The heart of the 3 Vallées — Méribel sits in the middle of the world's largest ski area, giving you the most direct access to Courchevel, Val Thorens and Les Menuires from a single base. Tree-lined runs, sunny southerly aspect, and a lively village.
Méribel is the ideal base for intermediate skiers in the 3 Vallées — it sits at the centre of the world's largest ski area, giving easy access to Courchevel, Val Thorens, and Les Menuires on a single pass. The resort's own blue runs are among the best-maintained in France, with long, wide pistes that hold their grooming all day. This guide covers the best easy and intermediate blue runs in Méribel, from the classic Sittelle cruise at Mottaret to the quieter forest blues above Méribel Village.
Blue runs (12) tap any run to zoom in on map
Easy Blue Blue Blue+ (tough)
Loze chairlift or Tougnète gondola
BD de Loze (Boulevard de la Loze) runs beneath the Col de la Loze — the high ridge at 2,304m that connects Méribel with Courchevel. The Loze chairlift or Tougnète gondola gets you up to the mid-mountain area. The run is tree-lined for much of its length, making it an excellent option in poor visibility or wind.
One of the most popular blues in Méribel — long, flowing, tree-lined. The forest section keeps the snow quality good even in warm weather. A classic intermediate cruise that you can lap comfortably all morning.
Tougnète gondola or Altiport chairlift
Marmotte (named after the Alpine marmot) runs through the sunny mid-mountain plateau above Méribel village. The Tougnète gondola from Méribel centre takes you up to the start. Wide, open terrain with classic 3 Vallées views. Named after the alpine marmot — you may actually spot them popping out of the snow in spring from late March onwards.
A very relaxed, wide blue with the gentle pitch that makes it perfect for finding your rhythm. The sunny aspect means it warms up nicely from mid-morning. One of the runs locals point beginners toward on their first day in Méribel.
Plattières gondola (Méribel-Mottaret)
Sittelle is one of the most popular blue runs in Méribel — a 3.8km descent from the top of the Plattières gondola at Mottaret. The Plattières gondola departs from Méribel-Mottaret, the upper village (take the free valley shuttle from Méribel Centre, about 10 mins). The run snakes back down toward Mottaret through open terrain with excellent views of the 3 Vallées.
Described consistently as an 'ideal cruise' — gentle, long, well-maintained. One of the defining runs of Méribel for intermediate skiers. The aspect means it holds its snow well throughout the day. A run you will lap all morning without getting bored.
Tougnète gondola + Tougnète 2 chairlift
Take the Tougnète 1 gondola from La Chaudanne (Méribel Centre) and then the Tougnète 2 chairlift to the summit at around 2,434m. The Faon blue runs from here with views over both Méribel and the Belleville valley toward Les Menuires. Encouragingly straightforward as a first venture to the summit.
Multiple sources describe this as the best 'first summit run' in Méribel — the views are extraordinary and the gradient is genuinely easy. After Faon, you can pick up the Perdrix green to return gently to Mottaret. A brilliant combination for building confidence at altitude.
Golf or Morel chairlifts (Méribel Centre)
Lapin (French for rabbit) is accessed from the Golf or Morel chairlifts above Méribel Centre — easy to reach from La Chaudanne. It drops through the trees toward Méribel Village on a wide, gentle, consistently pitched blue. One of the quieter runs in the resort because most skiers head to the higher terrain.
Méribel's own official description calls it 'calm and pleasant' with 'few people on it' — which is exactly what you want on a blue. Wide, tree-lined, and perfect for focusing on technique without pressure. The views of the ski area opening up as you descend through the trees are lovely.
Combes 1 or Combes 2 chairlifts (Mottaret)
The Combes runs are the backbone of the Mottaret area — two chairlifts serve this sector and the blue pistes connect between the Tougnète sector and Plattières. Wide, well-groomed, and consistently pitched. This is where intermediate skiers spend most of their time in Mottaret.
The Combes area is the heartland of intermediate skiing in Méribel-Mottaret. Reliably excellent grooming, good gradient, and the lifts are fast so you get more runs in. Perfect for building up mileage and confidence across a full day.
Saulire Express or Vizelle (from Méribel via La Chaudanne)
Blanchots drops from the Saulire area — the high ridge between Méribel and Courchevel at around 2,700m — back down toward Méribel Centre. Accessed via the Saulire Express from La Chaudanne or by traversing from the Courchevel side. A longer run with a more alpine character.
One of the more satisfying blues in Méribel because it feels like a proper mountain descent — you start high, the views are enormous, and the run has real length. The gradient is friendly throughout. Worth doing at least once in a trip for the perspective it gives you on the whole ski area.
Tougnète 1 gondola → Tougnète 2 chairlift
Les Castors (the beavers) runs from the Tougnète area back toward Méribel Centre — a wide, open blue that multiple experienced Méribel guides describe as one of the best skiing runs in the resort for technique practice. Accessed via the Tougnète gondola from La Chaudanne. Tends to be quiet all day.
Described by local chalet operators as their all-time favourite run for technique — 'wide-open topography and long easy corners, fantastic first thing in the morning and quiet all day.' If you only have one run to do in the Tougnète area, this is the one.
Altiport chairlift or Rhodos gondola (Méribel Centre)
Truite (trout) is accessed from the Altiport chairlifts above Méribel Centre — a 5 minute walk from La Chaudanne, the main lift hub. It winds through trees above the village on a consistently easy gradient. One of the least-busy blues in the resort because most skiers head straight to the higher terrain.
Méribel's quietest easy blue — a gentle, tree-lined descent that gives you space to focus on your skiing without distraction. The forest setting makes it ideal on any day but especially in light snowfall when the higher terrain is in cloud. A hidden gem in a busy resort.
Saulire Express (from La Chaudanne or Mottaret)
Gélinotte (a type of grouse) starts from the Saulire ridge — the highest point in the Méribel ski area at around 2,700m, bordering Courchevel. The Saulire Express chairs go up from La Chaudanne. Gélinotte is the blue option from the summit, running a long way down the mountain back toward Méribel.
The most ambitious blue in Méribel — starting from 2,700m and running a long way down the mountain. The summit views over both Méribel and Courchevel are extraordinary. The run stays consistently manageable despite starting from such height. A genuine top-to-bottom experience.
Tougnète or Loze chairlift area
Renard (fox) is in the mid-mountain area between the Tougnète and Loze sectors — at the crossroads where the Méribel ski area connects toward Courchevel. A rolling, well-pitched blue with good views of the valley below.
One of the most pleasant mid-mountain blues in Méribel — the rolling terrain makes it satisfying to ski at any speed. Good for practising linked turns on an obliging gradient.
Combes 1 or 2 chairlifts (Mottaret)
Lièvre (hare) is one of the classic Mottaret blues, running parallel to the Sittelle — the two main blue runs descending from the Plattières gondola area back to Mottaret. Slightly more character than Sittelle but still well within the blue grading.
If you've lapped Sittelle enough times, Lièvre gives you the same general descent with a different line and slightly more variety. The two runs together make for an excellent morning of laps from the Plattières gondola.
Méribel is more charming than the purpose-built resorts in the 3 Vallées — it was developed by a British officer after World War II with strict rules on chalet-style architecture, so it looks like a proper Alpine village rather than a collection of concrete blocks. The resort runs from Méribel Village at 1,450m up to Méribel-Mottaret at 1,750m. Mottaret is more convenient for skiing; Village is more characterful.
Chalet-style village · British-friendly · Central 3 Vallées access · Lively après
Méribel Village is prettier but you'll take a bus to the main lifts every morning.
Stay in Méribel-Mottaret for the easiest slope access and to avoid the shuttle between the two villages.
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