Are you trying to decide if you should go on ski holiday to Courchevel or Méribel? It depends what you’re looking for, but let us make it easier for you with these seven simple reasons why Courchevel is better than Méribel…

1. Courchevel is more than Courchevel 1850

If you’re comparing Méribel with Courchevel 1850, then you’re making a big mistake. Courchevel 1850 – with its five-star hotels and Michelin-star restaurants – is only one part of the resort: there’s also Moriond (1650), Le Village (1550) and Le Praz (1300). Le Ski has 18 catered chalets in Courchevel 1650 – because it still gives you all that Courchevel has to offer, but at much better value.

2. Courchevel lift links are excellent

While Méribel is the ‘Heart of Les 3 Vallées’, the lift links in Les 3 Vallées are so good, that it’s very easy to get from Courchevel to any of the resorts in the ski area. Whether you are starting from 1850 or 1650, access to the rest of the world’s largest ski area is excellent.

3. The slopes are quieter in Courchevel than Méribel

Because it’s in the middle of Les 3 Vallées, the slopes in Méribel tend to be busier than in Courchevel. Although both resorts have 150km of pistes, in Courchevel skiers and snowboarders tend to spread out more and you don’t get the ‘through traffic’ that you do in Méribel.

4. The snow is better in Courchevel

The aspect of the slopes is better in Courchevel than Méribel, as fewer of them are south-facing. That means the snow stays longer and stays in better condition for longer than in Méribel, where the resort sits on the south-facing side of the mountain.  

5. Aquamotion is in Courchevel

Aquamotion is arguably the best aquacentre in any ski resort in the world. Now in its third winter season, this wonderfully spacious and light building offers a 25m lap pool, kids pool, adults’ hamman and sauna area, plus a super-fast slide and thrilling canyon run. There’s a heated outdoor pool with water jets and bubble beds. You can even try out surfing – beat that Méribel!

Even better there’s a free entry into Aquamotion included with every Courchevel lift pass of two days or more. There is an excellent free navette service connecting all the resort stations with Aquamotion, but if you stay with Le Ski in Courchevel 1650 you can just walk there!

6. Go ‘Moriond Racing’ in Courchevel

The Moriond Racing 3km toboggan run in Courchevel 1650 opened for the 2017/18 season and has become a firm favourite with guests, with over 25,000 people taking a slide in its first season. There are 8 tunnels and 450m of vertical drop with an average gradient of 15%. It’s fast, fun and better than anything you’ll find in Méribel.

7. There are fewer Brits

Méribel was founded by Peter Lindsay, a Scotsman, just after WWII and continues to attract large numbers of Brits. It might be that you feel more comfortable surrounded by English-speaking voices, but if you want a more authentic experience then Courchevel will give you more of a French ambience.
 

If you’ve just realised you should be booking in Courchevel rather than Méribel, then please take a look through our selection of chalets, or give our team a call to find the best chalet for you.