I had a week of the most incredible ski holiday in March 2017 at French Alps, Three Valleys, Méribel Montarret. It is located in the Savoy region of the French Alpes, the Three Valleys ski area offers more than 600km of ski slopes shared by 8 ski resorts: Courchevel, La Tania, Brides Les Bains, Méribel, Orelle, Les Menuires, Val Thorens and Saint Martin De Belleville! Such a versatile offer is hard to find elsewhere in the Alps. The Three Valleys ski area has more than 200 ski lifts and over 1200 snow canons and you can ski on the powdery snow in the skiing paradise of the Three Valleys until May.

The elegant ski resort of Meribel is perfectly located in the heart of the Three Valleys ski area, allowing skiers and snowboarders to explore new ski slopes every day and venture into Val Thorens and Courchevel. Meribel has a privileged location which allows access to a wide variety of pistes within the Three Valleys ski area, the largest in the world, with its state of the art lift system. I was staying at Meribel Montarret, which is above Meribel and closer to the slopes. 

Meribel Village Center

The best ski slopes at Meribel are probably on the Mont Vallon, which offers several unforgettable red runs, including the famous Combe du Vallon. Meribel is primarily a ski holiday destination of excellence for advanced skiers, although hikers and cross-country skiers will also find plenty to keep them busy here too. 

Meribel's centre consists of traditional, chalet-style buildings which create a harmony with the surrounding mountain landscapes and a pleasant laid-back atmosphere.

French Gourmet shop in Meribel

Snow is pretty much guaranteed in the vast Three Valleys ski area due to the high altitudes. However, the best snow can be found on the slopes of Courchevel as most of the slopes are north facing. The ski slopes in the Three Valleys ski area are always immaculately groomed even after heavy snowfalls. The lift system is ultra modern and long queues at the ski lifts are rare - only to be seen during the highest peaks of the ski season. 

The Three Valleys ski area is so vast that you sometimes have the impression you are skiing on private ski slopes as there seems to be no-one else around! There are some fantastic facilities for snowboarders with some world-class snow parks in all the different parts of the Three Valleys area too. Courchevel's ski area is one of the most popular in Les Trois Vallées with some unforgettable skiing for most levels. If you want a day off from skiing, Courchevel offers many activities: its Olympic skating rink, dog sledge rides, helicopter flights... In Courchevel, the possibilities are endless! The apres-ski and nightlife are as varied as the different ski resorts with a very laid back atmosphere in Le Praz compared with the very lively, the jet set feels in Courchevel and a more accessible to everyone scene in Courchevel Moriand.

We had the most amazing Weather. At some points, it was + 20 C. Sun was shining bright and strong; my face got very tanned.

Every day we woke up at 7.00 am then had some breakfast, even there I had to spend a few hours working, and hopefully by 9.00 am we went up with ski lift to the untouched track. Incredible feeling, so we keep skiing until 12.00 and then we had french gourmet lunch. Every day we went to different restaurants but the food was great everywhere. After lunch, we skied almost until 16.00. I was following my skiing on my Fitbit and every day the very minimum I made were 10 000 steps and 2 h of active exercise. I past over 100 000 steps in 6 days and I skied in between 30 to 50 km every single day. This was like a training camp, fantastic skiing camp. Of course, you drop in bed after dinner quickly happy awaiting the next day and waking up with smiling face and view of the snowy mountain tops.

17 degrees in Tree Valleys

The apres-ski activities are numerous and varied in the Three Valleys, and there’s something for all tastes. Whether you’re looking to dance the afternoon away on a sun-drenched terrace on the slopes in Méribel, pamper yourself in a relaxing natural spa in Brides Les Bains or try out something different like dog sledding in Tania, you’ll be spoilt for choice when deciding which ski resort in Les Trois Vallées to choose for your next ski holidays.

French food is so gourmet in every restaurant! Of course, I tried lamb, and hot cheese with salad, potatoes all rounded up with an exquisite red wine.

In morning croissants and crepes, were my daily sins that I couldn't resist.

I discover my favourite dessert was a snowball pudding, White whipped eggs are boiled in water with the added vanilla source. Yummy!

French food is just great so tasty and french

The ski resort of Courchevel is made up of 5 smaller resorts at different altitudes which make up the many-faceted personalities of this resort. The names of the individual ski resort were recently changed. Courchevel 1850 (now simply Courchevel) is set in the forest and is characterised by its large, stylish chalet-style buildings and also by its many exclusive establishments. Courchevel 1650 (now known as Courchevel Moriand) is less exuberant, but nevertheless, enjoys a great position close to the surrounding green and blue ski runs. Courchevel 1550 (now Courchevel Village) and Courchevel 1300 (renamed as Le Praz) are quieter and offer much cheaper ski accommodation, with traditional mountain chalets, attractive narrow streets and lots of charm - perfect for relaxed family holidays. 

Courchevel

in the high altitude, the sporty ski resort of Val Thorens in Les Trois Vallées, events move at high speed just like the skiers on the slopes with events such as the Rock On Snowboard Tour, the Andros Trophy and World Championship of Ski Cross, to mention just a few! In the chic resort of Courchevel, the Festival des Saveurs (Festival of Flavors) brings together chefs, many of which have been awarded Michelin stars, to celebrate fine food in the mountains. In the ski resort of Les Menuires, off-piste fanatics of all levels can discover the Liberty Ride area, an area of ungroomed which has been secured for a 100% off-piste ski experience in the safest possible conditions in the heart of Les Trois Vallées. Those looking for a real adrenalin rush should try the giant zip wire located at 3000 meters of altitude with spectacular views over the Trois Vallées area – not for the faint-hearted!

Annika Urm is a journalist, blogger, the director of i-Marbella.com, and her job is to report emotional experiences and facts in the best possible way. Annika is a modern entrepreneur, a business lady of high standards and exquisite taste. Annika's incredible performance is best described in her numerous followers (more than 100,000.00 each month).