If you've ever wondered what a ski resort is like in the summer, then have a look at these pictures and see just why more people are staying on after a hectic winter for the beauty and relaxed summers in the Alps.

Although the weather has been mixed, as everywhere, the Three Valleys are stunning in summer, with mountain biking taking over as the prefered sport. The lifts have now stopped running, the shops have shut and the bars are closing down until winter but Meribel continues to party.

The Saulire looms above Meribel Valley	First snow on Mont Vallon this week (honest!) hidden under a crown of cloud
New chairs ready to be fixed in Mottaret	Plattieres 1 station below the snowpark running along the slope above Lac du Tueda
Dusk looking down Meribel Valley	Waterfalls tumble down from the glaciers
The only entertainment left in town!	Alex from the Capricorne on his wedding day

Preparations for winter are in evidence all around - diggers on the pistes, new lifts being added, others improved and there are roadworks and new chalets popping up everywhere. The road to Moutiers is shut once again until the end of October so everyone has to go down through La Praz, and with the road in Meribel Village totally dug up, this can be a hairy ride with all the lorries racing up and down.

Credit for the party of the summer has to to to Alex and Helen who were married here in August and made everyone welcome to celebrate with them. Good luck to them both and thank you from everybody here for such a fabulous day and for rendering the entire resort hungover for two days afterwards. Mutzig has much to answer for...

Autumn arrived here on Monday night when the temperature dropped enough for the first signs of a dusting of snow on the peak of Mont Vallon. Summer has been fantastic, but roll on winter - we can't wait!

Report from Phin - Natives Resort Reporter in Meribel

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