Meribel

Meribel is tainted by the Brits - the bars have imaginative names like Le Pub. Its a big, spread-out resort as they sensibly wont allow high rise developments which means it's grown out rather than up. The two main streets are full of bad clothes shops, board/ski hire, bars and restaurants.

On the slopes away from the board you can take a tandem paraglide or ride a snowmobile. Just up from Meribel is the village of Mottaret which is more of a purpose-built village that is better placed for access to Mont Vallon, the main funpark and Val Thorens.

Tex-mex, pizza and burgers to be had in the pubs. As for the restaurants The Tremplins good and if you want it there's a Michelin star at the Cassiopee. 

All the big tour operators come here. You should be able to get a deal as theres chalet after chalet to choose from.

Dont stay in Brides-les-Bains, no matter how cheap it is (see Trio Vallees).

Meribel is package-deal central and as such, the bars are full of pissed Brits in silly hats waiting for dinner, or later on, really pissed Brits after buckets full of cheap wine they got free with their chalet dinner. Before the days' board is over, you can sink a few in the lively Rond Point. The Pub has pool and a few tvs, opposite is La Taverne which is often mobbed and of course where theres Brits, theres a Dicks Tea Bar.

All the bars are way overpriced, which means if you're in a chalet, ask them to chill the red wine so you dont have to hold your nose to get it down your throat.