Megeve ski resort overview
It’s amazing Megeve isn't regarded as one of the top French ski resorts such as Courchevel or Val d’Isere but that’s all the more reason to love it. Traditionally attracting the old money and popular with the French, Megeve ski resort doesn’t have a massive international acclaim. This means there are little to no queues outside peak dates and relatively empty pistes. Pair that with the 325km of local ski slopes and just over an hour from Geneva, it’s a fantastic short ski break option.
The town itself is based around a 13th century village with a car-free, cobbled centre along with open-air ice rink all surrounded by inviting restaurants, antique shops, jewellers and smart clothing. Megeve is a foodie’s heaven both on and off the mountain, intimate lodges, lively brasseries and rustic farmhouses aplenty – you’ll be spoilt for choice during your Megeve ski holiday.
A stunning location dishes out fabulous Mont Blanc views from most slopes and there are more for non-skiers than we’ve seen in any other resort. Horse-drawn sleigh rides, fantastic shopping, ice skating or cross-country skiing. We’ve mentioned the charm and the cuisine but there’s also the hot air balloon rides or the wellness centre and indoor pools, bowling, concerts and ice shows. You can even take a plane around Mont Blanc for some spectacular sights.
Skiing in the Megeve
The majority of Megeve’s skiing is beautifully wooded, the slopes are a wonder to ski both in the sunshine (Megeve gets a lot) or snow with the trees providing great visibility. The area is an intermediates dream, they can enjoy the entire area with plenty of blues and reds to access all the little villages dotted around the mountain – don’t forget the mountain restaurants, they are definitely a highlight.
The fantastic cruising terrain is split between three mountains. The Rochebrune and Mont d’Arbois areas are linked making up the biggest ski area and accessed from town with Le Jaillet slightly further out so hop on a ski bus or free horse-drawn sleigh ride from town.
Beginners taking ski holidays in Megeve are spoilt for choice with well-located learning slopes followed by plenty of gentle greens and easy blues on Mont d’Arbois and Rochebrune to progress. There is genuinely something for all levels with some steep slopes around Mont Joly and Mont Joux. But the biggest reward for the advanced is that there’s little competition for the powder – after a new snowfall, you can make fresh tracks all morning and the resort leaves plenty of runs un-groomed for a while so you can enjoy the deep stuff even more. A great place to try out powder riding for intermediates as well.
Keen skiers can also explore nearby areas such as Saint-Gervais and Les Contamines on the local lift pass.
Après ski in Megeve
Après-ski in Megeve is fairly low-key, largely centred around the delicious restaurants however with a Folie Douce opening near the top of Mont Joux there’s definitely lively options if you fancy a boogie.
The town remains a pleasant place to stroll around after skiing there are a handful of quaint bars offering just the right amount of atmosphere until the early hours. A highlight would be the jazz club Les Cinq Rues having won accolades such as “the Ronnie Scott's of the Haute Savoy” it attracts the superstars, a good venue for a tasty cocktail and great music.
