Meribel

If Courchevel 1850 is the smartest address in the Three Valleys, Méribel is the friendliest. It has been the British family favourite in the French Alps for decades (the resort was actually founded by a Scotsman, Peter Lindsay, in the 1930s), and the British presence is still notable: chalet companies, ski instructors, restaurant staff, half the families on the chairlift. For a first or second family ski holiday, this is genuinely an advantage. Lessons can be booked in fluent English, the kids' clubs are run by people who understand British school holiday rhythms, and you'll meet other families to ski with by Tuesday.

What makes Méribel work for families specifically is the combination of factors: tree-lined runs (most of the skiing is between 1400m and 2700m, so you get proper trees most of the way down, which makes a huge difference in poor visibility), wide and forgiving pistes, a village that is laid out along a single road (so you can walk everywhere), and full access to all 600km of the Three Valleys via the Saulire and Tougnète chairs. You also have the option of staying in Méribel-Mottaret, slightly higher up the valley, which gives you a more snowsure base and arguably even better access to the wider area.

Where Méribel gives a little ground to Courchevel is in the very-top-end accommodation (there are some superb chalets and hotels, but no equivalent to Cheval Blanc or Le K2) and in the fine-dining scene (good, but not three-Michelin-stars good). For most families that is exactly the right trade-off. You are paying considerably less than Courchevel 1850 for what is, on the snow, the same skiing.

On the mountain

Le Plan des Mains at the foot of the Mont Vallon chair is the classic Méribel mountain lunch: long sun terrace, properly cooked Savoyard food, ski-in-ski-out. La Sittelle near Altiport is more relaxed and child-friendly, with a proper kids' menu and sledges to borrow. Côte 2000 at the top of the Choucas chair has the best views in the valley.

In the village

Le Cromagnon is the long-standing fine-dining option in Méribel, and they have held a Michelin star for years. For something less formal, Le Refuge in Méribel-Mottaret does excellent Savoyard classics in a properly cosy room. The Lodge du Village at the bottom of the main road has been a Méribel staple forever and is reliable for an easy family dinner.

Picnic and provisions

The Sherpa supermarket in central Méribel does a perfectly decent picnic shop. The boulangerie next door (which opens at 7am) is the morning ritual: croissants and pain au chocolat for the chairlift queue.

By plane

Geneva is the obvious airport (around 2h 30m transfer), and Chambéry is slightly closer at around 2h. Lyon is a 2h 30m drive but typically cheaper for flights. The transfer route is the same as Courchevel until you turn off at Moutiers; reckon on around 30 minutes longer to Val Thorens or Saint Martin if you are heading deeper into the valley.

By train

The Eurostar Snow Train direct to Moutiers is an excellent option for Méribel; the transfer up to the village is just 25 minutes from there. Door-to-door from London is similar to flying, and considerably more relaxing with children.

By car

Self-driving from the UK via the Channel Tunnel is around 8 hours from Calais. Snow chains are sometimes required on the road up from Moutiers; rent them at the petrol stations en route if you do not have your own.