Megeve

About Megeve - presentation, information, photos and recommendations

Megève – lifestyle capital in the mountains!

Back in the 1920's there was a baron and his lady wife who were responsible for turning Megève into a tourism hotspot. The baron Maurice de Rothschild and his wife Noémi initiated the building of the first luxury hotel right in front of the legendary Mont Blanc. The idea behind that was to create a new French ski resort which could match up to its mundane Swiss predecessors. St. Moritz was seemingly not what this pair was looking for. Together with the lead architect Henri-Jacques Le Même they created an elegant ski resort which turned into a first-class meeting point for the rich and the famous in the 1950's. Until today Megève has maintained this idea of luxury and extravagance and surely is the most elegant ski resort in the Savoyard Alps. Even ex-president Nicolas Sarcozy spent his holiday here with Carla Bruni.

However the resort has also kept a lot of its village charm with its beautiful wooden chalets. Especially the resort centre with the small alley and squares, numerous wells and fountains and the quaint old houses is worth a stroll. A walk across the monastery grounds with the many little chapels is a unique experience, especially in winter. And all this in front of the impressive mountain Mont Blanc. This famous mountain, together with many more 4,000 metre peaks, forms an incredible backdrop which rises to all sides of the high Alpine valley of Megève.

Ski
The ski area Megève alone comprises 263 km of slopes and is therefore the largest of the region "Evasion Mont-Blanc" which offers a total of 468 km in the areas Megève, Saint Gervais, Les Contamines, Comblouy, La Giettaz and Le Jaillet. Winter sports enthusiasts will find very diverse terrain here, which was also home to one of the most popular French ski legends: Émil Allais, bronze medal winner of winter Olympic Games in 1936 in Garmisch-Patenkirchen. He is one of the famous sons Megève has brought out and there is still piste dedicated to his person and bearing his name here. Relaxed skiing is possible here on the many wide pistes that spread across the region. Especially attractive are the forest passages at the Mont d'Arboise and the pistes at Rochbrune. On cold day the pistes on the south face of the Jaillet are very popular.

Pros will also find what they are looking for all around the region of Megève. The Super Mègeve and the slopes of Èplaule for instance, provide a real challenge. An especially diverse terrain can be found just above Les Contamines at the Col du Joly. You can also create your own ski video on the Ski Movie pistes at the Waidzai Park!

Numerous slopes for freeriders can be found at the Mont Joux, at Crève-Coeur and at Rochebrune. Two snow parks invite freestylers to trick and jump.

Apres ski in Megève is less big party, big music and schnapps, but rather a refreshing drink in stylish atmosphere. Therefore you will not only find various bars, including the La Sauvageonne or the Cocoon Club available, but also the discos Palo Alto and a casino. Further there is a great selection of first-class restaurants which can spoil you tasty regional and international specialities.

Just as extraordinary as the atmosphere is the leisure offer which is provided in Megève. Therefore the village is well-known for its snow polo and snow golfing events. The local ski school offers try-outs in biathlon and dog-sleigh riding. But there are also classic leisure time offers here, as well. Be it swimming, sauna visits or ice skating (indoor and outdoor), curling, snowshoe hiking or tobogganing - you will surely not suffer boredom here! Relaxation can be found in one of the numerous spa facilities.

A visit to the local museum, the Musée du Haut Val d’Arly, is surely worthwhile.

A practice trail for cross-country skiers can be found close to the centre of Megève. In total you can choose from 45 km of tracks. Cross-country pros are recommended to try the trails at the Côte 2000.

Skiing region
Highest point ski area	2.350 m
Lowest point ski area	1.113m
Village height	1.120m
Number of lifts	135
Number of drag lifts	78
Number of chair lifts	43
Number of cable cars	14
Total pistes	468 km
Green/blue pistes	166 km
Red pistes	244 km
Black pistes	468 km

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Megeve | Back in the 1920's there was a baron and his lady wife who were responsible for turning Megève into a tourism hotspot. The baron Maurice de Rothschild and his wife Noémi initiated the building of the first luxury hotel right in front of the legendary Mont Blanc

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