Tailor-made ski holidays in Megève

Skiing and snowboarding in Megève

Megève is the heart of the Évasion Mont-Blanc ski area, which brings together Megève, Saint-Gervais, Saint-Nicolas-de-Véroce, Combloux, La Giettaz, Les Contamines-Montjoie and Hauteluce on one lift pass. Official figures put it at between about 400 and 445 km of marked pistes, between about 850 m and 2,350 m. Much of the skiing is gentle, rolling and tree-lined, with views of Mont Blanc from almost every run.

From the village, gondolas and cable cars serve the main sectors: Mont d’Arbois, linked to Saint-Gervais; Rochebrune, with its famous Côte 2000 area; and Le Jaillet, connected towards Combloux and La Giettaz. Mont Joly, above Saint-Gervais and Saint-Nicolas, offers the steepest and highest terrain. Intermediates will find this the most comfortable kind of Alpine skiing; experts who want big, steep terrain every day may prefer Chamonix, about 45 minutes’ drive away.

Megève for families and beginners

Megève is very reassuring for first-timers. Wide, progressive green and blue runs, gentle wooded slopes and dedicated beginner areas make learning relaxed. The Marmottons area at 1,840 m, on Mont d’Arbois, has wide slopes, a conveyor lift and a play zone for children.

The ESF and several independent ski schools teach children and adults, and the village has childcare options for younger children. Because the slopes are rarely intimidating, mixed-ability families can often ski together, meeting at one of the many mountain restaurants for lunch.

Where to stay in Megève

Megève is a real village, a former farming community turned fashionable resort, rather than a purpose-built station. Staying in or near the pedestrian centre, around the church square, puts you close to the boutiques, restaurants and the Chamois and Rochebrune lifts. Mont d’Arbois is a quieter, wooded area of chalets close to its gondola, popular with families and those looking for space.

Accommodation ranges from apartments to traditional chalets and hotels. Ski-in/ski-out is possible in some locations, but most guests use the ski buses or a short walk to reach the lifts.

Getting to Megève

Geneva Airport is the closest, at about 1h15 by road via the A40, depending on traffic and snow. Lyon is around 2h to 2h30 away. The nearest station, Sallanches-Combloux-Megève, is 12 km from the village and is served by TGV and regional trains, including the Léman Express from Geneva. From there, the Y83 bus, taxis or a private transfer bring you up to Megève.

Beyond the slopes in Megève

Megève’s reputation was built in the 1920s, when Baroness Noémie de Rothschild created a chic French alternative to the Swiss resorts, and elegance remains part of its character. The village is known for its gastronomy, from farmhouse restaurants to fine dining, its boutiques and its horse-drawn carriages. Le Palais, one of the largest leisure complexes in the Alps, has indoor and outdoor pools, an ice rink, a climbing wall and a spa, and there are winter walking trails, snowshoe routes and cross-country skiing.

In summer Megève becomes a green, relaxed retreat: golf at Mont d’Arbois with views of Mont Blanc, gentle hikes and mountain biking from the lifts, and long lunches on sunny terraces.

When to go to Megève

The main ski season usually runs from mid-December to early April. Because the village sits at 1,113 m and much of the skiing is below 2,000 m, snow is usually best from January to mid-March; the higher Mont Joly and Côte 2000 sectors help later in the season. January offers quieter slopes outside school holidays, and March brings long, sunny days. The summer lifts generally run from late June to early September.

Your Megève holiday with AlpAway

We design tailor-made Megève holidays for couples, families and friends: a chalet, hotel or apartment in the right part of the village, lift passes, equipment rental, lessons and transfers from Geneva. Tell us how you like to ski and travel, and send us a request so we can prepare a proposal.