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 accessed 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.
Two of Megève fixed-grip chairlifts – the Petit Rochebrune and the Grands Champs - are equipped with the Magnestick system to make it safer for children to ride them.
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 (23/24):
Les Portes du Mont Blanc only (Combloux + Megève Le Jaillet + La Giettaz + Cordon (not connected by ski)
100km of pistes, 28 lifts, 62 slopes:
Green slopes: 10
Blue slopes: 16
Red slopes: 28
Black slopes: 8
MEGEVE SKIING
MEGEVE BEGINNERS
There are beginners’ 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!
MEGEVE 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.
MEGEVE EXPERTS
For experts, the Mont Joly and Mont Joux section 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.
MEGEVE OFF-PISTE
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.
MEGEVE SNOWBOARDING
For freeriders there’s 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.
Megeve Ski Hire
Pre-book your Megeve ski hire with Peak Retreats. Please enquire for prices.
Please note, these Pound Sterling prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.
Special offers: Free Skis/snowboard & boots (Superior Carver) for party leaders of groups of 10 or more all taking equipment. 1 Free helmet per child aged 6 and under for every adult booking skis or snowboards & boots.
Megeve Ski Passes
Pre-book your Megeve lift passes with Peak Retreats. Find out more about Peak Retreats ski passes
Please note, these Pound Sterling prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.
Other lift pass on offer (to buy locally in resort in Euros):
Evasion Mont Blanc day passes 16/17:
Adult 1 day pass €46, child €37
Mont Blanc 1 day passes 16/17:
Adult 1 day pass €62, child €52.70
Beginner pass 2016/17:
€21/day
The beginner Rochebrune-Mont d'Arbois ski pass enables you to take the beginners ski lifts of that area.
€10/day
The beginner Princesse ski pass enables you to ski on the bottom button lift of Princesse.
Megeve Ski School
Pre-book your Megeve ESF ski school with Peak Retreats. Find out more about Peak Retreats ski school
Ski school for children is available to book from 3 years to 12 years, in Megeve, with Peak Retreats. 3-4-year-olds will go into the Piou Piou lessons.
To book your ski school, download the ski extras form from the 'Helpful links' further down the page.
Please note that lesson times are subject to change right until the last minute - you will be advised. Outside French school holidays, the ski school reserves the right to cancel group lessons should numbers be insufficient. For peak periods - Christmas, New Year, February half-term and Easter - we strongly recommend that you book as early as possible and in any case at least 6 weeks prior to the required dates. Morning lessons tend to get booked up first and therefore we may only be able to offer afternoon classes within 6 weeks of departure. In some resorts, English speaking instructors may not always be available, particularly at peak times.
We cannot always guarantee that prices will be cheaper than in the resort. When ski packs prices are calculated, the currency is bought at the exchange rates that apply at the time. You can be assured that once you have booked your extras, if the pound depreciates, you will not be charged more for your ski packs, enabling you to budget for your holiday in advance.
Megeve Individual tuitions (18/19 prices, NOT pre-bookable)
1 to 2 people (55 minutes) - From 47 €
1 to 2 people (for 1h 55 minutes) - From 94 €
3 to 5 people (55 minutes) - From 62 €
3 to 5 people (for 1h 55 minutes) - 124 €
Individual tuitions can only be purchased directly from the ski school. Peak Retreats cannot pre-book these.
Please note that prices are only an indication and are subject to change
Ski school Megeve contact numbers for private lessons only:
ESF Megeve, Tel.: +33 (0)4 50 21 0
Megeve Child Care
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 - Daycare centre for babies
For children aged 12 months to 3 years old.
Welcoming your children from Monday to Friday for a full day, for half days or for mornings with lunch. Please note a doctor's certificate will be required to attest suitability for life in groups. Due to the limited number of places available, please make sure you book in advance. Also, open outside of school holidays.
Guide prices for 2018/19:
1 full day with lunch: 75 €
1 morning without lunch: 36 €; 1 morning with lunch: 58 €
1 afternoon: 36 €
5 full days from Monday to Friday: 325 €
5 mornings without lunch: 151 €; 5 mornings with lunch: 250 €
5 afternoons: 151 €
3001 route Edmond de Rothschild,
74120 Megève
Tel. 04 50 21 18 69 or 04 50 58 77 84 - service.enfance@megeve.fr
Family Day Care Centre Meg Loisirs
Activity centre for the 3 to 12 years old.
Located next to the Sport centre. Due to the limited number of places available, please make sure you book in advance.
26 Allée des Lutins BP 84,
74120 Megève
Tel. 04 50 58 77 84 - service.enfance@megeve.fr
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 (https://megeve.com/en/)
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.
Markets
Monday morning: Notre Dame de Bellecombe
Tuesday morning: Annecy old town & Flumet
Tuesday all day long: Aoste in Italy & Moûtiers
Wednesday morning: Beaufort & Ugine
Thursday all day long: Albertville
Friday morning: Annecy old town, Mégève & Moûtiers
Friday all day long: Crest-Voland (only in winter)
Saturday morning: Annecy, Chamonix, Sallanches & Ugine
Saturday all day long: Torino in Italy
Sunday all day long: Crest-Voland (only in winter)
Please note: All the above information is for information only. For the most up-to-date information please visit the resort tourist office website. All prices for activities are in local currency (€ Euros) and are bookable and payable locally in resort.
Megeve Tourist Office
70 Rue Monseigneur Conseil, Megeve
Tel. +33 (0)4 50 21 27 28 or +33 (0)4 50 21 29 52 - megeve@megeve.com
www.megeve.com
Megeve news
What's new for the 24/25 season:
- If you have ever watched the Netflix hit 'Emily in Paris', you may have seen Megeve featured in all its glory in 2024,
- Hotel Au Grand Hotel Soleil d'Or 5* opens La Fromagerie, a restaurant dedicated to cheese specialities. On the menu is a vast selection of cheeses from the Alps, each chosen for its unique character and quality, reflecting the expertise of local farmers.
Megeve events
Events taking place in the 2024/25 season:
- 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. 7th December 2024 in the evening for this 15th edition, the Christmas tree and lighting on the Place du will be unveiled in a new format. Until now the conifer, grown on communal land or private plots in Megève and for which some owners dreamed of seeing one of their trees enthroned on the square, weighed between 6 and 7 tonnes, and had to meet specific standards: they had to be 23m high and intended for cutting. This year, the shape and appearance will consist of a metal structure on which hundreds of fir trees from a local tree nursery to form a perfect cone. It will be decorated by a Parisian jeweller in a refined, elegant style in keeping with Megève's values. In order to highlight Megève's architectural heritage, the buildings forming the heart of the village (church, bell tower and recently as well as the Magdelain Tower), will complete this staging and will be deployed throughout the year to keep the magic alive,
- La Grande Odyssee VVF 11th-12th January 2025,
- l'Elegance a Megeve 17th-19th January 2025.
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.
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.
Getting to Megeve, France
By Road:
Driving distance from Calais to Megeve 549 miles (7 hrs35)
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:
Sallanches station: 12km (7 miles) from Megève (terminus St Gervais les Bains / Le Fayet)
- TGV train from Paris, change at Annecy on weekdays
- Shuttle Bus service to resort from Sallanches station
Tel: +33 (0)4 50 21 25 18 - sat17@wanadoo.fr
www.sat-montblanc.com
Shuttle bus service to resort from Geneva’s bus station (The dorsière square)
Tel: +33 (0)4 50 21 18 24 - www.borini.com
SNCF info and reservation
Tel: +33 (0) 892 35 35 35 - www.voyages-sncf.com
Airports:
Geneva Airport is 70km from Megeve
www.gva.ch (select Transportation in the menu)
Lyon Saint-Exupery is 160 km from Megeve
www.lyonaeroports.com
Public shuttle bus transfers from the airport
There is a coach from Geneva Airport - Megeve
www.coach-station.com
Ski Bus: Free for Rochebrune, Mont d’Arbois, Cote 2000, Jaillet, Cassioz and Princesse.
Megeve Airport Transfer
For pre-bookable private transfer rates with Peak Retreats, view here.
Megeve Opening and Closing dates
Megeve opens from 17/12/22 - 16/4/23
