5 sporting challenges to take on this summer in Méribel

From the car park at Lac de Tuéda in Méribel-Mottaret, hike up to the Col du Fruit along the walking trails. From the Col du Fruit (2,516m), you’ll enjoy the splendid view of Méribel, the Gébroulaz glacier and the Vallée des Avals. But first you’ll have to tackle the 900m climb up a zigzagging mountain path. If you need a breather on the steep ascent, make sure to take a good look at the scree below the peak where you may spot chamois.

The Col de la Loze is the 3rd highest mountain pass in Savoie after the Iseran and Galibier passes… It links Courchevel to Méribel with a road reserved for bikes only. The ascent is long and you will need to be patient to reach the pass which lies at an altitude of 2,304m. This route can be ridden on a road bike or an electric mountain bike. On your way, expect frequent steep sections, some of which exceed 20%! But you will be well rewarded for your efforts – this is a unique experience which allows you to tackle one of the legendary climbs of the Tour de France.

Did you know that the Dent de Burgin via ferrata is the highest in France? This allows you to reach the summit of the Dent de Burgin at an altitude of 2,730 m along a route specially equipped with cables and ladders. If you are an experienced via ferrata climber, you can do it on your own, or if you are a beginner, take a guide. Either way, simply take the Pas du Lac gondola to reach a path which leads to the via ferrata. After a 15-minute walk, you’ll leave the hiking trail and start climbing the rock face into a high and sometimes very exposed high mountain environment.

Your first paraglider flight is an experience that you will never forget. In a two-seater paraglider, you’ll fly over the 3 Vallées accompanied by a professional pilot. Departing from Tougnète in the morning or from the Dent de Burgin in the afternoon, this paraglider flight will give you a 1,000m descent while enjoying a breath-taking 360° view of Mont Blanc and the 3 Vallées.

Going up in the ski lifts and down marked trails on a mountain bike is the activity which replaces skiing once summer arrives. Downhill mountain biking is both a physical and mental challenge. But contrary to popular belief, anyone can do it as long as they have a good instructor! What you need is to find a route that will push you out of your comfort zone but without skipping any of the essential learning stages. Whatever your level of mountain biking, you will find plenty of routes here to challenge you.

If this is your first time on a downhill mountain bike, you can discover the sport on the green trail (called the Bike Slope) or the blue trail (called Woodstocked): both start from the top of the Tougnète 1 cable car.