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Megève Ski Holidays
Established in the 1920s by the influential Rothschild family as a French-chic rival to the Swiss glamour of St. Moritz, Megève has meticulously maintained its status as an upmarket, discreet, and deeply elegant winter escape.
The atmosphere here is one of subtle luxury. Instead of high-rise concrete and a frantic pace, you find a beautifully preserved, pedestrianised medieval village centre, where cobbled streets and historic architecture reign supreme. The ultimate symbol of this timeless charm is the ubiquitous horse-drawn sleigh taxi service, which offers an unhurried, romantic way to navigate the village. Set in a wide, sunny valley, the resort is conveniently located just a one-hour drive from Geneva airport, making it an exceptionally easy destination.
Enjoy refined elegance and breathtaking views of Mont Blanc at this authentic alpine gem!
Rebecca Dodson, Sales Manager
Mountain facts
The domain boasts an impressive 325km of interconnected slopes. While the village sits at a respectable 1,100m (with some accommodation areas higher at 1,520m), the highest point of the skiing is the Mont Joly summit at 2,355m.
The entire ski area is spread across three main, interlinked mountains, giving the resort its vast, sprawling feel:
- Mont d'Arbois is the most extensive and varied sector. It is famous for its wide, gentle, and beautiful tree-lined runs that meander down the slopes. It also serves as the main link to the neighbouring resort of Saint Gervais.
- The Rochebrune area is directly accessible from the village centre via the Rochebrune cable car (notably, the first ski-dedicated cable car installed in France in 1933). It offers convenient access and a great variety of intermediate slopes.
- The Le Jaillet sector links Megève to the resorts of Combloux and Le Giettaz, opening up another significant area of predominantly intermediate, cruisy terrain.
Snow conditions in Megève
Megève’s main challenge is its relatively low altitude, with most of the skiing below 2,000m. This can lead to variable snow cover, particularly early and late in the season. The resort mitigates this potential issue through grassy ground cover, extensive snowmaking capabilities, and north-facing slopes.
One of Megève's greatest assets is its excellence for bad-weather skiing. The abundance of tree-lined runs across all sectors (especially Mont d'Arbois and La Giettaz) provides superb visibility and shelter when snow falls heavily or the clouds are low.
Skiing in Megève
Megève is a ski resort that knows its audience. It provides exceptional terrain for its core user groups while still offering challenges for those who seek them. The entire domain is served by a mostly modern lift system, though the sheer extent and fragmentation of the area mean some planning is required to navigate effectively from one mountain to the next.
Megève is highly recommended for beginners. All the main lift bases feature excellent, gentle nursery slopes, and numerous easy green and blue runs across the mountains allow new skiers to progress gently and build confidence on long, meandering slopes.
The resort is an absolute paradise for intermediates. The vast, rolling terrain is defined by a varied network of superb, cruisy blue and red runs. Intermediates can easily spend a whole day linking turns across the extensive slopes of Mont d’Arbois, Rochebrune, and Le Jaillet without repeating the same run twice, enjoying the spectacular views of the Mont Blanc massif that open up in all directions.
While Megève isn't typically branded as an extreme-skiing destination, challenges are undoubtedly available for those seeking them out. The Mont Joly and Mont Joux sectors feature the steepest slopes, including the resort’s most challenging black run, Chamois. For the adventurous, when the snow conditions are right, there are excellent off-piste opportunities to be found, particularly on the back of Mont Joly.
Snowboarding in Megève
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The vast, rolling terrain and wide slopes are highly enjoyable for snowboarders. The numerous wooded areas offer great natural features for playful riding.
While specific, dedicated park facilities are less prominent than some French resorts, the Evasion Mont Blanc area generally caters well to all snow disciplines. The true appeal for advanced riders is the freeride potential in the off-piste areas, especially those accessible from Mont Joly on a fresh powder day.
Accommodation in Megève
Megève firmly vies with Courchevel for the title of France's most upmarket accommodation resort. We’ve compiled a list of our favourites below.
All Accommodation in Megève
What's available at Megeve ski resort?
Après-ski in Megève
The après-ski culture in Megève is one of sophistication and elegance. The village centre is cosmopolitan and chic, focusing on refined experiences rather than raucous, slope-side parties.
- Megève is a world-class culinary destination, home to several highly-rated restaurants, including the three-Michelin-starred institution, Flocons de Sel. International and traditional cuisine is exceptionally well-represented.
- For a classic experience, spots like Bar des Alpes serve as a central, traditional French brasserie and bar, offering Savoyard cuisine and pizza and acting as a convenient meeting spot. Similarly, the Bar Tabac St Paul provides a central, low-key location for a morning coffee or an early evening aperitif.
- For those seeking a break from traditional alpine fare, the resort offers high-quality international options, such as the Asian/Vietnamese restaurant Khue Danh and the fresh, modern Japanese choice Le Satsuki de Megève (which offers high-quality Sushi, Maki, and Sashimi).
Facilities in Megève
Megève’s robust range of facilities is designed to enhance the stay for all visitors, whether they ski or not, cementing its reputation as a complete year-round mountain destination. The core of the resort’s non-skiing activities is the Palais de Megève, one of the largest sports complexes in the Alps, covering a vast 30,000 m². This enormous facility offers something for everyone: a vast Aquatic Centre with indoor and outdoor pools, an Ice Rink (often complemented by a charming outdoor rink in the village square during winter), a climbing wall, fitness facilities, and an extensive spa and well-being area.
Beyond the Palais, the village itself offers a host of memorable non-skiing activities, including romantic horse-drawn carriage rides, dog sledging, dedicated toboggan runs, and a high-end, extensive boutique shopping scene. Notably, the resort is also committed to accessible tourism, making it easy for all visitors to navigate with free, stroller-accessible shuttle buses.
Facilities for children in Megève
Megève is exceptionally family-friendly, distinguished by the official French government Famille Plus label. The resort caters comprehensively to younger guests, with numerous high-end hotels, such as Les Fermes de Marie and the Four Seasons, offering dedicated, supervised Kids Clubs and Teen Zones that feature themed programs like mini-farm visits, igloo building, and cinema sessions. Local nurseries and crèches are also readily available for very young children.
Beyond supervised care, the wide variety of family-friendly activities - including ice-skating, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and easy snowshoeing - ensures there is never a dull moment. For those learning to ski, the comprehensive ESF (École du Ski Français) programs, combined with the resort's gentle beginner slopes, provide an ideal and gentle start for children of all ages.
Why choose Erna Low for Megève skiing holidays?
Incredible value holidays: We’ll beat any competitor’s price, giving you the best value for money.
Huge choice of accommodation: Choose from bargain breaks, 5-star premium deals and so much more.
Customisable travel: We specialise in fully customisable ski holidays; offering a wide range of options to suit all tastes and budgets.
Fully protected bookings: We’re ABTOT and ATOL members and abide by their Code of Conduct.
5-star Trustpilot reviews: We pride ourselves on the service we provide, which is why out of 10 of our clients would recommend us.
If you want charming, cobbled village and over 400km of picturesque, tree-lined runs, Megève is the place to be.
Jane Bolton, Product Director
