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Powder Edition

When is the best time to ski in Méribel?

February. Over the last 20 winters (2006/07 to 2025/26), the top (2,738 m) had 30 cm or more of natural snow on nine days in ten or more from December to April. The village (1,450 m) is less certain: February was its best month, with 30 cm or more on 82% of days. For quieter slopes, go between 4 January and 5 February, or between 8 and 25 March, outside the UK and French school holidays.

Méribel centre is at 1,450 m, so its own snow is patchier (82% of February days); the Altiport (1,700 m) had good cover on 94% to 96% of February and March days, and the Saulire on every day from January to April.

Most reliable snow
February
Quieter weeks
4 Jan – 5 Feb, 8 – 25 Mar
Busiest
19 Dec – 3 Jan, 6 Feb – 7 Mar
Season
Early December to mid-April
Chalets of Méribel-Centre spread across a snowy, forested hillside, with mountains beyond.
Méribel-Centre

Month by month · snow history

How reliable is the snow in Méribel?

Over the last 20 winters (2006/07 to 2025/26), the top (2,738 m) had 30 cm or more of natural snow on at least nine days in ten from December to April. Lower down, the village (1,450 m) is patchier: its best month is February, with 30 cm or more on 82% of days, typically 62 cm. These are natural depths on open ground; groomed pistes and snowmaking hold more.

Typical natural snow depth by month, and the share of days with 30 cm or more, over the last 20 winters (2006/07 to 2025/26)
HeightDecJanFebMarApr
TopSaulire · 2,738 m8696%121100%152100%173100%160100%
Mid-mountainAltiport · 1,700 m2446%5688%8194%7396%3150%
VillageMéribel centre · 1,450 m1529%3772%6282%4867%818%

Typical natural snow depth in each month, in centimetres; the percentage is the share of days with 30 cm or more, and the deeper the blue, the more reliable. Source: Météo-France's snowpack model (SAFRAN-Crocus), open data, Licence Ouverte, over the last 20 winters (2006/07 to 2025/26).

The busy weeks · winter 2026/27

When the holidays fall

  • Christmas and New Year19 Dec – 3 Jan
  • Quieter4 Jan – 5 Feb
  • French holidays, zone C6 – 21 Feb
  • UK half-term13 – 21 Feb
  • French holidays, zone A13 – 28 Feb
  • French holidays, zone B20 Feb – 7 Mar
  • Quieter8 – 25 Mar
  • Easter weekend26 – 29 Mar

UK half-term: Most English councils; some areas break a week earlier, so check your school.

Easter weekend: UK Easter holidays fall around it, varying by school; the French spring holidays come later, from 3 April to 2 May across the zones.

Sources: official French school calendar 2026/27 · English council term dates (e.g. Wolverhampton) · UK bank holidays. The French dates are set by the order of 22 October 2025.

Which weeks suit you

The right week depends on who's coming

  • Quieter slopes

    100% of January days had good cover high up, and the slopes are quieter between the holidays.

    4 Jan – 5 Feb

  • Families

    UK half-term: 82% of February days had good cover in the village, but it is the busiest and priciest week. Book early, or look at Easter.

    13 – 21 Feb

  • Best value

    100% of March days had good cover high up, and prices drop back once the holidays end.

    8 – 25 Mar

  • A celebration

    The most festive weeks: the top (2,738 m) had good cover on 96% of December days. They book first and cost the most.

    19 Dec – 3 Jan

A chalet for 8–12 in Méribel usually costs £7,000–£15,000 a week: the lower end in quieter weeks, the top at Christmas, New Year and February half-term. From our places' own published weekly prices.

Free in the quieter weeks, winter 2026/27

70 Méribel chalets have a free week outside the holidays

Pick a week to see what's free, with the price for that week. Availability comes from each chalet's own calendar.

See all 70 free chalets

Common questions

When to ski in Méribel, answered

Is there snow in Méribel at Christmas?
Usually high up: the top (2,738 m) had 30 cm or more of natural snow on 96% of December days over the last 20 winters (2006/07 to 2025/26). The village (1,450 m) had it on 29% of December days.
When is Méribel quietest?
In winter 2026/27, between 4 January and 5 February, and between 8 and 25 March, outside the UK and French school holidays.
Is April too late to ski in Méribel?
Not high up: the top (2,738 m) had good cover on 100% of April days. The village (1,450 m) had it on 18% of April days, so expect little natural snow down at the village by then.
When is the ski season in Méribel?
Early December to mid-April.
How much does a week in Méribel cost?
A chalet for 8–12 in Méribel usually costs £7,000–£15,000 a week: the lower end in quieter weeks, the top at Christmas, New Year and February half-term.

Where this comes from

  • Snow: Météo-France's snowpack model (SAFRAN-Crocus), daily, over the last 20 winters (2006/07 to 2025/26); open data, Licence Ouverte. Method: Vernay et al., 2022.
  • How a day counts: when the model's natural snow depth at that height is 30 cm or more. The typical depth is the median of each winter's monthly average. The model reads open ground at that height across the area, so a sunny or sheltered spot can differ; the resorts' own snow stations at the same heights tend to record a little more in December and April, so treat early and late figures as cautious. Groomed pistes and snowmaking hold more than open ground.
  • Holidays, winter 2026/27: official French school calendar 2026/27 · English council term dates (e.g. Wolverhampton) · UK bank holidays. Schools set their own dates, so check yours.
  • Season: Early December to mid-April, from the resort facts (Les 3 Vallées, checked 4 Oct 2026).
  • Prices: our places' own published weekly prices, rounded; never one operator's figure.
  • Photo:
  • Snow history rebuilt · Holidays for winter 2026/27