Méribel Opening Week - December 2025

Hi everyone, and here's yet another post direct from Méribel from your favourite blogging ski instructor!?! I know, I know, it has only been a few days since last weekend's post, but I'd thought I'd chuck another one in for good measure. So let's get straight into it. I've been having a blast skiing for myself this week before teaching begins, and have of course taken several photos along the way.

We've been very lucky with the weather. The sun has been shining every day this week, with so called mild temperatures. I say so called, because in theory, yes it's been above freezing on the mountain during the day. But somehow, when the afterburners (upping the speed) are switched on, there's still quite a chill on the face. So maybe slightly above average for this time of year, but because the days are short and the sun stays low, the snow conditions stay pretty good.

We did briefly have some rain last weekend, which has frozen the very lower slopes. This is no bad thing, because this has further enhanced the base level. In short there are some really very good snow conditions around. It's not everywhere, but on the whole the conditions are good as hopefully you can see in these photos which have all been taken during this week.

Regular skiers here in the 3 Valleys may be familiar with various pieces of mountain art found up and above Courchevel 1850. In recent years examples of 'King Kongs', 'Dark Knights', and even Salvador Dahli have featured among many other artists and sculptures. I hadn't really thought about art until reaching the top of the Suisses chairlift the other day. This time I was faced with a stunning new sculpture. Unfortunately there was no reference whatsoever as to what it was, and who by!?! Absolutely nothing. So later that evening I got digging online.

Without going into too much detail, and in summary, it appears this work of art has been created by an Italian called Andrea Roggi, and is called 'Tree Of Life'. One website I found quoted....'Symbols of peace, roots and sharing, these sculptures convey a universal message of harmony, magnified by the purity of the Alpine scenery.'

I then found a more official website for Andrea, click here for the link.

I'll be honest and say I don't often spend much time looking at art. But my goodness this sculpture is just stunning, and well worth sniffing out in person. For me, probably the best in many years that I've seen up on the mountain, it's beautiful. To confirm, it can be found at the top of the Vizelle, Marmottes and Suisses ski lifts above Courchevel 1850. I'll look forward to watching out for more work from this artist.

On my final ski before this coming weekend, I caught up with Ian again, my friend and colleague from the ski school. We didn't have an agenda, other than just go for a ski, put the world to rights and stop for a late coffee before skiing home. At the top of the Tougnete 2 chairlift we spotted a piste that looked nicely groomed, which hadn't been open earlier on in the week. A black piste called Écureuil (Squirrel). What a great way to start the morning? It had great snow and was as quiet as you like.

Likewise, over and above Les Menuires on La Masse, we sniffed out more fabulous snow. Again the pistes were deserted, and a couple were nicely groomed, including one of the black pistes up there called 'Masse'.

It's funny you know, quite a few times this week I've skied past some of my colleagues who are teaching already. And I thought that perhaps I should've made myself available to the ski school. But then quickly put this thought aside. This early period of the winter is absolutely precious to me, it's a great opportunity to go for a ski and ease back into this amazing sport of skiing for another winter.

I've really really enjoyed the last couple of weeks of skiing, I've absolutely blimmin loved it. More than ever. I can't explain why, perhaps it's the snow conditions, or this gorgeous weather. I don't know. But I've loved it so much.

This coming weekend is the start of a very busy period of work for me, three full weeks with only one day off it looks like. It's the business end of the season. My recent fun time has been brilliant. Now it's time to knuckle down and get back to work. However I'm stacking up a couple of more blog posts which will explain all of the recent ski lift upgrades here in the 3 Valleys (with loads of photos of course). Do come back very soon, in just a few days for the first one..... In the meantime don't forget to Live With Passion. Martin.