I don’t mind being shown up by my son, most fathers expect it at some point. But I had hoped to fend him off on the ski slopes for a few more years… after all, he’s only seven.

During a trip to Meribel in the French Alps, he administered the coup de grace.

As I negotiated a rather steep slope, I felt a frosty mix of air and snow spray as he shot past me. By the time I reached the bottom, the little blighter had removed his skies and build a snowman.

“Dad, you’re so slow.” The humiliation was complete.

I’m known by family and friends as Mr Health & Safety. I’m a little risk adverse, which makes me a cautious skier – and also quite a lonely one – as my wife and child go whistling past at enormous speed, leaving me to take my time.

But the great strength of the 3 Valleys, which incorporates the resorts of Meribel, Courchevel and Val Thorens, is that it boasts the world’s largest ski area. With 600 kms of interconnected slopes fed by 180 ski lifts this mouth-watering location was perfect for our party, who had very different aspirations for the week.

I’ve been very fortunate to ski widely in Europe and North America but I don’t recall another resort where the runs link so smoothly. It was easy for all of us to pick very different slopes, but still be able to meet up regularly for a communal ski or a pit-stop.

Our group included a complete novice and a rusty skier returning to the slopes after an absence of 35 years. They both fell head over heels in more ways than one. But by the end of the week, they were smitten, both with the sport and the resort.

It’s not difficult to fall in love with this region. Chatting to fellow skiers it’s seems many return year after year because they feel the same way.

Judging by the number of British number plates and huge family parties checking in, it’s clear that many treat it like a second home.

The people-watching opportunities here are superb. I’ve never come across such a wonderful collection of – it has to be said, English – eccentrics in one place.

Picture the scene: it’s minus 10 at the summit and there’s a man on the chair-lift wearing no more than a pair of cords and a cardie.

Mr Corduroy, probably a peer of the realm, is with a large group of chaps and children who appear to have walked straight off the set of Brideshead Revisited.

Each morning these men would appear with a chaotic assortment of enfants in various states of dress, cluelessly trying to work out what one needs when one takes a small child up a mountain. “Suncream, Hugo?” “I don’t know, Jasper” “What do you think, Charles?”

Mild panic ensued one morning when, having boarded the shuttle bus, Hugo-Jasper-Charles realised that Milo wasn’t anywhere to be found.

The H-J-Cs were too busy buying patisserie to have noticed whether they had a full contingent of children in tow.

As the bus pulled away, a snowsuited, weeping tot was spotted winding his lonely way down the hill. One emergency stop later, and the party was able to tuck in to their pain au chocolat with a clear conscious.

We stayed in Meribel village a five-minute shuttle ride from the main ski lifts of Chaudanne, where the ski school is based.

There are plentiful lockers down there, so kit can be stowed and not lugged to and fro each day.

Having said that, it was possible to ski in and out of our apartment using the local ski lift of Altiport. The simple, tree-lined, picturesque blue run was a great way to end a day’s skiing.

If you’re looking for lively apres ski you’ll want to stay in Meribel itself. The village is a lot more sedate, which suited us fine. And it has a superb local restaurant and patisserie, plus a corner shop.

Meribel boast a fabulous array of shops, bars and restaurants but be warned, the prices can be eye-popping.

If you have the 3 Valley pass you can also ski Courchevel and Val Thorens.

We spent one day skiing at Courcheval. The conditions and the wider piste made for a great day out.

And for added entertainment the place seemed to be dripping in Russian Oligarchs. In the cheapest restaurant we could find, we still paid £50 euros for five crepes and a couple of beers so maybe they’re the only people who can afford it. We left still starving. Thank God, then for the chocolate bars I had squirreled away in my backpack.

Brace yourself for high prices at mountain-side restaurants. You can learn a lot from Meribel regulars. Keep costs down by self-catering, but local convenience stores can be pricey, too, even for basics like pasta and milk. It’s worth taking supplies from home – or going to one of the supermarkets slightly out of town by car or on one of the regular buses.

But don’t let the incidental costs put you off. If you love skiing you have to give this fabulous resort a whirl…

FACTFILE

Inghams features 18 ski resorts in France, including the resort of Méribel/Mottaret, where Inghams offer a selection of properties, ranging from 2* to 5* hotels, apartments and chalets.

Nick Rowe travelled to Méribel with Inghams and stayed at the 4* Fermes de Meribel Apartments for 7 nights on a self-catering basis, with prices starting from £475 per person, including flights from Exeter (+£30) to Geneva and resort transfers.

This property also includes unlimited FREE access to indoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath and fitness room and FREE wireless access.

Flights are also available at a supplement from Southampton (+£29).

Ski pack items can be pre-booked: 6 day adult ski and boot hire starts from £84, 6 day child ski and boot hire starts from £50 6 day adult ski school (2.5hrs/day) starts from £169, 6 day child ski school (2.5hrs/day) starts from £139.

6 day Three Valleys lift pass covering Méribel starts from £221 (adult), £169 (5-12 yrs), FREE (0-5yrs) Inghams offers a discounted Ski Saver Pack, including 6 days Three Valleys lift pass, 6 days superior ski hire and 6 days tuition (2.5hrs/day) from £429.

Inghams also offers a discounted Learn to Ski Pack, including 6 day ski and boot hire, 6 day local area ski pass and 6 days tuition (2.5hrs/day), from £335 per adult and £245 per child (5-11 yrs). PLUS when 2 adults pre-book ski and boot hire 1 child received FREE ski & boot hire.

Inghams Ski Reservations: 020 8780 4447 or book online at www.inghams.co.uk

RESTAURANT TIPS:

Cactus Café, right next to the ski lift at Chaudanne, good food, fast service, reasonable prices If you’re staying in Meribel Village, check out www.boamil.com