How to spend your downdays in Méribel!
Although we still maintain that the best thing for non-skiers to do in Méribel is to book a lesson, we are beginning to realise that not everyone lives, eats & breathes skiing like we do! And so here follows your light-hearted guide to non-ski activities in Méribel
Husky-sledding
Getting pulled around in a sleigh by four “wolves” is truly remarkable…the noise when they are getting read to “mush” is an experience in itself!
Expected time: 1 hour to 1.5 hours
Fun factor: 10/10
Snow-mobiling
Also known as ski-dooing or sledding. Available for adults and children on special routes around the Méribel and the Three Valleys, this is a thrilling way to spend some time.
Expected time: 2 hours
Fun factor: 10/10
Cinema
Méribel has its own cinema which is commonly regarded as the best place to watch films.
Expected time: 2 hours.
Fun factor: Depends on film and snack consumed
Snow-shoeing
Even though this is better with skis/ board on your back for finding a secret powder stash, snow-shoeing is great fun especially as part of a group and along some of the beautiful trails in Méribel.
Expected time: 30 minutes to 3 hours.
Fun factor: 8/10
Non snow-sports @ the Olympic Centre in La Chaudanne
Ice-skating: Aspiring Jane Torvills and Christopher Deans can strut their stuff at the ice rink in the Olympic Centre in Méribel
Swimming: See above but add 30˚C and subtract clothes and blades
Climbing Wall: Climb. A wall.
Gym: Lift…run…jump…sweat. And then bore your chalet mates with details of every second of your work-out, which muscles you used, how much weight you lifted, how good it makes you feel and how we should all be working out too.
Expected time: 30 mins to 2 hours.
Fun factor: 4/10 (gym) to 10/10 (ice-skating)
Pampering
Visit one of the sauna or spa facilities on offer in Méribel or book a massage or beauty treatment in your chalet.
Expected time: 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Fun factor: 10/10 (for women) & 6/10 (for men)
Ten-pin Bowling
Ever wanted to throw like Woody Harrelson in Kingpin?! The bowling alley “Le Canadien” at the Olympic Centre in Méribel is a great place to start. As well as the six “alleys” there is a host of other shiny things: games arcade, pool tables and air hockey. And, of course, a bar – this is France after all…!
Expected time: 1 hours to 3 hours.
Fun factor: 10/10 (for under 14s) & 6/10 (for over 14s)
There are of course many other things that don’t warrant a category to themselves such as walking the hills amongst stunning scenery, whiling away an afternoon watching the skiers in a slope-side bar or people-watching in a café in the centre of Méribel.