Ski resorts in France Megeve. France ski resorts Megeve Megeve resort in France
Megeve is a ski resort in the French Alps (Upper Savoy) that arose in the 1920s with the financial participation of one of the richest families in Europe - the Rothschilds. The Rothschilds created it as a French alternative to the Swiss St. Moritz. In the 1950s and 60s, Megeve was one of the most fashionable ski resorts in the Old World, movies were shot with stars such as Audrey Hepburn and Kerry Grant, and aristocrats and celebrities came to ride all the time.
Megeve has not lost this reputation to this day - for almost a hundred years, he remains a symbol of luxury relaxation and a favorite resort in the mountains for people belonging to the so-called “old-money” category - representatives of wealthy noble families whose wealth is inherited . Moreover, in Megeve we can talk about “old-money” often in the literal sense - there are peppy old people and old women of 85-90 years old, hung with jewelry and with Louis Vuitton bags from the latest collection.
If the wealthy Russians (as it happened) enjoy the fame of the most expensive ski resort in Courchevel, then Europeans and especially the rich French go to “walk” ski suits worth several thousand euros in Megeve. I won’t be surprised if part of the public in Megeve almost never gets skiing. Many people come here to breathe in the mountain air, enjoy the scenery, go to boutiques and enjoy the notorious French l`art de vivre in Michelin-starred restaurants (“the art of living”). Naturally, around Megeve created an excellent infrastructure for winter and summer vacations (for example, golf courses), without an extreme bias, but at a more than decent level.
Who is he suitable for? Definitely for those who are looking for a pleasant high-class ski vacation, and at the same time are not concerned about their budget. Because at this resort, a kind of Saint-Tropez in the Alps, it is not customary to look into your wallet.
Megeve Infrastructure
In fact, Megeve is a small ancient Savoyard village, paved with paving stones. In the center and around it are the best hotels of the resort, built in the style of a chalet, many buildings trace their history from the late XIX - early XX centuries. Megeve is surrounded by three mountain ranges, the total length of the tracks above the resort is 325 kilometers, and if you count the area called Evasion Montblanc, then 445 kilometers.
Directly around it are 4 ski areas: Megeve station (1151 m.); Le Bettex (1400 m.); Сote 2000 (2014 m.) And Mnt Arbois (1840 meters).
Since Difficulties.net is not a specialized resource for skiers, I give a link to the source - the official site of Megeve, where you can get acquainted with all ski areas related to the resort, a map of slopes and their characteristics.
In the 2018-2019 season in Megeve, the following ski pass categories are available:
Mont Blanc Unlimited - this ski pass allows you to use the ski lifts and ride on the territory of three countries (France - Chamonix valley, Italy - Courmayeur, Switzerland - Verbier 4 valleys). Cost: adult for 6 days - from 275 euros when buying online, from 299 euros when buying at the box office on the spot.
Evasion Mont Blanc - this ski area includes more than 220 slopes in Megeve, Saint-Gervais, Saint Nicolas de Veroce, Les Contamines Hauteluce, Combloux, La Giettaz. The price of this ski pass: adult 1 day - from 46 euros, 6 days - from 197.50 euros when buying online.
Les Portes du Mont Blanc is a prestigious ski area with 100 kilometers of slopes located between Savoy and Upper Savoy. Includes slopes in the Mont Blanc, Beaufortain and Aravis areas. These are very picturesque places where trails often pass in the middle of coniferous forests and past ancient alpine farms. The cost of this ski pass: adult 4 hours - 31 euros, 1 day - 35 euros, 6 days - 171 euros.
How to get to Megeve
The nearest international airport to Megeve is located in Geneva at a distance of 87 kilometers, the road by car takes no more than an hour. The nearest train station is in Sallanches, about 13 kilometers from the center of Megeve, from where you can order a taxi to the door of the hotel / apartment or during the high season by bus. This station is common to several locations and is officially called Sallanches - Combloux - Megeve.
Car hire at Geneva Airport
(instant comparison of offers, prices and conditions of the leading car rental companies in the world, online booking confirmation and flexible terms, discounts, super offers)
You can book a taxi transfer from the airport to Megeve in advance through this form (Pros: a large reliable company, an international taxi service at local prices; an order confirmation is sent to your e-mail, and a Russian-speaking driver waits at the exit of the arrivals area with a sign that shows your last name; the fare is known in advance; payment of the full amount only by arrival at the place)
Where to stay in Megeve
Apre-ski, entertainment, restaurants in Megeve
In the center of the resort is a large sports and Leisure Center Le palais, one of the largest in the Alps by the number of "activities" for adults and children. In principle, the availability of this modern facility in Megeve almost completely closes the question of what to do after skiing. In Le palais there is an aquacenter with swimming pools (open and closed, one of which is Olympic, there is also a thermal water with a temperature of 34 degrees), water slides for children, a sauna, a Turkish bath, water aerobics classes and even there is such an interesting form of pastime as a water bike (pedal a special bicycle simulator in water, which, as they say, very activates blood circulation and the work of all internal organs). If they don’t know how, children are taught to swim by professional trainers, there are courses for adults.
In addition to the Olympic outdoor pool, the center has an Olympic skating rink (indoor) and open for lovers, a curling area, an impressive fitness center (Pilates, yoga, zumba classes, gymnastics for the elderly and even parkour courses for young people). Here you can play tennis, enjoy a variety of spa treatments and massage at the beauty center. Children and teens may like the special climbing wall.
Summer in Megeve you can play golf (the infrastructure level is very high - various international competitions are constantly held here), go for walks or bicycles along mountain routes of varying degrees of difficulty (there are dozens of them on the mountains). In winter and summer in Megeve it is worth riding horses (in a wagon or in a saddle). If you have the financial ability, you can fly a helicopter over the Alps or do paragliding with an instructor.
In a resort of such a level as Megeve, of course, there is no shortage of restaurants, of which there are about 80. Among the most expensive, the most famous restaurant Flocons de Sel (as many as three Michelin stars!), comes after him Le 1920 (two stars), La table de l`alpaga (1 star). Most restaurants specialize in local Savoyard cuisine, there are inexpensive places with fast food, but there are not many.
But also one of the most popular in Europe. Since 1950, it has been a favorite vacation spot for tourists keen on winter sports. Its population in 2007 was only about 4,000 people. Unfortunately, there are no museums and monuments here, however there are plenty of slopes of different types of difficulty.
Megeve ski slopes
Note: A complete map of the ski runs is available at the end of the article.
Numerous trails form a ski area called « Evazion Mont Blanc » ( Evasion Mont Blanc), which includes 219 tracks with a total length of almost 500 km. By complexity, they are divided into green, blue, red and black, so an athlete with any level of training has plenty to choose from. For beginners, a track with « delicious » the name « Mandarin » and professionals will be happy to hone their riding skills « Black princess » (La Princesse Noire) or « Rose » (Rosay). The highest point of the resort is at an altitude of 2525 meters.
- For newbies. On the « Mont d'Arbois » ( Mont d’Arbois) are 23 green trails. The most comfortable descent guaranteed on Mon Zhu(Mont Joux).
- Medium difficulty. Confident in your abilities - move out with « Mon Joly » (Mont Joly) to « Saint Nicolas de Veros » (St Nicolas de Veroce) or « Saint Gervais » (St Gervais). Long descents await you on « Rochebrune » (Rochebrune) and « Alpet » (L "Alpette).
- Pros. Cote 2000 along with the valley (Vallée de Chamonix) can be submitted only to masters of sports and well-trained skiers.
Leisure
In addition to skiing, vacationers can ride a snowboard, for which even a halfpipe is provided. Also in Megeve there is a sports palace with an outdoor and indoor skating rink, a fitness center, and a sauna. Visitors can also visit the theater, cinema and galleries.
Couples in love or newlyweds will be very interested in a night walk with a guide through the mountains on snowshoes: romance, fresh mountain air and light physical activity will lighten the mood and give vitality for new achievements.
Another entertainment option is to go on an exciting half-day e-bike adventure among the French Alps to explore Megeve, the pristine Lake Haven and the surrounding area. Learn more and purchase a tour at this link.
Things to do in Megeve
After an active holiday it will be nice to relax while flying over on. In any you can ride at an altitude of 1500-2500 meters, paying:
- 260 € for 1 adult;
- 480 € for two passengers;
- 180 € per child (from 130 cm and more than 40 kg).
The Alpaga's spa offers many different treatments for guests. Their price depends on the duration: 30 minutes - 60 €, 1 hour 15 minutes - 140 €. A detailed list of services is available at. Recording is done by phone +33450914870 or by email [email protected]. Hotel reservations are available at the following link.
You can make purchases at the AAllard Trading House. Hungry? It does not matter - come to Les Enfants Terribles, the gourmet cuisine of which will amaze even the most demanding gourmet. A great end to a busy day will be a visit to the best jazz club in France called Club de Jazz les 5 Rues.
Have a nice rest!
Megeve ski resort is rightfully considered the most elegant and sophisticated mountain resort in France. This is one of the oldest resorts in the French Alps, and recently justly entered the club of privileged ski resorts "The Best of the Alps". Located 70 km from Geneva Airport and a few km from neighboring Chamonix.
The resort town maintains the atmosphere of an alpine village, it is forbidden to drive cars and ride horse-drawn carriages on the main street, so it’s especially pleasant to relax in Megeve. The Megeve winter resort provides skiers with about 125 km of pistes and 78 ski lifts. You can plan your ski vacation in Megeve at once on the three massifs that make up the Evasion ski area: Rochebrune-Cote 2000, Mont d`Arbois, Le Jaillet . But perhaps tourists are saddened by the fact that it’s not possible to go skiing to any hotel and there are only 4 lifting points for a sufficiently large town, but this is more than compensated for on the slopes. And also, having a Mont Blanc ski pass, you will have the opportunity to ride in 13 resorts in the Mont Blanc area, including the Italian Courmayeur.
Rochebrune-Cote is connected to the center of Megeve by a cableway with cabins, and to the Mont d'Arbois massif, by a pendulum. Less than one kilometer away, connected to Rochebrune by a ski bus, is the Le Jay massif. Le Jay stretches southwest along the Kristomet massif, known as a place for skiing and off-piste skiing. Here the skier has great opportunities for walking from La Cree to Combloux, through forests and chalets on high mountain pastures .. The cradle of skiing Megeve - Rochebrune offers long slopes laid in the forest, and more difficult slopes in the Alpet region. Ski tours in Megeve will satisfy skiers of any level, because the resort can offer a wide variety of pistes.
For professionals: the most abrupt and difficult slopes are offered by the Mont Joly and Mont Joux districts; the black and red slopes are in Rochebrune - Cote 2000 (Cote 2000), but they are not very long.
For the middle level: the slopes in Mont d'Arbois are suitable, the slopes served by the Grand Vorasse ski lift are also interesting; the slopes are more difficult in the Combloux and Jaillet areas.
For beginners: Megeve is ideal for skiers of this level. There are slopes both down near the town and up in all three areas, but only two of them are connected by a lift - Rochebrune (Rochebrune) and Mont d`Arbois (Mont d`Arbois). Le Jaillet can only be reached by land. Beginners can safely descend along uncomplicated blue and green tracks.
The ski area "Evasion Mont Blanc" includes the following ski areas: Combloux, Le Contami - Montjouy, Megeve, Saint-Gervais-Mont-Blanc. They cover 450 km of slopes, including 30 green and 52 blue slopes for beginners, 80 red slopes for professionals, and 33 black slopes for experts and experienced skiers.
Specifications
Resort Height: 1113 m.
Ski area: 1050 m - 2350 m.
Length of runs: total - 300 km - 70 km for cross-country skiing.
- Blue - 85
- Reds - 64
- Black - 23
Number of lifts: 78
- Oversized cabins - 3
- Small cabins - 5
- Chairs - 28
- Towing rods - 42
Ski pass
Apress-ski
After riding you will not be bored. The resort has three cinemas, a bowling center (8 tracks, open until 02.00), the Sports Palace, two museums, a library, a casino, a bridge club, 7 discos, jazz clubs, 200 boutiques. There are 50 restaurants and bars for gourmets.
There is an Olympic skating rink, a fitness center, a beauty salon, an air club.
During the day you can go horseback riding in the city.
Transfer
From the Megeve resort to Geneva Airport - 70 km, to Lyon - 180 km.
Webcams
Official resort sites
Specialist rating
Large area of \u200b\u200bthe region, the possibility of ski-safari
+ Many good restaurants on the slopes and down in the resort
+ Rich shopping opportunities, lively evening and nightlife
- High prices for accommodation and service
- Small heights; there are snow problems on the lower tracks
- Lack of convenient bus connections to Le Contamines / Otlus
