Megeve, the Heart of the French Alps
Megeve is well known by few and is a jealously guarded secret among those that frequent its ski slopes; Michelin Guide rated hotels and restaurants, high-end shopping stores, Casino and quaint narrow cobbled streets. The village is dominated by the traditional church belfry, and a square all in a pedestrian friendly atmosphere. Horse drawn sleighs carry tourists all over during the peak periods adding a festive and memorable experience for young and old. A truly civilized ski area of real old world charm, with a history that goes back for more than 1000 years. The village still has over 40 working farms from where the milk is used to produce the local cheeses that are known all over the world.
The ski area is laid out in such a way that the summit of Mont Blanc is almost always in view when skiing Megeve ski runs. The runs are cut through the trees; a very welcome change to most ski areas in the Alps that are above the "tree line", adding a touch of green to this Haute-Savoyard village! Great skiing for all levels with a particularly pleasing predominance of upper intermediate skiing terrain.
The "Espace Mont Blanc" domain is a whopping 445 Km and with over 111 lifts make Megeve and partner ski areas ( la Giettaz , Saint Gervais, Saint Nicolas de Veroce, Combloux, les Contamines Montjoie and Cordon) in the top 6 longest skiable areas in France. I often bring clients on a beautiful day to see and ski what I think is the best vantage point to view the French Alps and the Mont Blanc :
The most scenic views of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe, are visible from the top of the "Epaule" chairlift of the Mont Arbois side of the Megeve Ski Area. From the top of this chair lift you will want to turn immediately left to stay on the piste, a right turn will take you immediately "off piste"! You should be a good intermediate skier to do this run, in several places it is quite narrow and in whiteout conditions not advised at all. However on a brilliant sunny day you will want to look around you and make a visual picture that even the best of cameras could never capture….the whole of the French Alps in all their beauty right before your eyes! After taking it all in, it is time to ski all the way down to Chatrix, the longest of runs in the domain.
...But do not tell anyone how nice it is!
© Mike Beaudet