I bought my apartment in 2008 and used it for the first time that summer. I immediately fell in love with the town and its laid back but active atmosphere with all its bars and restaurants, beautiful mountain and riverside walks, the many bridges and views of the white water, the local park and knowing I could be active all day or just relax, drink coffee and people watch and it didn't matter which.
I skied at Meribel and beyond the following winter, when Brides also had heavy snow, and was impressed with the vastness of the linked area (in fact, 4 valleys are linked these days) but also the easy accessibility. I tend to take the gondola up when the roads are snowy but, otherwise, drive up to Meribel Village or Le Raffort where parking is free. I now ski there at least twice a year!