Brides-les-Bains ski holiday specialist with ski apartments and hotel. Book Le Grand Hotel des Thermes, Golf hotel, Cybele apartments with Peak Retreats

Brides-les-Bains

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Ski area: 3 Valleys, France
Resort height: 600m
Resort top height: 3300m

3 Valleys
(Val Thorens, Orelle, Les Menuires, St Martin, Courchevel, La Tania, Meribel, Brides)
Km piste: 600
Lifts: 180
Snow cannons: 2091 (1/3 ski area)
Snow parks: Various

No. of slopes: 336

	49		135
	118		34

Beginners
Intermediates
Experts
Boarders

Driving distance from Calais: 589 miles (8hrs 22)

resort info

Brides-les-Bains is a lovely French Savoyard town created in 1848 and renowned for its slimming cures and spa.
The high-speed Olympe gondola lift connects Brides-les-Bains to the bottom of the slopes in Meribel in 25 mins and then allows access directly to the heart of the famous 3 Vallees ski area (Meribel, Meribel Mottaret, Courchevel, Les Menuires, and Val Thorens).

Brides-les-Bains has a number of bars and restaurants as well as two nightclubs and the only casino of the Three Valleys, all with prices well below those of Meribel and Courchevel.

For non-skiers or après-ski relaxation it is possible to relax in the brand new large spa centre which offers traditional oriental baths, aromatics steam rooms and saunas.

Brides-les-Bains is widely recognised as offering an exceptional value for money gateway to one of the world’s most prestigious ski area.

Opening Dates
Child Care
Activities
Apres Ski/Eating
Access
Resort News
Other Amenities

Opening Dates

Gondola from Brides les Bains to Meribel (25 min ride) opens 21/12/12 and closes 21/04/13

Télécabine de l’Olympe / Gondola opening same as above

Runs from 8.30am-5.30pm

Child Care

"Les Saturnins" day nursery
"Les Saturnins", in the Olympic Centre, caters for children from 18 months to 3 years.
They are introduced to indoor games and handicrafts, or outdoor activities, such as sledding or other snow games. Book in advance.
0033 479 08 66 90
Le Parc Olympique - La Chaudanne
73550 Méribel

esfmeribel@wanadoo.fr

Half day - €23-25

6 half –days €118-135

6 days - €224

‘Magnestick’ System in Meribel-Mottaret

Meribel-Mottaret also benefits from lifts using the ‘Magnestick’ system.

This is a reasonably new concept to keep children safe while using the chairlifts. As soon as the metallic plate in the back protector (worn like a backpack on a child’s back) comes into contact with the magnet on the chairlift, the child is ‘attached’ to the seat. The aim is to protect children at each stage of the chairlift transport process!

- Combes (4 person detachable doppel, 2 places magnesticked)

- Arolles (4 person Fixed Gripp skirail, 1 place magnesticked)

- Chatelet (6 person detachable poma, 1 place magnesticked)

- Plan des mains (6pax detachable leitner, 1 place magnesticked)

With the two PAS DU LAC and PLATTIERES gondola lifts, you will be able to ski freely and safely with your children over practically the whole Méribel-Mottaret ski area. A "mini-pass" ski pass will also be available for skiing on this part of the ski area.

Activities

Dog sledding, climbing, fishing, paragliding, ice skating, ice climbing, Olympic ski runs, mountain flying, snowshoeing, snow hiking, ice driving, ski jump, spa.

The resort has free daily entertainment in the village main square with local specialties tasting. Welcome drink with mulled wine is also in the village main square on Sundays at around 4.30pm.

Ice rink in Meribel

Parc Olympique de la Chaudanne (Méribel)

Open mid Dec to April

Open to 14 h 00 – 19 h 30 (Weds 16 h 00 – 19 h 30).

Nights Tuesday and Thursday until 21 h 30.

Large Spa next to Grand Hotel des Thermes

http://www.spa-brideslesbains.com//

Brides-les-Bains is renowned for its slimming cures. After skiing it is possible to relax in the spa centre for some massage and hydro-therapic treatments.

As France's leading slimming Spa resort, Brides has become the must for recharging batteries and getting back into shape.
Brides-les-Bains Spa opens its doors from 3 pm, with a surface area of 1500 m² dedicated to the well-being, set against an oriental backdrop... It is the biggest Spa in the French Alps...

Markets

73600 Moûtiers

From Sunday 01 January to Monday 31 December 2012: every Tuesday, every Wednesday and every Friday
From Tuesday 01 January to Tuesday 31 December 2013: every Tuesday and every Friday

Meribel Shuttle (NEW!)

Place du Centenaire (Brides les Bains) - Parc Olympique de la Chaudanne (Meribel)
Phone: +33 (0)4 79 55 20 64
Every Tuesday, Brides-les-Bains give you an oppurtunity to spend an evening in Meribel with its shuttle.

Opening periods:
From 21/12/12 to 21/04/13: every Tuesday (Coming soon). FREE!

All the above information is for information only. For the most up-to-date information please visit the resort tourist office website

Brides-les-Bains Tourist Office

BP 28, 73572 Brides les Bains.

Tel. 00 33 4 79 55 20 64, Fax. 00 33 4 7 55 20 40

Website: www.brides-les-bains.com

For useful information on Meribel also check www.meribel-unplugged.co.uk

Apres Ski/Eating

5 Bars, 9 restaurants, casino, nightclubs, cinema, shops, tea rooms. Two or thee evenings per week the tourist office organises themed evenings with entertainment like live concerts, pool tournaments, darts competitions, karaoke….

In Meribel - The Choucas restaurant mear the mid-station of the Saulire gondola is to be redesigned to become a new Folie Douce.

Low Price Wednesdays 12/13!

During ski season, every Wednesdays, access to low prices in shops, restaurants and pubs. Participating outlets only.

Clubs:

« Le Cythère »

Quartier de l’Olympe

Open from Mid Dec to Mid April, everyday from 4-7pm and then 10pm-4am

« Blue Night »

Casino – Esplanade des Thermes

Open end of Nov to April

Friday and Saturday from 10pm to 4am.

Rue Emile Machet

Restaurants

La grillade
Immeuble le royal
Quartier du vieux brides
Pizzeria

BBQ Bar
Esplanade des Thermes
Themed restaurant

La Petite Auberge
Rue Emile Machet
Themed restaurant

Le Chalet des Arcades
Rue Aristide Briand
Themed restaurant

La Montagne
Rue Emile Machet
Pizzeria, Crêperie

Le Parisien
Rue Aristide Briand
Brasserie

Pizza Man

Fast food

Access

By Road: Driving Distance from Calais to Brides-les-Bains 568 miles or 8hrs. Motorways access to Moutiers (6km from Brides-les-Bain)

By Rail:

Lyon – Moutiers: 2hrs30; Turin – Moutiers: 4hrs; Paris – Moutiers: 4hrs30

Airports:

Chambery Airport is 91km from Brides-les-Bains (1 hour)

www.chambery-airport.com

Grenoble Airport is 160km from Brides-les-Bains (1 ¾ hours)

www.grenoble-airport.com

Lyon St Exupery is 167km from Brides-les-Bains (1 ¾ hours)

www.lyonairport.com

Geneva Airport is 170km from Brides-les-Bains (1 ¾ hours)

www.gva.ch/en

Bus transfers from Geneva Airport

Eight buses run from 01/12/12-14/04/13 (1 of these runs 24/11-20/04, another 25/11-21/04 and 2 other 08/12-23/03). Book 2 days in advance with local tourist office for return. Tickets must be reserved with www.alpski-bus.com (not pre-bookable with Peak Retreats). Transfer time 3hrs. Cost when pre-booking online is roughly €138 per adult return (cheaper prices for groups of 4 adults). Child is half adult rate (4-12yrs). Change bus at Moutiers for Brides.

Timetable and prices 12/13

Access around Brides les Bains

Free Ski shuttle from Brides-les-Bains accomodation to Olympe gondola.

From 21/12/12 to 14/04/13: runs daily (8.15am-12.00pm / 4.30pm-6.45pm, every 10/15 min).

Meribel Shuttle (NEW!)

Opening periods:
From 21/12/12 to 21/04/13: every Tuesday (Coming soon). FREE!

Airport Transfer

Pre-book your taxi transfer with Peak Retreats to Brides-les-Bains.

For transfer prices please click here

Resort News

	Events in Brides les Bains		Date(s)

	Meribel is preparing to host two Alpine Ski World Cup Ladies’s events on the 23rd and 24th February 2013. The Downhill event will take place on Saturday 23rd and Super Combined on Sunday 24th.

Other 12/13

	New Saulire Express Gondola Méribel Alpina invested this summer 2012 for your skiing convenience. In December 2011 you will be able to discover the first stage of the new Saulire Express gondola lift (the second stage was completed in December 2011). 8-seat cabins will carry you to the summit of Saulire in just 12 minutes, from where you can admire a magnificent panoramic view over les 3 Vallées.

	Courchevel/La Tania/Méribel-Mottaret always on top of technology for skiers safety - three years after the development of Magnestick®KID - special safety for kids transportation on chairlift - La Société des 3 Vallées (S3V) who operates Courchevel / La Tania/ Méribel-Mottaret resorts will be the first skiing area in the world with 100% of chairlifts equiped with the very new Magnestick®BAR. Magnestick®BAR is the universal safety bar locking system. This innovative system can be adapted on all brands and all types of chairlifts. It works with the same "magnestism" technololy than Magnestick®KID. When the passenger pull down the safety bar, the bar locks automatically. It is then impossible to pull up the safety bar. It is automatically unlocked just before the arrival station. So no passenger can pull up the bar very far from the arrival and make other passengers uncomfortable.

	Plattières Gondola Lift company S3V started work this summer 2012 on a new Plattières gondola lift. This will replace the first two stages of the existing gondola lift with a single stage lift, to be completed for winter 2012-13. The lift will reach the summit of Plattières 2 in just 9 minutes (instead of 22 mins), carrying 2700 skiers per hour in 8-seat cabins.

	2015 World Ski Cup The Grand-Duc piste has undergone improvements in preparation for the 2015 World Ski Cup. Part of the finals will take place on this ski run, which now has a more progressive gradient and less abrupt drops. It will be enjoyed even by those who are not champion racers!

	Ski resorts descent The descent to the Chaudanne via Bourbon Busset piste has also been made more accessible. This piste is now less of a challenge, especially where it merges with the bottom of the Mauduit run. The descent to Méribel Mottaret via La Martre piste has been reshaped. The aim is to become more accessible for beginners and intermediate skiers, to make the return to resort easier.

	The Choucas restaurant mear the mid-station of the Saulire gondola is to be redesigned to become a new Folie Douce.

Other Amenities

Bank, bakery, shops, hairdresser, vet (in Bozel or Moutiers), doctor, chemist, perfume shop, mini market (Spar open 7 h30 – 12h00 / 15h00 – 19h 30), tabac, newsagent, gift shop, garage, laundrette, pharmacy, post office.

ski info

The Meribel valley is part of the largest ski area in the World: The 3 valleys ski area, with slopes that are suitable for all abilities, 220 ski lifts, 600km of slopes between 600m up to 3200m and 1300 snow cannons.
To the West on the Saulire slope, you will meet up with the valley of Courchevel and La Tania while to the East you can discover the Belleville valley with Les Menuires, Saint Martin de Belleville and Val Thorens. There are nine high points on the ridges above Meribel - two entry points to Courchevel valley, six entry points to the Belleville valley.

Additional ski fact info, main ski info in resort facts box at top of page.

Meribel Valley

Km	150
No. of slopes 74
	11
	33
	21
	9

BRIDES LES BAINS SKI AREA

There is no skiing in Brides itself so the high speed gondola from the village (built for the Olympics) takes you to Meribel where you have access to the 3 Valleys ski domain. South of Mottaret are some of the best slopes in the Valley (Plattieres-Vallon sector).

For children, Meribel-Mottaret also benefits from the ‘Magnestick’ lift system. See more information on the ‘Resort’ section above under Childcare.

Courchevel/La Tania/Méribel-Mottaret always on top of technology for skiers safety - three years after the development of Magnestick®KID - special safety for kids transportation on chairlift - La Société des 3 Vallées (S3V) who operates Courchevel / La Tania/ Méribel-Mottaret resorts will be the first skiing area in the world with 100% of chairlifts equiped with the very new Magnestick®BAR.

Magnestick®BAR is the universal safety bar locking system. This innovative system can be adapted on all brands and all types of chairlifts. It works with the same "magnestism" technololy than Magnestick®KID. When the passenger pull down the safety bar, the bar locks automatically. It is then impossible to pull up the safety bar. It is automatically unlocked just before the arrival station. So no passenger can pull up the bar very far from the arrival and make other passengers uncomfortable.

Most of the slopes in Meribel are above the tree-line but there are some sheltered runs for bad weather days.

Some of the best slopes can be found in the Plattieres-Vallon sector just south of Mottaret.

Gondola breakfast - Morning, at Olympe gondola, the resort provides with a breakfast to start your ski day at the top!

At the end of the day return is by the gondola back down to Brides. There are off-piste routes you can ski to mid-stations (so only catching half the gondola ride down) if conditions are good or if conditions are exceptionally good you can actually ski off-piste to Brides itself.

BRIDES LES BAINS BEGINNERS

For beginners Meribel has a few excellent slopes and beginners areas including three enclosed areas (‘Zen Zones’) at Plattieres, above Mottaret. There is an excellent long green run (wide, tree lined and gentle) at Altiport. A green run goes from the mid-station of the Saulire gondola so that novices are able to ski from that point.

BRIDES LES BAINS INTERMEDIATES

For intermediates, Meribel and 3 Valleys is considered a ‘paradise’ for you guys. 3 Valleys has extensive intermediate slopes with big lift networks. For less adventurous intermediates, the Sittelle blue run from the top of the new Plattieres gondola back down towards Mottaret is an ideal cruise.

BRIDES LES BAINS EXPERTS

For experts, you are well catered for! The “Face” run was built for the women’s downhill in 1992 Olympics. There are steep runs running from Tougnete back to Méribel. Also Mont du Vallon has lots to offers for experts.

BRIDES LES BAINS OFF-PISTE

There are lots of runs suitable for the more accomplished. Mont Vallon offers a big choice of routes –quite steep at top with easier slopes from the middle.

BRIDES LES BAINS SNOWBOARDERS

Meribel is a favourite amongst the British snowboarders with good, varied terrain and tree runs. Steep free riding can be found untracked on Mont du Vallon. Lots of red runs for intermediate boarders and plenty of blues and greens for those starting out.

Ski Hire
Ski Passes
Ski School
Activities

Ski Hire

Brides les Bains ski hire prices start from £33 for children (skis and boots) & £47 for adults (skis and boots) for 7 days. View here for Brides les Bains ski hire prices.

Ski Passes

PRE-BOOK* your 3 Valleys or Meribel Lift Pass

Lift Pass Brides 12/13	Vallée de Meribel (1)				Three Valleys(2)				PHOTO NECESSARY FOR FREE PASSES (under 5 and 75yrs and over) and +12 DAY	Proof of age is compulsory for Seniors and children under 5 + Family offers; please bring ID when collecting lift-passes.
	22/12/12 to 19/4/13				22/12/12 to 19/4/13
	3 days	4 days	5 days	6 days	3 days	4 days	5 days	6 days
Adult (13-64yrs)	£108	£137	£163	£178	£130	£171	£208	£218
Child (5-12yrs)	£87	£110	£130	£143	£104	£137	£167	£175
Senior (65-74yrs)	£98	£124	£147	£161	£117	£154	£104	£197
Under 5 and +75yrs	free	free	free	free	free	free	free	free
FAMILY 4*	n/a	n/a	n/a	£571	n/a	n/a	n/a	£699
FAMILY 5*	n/a	n/a	n/a	£714	n/a	n/a	n/a	£874
TRIBU**	n/a	n/a	n/a	£170	n/a	n/a	n/a	£206
FAMILY OFFER ( min 6 days): 2 adults + 2 (or 3) children under 18 - (applies to people with same name, living at the same address; extra children under 18yrs, see child price (5-12) *TRIBU: minimum 3 people (price per person)

(1) Vallée de Meribel: 150km of pistes - (2) 3 Valleys: 200 lifts, 600km of pistes

PLEASE NOTE: Your hands-free lift pass cards will be sent to you with your voucher pack, so you won’t have to queue at the lift pass office with a voucher on arrival.

SPECIAL OFFER: 50% OFF ANY 3 VALLEES PASS FOR THE WEEK OF 12/01/13 - Book before 1/11/12

FREE PASSES!

Children under 5 and seniors over 74 receive a FREE lift pass.

Note: Proof of age will be required for reduced price passes.

The Olympe gondola lift connects Brides-les-Bains to the foot of the main slopes at Meribel and then allows access directly to the heart of the famous 3 Vallees ski area. The gondola runs from 08.30 to 17.00 (17.30 from February to the end of the season) everyday and the ride is 25 minutes to Meribel.

The Meribel & 3 Vallees lift passes include use of the Olympe gondola.

Other lift pass on offer (to buy locally in resort in Euros):

3 Valleys ski pass – ½ day and daily rates 12/13:

½ day - €35.20 children, €44 adults

Day - €42.40 children, €53 adults

Meribel Valley ski pass – ½ day and daily rates 12/13:

½ day - €29.20 children, €36.50 adults

Day - €35.20 children, €44 adults

Mini Pass Meribel Valley –daily rates 12/13:

Day - €5

Ski School

There are a number of Ski Schools in Meribel including Generation Ski School Meribel, Snow Systems, Sensations 3 Vallees Ski Instructors & Mountain Guides. Please however ensure your lessons start at La Chaudanne.

ESF Meribel Lessons

Not pre-bookable via Peak Retreats.

Private lessons also available from the ski school and include heli-skiing (In Switzerland or Italy), Glacier skiing, Ski Touring, in whatever discipline you choose: Alpine skiing, Carving, Snowboard, Freestyle, Télémark, Snow Blades, Cross Country, or Snowshoe outings.

Private Lesson guidelines prices 12/13 (lunch time):
12.30 to 2.00 pm (up to 4 people)

1h30 Adults & child level 3* and above - €87.00-€96.00

1h30 Child level beginner to 2** - €72.00-€81.00

1h30 Kids snowboard - €87.00-€96.00

Group lessons from €140 per person for 5 half days

Please contact ESF Meribel direct to make a ski school booking:

Tel: 0033 479 08 60 31

www.esf-meribel.com

Activities

Terrain Parks

There are two parks in this area. The main Moonpark is accessed by the Arpasson draglift (www.moonpark.net). It includes a triple kicker line for all levels with smooth take-offs, and the rails are advanced. There is a step-up to step-down obstacle and S-Box. There is a beginners area – mini jumps, boxes and even a small boardercross.

New: the Rider Pass. You can access to the Moon Park (10 hecs) and the Snow Park of les Plattières. Price: 24 €.

Skilift access: Olympe and Tougnete gondola, Plan de l'Homme chairlift, Arpasson draglift, Combes and Chatelet chairlift, Cittelles draglift.

Off-piste - A new Moon Ride area! Situated under the new Tougnete skilift. Be careful! These areas remain off-piste.

Snowpark des Plattières

Created in 1995, this 6 hectares snowpark is the oldest of the 3 Valleys. It stretches between 2100 and 2400meter high at the heart of the Mottaret ski area. Famous for its big half pipes, it is adapted to the majority of skiers and snowboarders.

And for kids…

The P'tit Moon, Younger brother of the Moonpark, is specially designed for children from 7-12 years who are good skiers.

It has a miniature boardercross which allows kids to progress in complete safety on the banked turns and whoops.

For those with less confidence

Ski Cool

Cool skiing, a quiet space for skiing. Ideal to learn and improve your ski.

Zen Zones

To enhance ski run safety, Méribel has created ZEN Zones for families and skiers lacking in confidence.

Cross-country ski

Méribel, Courchevel and La Tania offers 90km (55 miles) of cross-country tracks: green and blue for beginners, red for confirmed nordic skiers.

33 km in the Méribel Valley, over two free magnificent sites: in the Natural Reserve of cembro pines at Lake Tuéda (Méribel-Mottaret), and in the Altiport protected forest, starting point of the 8 km (5 miles) track to Courchevel.

Méribel

• Blue Track
Long. 5 km - Déniv. 110 m
Start: Restaurant Le Blanchot.
Technical track in forest.

• Red Track
Long. 10 km - Déniv. 230 m
Start: Restaurant Le Blanchot.
Technical track.

Méribel-Mottaret

• Green Track
Long. 3 km - Déniv. 20 m
Starts: Parking of Plan Ravet, or the Piou-Piou kindergarten.

• Blue Track
Long. 5 km - Déniv. 100 m
Starts: Parking of Plan Ravet, or the Piou-Piou kindergarten.

Other Accommodation In: Brides-les-Bains

Chalet Villard (Meribel)
Luxury, high spec chalet. 390m2
Sleeps 8 (4 en-suite bedrooms)
The imposing ‘Villard’ chalet is located near the old historical centre of Meribel in the hamlet of Les Allues.

Golf Hotel
4* Hotel. Sleeps 2-3
Sauna/Jacuzzi
Located close to the town centre of Brides with easy access to the shops, it is also just 200m from the Olympe gondola.