School holidays 2027 and the opening of the 3 Vallées

Preparations for the 2026/2027 winter season are already underway in Méribel Mottaret!

Christmas holidays, February breaks, Easter – the best times to book… here are the highlights of the season in Méribel Mottaret and across Les 3 Vallées.

The 2026–2027 school holiday calendar

Plan your holiday now: download the 2026–2027 international school holidays calendar.

Christmas holidays

The Christmas holidays will run from Saturday 19 December 2026 to Saturday 2 January 2027 across the three French regions.

This year, Christmas Day falls on Friday 25 December 2026 and New Year’s Day on Friday 1 January 2027.

You should therefore expect two very popular weeks:

• Christmas week, from 19 to 26 December 2026, is ideal for soaking up the magical atmosphere of the 3 Vallées, the festive lights, the first big family holidays and the resort celebrations.
  This week is generally less busy, so make the most of it and come and enjoy all the Christmas events organised by Méribel and Courchevel!
• New Year’s week, from 26 December 2026 to 2 January 2027, will, as every year, remain the most popular period of the winter.
  It attracts a large French and international clientele: British, Belgian, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Danish, Swedish, Polish, Swiss…

Our advice: book well in advance if you want a choice of accommodation, especially if you’re travelling in a large group, with family or friends.
The larger flats and the best-located properties are often the first to go.

February school holidays

The February 2027 school holidays will run from Saturday 6 February to Saturday 6 March 2027, depending on the region in France.

Here are the key trends to bear in mind:
 

• Week of 6 February 2027: Zone C only
  This first week will mainly affect Zone C.
  It should be more affordable than the following weeks, with lower visitor numbers.
  It’s a great time to enjoy the snow and more affordable prices.
   
• Week of 13 February 2027: zones A and C
  Crowds will increase significantly as two French regions are on school holidays, alongside a large proportion of European visitors, notably from the UK, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Scandinavia.
   
• Week of 20 February 2027: zones A and B
  This week is expected to be one of the busiest of the season.
  It will see two French zones on holiday, a European clientele still very much in evidence, as well as several regional school holidays in the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
   
• Week of 27 February 2027: Zone B only
  This final week of the French school holidays will be quieter than the previous two.
  It remains an attractive option for families from Zone B who wish to enjoy Méribel Mottaret whilst the winter atmosphere still lingers, but with more manageable prices.

Our advice:
In February, the weeks of 13 and 20 February will be the most popular.

It is therefore best to book as far in advance as possible.

For Zone C guests, opt for the first week, which will be quieter and cheaper.
For Zone B guests and Belgian visitors, book your holiday for the last week of February.

Easter holidays and spring 2027

Easter will fall on Sunday 28 March 2027.

The French spring holidays will begin on Saturday 3 April 2027 for Zone C and run until 19 April 2027, then continuing with Zone A from 10 April to 26 April 2027 and Zone B from 17 April to 3 May 2027.
 

Spring is the perfect time to enjoy the mountains in a different way:

• skiing in the morning,
• sunny terraces at lunchtime,
• spas and walks in the afternoon,
• longer days,
• a more relaxed atmosphere in the resort.
   

It’s also an excellent time to learn to ski or regain your confidence on the slopes, with less pressure than at the height of the February half-term holidays.

Opening of Méribel and the 3 Vallées resorts

For the 2026–2027 winter season, the 3 Vallées ski area is scheduled to open from Saturday 5 December 2026 to Sunday 18 April 2027, according to the latest information available.

In Méribel, the opening is scheduled for around Saturday 5 December 2026.

Courchevel is set to open on 4 December, whilst La Tania and Les Ménuires will open on 5 December; Saint-Martin-de-Belleville is scheduled to open on 12 December 2026, whilst Val Thorens and Orelle are expected to open as early as Saturday 21 November 2026. These dates are provisional and may change depending on snow conditions.

Thanks to its altitude and its location at the heart of the 3 Vallées, Méribel Mottaret offers exceptional access to the world’s largest ski area, with ideal conditions to make the most of the season.

For the 2026–2027 winter season, the operators of the 3 Vallées have announced several new features designed to improve comfort and ease of movement across the ski area.

In La Tania, the gondola lift is being modernised with 52 new eight-seater cabins, which are more spacious and comfortable.

In Méribel, the refurbishment of the Rhodos gondola lift is nearing completion, whilst the Châtelet chairlift is back in service to facilitate access to the snowpark. On the slopes, the Niverolle run has been re-profiled and fitted with artificial snow, and the snowmaking system on the Truite run has been completely refurbished.

In Méribel-Mottaret, some of the Plattières gondolas are also being adorned with an artwork by Lucas Beaufort.

The best weeks to book

January: the best deal of the winter

After the festive season, January remains one of the best times to go skiing.

There are plenty of advantages:

• lower prices,
• fewer people on the slopes,
• shorter queues at the ski lifts,
• often excellent snow,
• a quieter atmosphere in the resort.

It’s the ideal time for skiers who want to make the most of the 3 Vallées ski area without the crowds of the school holidays.

Early February: a strategic week

The week of 6 February 2027, with only Zone C on school holidays, should be less crowded than the middle weeks of February.

This is the week to go for if you’re looking for a good balance between snow, a family-friendly atmosphere and more attractive prices.

March: sunshine, skiing and mild Alpine weather

March remains a very popular time of year among regular visitors.

The days are getting longer, temperatures are becoming more pleasant and the 3 Vallées ski area still enjoys generally generous snow cover, although depths vary depending on the sector and altitude. Historical records show an average snow depth of around 85 cm in Méribel, 132 cm in Courchevel, 78 cm in Les Menuires and 167 cm in Val Thorens.

Across these four major areas, the average snow depth is therefore nearly 116 cm, confirming that March remains a particularly good time to enjoy the ski area.
It’s the perfect time to combine skiing, mountain-top terraces and moments of relaxation.

Closure of Méribel and the 3 Vallées

The closure of the 3 Vallées ski area is scheduled for between 9 April and 2 May 2027, depending on the resort and subject to snow conditions.

As is the case every year, some high-altitude resorts, notably Val Thorens and Orelle, may extend the season beyond this date, depending on conditions.

Thanks to its altitude and prime location, Méribel Mottaret remains an ideal destination for enjoying skiing right until the end of the season.

Book your holiday in Les 3 Vallées now     

Any questions? Our team is on hand to advise you and help you organise your holiday in Les 3 Vallées.