How to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Méribel
The peaks shine bright as Méribel chalets light up to see in the New Year in true ski resort style in the French Alps.
Those on luxury ski holidays in France can enjoy a New Year’s Eve like no other, as Méribel has a whole host of exciting events and fun activities in store to help visitors celebrate the end of another fantastic year on the slopes.
Hang up your skis and put on your dancing shoes. From street parties to club nights, take your pick and make the most of this special night on the mountains.
Family fun
Young families can enjoy New Years with events that start early and finish just shy of midnight. You’ll find organised parties in nearly every village in the Three Valleys, and Méribel is no exception with free shows starting from 6pm at the Chaudanne in the centre of the resort as well as in Mottaret and Méribel Village. All three will be wrapping things up at around 7.30pm so you can get the little ones to bed at a sensible time before the grown-ups head out to play. If an early night is out of the question, adults and children alike can enjoy some competitive fun at the bowling alley in the Olympic Centre.
Alternatively, take advantage of the special seasonal multi-course menus designed to inspire your taste buds into the New Year. The cosy Michelin star restaurant, Le Cépe offers the ideal dining experience for romantic retreats with an alpine flare.
‘Piste’ de resistance parties
Regular holidaymakers will be familiar with Méribel’s après ski scene, but at New Year’s, the local venues take this post-ski partying to a whole different level. The resort’s bars and restaurants lay on special seasonal entertainment for the night and revellers can pick from an array of music and themes to fit their New Year’s plans.
For live music, check out one of Méribel’s staple favourites Dutch Courage as they return to the Rond Point for a double New Year’s session. The resident band will be warming guests up at 5pm as they come off the slopes and getting the party started again at 10pm. See multiple live acts at Jack’s Bar and Evolution, who’ve teamed up to bring a joint celebration to the resort. If you’re looking to carry on the party long after midnight, The Den is hosting DJ sets until 5am with a Prohibition theme this year.
The final countdown
There’s no better way to see in the New Year than gathering in Méribel Centre for the countdown to 12 o’clock. Technically an unofficial event, meeting with your nearest and dearest in the heart of the town has become a fond tradition for visitors. Expect renditions of Auld Lang Syne and fireworks as this rocking ski resort welcomes the start of 2016.
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If you’re looking for a pick-me-up the next morning, kick-start the new year with a revitalising spa session or get a head start with those resolutions at the Olympic Centre’s gym, swimming pool and sauna. Alternatively, the slopes are usually a quiet haven following the previous night’s partying and skiers can enjoy the peaks in peace, so take the opportunity to tackle that final challenge before you leave Méribel.
If you’re planning to extend your ski holiday beyond January 1st, not to worry, there’s plenty happening in 2016. Check out our Méribel event guide to carry on the alpine party all through spring.
Image Credit: Joel’s Goa Pics (flickr.com). This image has been edited from the original.