Le Laitelet

Apartment & Chalet Rentals in Le Laitelet - Méribel-Mottaret

Le Laitelet is the large residential neighbourhood on the western side of Méribel-Mottaret, rising from the resort centre at 1,700 metres up to Le Hameau at 1,800 metres, right along the pistes. Ski-in ski-out residences, a free gondola and the pedestrian centre close by make it one of the most convenient locations in the valley for a ski holiday. Here you find exactly what has made Mottaret successful for fifty years - skiing with zero friction, from sunrise to sunset - plus the calm of a residential hillside where cars simply have no place.

Le Laitelet at a glance

An entire hillside of piste-side residences, built in chalet style and terraced to face the morning sun; a free neighbourhood gondola working as your lift from morning to evening; the snow front, ski schools and Mottaret's shopping centre gathered below: Le Laitelet concentrates the essentials on a few hundred metres of slope. It is the neighbourhood of families who want to do everything on skis, groups of friends here to devour the valleys, and regulars who know that here, not a minute of skiing is ever wasted.

Where is Le Laitelet?

The neighbourhood occupies the resort's right bank, facing the Le Chatelet hillside, between Mottaret's pedestrian heart and the Le Hameau plateau. At the bottom flow the Doron stream and the life of the resort; at the top, the Hameau residences touch the pistes of the Tougnète sector. Méribel Centre is about ten minutes by shuttle, Moûtiers and its TGV station around thirty minutes by car - and the first lift is at the foot of the building.

A true ski-in ski-out neighbourhood

The vast majority of Le Laitelet's residences sit right on the edge of the piste: you click in at the foot of the building in the morning and ski home in the evening, never carrying your equipment. For many skiers this is the ultimate comfort - no more crowded shuttles or heavy boots on pavements. Children glide to their lessons, parents roam the valleys free of timetables, and everyone comes home when they please: the apartment is literally on the way down the mountain.

The free Chalets gondola

The neighbourhood's signature asset: the free Chalets gondola links Le Laitelet to the centre of Mottaret and runs from morning until early evening. Children, ski gear, shopping, pushchairs: trips to and from the snow front and the shops are effortless whatever the weather. It is what turns a hillside neighbourhood into a totally practical address - and lets you spend the whole week without touching the car.

In the heart of the 3 Valleys

At the bottom of the neighbourhood, the Mottaret snow front gathers the strategic departures: the Pas du Lac gondola towards La Saulire and Courchevel, and the Plattières gondola towards the Belleville valley, Les Menuires and Val Thorens. Sitting at the geographical centre of the 3 Valleys, Mottaret lets you roam the 600 km of the world's largest ski area and still ski home every evening. Ski schools and children's clubs are based at the foot of the village, a short glide from the neighbourhood.

Slopes for every level

Beginners enjoy the snow-front learning zones and the gentle lower runs. Intermediates link the Plattières boulevards and the Tougnète-side combes that flow straight back to the neighbourhood. Experts aim for Mont Vallon and its 1,000 metres of vertical, the Saulire slopes and, over in Méribel, the Roc de Fer of the 2023 World Championships. Every level has its itinerary - and everyone shares the same ski-in return to the door.

The pedestrian centre of Mottaret nearby

Supermarket, bakery, ski shops, restaurants, bars and a cinema: Mottaret's shopping centre and services are a few minutes away on foot or by gondola. The neighbourhood itself stays calm, away from traffic - in Mottaret the car stays parked and everything happens on foot or on skis. For the evenings, the snow-front après-ski terraces are a glide away, and the silence of the hillside welcomes you home.

Great for families

Between ski-in ski-out convenience, the free gondola, children's clubs at the foot of the slopes and the calm of a car-free neighbourhood, Le Laitelet ticks every box for a family ski holiday. ESF lessons meet at the snow front, the sector's fun zones and boardercross keep teenagers busy, and the cinema in the centre saves stormy evenings. Many of our families return to the same residence every year - the best quality label there is.

Our apartments and chalets in Le Laitelet

Our Le Laitelet collection ranges from clever studios to large piste-side family apartments: balconies facing the morning sun, heated ski lockers, interiors renovated in chalet spirit. All are selected, equipped and managed by our Méribel-based concierge team: hotel-quality bedding, linen provided, full kitchens, wifi and a personal welcome. Passes, lessons and equipment can be waiting in the apartment on arrival day: all you have to do is click in.

When to book your stay in Le Laitelet

The neighbourhood's altitude - 1,700 to 1,800 metres - guarantees a long season, from early December to late April. Ski-in ski-out properties go first for Christmas, New Year and February: book from spring for those weeks. January combines cold snow, empty pistes and gentle rates; March adds sunshine to the balconies; April rolls out spring skiing towards Mont Vallon. An early option costs nothing and secures the best spots on the hillside.

Winter highlights

Torchlit descents by the ski schools, festive fireworks, family entertainment on the snow front, international races on the Roc de Fer side and end-of-season celebrations: from December to April the valley's calendar never flags. From Le Laitelet everything is reached on skis or by gondola - and you are back on your balcony for sunset over Mont Vallon, the neighbourhood's true daily show.

Summer in Le Laitelet

In summer the neighbourhood enjoys immediate proximity to the Tueda lake and nature reserve, hiking trails towards the Vanoise and the valley's mountain-bike routes. Via ferrata, trail running, lake fishing, family picnics: pure mountain summer at a refreshing 1,750 metres. Summer rates make the larger apartments very affordable - an ideal address for family gatherings in search of fresh air and open space.

A typical day in Le Laitelet

8.45am: skis on at the foot of the residence, a glide down to the snow front, children dropped at ESF. Morning towards La Saulire and Courchevel, lunch on the mountain, afternoon on the Val Thorens side via the Plattières. 4.30pm: ski home to the door, snack on the balcony facing the setting sun, free gondola down for the dinner shopping. In the evening, family raclette, cinema for the motivated - and tomorrow, swap the valleys around.

Which lift pass should you choose?

At the centre of the ski area, the 3 Valleys pass (600 km) pays off here like nowhere else: every valley is a ski-to day trip. For a family stay focused on Mottaret and learning, the Méribel Valley pass (150 km) is plenty. We prepare passes, lessons and equipment with your booking - everything is waiting on arrival, down to the children's helmets.

Choosing the right residence in Le Laitelet

The lower part of the neighbourhood puts the pedestrian centre and shops closest; the upper part, towards Le Hameau, gains quiet and panorama, with the free gondola erasing the climb. Check the exact position relative to the piste - immediate piste-side or a few dozen metres -, the balcony's orientation and the ski locker. Our team knows every residence on the hillside and will guide you by your priorities: proximity, view, space or budget.

Getting to Le Laitelet

By train: TGV and winter Eurostar services to Moûtiers (a 30-minute drive), then a transfer arranged by our team or the shuttle. By air: Chambéry 1h45, Geneva and Lyon around 2h30, with private transfers to the residence. By car: the A430 to Moûtiers, up through Méribel to Mottaret; winter equipment is mandatory from November to March. Once here, the car sleeps in the car park: the whole stay happens on skis, on foot and by gondola.

Why choose Le Laitelet?

For friction-free skiing, the free gondola, the pedestrian centre nearby and the value of ski-in ski-out residences - often more accessible than you would expect for a location of this calibre. Families, groups of friends, passionate skiers: Le Laitelet is the guarantee of a week where every minute counts double, from first tracks at sunrise to the last turns right to your door.

Frequently asked questions about Le Laitelet

Is the neighbourhood genuinely ski-in ski-out? The vast majority of our properties let you click in at the foot of the building; we confirm each home's exact configuration before you book.

Is the Chalets gondola really free? Yes - it is open to all and runs from morning until early evening throughout the season; pedestrians welcome, no pass needed.

Can you walk to the centre? Yes, via the neighbourhood paths in a few minutes, or effortlessly by gondola; in the evening the shuttle completes the picture.

Is it suitable for beginners? Perfectly: learning zones and ski schools at the snow front, gentle lower slopes and the gondola to avoid the climb home.

Is the snow reliable? At 1,700-1,800 metres, with the area topping out at 2,950 metres, this is one of the safest sectors in the Alps from December to April.

Can you rent equipment locally? Yes - the centre's shops equip the whole family, and our concierge can have everything delivered straight to the apartment.

What about non-skiers? Snowshoeing at Tueda, pedestrian lift rides, spa sessions and the cinema keep non-skiing companions happily occupied all week.

Le Hameau, the upper part of the neighbourhood

At the top of the hillside, the Le Hameau plateau forms Le Laitelet's balcony: more recent residences, plunging views over the resort and Mont Vallon, and direct access to the Tougnète-sector pistes. It is even quieter up here, with the Chalets gondola handling the descent to the centre in minutes. For lovers of panoramas and first tracks, it is a dream address - and one of Mottaret's best-kept secrets.

The neighbourhood through the season

In early December the first snows dress the hillside and the residences light up their windows; at Christmas, fir trees twinkle on the balconies and torchlit descents illuminate the snow front. January unrolls cold snow and deserted morning pistes, February the buzz of the holidays, March long sunny days facing the morning light. In April, spring skiing stretches towards Mont Vallon until the final days of the season - then the hillside eases gently into summer and the Tueda trails.

Can arrival day be stress-free with children? It is our speciality: beds made, groceries delivered, equipment and passes in the apartment, helmets in children's sizes - you only carry the suitcases, the gondola does the rest.

Are there restaurants on the hillside itself? The neighbourhood is residential; the snow-front terraces and the centre's restaurants are a short glide or gondola ride away, close enough for spontaneous dinners.

Which side gets the sun? The hillside faces the morning and midday light, so breakfasts and lunches on the balcony are the neighbourhood's golden hours, while the east side opposite takes over in the late afternoon.

Is the neighbourhood lively at night? No - and that is its charm: evenings are quiet on the hillside, with the centre's bars and cinema a gondola ride away when you want them.

How far in advance should summer stays be booked? A few weeks is usually enough outside the mid-July to mid-August peak; rates stay gentle across the whole summer season.

Book your Le Laitelet rental direct

Our apartments and chalets in Le Laitelet are hand-picked and cared for by our local team. Book direct on our website for the best guaranteed rate with no platform commission, a personal welcome and concierge service throughout your stay: linen, housekeeping, lift passes, ski lessons, transfers and insider advice. Write to us - we reply within the hour.

Continue exploring the valley

The Meribel valley reads as a set of connected neighbourhoods, and the right choice often comes down to two or three details of position. To compare, have a look at Meribel Centre, Le Chatelet, La Renarde - Les Chalets, Mussillon and Meribel.

Our practical guides complete these neighbourhood pages. They cover ski hire, the ski area, spas and wellness, Meribel in summer, all accommodation in the valley and chalet rental in Mottaret, which is enough to plan the whole stay before you even book.