Megève
Rhône-Alpes, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, 74120
In the Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps, the chic ski town of Megève is best known for its Mont Blanc views and understated elegance, which draws an A-list crowd. Rustic-luxe hotels, boutiques, and restaurants garner as much attention as Megève’s ski slopes, while its medieval, cobblestone streets give the town its romantic, old-world atmosphere.
The basics
While you can enjoy snowshoe adventures, mountain refuge dinners, and wildlife tours, Megève’s top draws are winter skiing and summer hiking. The three main Megève mountain areas of Mont d’Arbois, Rochebrune, and Les Jaillet are covered by the Evasion Mont Blanc lift ticket, which is the best option for skiers or hikers who want to cover serious ground.
Access the slopes of Mont d’Arbois and Rochebrune from Télécabine Les Chamois, a gondola in Megève center, or reach the quieter slopes of Les Jaillet via the gondola on the other side of town. In both summer and winter seasons, the navette (ski bus) links up the different base station lifts in Megève for free.
Things to know before you go
Most of Megève’s ski slopes are classed as green, blue, and red, which are better suited to beginner and intermediate skiers.
Snowboarders and freestyle skiers will find several snow parks in Megève, with a boardercross and plenty of kickers, rails, and boxes.
To save time waiting in line at the ticket office, you can buy Evasion Mont Blanc lift passes in advance online, and pick them up at a terminal at a lift pass station.
Public restrooms are just a minute away from Le Chamois lift station on Rue de la Poste. In the mountains, there are smaller public restrooms at some larger lift stations.
How to get there
Megève works well for a weekend break, as it’s just 1 hour from Geneva International Airport by car. Other nearby French airports include Chambery, Grenoble, and Lyon. Car rentals are widely available, but using a ski resort transfer company is a good idea. Most companies offer door-to-door transport from the airports or train stations to and from Megève, have English-speaking drivers, and save you the worry of mountain driving and parking in car-free Megève.
When to get there
Megève’s ski season kicks off in mid-December and lasts until early April. Snow conditions are best in February, but it’s also the busiest time due to European mid-term school vacations. For quieter slopes and cheaper accommodation, consider March instead. Spring and summer months are best for hiking, mountain biking, golf, horseback riding, and events such as Megève Summer Jazz, when music and dancing bring a New Orleans-style buzz to town.
Where to soothe aprés-ski aches in Megève
It’s no surprise that Megève, with so many luxury mountain hotels, is a great place for a spa. Les Fermes de Marie boasts a spa that’s often said to be one of the country’s finest, and it offers spa day packages to non-hotel guests. Other Megève spa options include the “spa igloo” in the Hôtel Mont-Blanc, or the Spa Espace Bien-Être & Soins (part of the Megève sports center) which has impressive facilities for a non-hotel spa.
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