French ski resorts are well-known for their purpose-built high altitude stature - constructed with ease of skiing in mind rather than prettiness.
Avoriaz, for example, with its dark many-storied buildings and maze of streets, is excellent for accessing the pistes but not so strong on quaint village atmosphere.
La Plagne...
Les Arcs...
Tignes...
and many others have all been assigned to this category at one time or another.
But there is one outstanding exception to the rule.
The vast Three Valleys ski domain is home to a chocolate box village perhaps more suited to a Swiss or Austrian valley.
Established in the 1930s and 40s by Scot, Peter Lindsay, Meribel missed the 60's high rise utilitarian phase of building by a whisker, and instead has turned into a pretty alpine village with oodles of soul and charm.
Not only have the buildings been constructed in the traditional chalet style of mountain settlements, with their wooden clad fronts giving onto an attractive main street, but as the cluster of early houses has grown in recent years, the innate look and feel of a Swiss-style setting has been successfully retained.
Nowadays, despite its relative large 'village' status and ski-in, ski-out ease, the sympathetic developments remain true to the original intention of creating an aesthetically pleasing village first and a value for money ski station second.
Ski holidays in Meribel during the winter season also offer the opportunity for exploring more widely on foot as well as the more obvious winter snow sports.
A bus service operates around Christmas and New Year and again throughout February to neighbouring La Tania and onto Courchevel, both of which are well-known for their idyllic winter paths.
In fact, the entire Trois Vallées is a naturally beautiful area with its many forests, tracks and lakes, and attracts serious walkers throughout the year - seemingly at odds with its internationally renown ski reputation.
The "Lac de Tueda" in Meribel-Mottaret is particularly noteworthy and it is possible to walk all the way around it spotting unusual birds along the journey.
Frogs and fish can also be seen in abundance around this area from early March as the lake starts to thaw.
February onwards the traditionally French resort of Brides Les Bains in the valley below Meribel, becomes practically summer-like, yet is only a 25 minute cable-car ride away.
The "Les Bains" part of this small town's name gives away the fact that it has natural thermal baths with mineral laden water, believed to have the power to help weight loss and relieve minor ailments.
At only 600m above sea-level hikers who come for the mountains around Brides mingle with those more interested in a relaxing visit to its thermal baths and spas.
Unlike many popular ski resorts, Meribel stays open for summer activities when the snow recedes.
As the ground starts to thaw higher up around late April/May, Meribel becomes a hive of activity once again as tourists with mountain bikes and hiking boots come out to enjoy the beauty and alpine air of the valley.
All this charm and yet Meribel lies in the very heart of the Three Valleys ski domain, which in turn is the largest linked ski area in the world, itself set in the centre of the French Alps.
Not far from Geneva Airport or Moutiers train station, Meribel is well served with bus links, making it a great get-away from pretty much anywhere in central Europe.
Enjoy!
Avoriaz, for example, with its dark many-storied buildings and maze of streets, is excellent for accessing the pistes but not so strong on quaint village atmosphere.
La Plagne...
Les Arcs...
Tignes...
and many others have all been assigned to this category at one time or another.
But there is one outstanding exception to the rule.
The vast Three Valleys ski domain is home to a chocolate box village perhaps more suited to a Swiss or Austrian valley.
Established in the 1930s and 40s by Scot, Peter Lindsay, Meribel missed the 60's high rise utilitarian phase of building by a whisker, and instead has turned into a pretty alpine village with oodles of soul and charm.
Not only have the buildings been constructed in the traditional chalet style of mountain settlements, with their wooden clad fronts giving onto an attractive main street, but as the cluster of early houses has grown in recent years, the innate look and feel of a Swiss-style setting has been successfully retained.
Nowadays, despite its relative large 'village' status and ski-in, ski-out ease, the sympathetic developments remain true to the original intention of creating an aesthetically pleasing village first and a value for money ski station second.
Ski holidays in Meribel during the winter season also offer the opportunity for exploring more widely on foot as well as the more obvious winter snow sports.
A bus service operates around Christmas and New Year and again throughout February to neighbouring La Tania and onto Courchevel, both of which are well-known for their idyllic winter paths.
In fact, the entire Trois Vallées is a naturally beautiful area with its many forests, tracks and lakes, and attracts serious walkers throughout the year - seemingly at odds with its internationally renown ski reputation.
The "Lac de Tueda" in Meribel-Mottaret is particularly noteworthy and it is possible to walk all the way around it spotting unusual birds along the journey.
Frogs and fish can also be seen in abundance around this area from early March as the lake starts to thaw.
February onwards the traditionally French resort of Brides Les Bains in the valley below Meribel, becomes practically summer-like, yet is only a 25 minute cable-car ride away.
The "Les Bains" part of this small town's name gives away the fact that it has natural thermal baths with mineral laden water, believed to have the power to help weight loss and relieve minor ailments.
At only 600m above sea-level hikers who come for the mountains around Brides mingle with those more interested in a relaxing visit to its thermal baths and spas.
Unlike many popular ski resorts, Meribel stays open for summer activities when the snow recedes.
As the ground starts to thaw higher up around late April/May, Meribel becomes a hive of activity once again as tourists with mountain bikes and hiking boots come out to enjoy the beauty and alpine air of the valley.
All this charm and yet Meribel lies in the very heart of the Three Valleys ski domain, which in turn is the largest linked ski area in the world, itself set in the centre of the French Alps.
Not far from Geneva Airport or Moutiers train station, Meribel is well served with bus links, making it a great get-away from pretty much anywhere in central Europe.
Enjoy!
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