Megeve
Why Megève Ski Resort?
- A unique and incomparable ambiance – and a very high standard of restaurants including Michelin starred
- A scenic setting with splendid views – and an attractive medieval town centre
- There’s a wide range of après-ski and non-skiing activities
- Large linked ski area and excellent cross-country trails – lots of tree-lined skiing
Megeve Resort Information
Conceived in the 1920s as a French alternative to Saint-Moritz, Megève was the first purpose-built resort in the Alps and is nestled in the heart of Mont Blanc. Originally Megeve was a quaint farming village, but once it started to become a ski resort it was a favourite of many royals. In 1933 the farmers of the village invested in the Rochebrune area with the construction of the first cable car to be used by skiers ('benne rouge').
Megève is one of the best resorts in the Alps for non-skiers. This quintessential Haute-Savoie village has a beautifully preserved medieval centre - pedestrianised - with narrow cobbled streets, tastefully restored buildings, fountains, a pretty church, horse-drawn sleighs, and a weekly market, an open-ice rink and plenty of marked paths for walkers. There is a lot of heritage and history to discover.
There are lots of shops in Megève - from upmarket clothing to luxury boutiques, jewellery, food, antique and gift shops. The choice is endless - so much so that if you can’t ski you could do a lot worse than wander around town window-shopping. In short, Megève is a resort to taste the classic French 'art de vivre'. 'Sunny Megeve' is the nickname, given by Baroness Noémie de Rothschild when she discovered the Plateau du Mont d'Arbois in the 1920s.
Christmas has been a Megeve tradition for over 50 years! From the first weekend in December, the village lights up. Every year, during the traditional 'Illumination du Sapin', a secret show, brings together more than 5,000 spectators come to enjoy an event a not-to-be-missed event. The event heralds the start of a festive season when the magic of Christmas comes to life.
Megève is very easily accessed from Sallanches (13km - motorway exit and TGV train).
Megeve ski area
Megève has a huge ski area with ideal slopes - mainly set in woods - for intermediate cruising. It’s also a great area for beginners with easily accessible nursery slopes at 'Mont d'Arbois'. Megève has three areas - 'Rochebrune', 'Mont d'Arbois' and 'Le Jaillet'. The scenery is particularly spectacular with views of Mont Blanc from many of its runs, especially the red Epaule run. There are 8 peaks to marvel at.
The Chamois gondola is within walking distance of Megève centre and gives access to 'Rochebrune'. Le Jaillet’s gondola starts from out of town. 'Rochebrune' offers arguably the most attractive runs in the area in a delightful tree-lined sector whilst the vast 'Mont d’Arbois' area links to Saint-Gervais. The wooded slopes make it a great resort in poor weather as the trees shelter you from the winds and heavy snowfall.
'Mont Arbois' is the largest and highest mountain area with plenty of slope variation which can be accessed from the town and from the La Princesse gondola out of town. The 'Mont Joly' area has some of Megève’s highest slopes.
The slopes above the resort are sunny but there are north-east facing slopes to 'Le Bettex' and down to Saint-Gervais.
Additional ski fact info, main ski info in resort facts box at top of page (24/25):
Les Portes du Mont Blanc only (Combloux + Megève Le Jaillet + La Giettaz + Cordon (not connected by ski)
100km of pistes, 29 lifts, 63 slopes:
Green slopes: 10
Blue slopes: 17
Red slopes: 28
Black slopes: 8
Megeve skiing info
Beginners
There are beginner slopes at valley level and some others further up too. There are plenty of easy greens and blues. For those venturing off the nursery slopes, there are lots of long/gentle, super-smooth pistes to boost your confidence.
LIVRAZ – A playful, fun area designed for both children and adults. The bumps and jumps are a big attraction for teenagers and thrill seekers - but also families. This partly sealed-off, gently sloping site is also the ideal playground for children who are being introduced to the sport - a mini-mountain of perfect snow where they can learn in safety!
Intermediates
The slopes are predominantly easy intermediate skiing, so intermediates are relatively spoilt for choice. The slopes above Combloux are well worth exploring. There are long easy blue runs in the local Megève sector for less confident skiers. A number of gentle runs lead down from 'Mont d’Arbois' to 'Le Bettex' and 'La Princesse'.
Advanced, off-piste & ski touring
For experts, the 'Mont Joly' and 'Mont Joux' sections offer the steepest slopes. 'Côte 2000' has a small section of steep runs, including some good off-piste. For expert skiers, Megève is an ideal base to enjoy no fewer than 13 nearby resorts (including Chamonix). Across the Portes du Mont-Blanc ski area, in the event of snowfall, some slopes (red and black) are left as powder and/or with moguls for experienced skiers.
The off-piste is far less skied than in most of the other Mont Blanc resorts and the area through the trees towards 'La Princesse' provides superlative powder skiing. There is some serious off-piste to be found in the 'Mont Joly' and 'Mont Joux' section. 'Côte 2000' has a small section of steep runs and some good off-piste.
For freeriders, there is lots of untracked off-piste powder. And Megève is ideal for beginners, with plenty of runs that are quite wide and gentle. Chairlifts and gondolas are in abundance, so draglifts are normally avoidable.
Mountain fun zones
Freestyle area
Located under the Grands Champs chairlift on the 'Rochebrune' massif and accessible from the Grands Champs chairlift or slope A. Free access but lift pass needed.
Nordic skiing
Perched on the high plateaus of Megève - green, blue, red or black markers indicating the degree of difficulty, the Nordic trails offer 45km of skiing in the heart of a wild nature, where snowy forests, sunny plateaus and immaculate fields draw the landscape.
La Livraz-Cote 2000: 18km of slopes
Mont d'Arbois – Encraty:10 km of slopes
Le Bettex – St Nicolas de Véroce: 15 km (groomed link route)
Odier – Plain of Arly: 5km
Megeve ski hire & lift passes (pre-bookable)
Pre-book your 6 day+ Megeve ski hire and/or Megeve lift pass with Peak Retreats.
To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.
Other lift passes are available to buy in the resort such as half or full-day passes (for those who only wish to ski the odd day) or one-use lift passes for pedestrians. Some resorts also offer specific beginner area passes and cross country passes.
Megeve group ski school (pre-bookable)
Ski school for children is available to book with Peak Retreats.
To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.
Megeve private lessons (not pre-bookable)
Private lessons with an instructor can only be arranged directly with the ESF ski school. Peak Retreats cannot pre-book these. Private lessons are usually around €40-60 per hour (depending on resort, time of day and period) and becomes cheaper the more hours you take and the more people you have to share the hours with i.e with family members or friends. Some resorts insist on a minimum of 3 sessions to be booked at once.
Contact ESF Megeve for private lessons - 0033 4 50 21 00 97
Megeve childcare (not pre-bookable)
Megeve has acquired the Famille Plus & the highly exclusive Top of the French Alps label (TOTFA - only 16 resorts appear on this list) for its childcare facilities. Please view here for more information on the Famille Plus label.
Les P'tites Frimousses - from 10 months to 3 years and 11 months.
Various fun activities, outdoor outings. Snacks and meals are provided except infant formula. 300m maximum from the slopes.
Morning, afternoon or day sessions.
Please contact the creche direct as we cannot pre-book this kids club - 0033 4 50 58 77 84
It is advisable to book before you go and in good time as spaces get filled quickly, especially in Peak times. A childhood vaccination record will be needed.
Babysitters (not pre-bookable)
A list of babysitters is available from the tourist office.
Top snow activities to experience in Megeve
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website (https://megeve.com/en/)
Sledging
Piste 4S
On your own or in pairs, set off on a 700m descent with 13 curves to negotiate at a frenzied (36km/h max) or controlled speed. From 9 years old. From December-March.
Sledge run
Sitting on your sledge, it’s a 3km run on a natural, dedicated, secure track through trees and pastures from the top of Mont d’Arbois to the Princesse intermediate cable car. Sledge and helmet provided, from 10 years old
La Caboche sledging area
A dedicated area for children to have fun safely!
Free of charge and unlimited, at the top of the Chamois cable car.
Top activities to experience in Megeve
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website.
The Palais centre
The largest well-being centre in the Alps with 10,000m2 of additional spaces opened recently. Swimming pool, spa, hammam, saunas, fitness room, climbing wall with 5,500 holds, skating rink, gymnasium etc.
Downhill 4's toboggan
An unforgettable experience by day or at night. Solo or in a pair, climb into a toboggan and prepare yourself for an adrenaline ride through winding turns and tunnels with changes in height and speed.
Giant XXL swing
Facing Mont-Blanc…
16m high, swing in summer and winter above Megève, with a breathtaking view of the most beautiful peaks in Europe...
With family or friends, you can ride with up to 3 people. Maximum speed: 20km/h.
From 8 years old (recommended from 11 years old), between 120cm and 200cm, 120kg/max/person and 240kg/max/swing. Min 20kg/pers. Compulsory wearing of closed shoes. Compulsory wearing of harness and helmet. Long hair tied up. No cameras.
Megeve après-ski, bars & restaurants
Megeve is a very lively resort with a cosmopolitan atmosphere. There are around 90 bars and restaurants and lots of shops, including boutique clothing stores, jewellery, antiques and groceries. Megeve is a paradise for non-skiers! Market day is Friday to sample local food and find some more unusual gifts!
There are various altitude restaurants in Megeve including Le Super Megève, accessible by pedestrians (as well as skiers) using the cable car and is a great place to meet for lunch. The outdoor barbecue menu is all the rage as is the sun lounger beach.
Why not try the famous Folie Douce in Megeve for a different kind of dance scene. At the top of Mont Joux, this branch of the Folie Douce opened in 2014, introducing the chain’s trademark Austrian-style afternoon party scene. You will find 7 other Folie Douce in the French Alps - Val d'Isere opened 1976, Val Thorens in 2009, Meribel in 2012, Alpe d'Huez in 2013, Chamonix and Avoriaz in 2018, Les Arcs in 2019.Â
Megeve amenities
Megeve is served by a range of amenities including grocery shops, cash point, doctors, pharmacies, physiotherapists, dentists, launderettes/dry cleaning, bakeries, butchers and a casino.Â
Getting to Megeve, France
By road:
Driving distance from Calais to Megeve 549 miles (approx. 7hrs 35)
From Calais, take A26 Motorway towards Reims and Troyes, then Dijon, Mâcon then ‘Autoroute Blanche’ Motorway (A40 Mâcon – Cluses) exit Sallanches (no 20). Follow signs to Megeve (13 km from the motorway exit).
By rail & air:
Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras. See our train services page for more information as we can pre-book the trains for you. The nearest train station to Megeve is roughly 12km away in Sallanches.
4 international airports are nearby, see our flying page for information on airlines. We don't book flights, we invite you to do your own research.
Geneva Airport to Megeve is roughly 90km, approx. 1hr 15 mins
Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc Airport to Megeve is roughly 98km, approx. 1hr 30 mins
Grenoble Alpes Isere Airport to Megeve is roughly 171km, approx. 2hrs 15 mins
Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport to Megeve is roughly 175km, approx. 2hrs 15 mins
Private taxi transfers:
Private taxi transfers from airports and train stations are pre-bookable with Peak Retreats. See our airport & station transfers page for more information.
Bus transfers:
Altibus/Bens Bus/Snow bus (and the likes of) offer shared bus transfers from some French/Swiss airports and SNCF train stations to ski resorts. We don't book these (or have any affiliation with them), we invite you to do your own research.
