Ask Ben Coombes when he would choose to ski and the answer comes quickly: January. The Soberski founder tells Daniel Edward that the weeks after the festive holidays, before the February rush, are his favourite part of the season in Méribel. The appeal is a combination of time on the mountain and a different pace in the resort.
The quieter window is part of the attraction
Ben likes the period once people have returned to work and school after Christmas and New Year. In his experience, it can mean less crowded lifts and more space to enjoy the skiing. That is particularly appealing if a busy resort is one of the things making you hesitate over a first trip.
Treat that as his preferred travel window rather than a promise about every slope. Events, weekends, school calendars and conditions can all affect how busy a particular week feels. Ask your accommodation provider and ski school what they expect for your dates.
Plan for winter as it comes
Ben values January’s cold and the chance of established winter conditions. The weather is still the weather: a good previous season does not guarantee fresh snow, sunshine or every connection being open during your own stay. Keep your daily plans flexible and use the resort’s current lift and piste information.
Think about clothing, warm breaks and the length of the day as part of the holiday. Ask instructors to help plan routes suited to your level and the conditions. If you are learning, a comfortable session and time to absorb it can be more valuable than chasing distance.
Méribel gives you options, not an obligation to cover everything
Méribel forms part of the Three Valleys, alongside resorts including Courchevel and Val Thorens. That wider setting matters to Ben because he loves exploring on skis. For a beginner, it is also a reminder to choose the holiday at your own scale: the size of the map need not dictate your first day.
Discuss lesson locations and pass options before committing. If experienced friends want to head further afield, arrange a realistic meeting point later. The evening can bring the group together even when the ski days look different.
January also fits the alcohol-free idea
Ben sees a natural connection between his retreats and the start-of-year impulse to change habits. He talks about guests wanting a rewarding break, a fresh setting or a chance to meet people with similar interests. You do not need to be undertaking Dry January to appreciate those things.
Soberski’s Alpine Reset is advertised for 22–29 January 2027. Explore the operator’s current trip information for the programme and booking details. The appeal described in the episode is as much about how the week feels as what month appears on the calendar.
Choose the whole journey
Compare airport options with the onward transfer, not just the flight fare. In the episode, Ben highlights Geneva and Lyon and warns that winter traffic can lengthen the trip. Leave a realistic margin, confirm the drop-off point and check arrangements for your return. The official Méribel access guide covers the main ways to reach the resort.
The best January week for you is the one whose skiing, company, accommodation and journey fit together. Ben’s preference gives you a useful place to start asking questions.
Hear the conversation
These ideas come from Daniel Edward’s conversation with Ben Coombes, founder of Soberski. Find the complete collection in our Méribel and alcohol-free ski holidays hub.