It’s happening.
The first snow has already made an appearance, skis are slowly coming back out of storage and conversations in Méribel have officially shifted from “how was your summer?” to “when are you putting your winter tyres on?”
The countdown to winter 2026/27 is properly underway.
Méribel’s ski area is due to open on Saturday 5 December 2026, with the season running through until 18 April 2027. And while plenty of the things we love about winter are reassuringly staying exactly the same, there are also some new events, new reasons to explore the mountain and a few changes here in Méribel Village that we’re particularly excited about.
So, if you’re planning a ski holiday in Méribel this winter — or, like us, you’re already mentally halfway up the first chairlift — here’s what to look forward to.
Winter starts on 5 December
There’s something about opening day that never gets old.
On 5 December, the lifts start turning again and Méribel officially moves out of autumn mode and back into ski season.
The resort is already planning celebrations for opening day, including Savoyard music and local produce on the mountain, as well as food prepared by local chefs.
But really, opening weekend is about the simple things we’ve been missing for months.
The sound of ski boots on the pavement. The first chairlift. That strange feeling in your legs after the first proper run of the season. And, eventually, that first drink when you come back down the mountain.
We’re ready.
Après-ski is getting bigger in Méribel Village
This is the change closest to home for us.
This winter, La Terrasse du Village will have live music seven days a week throughout the ski season.
Every day.
Our après starts before the band does. From 3pm to 4pm, it’s Aperol Spritz Hour, followed by Happy Hour from 4pm to 5pm, just as the live music gets going.
We’ll also be serving our new afternoon snack menu from 3pm to 6pm, with proper post-ski food including smash burgers and loaded fries.
The idea is simple: finish skiing, come straight down the Lapin piste into Méribel Village and you’re basically there.
And you don’t need to be skiing to join everyone. La Terrasse is accessible directly from the Village, while the free Méribus service connects Méribel Village with Méribel Centre during the winter.
It means skiers, non-skiers and those who decided at lunchtime that they had probably skied enough for one day can all end up in the same place.
Coffee before the first lift
Not everything new this winter needs to involve alcohol.
La Terrasse will be open from 9am every morning, so if you’re the kind of person who needs coffee before putting skis on — quite reasonably — you can start the day with us before heading towards the Golf chairlift.
Méribel Village has one of those lovely winter rhythms in the morning. Boots clicking along the pavement, skis being carried towards the lift, instructors gathering groups and everyone attempting to remember which pocket they put their lift pass in.
We’ll take care of the coffee.
There’s also something particularly good about those cold, bluebird mornings when you can grab a coffee before heading up the mountain knowing you’ve got an entire ski day ahead of you.
And for the ski tourers heading up even earlier?
We see you too.
January brings Jazz Variations back to Méribel
Winter in Méribel has never only been about skiing.
In January, Jazz Variations returns with concerts every Thursday throughout the month. The 2027 programme runs on 7, 14, 21 and 28 January, moving between jazz, soul, funk, Latin sounds and traditional Indian music.
It’s one of the things we like about Méribel in January.
Christmas and New Year have finished, the mountain settles into its winter rhythm and there’s suddenly a whole month of skiing, music and events ahead.
And obviously, we’re quite keen on anything that involves live music.
The Telemark World Cup returns
If you’ve never watched world-class telemark skiing in person, this winter gives you a good excuse.
The Telemark World Cup returns to Méribel on 28 and 29 January 2027, with the Classic and Parallel Sprint competitions taking place at the Corbey stadium.
Even better, Méribel athletes Andy Rostolan and Charly Petex are expected to compete on home snow. Spectator access is free, making it a very easy addition to a ski week if you happen to be here at the end of January.
Telemark has always been one of those disciplines that looks deceptively elegant until you remember how much your thighs would hurt attempting it.
We’ll happily watch the professionals.
The Open Park is back for the full winter
For anyone who would rather leave the ground deliberately, Méribel’s Open Park is scheduled to operate from the beginning of the season on 5 December through to 18 April, conditions permitting.
The park caters for a huge range of levels. The Rookies zone gives beginners somewhere to try smaller boxes and jumps, while the main park offers kickers, rails and more advanced features for experienced freestyle riders.
Even if freestyle isn’t your thing, it’s worth stopping by just to watch.
Preferably while someone considerably more talented than you makes something terrifying look completely effortless.
March is going to be busy
By March, the days are longer, the terraces get sunnier and Méribel’s events calendar starts getting particularly interesting.
The Riders Film Festival returns in March, bringing skiing, snowboarding, filmmaking and freestyle culture together both on the mountain and on screen. The festival programme culminates on 19 March 2027.
And there’s something new on the mountain too.
Méribel is introducing Last Tracks on 23 and 30 March. The idea is essentially the opposite of First Tracks: head up towards Roc de Tougne at the end of the day, have an aperitif with music, then ski one final freshly groomed run as night begins to fall, using headlamps for the descent.
Now that sounds like our kind of ski run.
Méribel Village makes a very good winter base
Obviously, we may be slightly biased.
But Méribel Village has always had a particularly good balance during winter.
The Golf chairlift gets you onto the mountain in the morning, while the blue Lapin piste brings you back into the Village at the end of the day.
You can ski, head home, go for dinner or — our preferred option — finish your last run within a few steps of après.
And this winter there’s even more happening once you get back.
At La Terrasse, après runs into the early evening with live music every day. If you’re not quite finished when that winds down, Le Lodge is directly upstairs with its own winter programme of music, sport and late nights.
It’s entirely possible to spend the whole day skiing the 3 Vallées and then barely walk anywhere once you get home.
Your ski legs will probably appreciate it.
So, what are we most looking forward to?
Honestly, it’s not one huge event or one particular day.
It’s all the little things that make winter feel like winter again.
The first proper snowfall in Méribel Village. Morning coffees before the lifts. Coming down Lapin at the end of the day. Ski boots slowly filling the terrace. The first afternoon when the band starts playing and suddenly everyone realises winter is properly back.
Smash burgers and Aperol Spritzes at 3pm.
Happy Hour at 4.
Live music starting.
And that familiar moment when someone says, “Shall we just have one more?”
Summer was good.
Autumn has been beautiful.
But yes.
We’re ready for winter now.
Winter 2026/27 at La Terrasse du Village
La Terrasse is open 365 days a year in Méribel Village, including throughout the full ski season.
This winter:
Coffee from 9am
Aperol Spritz Hour: 3pm–4pm
Snack menu: 3pm–6pm
Happy Hour: 4pm–5pm
Live music: 7 days a week from 4pm
Smash burgers, loaded fries & more
Free Méribus connection with Méribel Centre
You’ll find us at the bottom of Méribel Village, close to the Golf chairlift and just off the Lapin piste.
See you this winter.