Snowy mountains, cosy chalets, and the thrill of conquering the slopes — I’d dreamed of this for years.
Sure, I didn’t know how to ski, but I was determined to learn. After spending £200 on gear and psyching myself up mentally, I arrived at Le Coucou in Méribel, ready to live my Chalet Girl dreams.
Standing on pristine snow glistening under the clear blue sky, my hour-long training session began with the basics: putting on skis, shuffling across flat ground, and gliding down a gentle slope.
I surprised myself by staying upright and by the end, I was even making some wobbly turns. I couldn’t wait to book more lessons — or so I thought. A scheduling mix-up meant that a single session was all I’d get, and going solo wasn’t an option; it was too dangerous.
But I wasn’t about to let a hiccup ruin my Alpine adventure.
A winter wonderland beyond the slopes
As soon as I arrived in Méribel, I discovered a world of possibilities for people who prefer to stay off the slopes.
A firm favourite was snowshoeing, which involves – as you might expect – walking through snow. Our guide took us on a trek through forests and meadows, where the only sounds were the crunch underfoot and the occasional birdsong.
These winter hiking trails offer sweeping panoramas, perfect for photo stops. As someone who loves capturing every moment, I was in heaven — the sky was always putting on a show.
The most memorable moment of the trip was watching the sunrise over the mountains with a hot cup of coffee.
Even if you’re not an early riser, the allure of that breathtaking view is irresistible. You can’t help but feel connected to the world around you.
How to get to Le Coucou in Méribel
Take the Eurostar to Paris (2.5 hours, from £80 for a return trip), and then a TGV train to Moutiers (5 hours, £50-£100), followed by a 30-min taxi or bus to Méribel.
Or fly from London to Geneva or Chambéry (2 hours, £50-£150),and then a transfer (2.5 hours from Geneva, 1.5 hours from Chambéry).
Weird and wonderful experiences
Inspired by the sunrise spectacle, I decided to try snow yoga.
Initially, I was sceptical — how could yoga work in sub-zero temperatures? Would we have to lie down on icy ground, and was I supposed to bring yoga pants?
Thankfully, we kept our coats and gloves on as our instructor guided us on a slow walk through snow-topped woodland, encouraging us to connect with the air for a mindful experience.
Unwind like the French
Even though I’m more of a ‘walk 30,000 steps to see the whole city in a day’ kind of traveller, some of the best moments from my trip were the quiet ones.
The chalet I stayed in had a pool and sauna, so I spent the evenings floating and enjoying a steam session.
The outdoor pools were also a standout. Although I was worried about swimming outside; the contrast between the hot water and chilly air turned out to be a blissful experience – certainly one to add to your bucket list.
An on-site spa offers a menu of indulgent treatments to help you defrost after a day in the snow. Try the Le Coucou Facial and ‘Grand Froid’ for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Après ski
Away from the mountains, Méribel had plenty to offer. Its charming streets are dotted with boutiques and cosy cafes, perfect for warming up and soaking in the après-ski vibe.
If you’re looking for something lively that will give you a sense of local culture, take the horse-drawn sleigh ride to Le Clos Bernard, a traditional mountain restaurant by the piste that serves Savoyard specialities like fondue, grilled lamb, and raclette.
Back at Le Coucou, the menus in its four restaurants are just as impressive. Savour creamy risottos at Biancaneve, grilled seafood at Beefbar, and après-ski desserts at the Bar des Pistes.
But the Ile Flottante, French for floating island, was my favourite. The soft meringue melted in my mouth; I might go back just for this!
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My time in Méribel was a surprise from start to finish.
Whatever draws you to this snowy paradise – thrilling slopes, peaceful moments in the crisp mountain air, or sunrises painting the peaks in pink and orange – one thing is certain: the memories will stay with you long after you leave.
Anushka Suharu was a guest of Le Coucou in Méribel. Nightly rates start from €460 (£382) per room on a half-board basis, and rates at Chalet Eglantine and Chalet Eleonore start from €6,500 (£5,391) on a half-board basis.
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