You want Méribel, but don’t want Méribel prices? Welcome to Brides-les-Bains, the wallet-friendly choice for exploring the vast Trois Vallées area.
The town is situated a 25 minute gondola ride below Méribel at an altitude of 600m. It’s low for a ski resort but if you don’t mind the commute you’re getting access to 600km of linked pistes between Courchevel and Val Thorens for sometimes as much as half what you’d pay further up the mountain.
Brides-les-Bains itself is a bustling and historic town famous for its spa treatments. Après is not what it is higher up, but you won’t mind that when you get the bill.
Our score is based on resort data; it reflects current forecasts, not guaranteed snow quality, and applies to the ski area, not specific resorts. Conditions can change quickly.
Updated: 13/12/25
4
/ 5
4
/ 5
Conditions
Past 3 days of snow
0cm
5 day snow forecast
2.0300000000000002cm
Lifts open
120 / 164
Summit
115cm
Base
65cm
Runs Open
Learner
39 / 54
Beginner
112 / 148
Intermediate
73 / 118
Advanced
12 / 37
Best time to ski in Brides-les-Bains
The gondola, which was built for the 1992 winter Olympics, starts running form mid December and continues ferrying passengers up to Méribel until late April.
With skiing up to 3,200m, the region is less at risk of lean spells and in recent years the resorts have invested heavily in artificial snow-making equipment. So it’s a really safe bet throughout the season.
December offers more of a festive and winter feel while choosing to go later opens up the possibilities to spend longer on the slopes – important to consider if you’re commuting for 25 minutes each way every day.
Things to do in Brides-les-Bains
No trip is complete to Brides-les-Bains without a trip to Le Grand Spa Thermal. The resort has a long tradition as a health retreat and the spa is famous for its pools, hammam, sauna and slimming treatments - ideal for non-skiers.
In town there are the usual attractions – a cinema, a free museum to the Méribel region, shopping and several excellent restaurants.
Further up the mountain, other ways to enjoy the snow and wintry landscape include winter hiking, snowmobiling, dog-sledding, paragliding and ice climbing. Moûtiers is also just down the road if you feel the need to explore.
Hotels & Apartments in Brides-les-Bains
Our top recommended hotels and apartments. To find the perfect one for you, speak to one of our specialists