A summer holiday in Mottaret, at the entrance to the Tueda Nature Reserve offers a truly outdoor experience.
Whilst there are a host of activities on offer, the real beauty lies in the rugged grandeur of the Mountains.
We are literally the closest apartment to the nature reserve, with Lac Tueda just a few minutes walk along
the path of the Doron river. Please browse
some of our top picks that we have assembled to help plan your activities.
Summer Price £50 per night
Mountain Activities
Meripass Card Gives free access to the Méribel,
Courchevel and Val Thorens lifts (except summer skiing). Free entrance to the Méribel Olympic Centre (swimming
pool and ice-rink) and discounts for many summer activities.
Trail map - download this map showing all the marked hiking trails along with the location of all the lakes and
refuges.
Lift System remains open in the summer during July and August, check this
link to see the opening schedule for individual lifts allowing you to access the panoramic views, mountain biking and hikes.
The apartment directly borders the reserve
with its lake and river just a few hundred metres walk from the back door.
Fishing - You need a license to fish the lake, hire rods etc. locally.
Mountain Hiking - Hikers of all levels enjoy 20 marked trails through the forest and meadows of the Méribel valley.
Details and a map of these walks are available in the "Guide des sentiers" on sale at the Tourist Offices.
Via Ferrata - A secure climbing route equipped with cables
and metal rungs fixed on a rock face.
Mountain Refuge - an overnight stay can be arranged
at the famous Refuge du Saut at 06 03 85 10 39 or contact the Tourist Office
Mountain Biking
Specialist Alpine
mountain bikes with front and rear suspension can be hired from the hire shop in the centre of Mottaret along with Helmets,
etc.. Lift Passes can be purchased for either single trips up the mountain, day passes and week passes for either one
lift or the whole Three Valleys system. There are a combination
of very steep routes for serious "down-hillers" through to flatter routes for more gentle recreational mountain-biking.
In 1998 the Méribel Valley was
recognised as a Mountain Bike Venue by the French Cycling Federation and boasts a black rated circuit of over 117km with 3,970
meters of downhill.
A number of companies
organise guided trips for all levels of mountain bikers from beginners to experts. If you rate yourself as an expert downhill
mountain biker, make sure you are in Méribel for the 3VTT (Three Valleys Tout Terrain) – a race around the 3Valley on
mountain bike for professionals, amateurs and families. The next day is the Free Bike 3 Vallées, a hair raising 2,000m descent
from the top of the Saulire (2,600m) to Brides les Bains (600m). This one is not for the faint hearted
Without the lifts
there are still many excellent tracks around the mountain, Méribel Altiport to Courchevel being one of the more popular excursions.
For a more sedate outing there is a 20km cycle track beside the River Isere from Aime to Bourg St Maurice or from just after
Ugine a cycle track runs all the way into Annecy.
Outdoor Activities
Adventure Park - Great fun for the Kids!!! There are several "runs"
starting with green, blue, red and a black run. There are instructors present the whole time to show how to use ropes and
climbing harnesses and the day finishes with a 150 metre zip line run across the Doron river. Highlight of the week for the
children
Crazy Golf - from 10am to 7pm in Mottaret centre.
Tennis - Mottaret centre has 4
tennis courts (book at the Tourist office) For the serious player there are a further 10 at the attractive Tennis Club
of Meribel next to the Adventure park.
Skate Park - Is open in the Chaudanne lift area in Meribel.
Golfing
The superb 18 hole course in the most spectacular setting with a
putting green and driving range. Opens in Mid June and is located
at the Altiport some 15 minutes drive away and on the shuttle bus route.
Airborne
Light Aircraft Flights and Lessons - From Meribel's Altiport you can enjoy a scenic tour of
the three valleys or learn how to fly yourself!
Paragliding -
Take the lift to the top of Sauliere and take a breathtaking tandem flight. You need to book a day in advance.
Things with Wheels
Devil Karts - in Mottaret centre
take the doron lift up and shoot down the slopes
Arapaho - A large 2 wheeled scooter that looks great fun..
Indoor Activities
Bowling - Six lanes are in the Olympic Centre in Meribel
Cinema - In the Tourist Info office in Mottaret offers
French and English (VOST) movies.
Ice Skating - The Olympic Ice rink in Meribel Centre has figure
skating hire and lessons.
Climbing wall - is open year around for practice and should the weather be too
bad outdoors
Swimming Pool - The Olympic Centre in has a 25m swimming pool with
sauna, jacuzzi and whirlpool.
Water Sports There are several
companies who provide water activities please go to the Meribel tourist office for brochures
H2o-Rafting - based in Landry which is about 50 minutes from the apartment near Moutier. We had a fantastic
1/2 day white water rafting excursion with them. Dont let the French only website scare you off, all their guides
speak very good English and are very professional.
AN Rafting - based in Aime does rafting, canyoning and hydrospeeding
Canyoning - Put on a wet suit and hike, slide down water-falls and swim
Hydrospeeding - Wet suit and helmet and ride a sort
of half kayak down the rapids
White
Water Rafting - full or half day trips can be done at various levels of difficulty, must book ahead.
Calendar of Activities
April –
Excellent conditions for ski touring or long lunches on the sunny terraces. As the snow recedes below the resort, this is
the time for the first descents by mountain bike from Méribel to Brides Les Bains. For a period of a couple of weeks the Brides
Les Bains lift operates for skiers and mountain bikers alike.
May –
The hustle and bustle of a winter ski resort is truly pasted. The valley takes on a more serene ambiance as the final visitors
leave and the commerce’s close for a well deserved rest.
As the snow
melts above Méribel the alpine plants burst forth giving rise to a carpet of colours. The combination of spring colours and
Alpine scenery provides a wonderful setting for walking holidays. The footpaths are well signed and there is scope for every
level of walking from gentle woodland to rugged mountain.
June –
Now is the time for your unique mountain walks where you can experience three seasons in a day. Set off in the summer of the
resort, climb through the spring alpine flowers to reach the remaining snow.
July - The
resort comes alive with a wide range of summer activities, including mountain biking, riding, tennis and white water rafting.
The lifts system around the valley starts in July and runs until the end of August, providing walkers, mountain bikes and
the less active visitors with access to some of the most stunning and beautiful mountain view in Europe. The Tour de France
passes through the region and often has a stage in the Three Valleys
on the last week of July. Even if you are not a cyclists, the carnival atmosphere and built up to the cyclists’ arrival
provides some unforgettable entertainment – it’s not just what you see on TV.
August –
This is high season in Méribel with the resort now in full swing. The first Sunday of August is the “Fete à Fanfoue”
– a traditional Savoyard village fete. Mid to end August, the shops start to offer spectacular discounts on last year's
ski equipment and clothing. The sales culminate in a one day street market near the end of August, with discounts of up to
50% generally available.
September
– The majority of summer visitors have now left but the valleys and mountains retain their splendour for those who chose
to stay or visit.
October -
Have you have ever heard people say “how wonder the fall is in New England”?
Autumn in Méribel can be quite breathtaking. From mid to end October the colours change on a daily basis. If you like nature,
photography and the outdoors this is undoubtedly an excellent time to visit.
