Skiing is only part of a holiday in Méribel: a 3.4 km sledge run, night sledging, snowshoeing to an igloo, a pool with a water slide, an ice rink, bowling, a treasure hunt in the Tuéda nature reserve… the resort has more than enough to keep a family busy for a week, with or without skis, whatever the age of the children.
This guide brings together the off-slope activities to do as a family in Méribel, sorted by mood (sliding, nature, thrills, rainy day), with the minimum age, opening times and prices we were able to verify for winter 2026-2027. Written by the INTERSPORT Méribel team, who have welcomed families at the foot of the slopes every winter for 17 years.
In short: for little ones (from 2-3 years), sledging on the Doron run or at the Altiport, Yeti Park and the Olympic Park; from 5-6 years, the Himalaya by Night sledging evening, snowshoeing with an igloo, climbing and bowling; as they grow, Mission Black Forest (1.40 m minimum), snowmobiles and the Explor Games treasure hunt. For bad-weather days, everything is gathered at the Olympic Park in Méribel Centre.
Sledging, snowshoeing, nature: sliding without skis
Sledging, the family favourite
Méribel has several sledge runs, to choose from according to your children’s ages:
| Run | Who it’s for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Doron run | Little ones and beginners | Free, separate from the skiers, free conveyor lift (daytime and Monday evenings), open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Altiport secured sledging area | The youngest | Fully secured area, gentle slope, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Himalaya by Night | From 5, as a family | Night sledging on the green Little Himalaya run (Méribel-Mottaret), reached by the Combes chairlift: €9.50 per run or €20 for the evening, free for accompanied children under 11 |
| Mission Black Forest | Children over 1.40 m and teens | 3.4 km, 470 m of vertical drop and 28 turns, from the Tougnète gondola; about €12 to €13 per run, cheaper from 4 runs; helmet and sledge provided |
Good to know: for Himalaya by Night, the helmet and the metal-brake sledge are not provided: rent them from a sports shop. Evenings run on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the Christmas holidays, then Thursdays, then Tuesdays and Thursdays again from February to early March (around 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.), snow permitting. Always check dates and prices on the tourist office website before you come.
For toddlers, the ESF also offers Snake-Gliss: half an hour on a train of linked sledges, supervised by instructors. Children can also try pony sledging, a miniature version of ski-joring in which they steer a sledge pulled by a pony.
Snowshoeing and igloo evenings: the best memory of the stay
Snowshoe walks are open to all ages, with or without a guide. For families, two options stand out:
- The P’tit Trappeur: a snowshoe outing through the forest with igloo building and a Savoyard fondue, run by Raquette Évasion.
- Trappeur Kids (ESF Méribel): a half-day for 5-13 year-olds, with animal tracking, mountain survival and orienteering, all presented as games.
There are also evening snowshoe outings for adults and teens, with a headlamp climb to an igloo and a fondue.
Explor Games: a treasure hunt in the Tuéda reserve
Download the Méribel Explor Games app and go looking for hidden QR codes along a route in the Tuéda nature reserve (Vanoise National Park), in Méribel-Mottaret. Each code triggers a riddle. The game is for children from 6 and adults, in teams of 1 to 8 players, and lasts about 2 hours. Bring good shoes, touchscreen gloves and a power bank. Some areas may be temporarily closed for works (Tuéda cave, Perret farm).
Walks around Tuéda and the Altiport
- Lac de Tuéda: a family walk around the frozen lake, with panels on local fauna and flora; a restaurant on site for hot chocolate.
- The animal trail at the Altiport: a path lined with animal statues.
- Sleigh rides and ranch: horse-drawn sleigh rides with Les Attelages Molinas, or at the Ranch Nordique (horse-drawn sledge, animals to pet). Booking recommended.
Snow play areas
- Yeti Park (Méribel-Mottaret): tunnels, igloos and a zipline for little ones.
- Family Cool area (Altiport): beginner slopes and play areas with daily entertainment; during school holidays, birds of prey shows, biathlon introduction and inflatable games.
Views and thrills for older kids
The pedestrian pass: going up without skiing
With the pedestrian pass you can use the lifts, viewpoints and mountain restaurants without taking the pistes. It is valid from age 5. 2026-2027 pedestrian pass prices:
| Duration | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 ride (Pas du Lac) | €17.50 |
| 1 day | €31.40 |
| 2 days | €45.80 |
| 6 days | €95.30 |
The season runs from 5 December 2026 to 18 April 2027. Head up to Mont Vallon (2,952 m), on snowshoes or on foot, for the view over the Gébroulaz glacier; do the Col de la Loze loop; or have lunch at altitude. Note that the pedestrian pass insurance only covers activities reached by lift, such as sledging or cross-country skiing.
For teens and the more adventurous
- Snowmobiles (Snow-Biker, in Mottaret): mini snowmobiles from age 6, and guided outings for older riders.
- Tubby jump: jumping onto an inflatable airbag in Mottaret, from age 4.
- Paragliding: tandem flight with a qualified instructor, with possible views of Mont Blanc; book in advance, weather permitting.
- Plane or airship flights (Méribel flying club): discover the mountains from the Altiport.
- Cross-country skiing and biathlon: Nordic area between the Altiport and Tuéda, all levels; a pass is required in the Altiport sector. Biathlon introduction at the Altiport with an approved shooting range.
- Folie Douce: reached in under 8 minutes by the Saulire Express gondola, with an open-air dance floor.
Bad-weather days: the Olympic Park and indoor activities
When the weather isn’t on your side (or tired legs need a rest), the Olympic Park in Méribel Centre (510 route Albert Gacon, Les Allues), built for the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics, brings together most of the indoor activities. You can get there on foot, by free shuttle or by car.
| Activity | Good to know |
|---|---|
| Swimming pool | 25 m pool, water slide (from age 6), paddling pool heated to 32 °C, aqua-gym and aqua-bike. Adult €7.50, child (5-17) €5.50; free for under-5s; children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult |
| Ice rink | Family skating, themed nights (disco, foam, neon, electro) and discovery sessions; during school holidays, Thursday night session from 8 to 10 p.m.; free entry for under-5s |
| Climbing wall | 14 m wall, instruction available from age 5 |
| Bowling | Lanes with protective bumpers and suitable balls from age 3, billiards, table football, arcade games, snack bar |
| Spa | Saunas, hammams and jacuzzi: €24 (16 and over) |
The pool is open from 5 December 2026 to 17 April 2027, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (8 p.m. on Wednesdays). For the other activities, check opening times during school holidays and book ahead in high season.
Other ideas for a day under cover
- Cinema in Méribel-Mottaret, with a selection of recent films.
- Méribel Centre auditorium: shows and exhibitions for the whole family; the tourist office also programmes concerts and shows during the season.
- Indoor play area at the tourist office in Méribel Centre, a place to warm up with the little ones.
- Culture: valley history museum in Les Allues and art gallery in Méribel Centre.
And for toddlers: childcare options
So that parents can ski or rest, Méribel offers:
- Day nursery (18 months to 3 years): Les Saturnins by the ESF, at the Olympic Park, with discovery of the snow through play, sledging and an introduction to skiing.
- Kindergarten (3 to 5 years): ESF Club Piou-Piou or the Snow Systems school, learning to ski through games.
- Babysitting (under 18 months): the tourist office posts a list of babysitters online, updated weekly in winter.
Information and bookings: Méribel tourist office, +33 4 79 08 60 01.
Our sample plan for a week with the family
Here is a framework to adapt to your children’s ages and the weather, with ski or lesson days in between.
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrival | Pick up your gear | Olympic Park pool | Dinner at the chalet or hotel |
| Day 2 | Sledging on the Doron run or at the Altiport | Yeti Park, snack in the resort | Himalaya by Night (Tuesday or Thursday) |
| Day 3 | Ski lesson or Trappeur Kids | Ice rink | Free evening |
| Day 4 | Pedestrian pass: gondola and high-altitude views | Lunch at altitude, ride back down by gondola | Cinema |
| Day 5 | Explor Games in Tuéda | Sleigh ride or ranch | Igloo evening on snowshoes |
| Day 6 | Mission Black Forest (teens) or bowling | Climbing or spa | Celebration dinner |
Our practical tips
- Dress the kids well: a good base layer and a pair of warm mittens make all the difference, especially for night sledging and snowshoeing.
- Check the day’s conditions: sledging, snowshoeing and high-altitude outings depend on snow and weather; paid sledge runs and Himalaya by Night evenings can be cancelled.
- Book limited-capacity activities (sleigh rides, ranch, paragliding, ESF lessons) before you arrive, especially during school holidays.
- Think helmet for sledging: it is compulsory for Himalaya by Night and provided for Mission Black Forest.
- Alternate: a calm activity (walk, pool) after an intense half-day.
- Opening times and prices change from one season to the next: check them on the tourist office website before you come.
Need to kit out the family before heading up? Our INTERSPORT shops in Méribel Centre, Mottaret and Méribel 1600 are here to advise you. See our services · Book my gear
Frequently asked questions
What can we do in Méribel with kids when we’re not skiing?
Sledging (free Doron run, Himalaya by Night, Mission Black Forest), snowshoeing and igloo evenings, the Explor Games treasure hunt, sleigh rides, snowmobiles, and indoors the pool, ice rink, bowling and climbing at the Olympic Park.
What activities are there for children under 5?
The Doron sledge run and the secured Altiport area, Yeti Park, the pool (free for under-5s, paddling pool heated to 32 °C), bowling with bumpers from age 3, the ice rink (free for under-5s), and Himalaya by Night, free for accompanied children under 11.
What is there to do in Méribel when it rains or snows heavily?
The Olympic Park (pool, ice rink, climbing, bowling, spa), the cinema in Mottaret, the auditorium in Méribel Centre and the tourist office’s indoor play area.
How much does the Olympic Park pool cost?
In winter 2026-2027, entry costs €7.50 for an adult and €5.50 for a child aged 5 to 17. Entry is free for under-5s.
Can we go up the mountain without skiing?
Yes, with the pedestrian pass (€31.40 for a day in 2026-2027, from age 5), which gives access to the lifts, viewpoints and mountain restaurants.
Is there childcare for toddlers?
Yes: the ESF day nursery Les Saturnins (18 months to 3 years), the kindergarten (3 to 5 years) and a list of babysitters kept up to date by the tourist office for under-18-month-olds.