St Nicolas de Veroce
One of Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc’s hidden nuggets, the Saint-Nicolas de Véroce ski area offers an exceptionally varied and unspoilt playground. Perfectly groomed runs wind through breathtaking panoramas and secluded little valleys. The small resort in the Haute Savoie sits at 1,180m, facing the majestic Mont Blanc. It forms part of the large Evasion Mont Blanc and has St Gervais and Megeve as its ski area neighbours (they are lift and run connected). You will find traditional old farm buildings and houses. You can easily take a day trip to St Gervais if you have a car; it’s about 10km away.
The Saint-Nicolas de Véroce ski area, with the 'Chattrix' as its starting point, embodies the spirit of discovery and wonder that characterizes Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc. Whether you choose to follow quiet slopes or take on more daring challenges like the descent of the grande épaule, the Saint-Nicolas de Véroce ski area won’t leave you indifferent!
St Nicolas de Veroce ski area
With only one lift pass, you can ski 6 other resorts: Saint Gervais, Megève (being the closest), Les Contamines-Montjoie (you will need a car to drive to as not lift-linked), Hauteluce, Combloux and La Giettaz (not lift-linked – you will need to cross Megeve resort centre on foot or bus to take another lift to the other side of the valley). There are 445km of pistes in total so it’s a pretty vast area.
St Nicolas de Veroce skiing info
Beginners
There is a small beginners area to learn on – 1 short green run and 1 short blue run. From there you can try a number of longer blues within the St Nicolas de Veroce ski area.
Intermediates
Low intermediate skiers have half a dozen blue runs to get to grips on. More advanced intermediates can try the various red runs above the resort. There is also a connection via blue or red run to the Evasion Mont Blanc ski area – there is fairly easy access to the resorts of St Gervais and Megeve so it’s well connected and they aren’t too far away either.
Advanced, off-piste & ski touring
For the more advanced or expert skier, there are various red runs above St Nicolas de Veroce. Travelling into St Gervais you will equally find a plethora of red runs to try your skis or board at. There are also a few blacks as well, for the more daring, higher-up.
The 'Mont Joly' and 'Mont Joux' sections offer the steepest slopes – and there’s some good off-piste to be found there too. With a choice of over 445km of pistes in the Evasion domain, expert skiers certainly won’t be bored!
In Saint-Gervais, several marked ski touring routes are available from Le Bettex, Les Communailles and Saint-Nicolas. For ski touring at night: every Tuesday and Friday of the winter season, the Orgères piste is open to touring skiers from 5pm-9pm. The ski area grooming plan has been adapted to allow this activity to be set up. The Orgères slope is therefore clear of the grooming machines and their cables during this time.
Resort runs
Return to the village is via a treelined blue run.
Mountain fun zones
Boardercross at 'La Croix'. Visit Charlotte's hamlet with its foam units, entertainment, playground and picnic area at the top of 'Mont d'Arbois'. A beginner ski area with modern easy lift and magic carpet is available.
The Fun Slope is accessible all winter to skiers from the Orgeres ski run, close to La Croix chairlift. Recommended minimum level: 1st star.
St Nicolas de Veroce nordic skiing
Whether your focused on cardio and strength training, or simply getting some fresh air and enjoying nature, Saint-Gervais offers a choice of cross-country groomed trails.
Access to the trails is free (excluding ski lifts). A map is available at the Tourist Office or can be downloaded from the tourist office website. Whether skating or classic, take advantage of the 30km of cross-country skiing trails of St Gervais. Trails start in Bettex or Plateau de la Croix (St Nicolas).
St Nicolas de Veroce ski hire & lift passes (pre-bookable)
Pre-book your 6 day+ St Nicolas ski hire and/or St Nicolas 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.
St Nicolas de Veroce 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.
St Nicolas de Veroce 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 St Nicolas for private lessons - 0033 4 50 93 21 61
St Nicolas childcare (not pre-bookable)
The Garderie des Neiges Saint-Nicolas welcomes your non-skiing children from 2 to 6 years in a magnificent garden facing the Mont Blanc mountain range. Located below the ESF (French Ski School) at the foot of the slopes, it's easy for parents to drop off older children for ski lessons and leave the younger ones in their care.
Please contact the club direct as we cannot pre-book this kids club - 0033 6 98 79 33 10.
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 St Nicolas de Veroce
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.
Sled dogs
Activity at 'La Croix' plateau (10 mins from St Gervais centre).
Snowshoeing
Several signposted trails take you through the forest and landscapes. You can download a map from the tourist office. In Saint-Gervais, several signposted snowshoeing trails start from Le Bettex (1,400m) and Saint-Nicolas. You may come across chamois or mountain hare amongst others during your walk. It's a great winter exercise, an excellent low-impact aerobic exercise. You can also join a guided tour. Free access if you go alone.
St Nicolas de Veroce après-ski, bars & restaurants
There are 3 restaurants in the village.
Why not try:
- A few steps from the Armancette hotel, the Bistrot du Mont-Joly opens its doors to you for a friendly, authentic culinary experience. It boasts a spacious terrace, offering a spectacular view of the most beautiful peaks in the Mont-Blanc massif, from the Dômes de Miage to Mont Vorassay via the Aiguille de Bionnassay, this majestic landscape unfolds before your eyes. On the restaurant floor, a private lounge awaits you, complete with billiards table, fireplace and terrace,
- 'La Petite Cuisine' at the Folie Douce, at 2,100m. Gourmet break in an exceptional setting indoors or on the south-facing terrace, it is the perfect place to enjoy a breathtaking view of the majestic Mont Blanc. Stay on and enjoy the dance music after!
- 'La Cabane a Leo', located on the piste Chateluy. Between two ski runs or when out on a hike, tuck into a burger, a Beaufort cheese tart, a local speciality dish or a salad. Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy the selection of desserts, including the delicious blueberry tart - an absolute must!
Why not try the famous Folie Douce in St Gervais/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
Amenities
A few small shops.
Getting to St Nicolas de Veroce, France
By road:
Driving distance from Calais to St Nicolas de Veroce is roughly 550 miles (approx. 8hrs).
By rail & air:
Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras (or Ashford, Kent). See our train services page for more information as we can pre-book the trains for you. The nearest train station to St Nicolas is roughly 11km away in Saint-Gervais/Le Fayet.
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 St Nicolas is roughly 94km, approx. 1hr
Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc Airport to St Nicolas is roughly 135km, approx. 1hr 30 mins
Grenoble Alpes Isere Airport to St Nicolas is roughly 214km, approx. 2hr 15 mins
Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport to St Nicolas is roughly 214km, approx. 2hr 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.
