Meribel has gained a reputation as one of Europe's top winter ski and snowboard resorts and is at the hub of the three valleys ski and snowboard domain. Meribel was originally built by an English skier after the Second World War and now the town has grown into a large commercial ski and snowboard resort spread across many different satellite villages. With a huge ski and snowboard area, extensive nightlife and a choice of cosmopolitan restaurants, Meribel has built a reputation as an upmarket winter snowsports resort for British and French holidaymakers.

The three Valleys ski and snowboard region makes up the worlds largest interconnected ski lift system. From Meribel's ski and snowboard area it is possible to descend into Courchevel and on the other side down to Val Thorens and Les Menuires. The sheer size of this area insures that skiers and snowboarders of all levels can find something suitable and challenging.

This region is a mecca for piste mileage enthusiasts who travel here year after year and yet never manage to experience every ski and snowboard run. A qualified ski instructor, snowboard teacher or mountain guide will let you make the most of this extensive region.

When the English skier Peter Lindsay started to build Meribel along with French ski racer Emile Allais the plan was to insure building regulations that kept the mood of the environment alongside traditional building techniques. Today these regulations are still in place and Meribel has managed to retain its alpine style feel. At the heart of the system is Meribel 1450 which contains the majority of the shops, bars and restaurants. This is also the starting point for the lift hub of La Chaudanne.

Meribel Village is actually a satellite hamlet and is much smaller than its counterpart. Above Meribel 1450 is the hamlet of Meribel Mottaret, a newer collection of chalets and apartments with a smaller selection of amenities than Meribel 1450 but great access to snow sure slopes. Alternative accommodation can be found in Les Allues, an older hamlet directly below Meribel 1450 that has a local feel and traditional ambiance. Further down the Valley is the spa town of Brides Les Bains that is connected by cable car to Meribel.