and see the crevasses of the Gebroulaz glacier!
Would you like to try it? Discover our article on ski touring itineraries: marked and groomed for perfect initiations or rather wild and in nature, accompanied by a professional, you have once again the choice!
Snowboarding - and why not ?
Unless you're a total natural at snowsports, when you learn, you WILL fall! It happens in skiing and snowboarding alike… So, if you have always hesitated but never quite found a good time to start, launch yourself into snowboarding on the easy slopes in April!
The soft snow makes it much easier to turn, with no nasty surprises from catching an edge on a patch of ice: it's THE perfect time to take on this challenge!
Paragliding
Let your skis slide downhill to inflate the wing and hey presto, your feet are no longer touching the ground! The wind whistles in the lines, your eyes are wide open to take in the sublime view, your heart is soaring. All this white snow way below your skis! Treat yourself to a tandem paragliding flight at least once in your life – and flying in the mountains where the notion of gaining height takes on its full meaning is the very best place to experience it.
And don't forget:
Great value prices, with 10% discount on ski passes
Fabulous events: The Altitude Festival features big names in electronic music; or Winter Legacy...
