Méribel, 27 September 2016: Meriski (01285 648518; www.meriski.co.uk), the luxury catered chalet operator in the French resort of Méribel, is launching Celebrations for snow-sports fans who want to mark a special occasion in the mountains.

Customers can add a Celebrations package to a booking at an extra cost. The standard offer includes:

• A pre-dinner cocktail party with canapés
• Upgraded dinner service on one evening
• Flowers, balloons and decorations
• An enhanced drinks service, including vodka and gin by Chase
• Two 45-minute massages
• A three-hour snowshoeing experience for two
• A babysitter from 6pm-11pm on one evening

The cost for the above is £750, but enhanced options are available, featuring a range of services from beauty treatments and private ski instruction to helicopter transfers, with prices available on application.

Celebrations is the latest initiative from Meriski in its quest to offer a top-quality experience on and off the piste. Other news for the 2016-17 season includes the following:

NEW 'Mountain Experiences'

The Méribel specialist will match the excellent quality and service offered inside its chalets with outstanding experiences on the slopes in the new season. From the moment a guest books, they will be able to draw on Meriski's 30-plus years in resort by accessing a variety of Mountain Experiences delivered by some of the best guides in the 3 Vallées. A selection of hand-picked activities will be available throughout the season, including snow-shoeing, telemarking, cross-country skiing, ski touring and even ski joering. Prices from €36 (£31) per person for an afternoon's snow-shoeing to €340 per person for a day's ski touring.

NEW 'Skiers Weeks'

Meriski has teamed up with top local ski instructor Christophe Anthelme of White Abyss to offer guests dedicated Skiers Weeks on selected dates. Christophe has more than 25 years' experience on the slopes, including an international career in racing, and a deep knowledge of the local terrain. His unique and inspiring approach to tuition is in very high demand across the 3 Vallées by complete beginners, intermediates who have plateaued and are looking to improve, and experts seeking a fresh challenge. These special weeks will include five days' tuition tailored to guests' requirements, with a sixth day available by arrangement. Skiers' weeks are available when booking Chalet L'Ardour for the week of 22 January (£8,500), Chalet Le Pousse Caillou for the week of 5 February (£13,950), and Chalet Le Grenier for the week of 5 March (£31,200).

NEW Accommodation

Chalet Le Pousse Caillou joins Meriski's premier Prestige range in 2016-17. Set in a quiet corner of Mussillon, yet only 10 minutes' walk from the centre of the resort, the chalet is set against a sensational mountain backdrop and has been fully refurbished to a very high standard for the new season. The prestigious property features elegantly fashionable furnishings by leading Alpine interiors company Ligne Roset and luxurious facilities such as a 65in TV and sunken outdoor hot-tub. With five spacious bedrooms and five deluxe bathrooms, it sleeps 10 adults and four children, with guests cared for by a three-strong team including a professional chef and two hosts. Guests will also benefit from Meriski's complimentary driver service between 8am and 10pm daily. The chalet is available for split bookings from £950 per person per week, based on two sharing, and whole bookings from £9,500 per week.

Chalet Kalliste will unveil Meriski's first Prestige apartment, which can be hired as part of the whole chalet for extra privacy or standalone for a self-catering ski holiday. Kalliste Annexe is a luxurious one-bedroom apartment, sleeping two adults and two children, with open-plan living area and kitchen and family bathroom. The apartment has its own private access to provide an intimate alternative to a chalet environment. But it can also be connected to the main chalet via a lockable internal door to allow more space for a large group booking the whole property. Guests staying in the Annexe on a self-catering basis receive a welcome hamper, midweek clean and towel change, luxury linen and L'Occitane toiletries, and concierge and lift-pass delivery service. From £1,500 to £3,000 per week on a self-catering basis, or between £1,000 and £2,000 fully catered when booked with Chalet Kalliste.

NEW Bigger team at top chalet

Chalet Le Grenier, one of Meriski's Prestige properties, is widening the luxury gap with its competitors, expanding its dedicated staff to five, including a chalet manager who doubles as an exclusive concierge, a professional chef, two hosts, and a dedicated driver in the mornings and afternoons. The chalet manager at the superior property, one of Meriski's Prestige Chalets, will deliver the concierge service, offering insightful recommendations and arranging bookings for everything from ski lessons to the best tables at top restaurants in Méribel and across the 3 Vallées.

Chalet Le Grenier is an eye-catching five-storey property, fusing traditional Alpine architecture with contemporary styling. It sleeps 12 in six spacious bedrooms, including two master suites, and also has a private spa. Built in 2015, it is located in the Morel area of Méribel, with direct access to the Hulotte piste from the chairlift just across the road. From £23,716 to £55,337 per week, the chalet is available to book only as a whole.

To book, call 01285 648518 or visit www.meriski.co.uk Follow Meriski on Twitter @meriski, on Facebook at facebook.com/meriski and on Instagram at instagram.com/meriskiluxurychalets

For further information, images, or to arrange press trips, please email: travelnews@traveltappers.co.uk. Alternatively, contact Kate Simon on 07939 526109 and kate@traveltappers.co.uk or Simone Kane on 07811 161839 and simone@traveltappers.co.uk. Traveltappers is a trading name of Little Black Book Creative Ltd.

Notes to editors:

Meriski, run by directors Colin Mathews and Huw Davies, has been providing accommodation in Méribel for more than 30 years. The company has a reputation for fine service and excellent food, with chalets chosen for their superb aspect and luxurious interiors and staffed by friendly and efficient hosts. Chefs are handpicked for their flair and passion for food, and all have worked in professional catering establishments.

Meriski is the only chalet operator in the resort with a dedicated crèche. It also offers a private in-chalet nanny service. Plus, there's a ski school collection for children who require lunch and afternoon childcare. Facilities in the chalets include toboggans, Bluetooth speakers, TVs and DVD players, books, music and DVD libraries, Nintendo Wiis, toys and game boxes. Internet access is free, too. A supervised high tea is served for children at about 5.30-6pm each day, allowing adults some grown-up time.

Meriski holidays are priced for chalet board accommodation only, but the team can offer advice on travel to the resort. The nearest airports are at Chambéry, Geneva and Lyon, plus train services run from St Pancras International to Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-Les-Bains.

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