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Magical Méribel

Ski bunnies and snow queens will love Méribel, one of the most exquisite resorts in the French Alps. With pictureperfect chalets and vintage charm, it's this year's coolest ski spot, reports Sarah Drew Jones

Ask a keen skier what the most important criteria for a top-notch resort are and chances are they'll say 'great snow, challenging runs and amazing après-ski'. You'll find all three in Méribel, and you can add charming architecture, gourmet food, beautiful spas and exciting shopping to the list too, as this resort, known for its sunny days and perfectly-groomed slopes, is one of the world's best.

In the glorious French Alps, Méribel lies right in the heart of the famous Three Valleys, the largest linked ski area in the world, giving skiers the chance to try somewhere different every day of their holidays. The area is characterised by its sheer space: there's more than 600 km of pristine snowpiste in the Three Valleys with more than 200 ski lifts and unlimited off-piste opportunities, so you know that there's little chance of queuing, crowding or getting bored of the same views. From Méribel, where the 1992 Winter Olympics were held, you can easily access Courchevel, the famous and super-glamorous resort loved by the uber-rich jet set, and it's also a short distance to Val Thorens, one of the highest resorts in the French Alps at a staggering 2,300m.

Skiers love the fact that Méribel has a large number of snow cannons, which means that the snow is kept pristine and ready to ski on at all times during the season. But Méribel's popularity is due not only to its extensive skiing, but also to the attractive chalet-style architecture. This is real chocolate box country. Unlike many purpose-built ski resorts, Méribel has retained its Alpine charm and consists entirely of chalet-style wood and stone buildings: be sure to take your camera as well as your thermals!

SKI AND SNOW SPORTS

Though the experienced skier has everything they could want in Méribel, there's plenty to amuse the beginner too. If you want to introduce children to the sport, or even brush up on your own skills, head to one of the myriad ski schools in the area. Try Ecole de Ski Méribel, Magic School of Snowsports and Snow Systems: go to www.domaine-skiable.meribel.net to book direct. Hardcore skiers will want to tackle The Bosses Stadium, a 400m black run full of bumps and vertical drops, and the off-piste slopes of the Moon Ride will test even the most experienced of skiers.

Interested in a little snowboarding? Méribel is a big draw for professional freestyle snowboarders and exhibition skiers, and you can see them showcasing their skills in the various snowparks: head to Moon Park, Little Moon or the Zen Zone for acres of secure ski and snowboarding areas, where you can sign up for tuition and see shows from crews of freestylers and free-riders. To really make the most of your trip, make some time to try snow-shoeing (yomping through unbroken snow), dog-sledding and snow-mobiling, too: go to www.thingstodointhealps.com for more ideas.

APRÈS-SKI

Fancy a little light relief when the skiing gets too much? Head into the quaint little town, where you'll find that Méribel has a fantastic shopping scene, with a bi-weekly street market that adds charm and a sense of tradition to the centre, too. You can buy everything from fashionable skiwear to locallymade chocolate here and there's often crafts too, such as organic soaps and wood carvings.

Méribel is renowned for its nightlife and has some of the best après-ski in Europe. A favourite haunt among most visitors is The Rond-Point (www.rondpointmeribel.com), a popular bar where you will find live music most afternoons and into the early evening. Regulars love Evolution, Jack's Bar, La Post for cocktails and La Tavern for live bands, and Dick's Tea Bar (www.dicksteabar.com/meribel) is a renowned nightclub right in the heart of the town, where you can disco down into the early hours, if aching muscles allow.

For families, the evening doesn't have to be about vin chaud and gluhwein. Children and teens will love the town's climbing wall, bowling alley, ice rink and cinema, so there's little chance of boredom setting in once the sun's gone down. Even non-skiers are catered for: you can purchase pedestrian passes for a number of the cable cars so you can easily meet up with friends and family for a drink or lunch at one of the many mountain restaurants, or even venture over to Courchevel for the day to hit the designer shops.

WHERE TO STAY

Though the few hotels of Méribel are chic and inviting, it's the 'gingerbread house' chalets that really attract the visitors and give the area its engaging charm. You'll fall in love with the many pretty chalets that dot the valleys, the vast majority being owner-run. Méribel Independent is a consortium of luxury private chalet-owners, so make sure your chalet is part of this to ensure topnotch accommodation: check out fab website www.homeaway.co.uk for reliable service and gorgeous chalet options, too. Here's where to find some of the most picturesque and luxurious chalets:

Alpine Ethos (www.alpineethos.com) has properties that sleep up to 18. They have all mod cons including heated boot warmers, hot tubs, flatscreen TVs with Sky channels, DVD players, and Nintendo Wii plus iPod speakers. Prices from £400 per person half board. Custard Mountain (www.custardmountain.co.uk): a selection of chalets situated in the hamlet of La Gittaz that can accommodate up to 12 guests. With south westerly facing balconies, there are panoramic views. Prices from £400 per person half board.

Go Ski Méribel (www.goskimeribel.com) owns the glorious Chalet Everest, a charming, traditional Savoyard-style chalet comfortably accommodating up to 15 guests. Prices from £300 per person half board. Chalet Jolie (www.holidaylettings.co.uk/88855). Sleeping up to 20 people in its 10 bedrooms, this chalet is the last word in luxury, with vaulted ceilings, excellent views and its own sauna. From £5,980 a week for the whole chalet.

Chalet Bartavelle (www.holidaylettings.co.uk/112). There's a blue run right behind this chalet so you can ski to your door! It also offers gourmet food and a special clothes-andboots warming room so you can dry your kit overnight. From £3,853 a week, for the whole chalet, which sleeps up to 10 in five bedrooms.

SPAS IN MÉRIBEL

Take time after your adventures on the slopes to relax in one of the resort's many inviting spas. Don't expect state-of-the-art skincare treatments, but most of the warm and womb-like spas have incredibly good masseuses, heated pools, hammams, steam rooms and saunas, which is exactly what your body will be crying out for. Try these stand-out spas for the best in revitalising and relaxing:

• Enjoy the steam-filled hammam at Club Med Spa (www.clubmed.co.uk)
• Float in the grotto-like pool at the Algotherm Space Form Spa (www.residences-mgm.com)
• Have a Clarins treatment at the Snow Spa at the Allodis Hotel (www.hotelallodis.com)
• Unwind with a Swedish massage at The Institute Ludicur in Hotel de la Chaudanne (www.chaudanne.com)

GETTING THERE

Nearest airport: Chambery

Flights: www.flybe.com, www.jet2.com, www.snowjet.co.uk

Transfer time: By road, approximately 1.5 hours; for true glamour, by helicopter, 25 minutes (heli hire from 1250 Euros www.whitetracks-helicopters.co.uk)

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