Méribel puts you in the French Alps, with the wider Three Valleys ski area on your doorstep. This collection explores what a mountain holiday can look like when skiing, good food and time with other people shape the week, with drinking left out of the itinerary.
Start with Soberski founder Ben Coombes on Destination Unlocked, then use the guides below to work through your first trip, your budget and your evenings after the lifts close.
Start with the episode
Alcohol-Free Ski Trips with Ben Coombes follows Ben’s journey from first-time skier to seasonal worker and founder. Daniel, who has never skied, asks the questions beginners often hesitate to ask: what to hire, how passes work and whether you have to spend the afternoon in a bar.
Find your kind of mountain holiday
The conversation is based around Méribel and Ben’s experience of the Three Valleys. The connected area offers 600 kilometres of pistes, but a first holiday need not become a mission to cover them all. Choose lessons, accommodation and a pass around your level and the skiing you actually expect to do.
An alcohol-free retreat can also give solo travellers a ready-made social setting. At Soberski, Ben describes shared dinners, optional yoga and evening conversations alongside the skiing. Ask about the group’s experience levels and arrangements for beginners before you book.
Explore the guides
Your First Ski Holiday: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Started
Alcohol-Free Après-Ski: What Happens After the Lifts Close?
What Does a Ski Holiday Really Cost? Build a Budget Beyond the Chalet
Skiing in Méribel in January: Why Ben Coombes Chooses the Quieter Weeks
Getting there and getting around
Geneva and Lyon are among the airport options discussed in the episode. Compare the complete journey to your accommodation, including the transfer and its arrival time, rather than choosing by flight price alone. Winter traffic and weather can change the journey considerably. The Méribel tourist office’s access guide is a useful starting point for current transport information.
Meet the expert
Ben Coombes founded Soberski after deciding that giving up drinking should not mean giving up the mountains. His guest profile includes his biography and the website, booking and social links he supplied.
Plan your next steps
For an organised alcohol-free week, explore Soberski. For independent planning, consult Méribel’s official visitor website and the official Three Valleys pass information. The practical articles distinguish Ben’s experience from details that need checking for your own dates.
