Standing hand in hand with Col, on top of a tree-covered valley. The powder white snow glistening in the early evening light. The air is clear and the sky is blue. I’m smiling so much my teeth are cold, but I can feel the warmth of the sun on my skin. There’s no sound, just the gentle crunch of the snow beneath our feet. This is so much more than I could’ve imagined. Photographs and films don’t feel like this.

Why on earth have I waited 33 years to come here…?

Where to stay

When we were invited to visit Méribel, as a romantic couples escape, courtesy of Meriski, my initial thoughts were that we couldn’t. Yep, I must’ve been crazy. Do remember though, that at this point I had never left our youngest son Rory, I’d also never skied, which seemed like the sole purpose and I thought it wasn’t really for me. Thankfully, Colin persuaded me to have a look over the gorgeous website, and with the help of our amazing parents, we decided to say, “Yes” and make it happen.

From the moment we booked, Meriski were simply outstanding. A small company that’s been operating in Méribel for over 30 years, they specialise in luxury ski holidays and have earned themselves a fantastic reputation as the Méribel specialists.

Meriski have ten luxury-catered chalets across the area. Each with its own unique design and character, but all with one thing in common…Meriski’s signature luxury service and attention to detail. The chalets have in house Hosts, Drivers, qualified Chefs and Nannies for those that need them. They have thought of everything.

Although we were a group of adults, this would also be a perfect place to holiday with children. Méribel is a beautiful area, its also extremely well equipped with swimming pools, ten pin bowling and of course the option of Ski School too. Meriski have their own team of qualified nannies who will take care of your little ones while you’re on the slopes, allowing parents some much needed R&R too.

Kashmir is so much more than just a base to explore Méribel. With it’s enormous living space, outdoor hot tub, massage room, cinema room, ski room with boot dryers, heated floors throughout, and of course the perfect wood burning fire to curl up after a long day on the slopes. The chalet has stunning panoramic views over the valley and large balcony’s to enjoy some outdoor space too.

We shared our chalet with a PR team from the UK. Ten other people we had never met before, but it was so much fun. The vast living space provided the perfect environment to mingle and get to know each other, but we all had plenty of space if we needed it and our quiet bedrooms to slip off and relax alone too.

After breakfast the chef would get to work on making something for our return to the chalet later, where a cosy afternoon tea would be waiting for us. While we were there he baked sticky Lemon Drizzle, a gooey Nutella Cake and Chocolate Chip Cookies. It was so lovely to come back to the smell of sweet oven treats and a warm cup of tea.

Dinner was always a showstopper. Candles lit, music on, we would gather in the living area and enjoy a glass of sparkling wine and a canapé in front of the roaring fire. This was followed by an impressive three-course meal with accompanying carefully selected wines, then a cheese board back at the fire. Everyone slipped off to bed at different times. It was the luxurious comfort of home without lifting a finger. We all felt extremely spoiled.

This relaxing evening routine really makes Kashmir the most wonderful venue for a big gathering of family and friends of all ages.

On The Slopes

I first want to reassure you that there really is no NEED to ski in Méribel. The Chalet is so well equipped and wonderfully relaxing. There’s also a lot to enjoy in town, with gorgeous walks and countless bars and restaurants, this really is a holiday for everyone.

Not being remotely sporty, and also a little wobbly about heights, I contemplated the non-skiing option, but everyone assured me that I would love skiing; I just needed to step out of my comfort zone, and give it a chance.

Having never skied before, I had no idea what we would be required to take or how to arrange our travel or skiing equipment, it all sounded quite stressful compared with our usual beach holiday.

It was quite the opposite, Meriski took all the pressure off and organised everything for us. From our airport transfers, to our ski-hire, lift passes, everything. Every single member of the Meriski team was passionate about exceeding our expectations, and they truly did.

At first I was as wobbly and slippery as I had imagined I would be, but Adriene was incredibly patient and encouraging. Before we knew it we were snow ploughing and paralleling down the green slopes. The fresh air filling our lungs and honestly the most amazing views I’ve ever seen. I wish I could show you, because pictures and video cannot capture just how incredible it is to see. So much blue sky, sparkling white mountains, and snow covered trees for miles. Its amazing, and incredibly romantic gliding down those hills with your love. Easy to understand how people really get the skiing bug and want to return every year. After just two days…. I’ve got that same bug!

If the only thing holding you back from skiing is the fear of not being the ‘sporty type’, then push those fears to one side, you will LOVE IT! I cant believe I waited 33 years to put on a pair of skis, it’s something I regret and now feel passionately that I want my children to have the opportunity to ski from a young age. Méribel will be the perfect place for them to start in a year or so.

Apres Ski

Those who know me will know that the ‘foodie-drinkie’ bit is always my favourite, but Méribel has raised the bar so much higher.

There is nothing more wonderful than clicking off those skis and taking your first sip of a refreshing French wine and a mouthful of a local tartiflette. Après Ski is definitely one of the highlights of a stay in Méribel.

Unwind

From the moment you step off the plane in Geneva, you will feel yourself slip into this wonderful state of relaxation. The Meriski drivers will load your luggage into the comfortable car and drive you to your chalet. The drive really is beautiful and you see the blanket of white become thicker the higher up the winding roads you travel.

A warm welcome will be waiting for you in your Chalet. Slip off your snow boots and feel the warmth under your feet. A member of the Meriski team with make you a drink and show you to your room where luxury toiletries, fluffy robes and slippers await.

While we were there, I enjoyed a candle lit massage with Alpine Therapies. As well as specialising in relaxing massage, all the therapists are qualified physiotherapists, which was exactly what I needed after my first skiing experience (as well as the usual aches and pains of motherhood). What a luxury to enjoy a glass of fizz in the outdoor hot tub and then pad downstairs in my slippers for a massage.

Colin and I were blown away by the entire experience from start to finish. We slept soundly, uninterrupted, for 3 nights and woke feeling refreshed. We held hands; we relaxed and explored this magical new place together. Part of me feels like it was a dream. But it wasn’t, it’s a real place and we really experienced all of these amazing things. We really can’t wait to go back.

If you’re interested in booking Chalet Kashmir then there is currently a brilliant offering of 50% off Chalet Kashmir on 25th March 2018, here is a link to the offer on the website: 50% off Chalet Kashmir

This is one of the last weeks that the chalet is available for this season!

You can watch our highlights in my Vlog, here…