Mottaret – in the heart of the Trois Vallées Méribel-Mottaret (1700 m)

Situated 1,700 metres up in the central valley of the vast Trois Vallées skiing area is the family ski station Mottaret, part of the Méribel resort which is almost 300 metres lower down. Mottaret’s high altitude makes it one of the highest stations in the Trois Vallées with excellent snow conditions from the beginning of December right through to the end of April. But this small winter sports resort has another major advantage – its compact size means that holidaymakers in Mottaret can often ski all the way to their front door or at least to within a few minutes’ walk of the ski lifts. Families with children particularly love the convenience this brings.

Mottaret makes an ideal base for skiers wanting to explore the Trois Vallées, the largest linked skiing area in the world. From the centre of the station modern cable-cars take holidaymakers up to the two peaks which provide a direct link between the Méribeltal valley and the Courchevel ski area in the east and Val Thorens in the west. In all, the 3-valley linked ski area provides 600 kilometres of slopes connected by a network of 180 lifts.

A variety of slopes to choose from

Méribeltal itself has lots to offer - 57 downhill runs spread over an area of 150 kilometres and served by an excellent system of 45 ski lifts, including many cable-cars. In fact, there is no other resort with as many cable-cars as Méribel-Mottaret, which means that holiday skiers can be transported quickly and comfortably onto the slopes.

Around Mottaret there is a huge choice of slopes with something to suit every ability level – green and blue pistes for beginners and families with children with additional extensive practice slopes in Méribel a short distance from the Mottaret station.

Most of the downhill runs around Mottaret are red ones, ideally suited to average to good skiers. The area out towards Mont du Vallon is particularly good for advanced skiers who will also find an extensive off-piste area there. More adventurous skiers will also relish the challenge of the 400-metre long mogul slope which can be found between the “Lagopède” and “Bartavelle” runs to the west of Mottaret.

The area around Mottaret also caters for snowboarding enthusiasts. The snowpark near the Plattières cable-car station has 2 half pipes, 2 quarter pipes, woops, handrails, a bag jump, a boardercross and a practice boardercross. In Méribel, close to the Tougnette cable-car station is another snowpark - the Moon Park. Here boarders and freeriders can enjoy a boardercross course and a half pipe plus tables, boxes, rails and jumps to suit all levels of ability.

Now Mottaret has a new area, known as the “Zen Zone” (also located near the Plattières cable-car), where beginners and families can practise in peace, well away from the main slopes. There are also a ski kindergarten and ski school in Mottaret for the younger skiers.

For added convenience there is a regular free shuttle bus which runs between Mottaret and Méribel. Off-piste activities in Méribeltal include paragliding, snowshoe hikes, horse-drawn sleigh and snowmobile rides and Mottaret also has many restaurants, bars and discos for enjoyment après-ski.