3 Vallees - Brides-les-Bains (Meribel)

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.

Brides Gondola Opening Dates

Gondola opens 17/12/11 and closes mid April 2012

Meribel ski area opens from 17/12/11 – 27/04/2012

Télécabine de l’Olympe / Gondola opening

Mid December – Mid February: 8 h30 – 17h00

Mid February – Mid April: 8 h30 – 17h 30.

Follow the links below

Childcare in Meribel

"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!

Read more at: http://www.magnestick.net/securite-telesiege/en/2/operation.html

- 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 in Brides-les-Bains

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

For winter 2008/2009 the resort will have 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

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....

Eating Out and Après-Ski in Brides-les-Bains

5 Bars,9restaurants, 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….

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.

Other amenities in Brides-les-Bains

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.

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

Access to Brides-les-Bains   

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 – see timetable/prices/info.

Runs from 04/12/10-17/04/11 (bus 76 & 79 valid from 27/11/10-25/04/11, bus 72 & 77 valid on Saturday from 11/12/10-26/03/11). On 25/12, bus 76 & 79 only.

Leaves GVA airport at 10.00, 11.00, 12.15, 13.30, 14.30, 15.30, 16.45, 19.15.

Departs Brides – times to be confirmed. Book 2 days in advance with local tourist office. Tickets must be reserved with alpski-bus.com (not pre-bookable with Peak Retreats). Transfer time 3hrs. Cost when pre-booking online is €130 per adult return (cheaper prices for groups of 4 adults). Child is half adult rate (4-12yrs).

Access around Brides les Bains

A new intra resort free ski bus will be operating for winter 2008/2009. It will run daily between 8-10am and 4-8pm with buses approx every 15 mins.

Airport Transfer

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

Please enquire for prices 

For all other transfer prices please click here

Access Plan

Brides les Bains

Click on maps to enlarge

Resort Map

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.

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

The gondola from Brides to Meribel opens 08.30-17.00.

For 2011/2012 the upper stage of the Saulire gondola from Meribel is due to be replaced by a faster eight-seater meeting the cable car up from Courchevel. A new green run will link the mid station to the Blanchot piste to create a green run all way to the resort.

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.

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.

INTERMEDIATES

For intermediates, Meribel and 3 Valleys is considered a ‘paradise’ for you guys. 3 Valleys has extensive intermediate slopes with big lift networks.

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.

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. In good conditions you can ski off-piste to one of the mid-stations of the Olympe gondola at end of day (or in exceptional conditions down to Brides itself).

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.

Websites:  www.meribel.net and www.les3vallees.com/

Brides les Bains (Meribel) Lift Passes

PRE-BOOK* your 3 Valleys or Meribel Lift Pass

* Proof of age is required - Under 5 and over 72 are free

PHOTO NECESSARY FOR +12 DAY and FREE PASSES (under 5 and over 75yrs)

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:

½ day - €30 children, €39 adults

Day - €37 children, €49 adults

Meribel Valley ski pass – ½ day and daily rates:

½ day - €25 children, €34 adults

Day - €30 children, €41 adults

Meribel Alpina/Mottaret – ½ day and daily rates:

½ day - €22 children, €29 adults

Day - €26 children, €35 adults

Mini Pass Meribel Valley –daily rates:

Day - €24

Brides (Meribel) Ski Schools

(NOT pre-bookable)

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 Group 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.

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

Tel: 0033 479 08 60 31

www.esf-meribel.com

Ski Hire Brides les Bains

Brides les Bains ski hire prices start from £37 for children (skis and boots) & £54 for adults (skis and boots) for 7 days. View here for Grand Bornand ski hire prices.

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 anew step-up to step-down obstacle and S-Box. A new beginner area was built last season (07/08) – mini jumps, boxes and even a small boardercross.

New: the Rider Pass. You can access to the Moon Park 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.

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

And for kids…

The P'tit Moon, Younger brother of the Moonpark, is specially designed for children from 5-10 years.

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

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.

*ALL PRE-BOOKABLE EXTRAS ARE PAYABLE TO PEAK RETREATS IN STERLING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. PRICES ARE IN £.

ANYTHING IN EUROS (€) WE ARE UNABLE TO PRE-BOOK AND

WILL BE PAYABLE LOCALLY.