Ski Touring in Méribel
Routes and advices

Reading time : 5 min

Ski Touring has gathered momentum in recent years, understandably gaining rather a lot of fans during Covid! It has become a popular activity during a trip to the mountains for anyone who enjoys keeping fit. To give it a try, you will need special boots and skis, as well as skins which allow you to walk up Meribel’s snowy slopes, either on the marked trails or off piste. Whether you want a cardio workout or prefer to appreciate and contemplate as you set a gentler pace, with ski touring you are free to choose the style that suits you, but always surrounded by a stunning landscape! Let us explain all about ski touring, and share the best routes in Méribel and the 3 Valleys…

HOW TO SKI TOUR ?

Firstly, we’ll introduce the specialist equipment needed for ‘ski de rando’ (ski touring):

Skins, which stick to the base of your ski – they must be the same size as your skis.
Ski boots with a ‘walk’ function, unlike downhill ski boots. This makes it more comfortable when you are a beginner.
Bindings which change to uphill mode: light and easy to use, according to how experienced you are.
As for the ski, choose a skinnier, lighter ski for a more sporty/cardio session, or a wider ski if you are freeriding and want to ski down with style in the fresh powder.
Poles – you can extend them a little higher, adjust your grip and use the straps to push on the top to help you ascend. According to studies, poles can give you up to 30% more power for the climb. It’s as if you had four legs, the upper body shares the load, so effort and power are more evenly distributed.

Several hire shops in resort offer ski touring equipment to rent for half-days, full days or by the week. You can choose your equipment according to your weight, your activity and your level.

Who can try ski touring?

Anyone: forget what you’ve heard about it being ‘too physical’ or ‘too technical’. Ski touring is for everyone. It is so satisfying to ski down what you just climbed using only your own legs (and arms!) without needing a ski lift!
Even kids can try: for children aged from 9-10 years, smaller sized equipment is available.
It is not only for skiers – snowboarders can use a ‘splitboard’, a snowboard that splits in two with bindings that adjust to the right position. Ideal for off-piste trips to enjoy the powder!

For your first ski tour, even if it is an easy, marked track, we recommend that you go with an instructor or guide who can help you with the equipment and optimise your sliding forward technique, as well as giving tips to help you enjoy the climb and the ride down!

TIPS FOR A GREAT SKI TOUR

What to put in your back-pack:

2 jackets: a small down jacket for warmth and a wind-proof coat for the descent – dress accordingly. Even if you get warm on the climb, you chill very quickly as soon as you stop to adjust your equipment for the descent, and when you are skiing downhill!
Plenty of water – when it is cold it is easy to forget to drink water. Take enough to drink according to your planned route and the length of time you will be out. You could even take a small thermos with a hot drink which is a nice treat at the summit!
A sweet snack – if your energy levels drop or you start to feel hypoglycaemic, this will help give you a boost!
A change of gloves – warm gloves or mittens are always welcome when you become chilly.
Crampons – if the snow is icy (as can often happen from March onwards on freeride tours), you will be grateful to have packed crampons. Attach them to your bindings and they will help you to grip as you climb, no matter what the slope’s gradient or the hardness of the snow!

SKI TOURING ROUTES IN THE MERIBEL VALLEY

Movement track, le Roc - Groomed, marked route

A newly marked ascent route for ski touring in Méribel

From the summit of the Chalets gondola, stick on your skins and follow the marks for an easy 2km excursion with a 370m ascent in the direction of Chalet du Lac. Once you arrive at the top, you can take a well-earned rest in the chalet (free access) and enjoy the view before skiing back down the pistes.

PLEASE NOTE! When the ski area is closed from 16:30 (or 17:00 from February onwards), it is forbidden to take this route. The piste grooming machines are in operation and may not be able to see you. On the steeper slopes, they are connected to winches in the middle of the slopes which are not visible in darkness.

The Gebroulaz Glacier, surrounded by seracs - Freeride itineraries

No need to spell it out… if these routes are magical, they’re even more so accompanied by a professional. No worries about getting lost in the white landscape, a reduced risk when it comes to avalanches, plenty of advice, stories, enjoyable encounters… In short, there are no disadvantages to going with a guide or instructor on your ski touring trip!

Encountering the largest glacier in the 3 Valleys on a day-long ski tour makes for a truly fantastic experience. Accessible via the Val Thorens ski lifts, you can slip on your harness and the rest of your safety equipment for around a 1.5 hour ascent. At the Col de Gébroulaz, you then descend towards the Méribel Valley between crevasses and seracs. The magical atmosphere and long descent will become a treasured memory.

AND SKI TOURING IN THE 3 VALLEES ?

Géné'piste by Snowleader in Courchevel - Marked run

A new, off-the-beaten-track ski touring piste: 2.8km long and 528m ascent which trails between field and forest and allows you to experience ski touring in safety within the ski area of Courchevel-Moriond. Depart next to the Granges drag lift and arrive at the summit of Signal chair.

Freeride Lab between Courchevel & Mottaret- Marked run

Ideal for a mini ski tour with a much-deserved powder run down!

After 30 minutes of ascent, you have two options:

Ski the ungroomed but secured slopes: the safe choice, particularly after a snowfall! Choose either the red or black run.
Continue further to access some of Courchevel or Méribel’s unmissable off-piste skiing, accompanied by a professional as the slopes are steep and danger is always present, even at avalanche risk level 2!

Depart on the groomed run just after the Col de Pas du Lac, in the direction of Méribel-Mottaret.

Millet Ski Touring & la Plume KV - Market Run

A groomed track, ideal for a workout amongst nature

The Millet Ski Touring track departs from Courchevel Le Praz. It is 3.2km length and 500m ascent, after which you can take the Plume KV which terminates just below the Col de la Loze. This route offers a secure but technical excursion not far from the pistes, among épicea pines and our emblematic black grouse or ‘tetras lyres’.

You can also join in with the Wednesday evening events on the Millet Ski Touring track: from 18:30, athletes and amateurs race up the piste to beat the clock or simply to get a workout. It has become a tradition to dress up for the grande finale of the season!

Millet

Plume KV

Touring in les Avals - Freeride

A wild and magical valley

From the summit of the Chanrossa chairlift in Courchevel (2 lifts from Méribel), you can access the wild Les Avals valley: pure, untouched and free, a whole range of routes are on offer.

Heading towards the Col du Rateau, Petit Mont Blanc, the Col des Saulces or even up to the Brèche de la Poretta, there’s something for everyone: all levels and all preferences!