Ski Lift Upgrades For Winter 2025/26 - Part 1

Hi everyone and welcome to another post from your favourite blogging Méribel Ski Instructor. This time I'm not going to talk about how great the skiing is at the moment, or talk about the lovely weather, or how quiet the pistes have been. In other words, not my usual running commentary-like post I often do during the winter months. Instead I'd thought I'd give you some information, and photos, of brand new ski lift upgrades here in the 3 Valleys this coming winter. I'll split this topic into two parts, the first today being about the Méribel Valley. With part two the other two valleys. I'm pleased to say I've been snapping away with my camera to help you see these improvements. Right, let's crack on........... Côte Brune.

For several decades, the one and only main ski lift heading over from Méribel direct to Val Thorens, was the Côte Brune chairlift. It used to be a four person seater, very long, and sometimes absolutely freezing. That didn't matter, because It meant that skiers had access from Méribel to Val Thorens. But let's reverse a bit. My goodness it could be freezing cold sometimes, even on a sunny day.

Oh, and during the busy periods, the lift queues were pretty bad. Now of course for me - he says smugly - that was never an issue, since I could use the priority ski school lines. But I could tell that these queues were nasty, because I'd often be given filthy looks by those caught up in said queues, when me and my clients would happily slink past. Goggles and neck buffs are great at hiding our pleasure!?! The name Smug McSmug Face springs to mind.

This pleasure has now sadly been taken away at the Côte Brune I think. And the reason for this is that the very old four person chair has been replaced by a ten seater bubble. Ten seats compared to the four is quite an upgrade. Plus, the new bubble will travel at a faster speed. One of my colleagues at the ski school moaned the other day that we couldn't see a ski school priority line anymore. Maybe there won't be a need for one now? We shall find out in the next couple of weeks over the Festive Period.

The other really big advantage of this new bubble, is that it will help keep you toasty warm on those cold days. No more brass monkeys on the chairlift, and more comfortable conversations can be had without the need to hunker down inside the collar of your ski jacket. I make it sound bad from the old days, but honestly this used to be a freezing cold chairlift sometimes.

It's also one of those bubbles where you carry your skis inside, i.e. not hang them in a bucket on the outside. There are holes in the floor to store them neatly. Exactly the same as the Saulire Express bubble if that makes sense?

It's a big thumbs up from me. Perhaps a little overdue, but then well worth waiting for now we have it. And I reckon you will all enjoy this new ski lift upgrade.

Right, let's head back much closer to Méribel itself, and to Chaudanne. If I can quickly explain where and what Chaudanne is, and its importance. Chaudanne is the bottom of the main Méribel ski area. Most of the pistes filter down to this area, which means in turn there are several ski lifts that help skiers access up the mountain. In short there is the Legends chairlift, the Tougnete bubble, the Saulire Express bubble, and also the Rhodos bubble. For this winter, the Rhodos bubble has had a partial renovation.

Let me repeat those words again, a partial renovation. In other words, the Rhodos bubble has not been replaced by a new ski lift. It has been partially renovated. The complete renovation takes place over two years, of which the first year is now complete. Before I go into more detail, I think it's important to understand the role of the Rhodos.

It is a two-stage bubble, which helps skiers access the Burgin side of the mountain. The first stage enables skiers to access the higher side of Méribel Town, whether for early morning ski area access, or end of day ski accommodation. The second stage gives vital access to the Altiport ski area. The Altiport is a fantastic area for green piste skiers, i.e. beginners and early intermediates. Méribel is renowned for having great terrain for early beginner skier progression. It's awesome, and a dream for ski instructors to help those gain confidence.

Being able to access this terrain (the Altiport) from down in Chaudanne is crucial, but so is being able to return from the Altiport pistes after skiing. In other words, being able to download on the bubble for skiers is just as important as going up!?! Skiing down to Chaudanne is not a beginner skier's dream, it can feel steep and icy for those early skiers, and quite frankly rather scary.

So what has changed for this winter? The bottom and intermediate stations have been renovated and given a facelift. The access for skiers has become more user friendly, with larger and easier ramp. This is good news for skiers struggling up the previous ramps, especially kids and those less practised at walking with ski equipment.

The old stand up bubbles have gone, replaced by new bubbles that enable people to sit down more comfortably, seating eight. This renovation has improved comfort and user access.

Has the uplift capacity increased, and will this reduce queues during the busy periods? Probably not, I'll be honest to say. It's a funny old renovation this one. I hope I don't sound negative, because there are some positives. However let's wait until the second part of the renovation takes place next summer and autumn. The plans are complicated, and I'd rather wait until this time next winter to describe what's going on.

Right, I hope you enjoyed this first round up of the ski lift upgrades here in the 3 Valleys. If you are new to Méribel, then I'm sorry this post probably won't make any sense. Other than that it gives confirmation that the ski lift companies continue to reinvest in the lift infrastructure. The next post will go into some detail with new upgrades in Val Thorens, and a pretty decent one in Courchevel (once it finally opens)! Until then, and as ever, don't forget to Live With Passion. Martin.