Hitting the slopes of Meribel in France
You can’t have escaped the image.
On December 29, the picturesque Alpine slopes of Meribel in France underlined the worst fears of anyone embarking on a ski trip.
Like thousands of others every year Michael Schumacher, the retired Formula One superstar, was enjoying a relaxing family holiday taking part in an outdoors sport he loved.
Moments later, the German father-of-two suffered a freak crash in an off-piste “junction” between two mid-level blue and red slopes. The tragic incident highlighted the genuine dangers of taking up skiing as a leisure activity. But as anyone who has headed to the mountains to enjoy the outdoor pursuit will testify, such incidents are extremely rare.
While skiing and snow-boarding can be dangerous, in the vast majority of cases it remains a safe activity — a point organisers and travel agents have been keen to stress in the aftermath of the high-profile incident.
During an early February trip to Meribel in France’s renowned Three Valleys resort, located a two-hour bus journey from Lyon, holiday-makers were acutely aware of what happened.
But, by taking the right precautions, the crowds still flocking to the popular area — which remains one of Europe’s safest resorts — were able to enjoy the opportunities on offer without fear of a repeat tragedy unfolding.
After a short Topflight plane journey from Dublin to Lyon, our group was brought on a two-hour connecting coach trip snaking through the foothills of France, where the scenery quickly changed from crisp spring-time images to a picture-perfect winter scene 2,000 metres above sea level — almost the height of Carrauntoohil.
The scene on arrival at Meribel was one of a multitude of ski routes, restaurants, and dreaded (at least for me) chair lifts, offering holiday-makers instant access to what they had come to enjoy.
While more suited for a family vacation than a boisterous trip away with friends, the French- focussed town of Meribel still contains enjoyable gems with pristine views of Mount Blanc and other famous sites.
A short ski down to the more English and Irish-targeted nearby village of Mottaret — which is also connected via a free 10 minute bus journey — will also bring travellers to another location offering more amenities, should you need a break from the quiet delights of Meribel for an evening.
The resort of Meribel-Mottaret includes 600kms of routes arching from Val Thorens to Courcheval. It caters for all-comers.
Like all ski resorts, once you become more accomplished a wide variety of new routes you would otherwise not be able to get to will open up.
However, due to the carefully set-out structure of the resort, even at beginner levels a sense of boredom is unlikely to set in, with a large number of safe options available for those looking to experience a new run without over-stretching their limits.
Like most others, we travelled in a relatively large group of five people, and — after taking the morning to get to our destination — were delighted to find our apartment complex was situated moments from the slopes.
The four-star Residence les Crets was based a short ski direct from the apartment door to the centre of Meribel, with a ski lift available to bring those staying at the complex back up on their return. Secluded enough to ensure comfort, without feeling as though you are too isolated, the location would be perfect for anyone seeking a relaxing snow-season break.
The views of the mountain pistes and clusters of skiers gliding down their sides also helped to underline the experience of a ski holiday, while the heavily insulated nature of the buildings means you can stay comfortably warm despite the freezing temperatures outside.
Most ski holidays are normally divided into two sections — your time on the slopes and your time enjoying the increasingly blurred memories of it at an apres ski bar.
For those hitting the snow straight away, the centrally based Sport 2000 offers all the gear and equipment required, while lessons catering for all different ages and abilities from Ecole du Ski will help to calm any nerves.
With my only experience before being a week-long trip to Soll in Austria a year ago, I was expecting to stay on the green and blue slopes for the length of the holiday.
However, our instructor Fabienne soon had our class safely going down routes that days earlier would have been beyond me — ensuring at all times that the basic safety tips were pushed home for everyone involved.
After a day on the slopes an evening of apres ski is always to the front of peoples’ minds.
Among the most attractive — and frankly bizarre — locations to enjoy the experience in Meribel are La Folie Douce, which feels as though it is hanging onto the side of the mountain, while in Mottaret pubs like Jacks and the not-so-subtly-named The Pub are the most popular destinations.
When it comes to costs, however, remember where you are: halfway up a mountain, which means alternatives are thin on the ground, with prices for a drink regularly reaching double what should be expected at home.
For anyone whose interest in skiing has been peaked by the Winter Olympics, it is also worth asking about sites used when Meribel hosted the worldwide event in 1992.
Among the centres still in use today is the ice-hockey rink in Mottaret, which still hosts regular games, offering an entertaining night at good value.
Just don’t annoy the subs if you happen to be sitting right behind them, like “someone” may have made the mistake of doing.
Michael Schumacher’s tragic accident highlighted the genuine dangers of outdoor pursuits like skiing.
But the last thing the extremely rare story should do is convince people to steer clear of the slopes, or choose not to take up the sport in the first place.
To get the most enjoyment out of a trip to the mountains potential holiday makers are advised to consider taking advantage of Ireland’s artificial slopes in Kilternan, Co Wicklow, ( www.skiclub.ie ) and a soon-to-be-built site in Cork City.
On arrival at your destination, those starting out should also consider lessons from one of the many ski schools available — none of which come cheap, but all of which are worth every cent in terms of safety, getting to know other holiday-makers who would otherwise go whizzing by, and ensuring you get the best out of the holiday.
Resorts peppered across continental Europe — with those in France, Austria, Italy, Germany, Andorra and Scandinavia highest on the list — will always cater for different standards, from beginners to experts, meaning an outdoors activity trip is within reach of everybody.
And for groups who include people who just want to enjoy the view — and, let’s face facts, the apres ski — walking tours and hiking are also available, meaning a holiday to a winter wonderland can be an experience that, for the right reasons, you will never forget.
Ireland’s largest ski operator Topflight offer a wide variety of winter fun packages throughout the season, which usually begins in late November and ends — depending on the weather — as late as mid-April. www.topflight.ie ; or call them on: 01-2401700
For those interested in travelling to Meribel and the Three Valleys, regular flights to Lyon are available from Dublin airport with all-inclusive package options on offer from a number of travel agents.
Prices per person for the resort — including return flights, seven nights accommodation, return transfers, a “generous” luggage allowance for those bringing ski equipment and representative services at the resort — range from just under €400 to €700.
Further details: www.topflight.ie or www.les3vallees.com
Shandon Travel’s over-50s programme features a half board offer from the Melia in Torremolinos from €539 inclusive of wine with meals. Available for booking now and available up to April 30 next year, it is ranked amongst the best standard of accommodation in the area. Details on 021-4277094 or www.travel247.ie
Young at Heart at The Lodge at Ashford Castle is a two-night bed and full Irish breakfast package, including dinner on one night of choice and a welcome drink on arrival. It also also features a screening of the perennial favourite movie The Quiet Man and a Quiet Man tour with local guide and historian Gerry Collins. The package costs €329 per couple sharing. Details on 094 954 5400 or www.thelodgeac.com
For those who prefer a more intimate style of cruising, the boutique styled Silver Cloud ship accommodates just less than 300 guests. Dawson Travel has teamed up with Silversea to offer nine days with departure from Funchal on November 22. Prices start from €2,050. Check out http://itaa.ie/funchal-to-ft-lauderdale-cruise-22th-november-2014-fr-e2050-pp/
East Cork’s Discover Travel offers another Thailand special in the form of a 10-night package at the three star Deveena Patong Resort in Phuket. The fixed price of €1,134 is inclusive of taxes and available for travel throughout November. Www.discovertravel.ie or 021 4635440
Online travel company Gohop features Prague amongst other venues for Christmas specials this year and at good prices too.
A December 9 departure from Dublin with four nights accommodation comes in from €185 (Hotel Charles). Details from www.Gohop.com
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