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Intermediate Ski Routes

Intermediate Ski Routes

For those new to the 3 Valleys check out this very comprehensive guide to the 3 valleys, kindly put together by long term 'saisonaire' Rob Smart Meribel Unplugged intermediates ski guide. Useful information to help you get the best of the 3 valleys. Advice for all levels.

Morning favorites

These are not particularly challenging slopes but there is something very nice about the feel of them, hard to define but easily recognizable. In the early mornings, the Tougnete area is the best side of the mountain to start your Meribel skiing. It has the morning sun, so in early season will not be so cold and in late season will not be icy, as is the Saulire side before midday. Saulire gets the afternoon sun, so the snow melts and freezes overnight. If you ski the Saulire side too early in spring, the snow will not have transformed and it is like skiing on corrugated iron! The Tougnette side is a great way to warm up, with beautifully groomed pistes. From La Chaudanne (central lift station in Meribel) take the Roc de Fer & Olympic Express superchairs to the top. Take the blue Grande Duc piste, followed by the Cherferie drag, then ski down the blue Choucas piste, with gentle rollovers, thereafter take Caves drag and ski down the blue Grive piste to Tougnette 2. From the top of Tougnette (2434m) there are 2 choices. You can ski the red Pramint piste, or ski along to the Crets restaurant for a great coffee stop (stunning views) and then ski down red Jerusalem piste. Both these runs then join the blue Biolly piste which takes you down to the very attractive hamlet of St Martin de Belleville and is a great place for a lunch stop.

Afternoon Sunshine

The Saulire side of the mountain offers superb descents for intermediates. The runs are long wide and open and you have a mixture of reds and blues crisscrossing the mountain. From La Chaudanne take the Saulire bubble directly to the top (2738m) and follow the signs into Meribel. You also have the choice to ski into Mottaret. The red Mauduit piste is over 1000m and was made famous by ex world Champion Georges Mauduit (a local) who was runner up to Jean Claude Killy in the 66 Olympics. It is a fabulous run down, and from here you can choose to ski back to la Chaudanne or make a slight detour and ski Meribel valley all the way down the pretty tree lined run to Meribel village. The Lodge du Village is a good apres ski bar at the bottom of the piste for a cool beer & live music.

Cruising

For some very pleasant cruising on usually uncrowded pistes the area above Courchevel 1650 is excellent. Take the Saulire bubble all the way to the top, from there descend into the Courchevel side down the red Creux. Having rounded the pronounced left hand bend towards the bottom of Creux look out for and take the Chanrossa chair climbing to your right. At the top of this chair you have the ski area of Courchevel 1650 before you, follow it down and explore.

Chalet highlights:

  • Top ski destination – Meribel, 3 Valleys.
  • Prime location – All chalets within minutes of the ski lift.
  • Delicious chalet catering & wine plentiful!
  • Friendly & personal service from start to finish.
  • All have hot tubs, cosy log fires, sun terraces.
  • Wifi at your fingertips, IPod docks, all bedrooms ensuite.

What our customers say

  • We were delighted with all aspects of our holiday in Chalet Les Sauges. Accommodation was first class and the sauna, steam room and jacuzzi were superb. The food was of the highest quality and the variety and quality was maintained throughout the week. All credit to Jamie and Natalia.

    Claire Richardson, 21 April 2019, Chalet Les Sauges Meribel

  • Just wanted to drop you a line to thank you for a wonderful holiday! In particularly Ellie and Hamish, were, happy, relaxed, thoughtful and kind! The food was amazing.The chalet spotless and everything always ready. Great to chat to and made us feel so comfortable and at home. Just perfect in every way.

    Debbie Stewart 18 Feb 2019 Chalet Covie, Meribel

  • Lovely chalet and fantastic location – just a minute to the main lift . Wonderful area to ski – we have been to Meribel quite a few times now and it never disappoints. Food delicious and facilities very good.

    Jenny Sanders, 09 Mar 2019, Chalet L'Erine, Meribel

  • We all had an excellent time in Chalet Foehn. It was lovely; cosy, homely and providing everything we needed. The resort was great. This was my first visit to Meribel and I'm impressed with the number and variety of the runs available over the three valleys. We managed to ski everyday albeit not quite all day every day. Particularly; I'd like to thank Jesse and Fiona, our hosts. They both looked after us brilliantly. The food was delicious, the packed lunches just right and the cakes wonderful. I am still shocked how nice vegan brownies can be!

    Nick Leigh, 25 Mar 2019 Chalet Foehn, Meribel

  • I can safely say that all 3 families, had an absolutely fantastic holiday from the time we arrived at the chalet to when we left. From the great customer service, that Janey afforded us while organising the holiday, to the face to face contact with you all while there. We have to make a very special mention to TJ and Abby who made our stay extra special and who were fabulous chalet hosts. They make the perfect team, both friendly and professional, ensuring that each and every one of us was catered for…which is quite a task given we had quite a few dietary requirements! Their food was excellent….the children deciding to eat with us rather than eating a separate menu is testimony to that!

    Richard Thomson, 01 Mar 2019, La Vieille Scierie, Meribel