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Megeve Ski Resort
Baroness Noémie de Rothschild put Megeve on the map back in the ’20’s as a French equivalent of Switzerland’s über posh St Moritz... nowadays, it’s grouped with St Moritz in the prestigious ‘Best of the Alps’ group alongside other alpine legends like Kitzbühel and Chamonix.
While the Mont d’Arbois and Mont Blanc massif is a sight for the eyes in itself, this old market town is brimming with traditional alpine charm. Car-free, cobbled streets surround the main square with its medieval church and horse-drawn sleighs serving as taxis.
Megeve’s heyday during the 1960’s secured the resort’s reputation as one of the poshest places to ski. It still hosts events like the BMW Polo Masters Tour and the boutique hotels, Michelin starred restaurants and designer shops run as popular as ever. The iconic Christmas tree at Place de l'Eglise (in all it’s glory from the beginning of December) is famous for being lavishly adorned in Swarovski crystals.
It’s not just the royal and ridiculously rich that can have a good time here. There’s been a big push in recent years to highlight this as one of the best places for families in terms of the ski area, activities and attractions (the French tourist board seem to agree and have awarded it their prestigious Famille Plus label). The hour long transfer from Geneva is another plus for holidays with young children and means more precious time spent in resort rather than on the coach.
This is a proper mountain town rather than a purpose built resort, so access to the ski area is via the Chamois gondola in the village centre. The Evasion Mont Blanc is the third biggest ski area in France and covers 445km and 220 slopes, with 107 lifts and regular buses linking Megève with Saint Gervais, Les Contamines, Saint Nicolas, Jaillet, Combloux, Cordon and La Giettaz. The slopes cover the mountains of Rochebrune, Mont d’Arbois and Le Jaillet - the Chamois gondola reaches Rochebrune and you can then get the lift to any of the other areas.
Stats & FAQ
Location: France, Alps.
Established: 1914
Open: December - April
Downhill: 445km
View our detailed Megeve snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Megeve snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Geneva | 84km, 1h |
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| Top Altitude: | 2525m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 1020m |
| Resort Altitude: | 1113m |
| Longest run: | 3.7km |
| Slope Orientation: | N S E |
| Vertical Drop: | 1412m |
| Skiable Vertical: | |
| Night Skiing: | Yes |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 445km |
| Beginner slopes: | 47% |
| Intermediate: | 38% |
| Advanced slopes: | 15% |
| Lift Pass Price: | 205 € (adult 6 day) |
| Nearby resorts: St Gervais, Chamonix, Flaine, La Clusaz | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Megeve
Children are very well catered for with several kids clubs at the bottom of the Rochebrune, Princesse, Jaillet and Mont d’Arbois cable cars and at the top of the Chamois station. The Evasion area has over 40 green pistes, meaning lots of variety for beginners and there’s no being left to get the gondola down at the end of the day while others squeeze in one last run - you can ski greens down to the Mont d’Arbois, Jaillet and Rochebrune base stations.
Mont d’Arbois is the perfect place to start: the lovely Chateluy leads all the way down to Le Bettex, with a nice variety of wide and narrower descents and plenty of opportunity to dip in and out of the trees and over the bumps by the side of the piste once you’ve built some confidence.
The Pere Noel blue on Jaillet is a good way to end the week on a high (especially if it’s Christmas as it’s named after Santa himself!). Prapacot is a nice lengthy blue down to the Princess gondola and you can always go back up to ski the red Milloz to the same base for more of a challenge.
Intermediates have tonnes of variety over all three mountains and Mont Joly has a fantastic network of red runs.
Before you hurtle down from the Epaule lift, take in the views of Mont Blanc from the top - the Epaule piste down to St Nicolas also has some awesome scenery.
If you want to ski your first black but aren’t quite ready for the notorious Grand Chamois, Super Megeve is known for being quite forgiving. The black Princesse goes through some gorgeous forest scenery and isn’t too steep either. Experts looking for heaps of white-knuckle challenges might be better off in Chamonix but if you’re happy to pass the time enjoying the slopes and scenery, you’ll love it here. One of the blacks in Alpette is named after local legend Emile Allias (the first Frenchman to win a downhill medal).
There’s usually some good mogul and off piste terrain over at Mt Joly and St Nicholas. Freestylers have 3 snow parks to test out (the Waidzai in the Rochbrune area is the closest).
Megeve Apres Ski
Club de Jazz Les Cinq Rues is probably the most famous venue as it’s one of the biggest jazz clubs in France. While it’s expensive, it’s said to have the best music in town and has hosted huge names in the jazz world. Les Caves is another popular option for a cocktail or two in a sophisticated, jazzy atmosphere.
If you want something Megevan through and through, the Lodge is a cosy bar with stylish log tables and comfy leather sofas. Bar des Alpes has WiFi and a nice sun terrace. For later on in the evening, Palo Alto has 2 discos, each offering a different scene and Cocoon club has live music and DJ’s as well as live sport on the big screen.
In the village, Le Prieuré on Place de l'Eglise is well worth a table booking if you want a sophisticated meal in the centre of the village (the cakes and pastries are really good). Les Fermes de Marie has 3 different sections, traditional, alpine and a bit fancier, depending what you’re after. La Calèche is known for its tapas and snacks and for something a little more laid back and easy on the pocket, Du Sel au Sucre does takeaway waffles and bagels for a tasty snack, as well as pizzas and pasta dishes for something a bit more wholesome.
In Rochebrune, La Caboche has a sandwich bar and deckchairs and Le Terrasse Café has WiFi access and a good menu featuring Savoyard favourites and burgers.
Le 1920 in Mont d’Arbois has a Michelin star while Mandarines is France’s oldest high altitude restaurant and has some awesome views.
For non-skiers, the Panoramic cinema is near the village square and now has a 3D screen but let’s face it, unless the weather turns, your time is probably better spent taking a sleigh ride around the area, visiting one of the galleries, chapels and hamlets, perusing the local shops or sitting back and watching the world go by at Place de l'Eglise...
Best time to go
Best time to ski Megeve
Best time to visit & ski Megeve
For optimum snow conditions outside of peak season (early December and April) and state of the art lifts you might want to head to purpose built resorts with glacier skiing like Val Thorens and Tignes... However if leisurely lunches and sightseeing from the chairlifts is more your thing (and there are some pretty impressive sights to see) you’ll have a terrific time here at any point of the season.
There’s lots of tree-lined skiing which is ideal for early-mid season downpours and if a little extra coverage is needed, the area has 673 snow cannons. With highly rated restaurants, cafes, shops, museums and more, there’s enough to keep all ages busy if the slopes aren't necessarily up to scratch later in the season.
Peak Dates
If you don’t bump into him on the Pere Noel piste, you’ll probably be able to spot Santa in the village, which incidentally is one of the prettiest in the Alps... you can’t go wrong spending a traditional alpine Christmas in Megeve. Megeve Christmas ski holidays ‣
Toast New Year in Megeve in your pick of the jazz lounges, clubs and bars during a stylish week on the snow. Megeve New Year ski holidays ‣
Things are a little more traditional and less commercial here, making Half Term in Megeve a super choice for families and teachers alike. Megeve Half Term ski holidays ‣
There’s always a nice sun terrace nearby when you’re spending Easter in Megeve, so sit back with a cold drink and take in some of the most beautiful scenery in the Alps. Megeve Easter ski holidays ‣
Families in Megeve
Megeve is a terrific resort to bring the brood. This classic ski village has the ‘famille plus’ label from the French ministry of tourism, which is only given to places that pull out all the stops for families.
The area is latticed with easy ski runs, and there are greens going down to each of the bottom lift stations so the whole clan can ski back together (we like the Mandarine to the Arbois base lift and the Sept Nains over in Jaillet). There’s not one but four kids clubs in the area, each handily located by the main lift stations. Back in the village, Les P'tites Frimousses is a nursery for 1-3 year olds at the bottom of the Mont d’Arbois lift. Book lessons with schools like ESI or Evolution 2 to pick up skills and technique. Ski school graduates can try off piste with the Freeride school and there’s always the chance for families who can all ski well to book a guide for a tour of the area.
You’ll find nearly enough sledding areas to try a different one each day - at Jaillet, Cote 200, Pré Saint-Amour, Livraz and Caboche. Husky sledding is great fun for kids aged 8 and up. Another fantastic thing to do here is ice skating at the Place de la résistance; the rink is usually open from 2pm to 8pm and often later one night a week.
Picking the right accommodation can keep the whole clan happy – a hotel or chalet on or near the slopes eliminates the need to lug equipment about and saves you from being worn out by walking before you even put on the skis. Some of our hotels are easily accessible by green runs, meaning even beginner skiers can go straight from A to B.
GroupsGroup Holidays Megeve
Different levels of skier and snowboarder will find more than enough on the mountains. Beginners will fall in love with the tree-lined greens; they won’t be left to get the lift down at the end of the day while everyone else enjoys one last run – greens like the Mandarine and Sept Nains run all the way to resort. Intermediates can glide down a massive network of reds on Mont Joly and over towards St Nicholas (where the views are incredible). Expert terrain isn’t lacking either, with 33 black pistes, some terrific powder and three parks. Depending on the group, book private lessons (Ski Pros Megeve and BASS are two good schools that do this) or hire a mountain guide with the Compagnie des Guides so you can learn and explore together.
There’s plenty of scope for non-skiers here – you could easily spend a few days exploring the village alone. Once a medieval marketing town, it has some fascinating history with chapels and museums to visit. The shopping is famously good (although pricey!) with designer boutiques, antique stores and gift shops and there are some lovely cafes and restaurants around the main square where you can watch the horse-drawn sleighs go by.
The night life is sophisticated – less dancing on tables and more sipping cocktails to the sound of smooth jazz. Gather for a tipple in the classy and cosy Lodge Bar or go to Les Cinq Rues for a night in one of France’s legendary jazz clubs.
Which are the best ski holidays in Megeve?
| Accommodation | Number of nights | Price (per person) from |
|---|---|---|
| Mamie Megève | 7 | £ 739 |
| Hotel L'Arboisie | 7 | £ 1820 |
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