Méribel and Courchevel are in France's 'Trois Vallées' - the Ralph Lauren and Christian Lacroix of skiing. Méribel, dating from the 8th century, credits Scotsman Peter Lindsay for the village's development. Returning after WWII, he helped design the resort with châlets in local wood, stone and slate so today it's the prettiest purpose-built village in the valleys. With a relaxed profile, Méribel is a family skiers' resort. It has fewer midnight oil burners than its nearby chic sister Courchevel 1850. Courchevel's magnet of designer shops, gourmet restaurants, discos, and exclusive clubs lures Parisians and others to this vibrant mountain village of lights.

      After the war the 'Trois Vallées' planning began; first the runs, then lifts and finally the resorts themselves. Planners created the largest ski area in the world with more than 67,000 acres of ski able terrain! Méribel in the middle valley is the ideal location to ski all three. Courchevel 1850, atop its three sibling villages, gives skiers 5,000 foot verticals. The valley's ten resort network has 360 cruising miles, unlimited off-piste couloirs for those with challenge-deficit, 1,100 ski instructors to fine tune technique, over 1,300 snow cannons, and 182 lifts moving 230,000 skiers/hour! Lift lines? Not here!