<p>When the warmer weather arrives in Meribel there are a plethora of summer activities to explore.</p>
Photo: Sylvain Aymoz/Meribel Tourisme

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Meribel in Summer

When the warmer weather arrives in Meribel there are a plethora of summer activities to explore.

Summer
Published at: 23 Jun 2020
Last updated at: 24 Feb 2023

When the warmer weather arrives in Meribel, you can be sure the resort is just as glorious as it is in winter. Icy slopes give way to rolling green pastures and the mountains offer an abundance of summer activities for all ages. From hiking and mountain biking to fishing, golf, horse riding, yoga and climbing, discover the best things to do in Meribel in summer.

Serena Norton
Serena Norton

1.Mountain Biking

A mecca for mountain biking, Méribel is equipped with an incredible bike park featuring downhill trails, enduro circuits and cross-country circuits for all levels. The green tracks are accessible for everyone whilst the black trails are designed for experts. There are also three trails reserved for e-bikes. With bends, humps and jumps, the downhill trails are designed specifically for mountain bikers and are not open to pedestrians. Technically and physically challenging, the enduro tracks follow existing paths that are shared with pedestrians and feature some tricky uphill sections.

Over the summer, Méribel hosts a number of biking events including a key stage of the Tour de France. Other events include the Méribel Maxiavalanche Mountain Bike Challenge, which involves a series of DH Marathon Mass Start competitions on selected routes, varying between 1000 and 1500 m in altitude.


Stay close to the trails at
Le Chalet des Amis. Newly renovated in 2022, this is a fantastic chalet for family groups with plenty of entertainment on tap including a superb games room and wellness area for soaking those tired muscles at the end of a tough day on the bike.

Meribel Mountain BikingPhoto: Sylvain Aymoz/Méribel Tourisme
Meribel Mountain BikingPhoto: Sylvain Aymoz/Méribel Tourisme
Meribel Mountain BikingPhoto: Sylvain Aymoz/Méribel Tourisme
Trail running in Meribel in summerPhoto: Sylvain Aymoz/Méribel Tourisme

2. Trail Running

With 150 km of marked trails and nine different itineraries to explore, Meribel is one of the best areas in the Alps to practice trail running in summer. From scenic, relatively flat terrain to mountainous and wild routes, there is something to satisfy all mountain running enthusiasts. Trails range from 2 km to over 50 km reaching an altitude of nearly 2,800 metres.

Competitive trail runners can partake in several events during the summer season. Meribel Trail takes place in the Vanoise national park. Crossing the reserve of Tuéda, Meribel Trail offers six different trails ranging from 2.5 km for children to a testing 50 km. There’s also the Vertical Kilometre Challenge, a 2.5 km race climbing 1000m from Méribel-Mottaret to the top of Petite Saulire. With a challenging finish line in the scree, the race isn’t over until it’s over.

Yoga in Meribel in summerPhoto: Sylvain Aymoz/Méribel Tourisme

3. Yoga

Rejuvenate your physical and mental well-being with one of Meribel’s indoor or outdoor yoga classes. Group and individual yoga classes are available throughout July and August at a variety of times including sunrise and sunset.

Meribel also hosts a two-week well-being festival called Zen Altitude during the month of July. Activities include yoga, Asian practices such as tai chi and jyutsu, massages, well-being coaching, art workshops, nature walks, forest baths and plant-based culinary classes.


If you are looking for a complete summer wellness retreat, a stay at
Chalet Pont du Cam would be an ideal option with it's excellent wellness facilities including a gym, hammam and massage room.

Playing golf in MeribelPhoto: Sylvain Aymoz/Méribel Tourisme

4. Golf

Golfers will love Meribel’s 18-hole course which winds its way through wooded slopes in the shadow of the Dent de Burgin. Described by many as one of the most beautiful golf courses in the Alps, it took almost forty years to design and build. In addition to the 5,538 metre course with a par of 71, is a training area with a huge 1,100m² putting green, a chipping green, practice area and bunker.

August brings with it the Meribel Golf Pro-Am competition involving 30 teams of four players (1 professional golfer and three amateurs). Teams play over five days for substantial prize money making this an eagerly anticipated event.


Play all week and stay at
Apartment Les Belles Alpes 1. Located just 50m from the centre of Méribel Village, Apartment Les Belles Alpes 1 has a fantastic open plan living area with contemporary decor and private wellness area.

Summer fishing in MeribelPhoto: Sylvain Aymoz/Méribel Tourisme

5. Fishing

Keen anglers will enjoy fishing for gudgeon, small tench, carp as well as brown and rainbow trout in Lake Tuéda. Closed off from the adjacent torrent, fish are stopped from crossing over so you are guaranteed to find a large number in the lake. Two types of fishing are available; fly fishing and traditional fishing with a float. Fly fishing is recommended only for experienced anglers and the fish must be released once caught. Traditional fishing is accessible for novices and you are allowed to catch and keep up to six fish. The best time of day to fish is in the morning around 7 am but evening fishing, when the sun starts to go down and it is a little cooler, is also recommended.

Meribel also hosts fishing competitions during the summer with prizes awarded for several categories including largest fish, best child and the fastest angler to catch six trout.