Wondering if you can ski from Meribel to Courchevel?
The good news is that you can easily do this in both directions.
With a Three Valleys lift pass you can ski between the two resorts as often as you desire.
You can explore far and wide without any worries, just make sure you’re back in the right valley before the last lift leaves in the afternoon.
Below you will find out how to ski between the two resorts including the best lifts and pistes to use.
How to Ski From Meribel to Courchevel
You can access Courchevel from the centre of Meribel using just one ski lift!
From Meribel Centre you can take the Saulire Express gondola. Ride it all the way to the top, don’t get off at the mid-station. You can also take Pas du Lac from Meribel Mottaret which arrives at a similar point.
At the top you will be at the summit of Saulire, this is the mountain that separates the two ski resorts.
From here, you can clip on your skis and ride down into Courchevel 1850, Courchevel 1550, and Le Praz. Follow the piste from the top of the gondola and turn left onto the Combe de Saulire red run. Then keep skiing down and you’ll arrive at the snowfront in 1850. (You can’t end up anywhere else.) You could also take the blue run Creux, keep an eye out for a left turn signposted for Courchevel 1850.
The total ski takes about 20 – 30 minutes. The Saulire Express takes 10 minutes, then it’s down to your skiing speed… If you want to avoid skiing, you can do the journey on foot. A large cable car followed by the Verdons gondola enables you to descend into Courchevel 1850 on foot.
You can also ski from Meribel to Courchevel 1650, also known as Moriond. You can take Saulire Express or Pas du Lac to the top. Then ski down the Cruex blue run until you reach either the Chanrossa or Roc Mugnier chairlifts. From the top of these two lifts you can ski into the 1650 village and ski area.
To access La Tania from Meribel, you can take Saulire Express or Pas du Lac then use the Coqs, Chenus, or Plantrey lifts.
Another option is to take the Loze chairlift from Meribel. This arrives at the Col de la Loze. From here ski straight down into La Tania, or stay right to access Courchevel 1850.
Step by step:
- Take Saulire express to the top. (don’t get off at mid station)
- Ski down the Saulire Red Run followed by Verdons green run
Here’s a close up of the piste map to help you plan your routes:
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How to Ski from Courchevel to Meribel
You can ski from Courchevel to Meribel in one or two lifts depending on where you are starting from.
From the centre of Courchevel 1850, you must take the Verdons gondola followed by the Saulire cable car. This arrives at the summit of Saulire, the mountain separating the two resorts.
As you exit the cable car, you’ll see the Saulire Express gondola on your right. This lift goes right into Meribel Centre if you are on foot.
To ski, clip in and follow the piste down staying to the right. You’ll reach a large rock with a signpost. Turn right and you’ll be skiing into Meribel. You’ll see signposts for Mottaret, Meribel Centre, and Meribel Village. Follow the signpost for your chosen destination.
The red run Mauduit takes you into the heart of Meribel Centre, the busiest area.
The journey takes about 30 to 40 minutes depending on your skiing ability.
You can also ski to Meribel using the Suisses. Marmotte, and Vizelle lift. These all arrive at the same point. Continue in a straight line around the ridge for a few hundred metres, then turn right into Meribel.
The Dou des Lanches chairlift also gives you direct access to Meribel Village and Meribel Centre. It is a good choice when skiing from La Tania to Meribel.
If you want to ski from Courchevel 1650 to Meribel, it takes a little longer. You need to take the Ariondaz gondola, followed by Aiguille de Fruit, followed by the Suisses chairlift.
Step by step:
- Take the Verdons gondola from Courchevel 1850
- Take the Saulire Cable Car to the top
- Follow the piste down and keep right following signs to Meribel
- Turn right into the Meribel valley and stay right following the signs to Meribel Centre
Renting skis? We always recommend White Storm Ski Hire for the best price and service in Courchevel.
And get up to 30% off with promo code – VIP
How Long Does It Take to Ski between Meribel and Courchevel?
It takes 20 to 40 minutes to ski between Courchevel and Meribel. The exact time depends on your start and end point, plus your ski ability.
The high-speed modern lift network gives you plenty of options to whisk you up to the top of the mountain. Then you can choose from red, blue, and black runs to ski back down into the ski resort.
Be sure to check the last lift times so you don’t get stranded in the wrong valley. This time gets later in the spring compared to earlier in the season. If you do get stuck, you’ll need to get a taxi back which is a 30 minute drive.
What Lift Pass Do You Need?
To ski both Courchevel and Meribel you need to buy a Three Valley lift pass. This ticket gives you access to the whole ski area, that’s 600kms of skiing, over 160 ski lifts, and over 330 runs. It means you can also ski to Val Thorens, Les Menuires, and St Martin de Belleville.
If you only have a Courchevel or Meribel ski pass, then you are able to upgrade for the day.
Be careful, if you ski into the wrong valley (E.g. you try to ski in Meribel on a Courchevel only lift pass) you’ll need to pay a one time fee to get back across.
Can You Ski from Meribel to Courchevel Summary
So there you have it, it’s very simple to ski from Courchevel to Meribel and back.
In many cases, it takes one or two lifts to reach the top of the mountain. Then you can ski straight down into the village you want. Or simply explore far and wide!
Don’t forget to check you have a Three Valles lift pass. Then you can use high speed lifts including Saulire Express, Saulire car, Loze, and Dou de Launches. Before carving your way down epic runs like Combes de Saulire, Creux, and Mauduit.
