Montgenèvre

• Ideal for intermediates, progressing beginners and mixed groups

• Excellent variety with both local skiing and large linked area

• Limited marked expert terrain but strong off-piste potential

The local slopes in Montgenèvre (95km) span both sides of the resort. The south-facing Chalvet sector is a hidden gem, with wide open blues and a choice of blues and greens back to resort. It's the ideal place to start the day. In the afternoon, head to the north-facing Gondrans side. Here you'll find high, wide-open slopes and a red piste to take you over to Italy.

Beginners

Montgenèvre is a brilliant place to learn. The large beginner zone in the centre of the village offers plenty of space, gentle slopes and easy lifts, making those first few days feel comfortable.

Progression is smooth, with green and easy blue runs (like the Les Anges piste that joins a green at the end) leading naturally away from the beginner area and back again. Because everything is centred around the village, it’s easy to stay close while building confidence.

Intermediates

This is where Montgenèvre really shines. Wide pistes, offering lots of easy cruising, stretch across both sides of the mountain, making it ideal for relaxed, confidence-building skiing.

Areas like Gondrans and Chalvet give you plenty of variety, from open sunny slopes to quieter runs through the trees. It’s also easy to ski as a group here, with many routes converging at similar lift points.

The real highlight is the ability to ski into Italy. From Montgenèvre, you can explore the wider Via Lattea (Milky Way), adding hundreds of kilometres of pistes and a completely different feel to your day. Montgenèvre is the only French resort in the Via Lattea, which also covers Sauze d'Oulx and Sestriere, both of which have been Olympic venues.

Advanced

While there are fewer marked black runs, advanced skiers will still find plenty to enjoy. Guides can help you explore the extensive off-piste opportunities across the area, especially if you head further into the Via Lattea.

With a guide, you can also find the more technical terrain, often away from the crowds. From classic runs like Doire to the highly technical gullies of Le Janus.

Mountain fun zones

Montgenèvre offers a snowpark and a boardercross, giving options for freestylers of all levels. The Gondrans sector has a dedicated freeride area and some fun reds that run parallel with the snowpark. This allows those who prefer the snowpark and those who prefer the pistes to meet up where the runs come together, great for giving teens a bit of freedom. For little ones, there's a children's play area at the top of the Chalvet gondola.

Nordic skiing

There are 15km of cross-country trails, that are easily accessible from the snow front, and a practice area for those who want to try the sport for the first time.

• Good for families with a range of activities beyond skiing

• Pre-bookable snowshoeing walks and magical evenings in a teepee

• Weekly activity programme

Family favourites

From sledging areas to escape rooms, there is something for all ages.

The Monty Express is great fun. This 1.4km mountain coaster winds through the forest and tunnels and is regularly mentioned by our team as a highlight for families.

The ESF French ski school organises a mountain rescue themed escape game with high-altitude themed clues.

The tourist office puts together a programme of activities each week. When one of our team was there, they took part in a free sledging session where you could try different types of ways to slide down the mountain – from various styles of sledge to Yooners.

For a magical evening, take part in a snowshoe walk to a teepee and enjoy a snack by the fire or book to ensure an après ski snowshoe following by a fondue evening.

Explore the area

There’s plenty to discover beyond the pistes too. You can snowshoe through quiet landscapes, try cross-country skiing or even take a short trip into Italy on foot for a coffee.

A simple favourite is strolling to Clavière and stopping for a hot chocolate or espresso along the way, a small detail that really adds to the experience here.

Relaxed extras

For something different, you can try snowmobiling, enjoy the outdoor ice rink or visit the weekly market. The pace is flexible, so you can keep things relaxed or fill your days as much as you like.

• Strong mix of French and Italian dining options

• Relaxed après-ski with a handful of livelier spots

• Everything easy to reach on foot

Dining options

Montgenèvre’s location means you get the best of both worlds when it comes to food. Traditional alpine restaurants sit alongside Italian options, giving you plenty of variety throughout the week.

Skiing into Italy for lunch is a real highlight, whether it’s pizza, pasta or just a quick coffee on a sunny terrace.

Back in resort, restaurants are easy to access and feel relaxed and welcoming, perfect for families and groups. We like Isabel for Italian cuisine and Le Refuge for more of a French flavour. If you've got a car then you can easily drive over to Italy to Clavière (or walk if you don't mind a bit of a stroll) for an evening meal too. It's a 6-minute drive or around 30 minutes walk.

On the mountain, Les Terrasses on the Chalvet side has, as you'd expect from the name, a sunny terrace with big comfortable sofas. It's perfect for an end of the day stop but also does superb lunches.

Après-ski

Après-ski here is low-key but enjoyable. A few bars offer a livelier atmosphere, including the Graal café, but overall evenings are about unwinding rather than late nights.

This suits the resort well, keeping things sociable without feeling busy or overwhelming.

Shops and amenities

Montgenèvre has all the essentials, including supermarkets, bakeries and ski shops. Everything is within easy reach, meaning you can pick up what you need without planning around it.