Morzine and Meribel are regularly rated as being among the most amazing ski destinations in the world. So, which one of these resorts would you prefer to visit on your next trip?
There are a number of different factors to take into account when deciding which one to visit. If you fancy a trip to the snowy mountains rather than a beach holiday then the following are some of the points to take into account.
Ease of Access
The good news is that both of these French Alps resorts are far easier to get to than you might think. While they are prettily perched in the mountains they both enjoy good road access from major airports that are pretty close by.
To get to Meribel you are most likely to fly into conveniently situated Geneva Airport, although there are other airports not much further away. From here, it is just a short transfer of a little over two hours to get to your accommodation.
In the case of Morzine, Geneva Airport is also the best option for getting in and out quickly and smoothly. However, the transfer time is even quicker with this resort, as new arrivals can easily get from the airport to their accommodation in not much more than an hour.
This ease of access in both cases means that Morzine and Meribel are both perfect for short midweek or weekend trips when you are short of time. Having a busy lifestyle is no longer an excuse for not get out to ski regularly.
Skiing Options for Beginners
Both of these resorts offer huge skiing areas with facilities for skiers of all levels. For instance, Morzine gives incredibly easy access to the Portes du Soleil area, with many great slopes for beginners to feel comfortable on.
As for Meribel, it is part of the always popular 3 Valleys ski area, with tons of slopes for you to choose from. Both resorts offer very similar opportunities for newcomers to learn the ropes safely, with ski schools, ski lifts and nursery slopes to choose from.
Skiing Options for Experts
As we have just seen, both these French Alps ski towns spoil visitors for choice when it comes to the number of slopes to choose from. This means that both of them are also fantastic choices for expert skiers looking for challenges and adventures.
No matter which of them you travel to, you can get a huge amount of variety in the time that you spend skiing here. You can also discover some of the most thrilling slopes you will ever encounter while you are either Morzine or Meribel.
The Nightlife
It is no secret that a lot of skiers get just as much pleasure out of the après ski scene and the lively nightlife as from the time they spend skiing. In this respect, both Morzine and Meribel offer everything you could ask for in terms of bars, pubs and clubs.
If we start with the Meribel nightlife, we can see that the town has top class bars such as Le Rond Point, Le Poste and Barometer. There are different après ski spots here for different tastes, from laid back lounges to classy wine bar and buzzing bars with live music.
If you decide to go to Morzine on your skiing trip then you will also find a lively ski town filled with great places to spend a few hours in interesting company. This place has world class après ski bars such as Dixie Bar, The Cavern and Coyote Bar.
Attractions for Families
Despite both Morzine and Meribel offering such extensive nightlife options, there is also a lot to be said for them in terms of being classy family destinations as well. The starting point in this respect comes with the way that both of them offer such a wide range of slopes for skiers of different abilities.
As well as this, it is worth noting that Morzine has a good selection of activities and events for families to enjoy. This is a place where the whole family can have a fabulous time doing whatever suits them.
Those families that go to Meribel also discover a resort that is perfect for a relaxing family break. The beautiful scenery and long list of fun things to do make this great for families of all sizes and ages.
The Attractiveness of the Town
These are both really pretty towns that are terrific for strolling around and doing some shopping in. Meribel is a lovely looking town that has been around for close to 80 years and still looks great.
There is a lot to in Meribel, from the popular ice rink to the range of adventurous sports on offer. Add in the fact that it is one of the prettiest ski resorts around and it is easy to see why it remains so popular.
With Morzine, you also get a host of exciting attractions too. This is an especially good town for shopping in, while the ice hockey games and Rock the Pistes music festival are definitely not to be missed.
Both of those town offer highly attractive destinations for world class ski weekends. The natural beauty the Alps all around you will make you truly feel as though you have left all of your worries far behind.
Eating Out in Town
The pleasure of sitting down to a great meal after a day of skiing is one of the absolute highlights of an Alpine ski trip. You are going to be spoiled for choice in both of these French ski resorts when it comes to eating out.
There is a long list of great restaurants and cafes in Morzine that you might like to try. Among the very best of them are places like La Grange, The Burger Place and La Chamade.
As you can imagine, such a popular resort has a fine selection of different places to eat from you to choose from. From cheap fast food joints to fine dining eateries, there is something here to suit every taste and budget.
Across in Meribel eating out is also a hugely enjoyable experience too. The fact that this has been a very popular destination with British skiers for decades means that the local cuisine caters for British tastes, while also offering French and international dishes.
A few of the main restaurants to keep an eye out for here include Chez Kiki, La Taverne and Le Refuge. As with Morzine, the extensive choice available means that finding exactly what you want shouldn’t be too difficult.
Overall
At the end of the day, everyone who visits these two stylish French ski resorts will have a different opinion on which one is best. There are excellent reasons to choose either of these destinations for your next trip.
Maybe you will be won over by Meribel’s pretty town centre or perhaps the lively nightlife scene in Morzine will blow you away. Either way, it is clear that you can get the trip of your dreams regardless of whether you head to Morzine or Meribel.
For a stunning ski break both of these famous resorts offer the chance to have a wonderful holiday that you aren’t likely to forget in a hurry.