Short answer
Megève is an old alpine village at 1,113 metres in Haute-Savoie, about an hour from Geneva. The village's cobbled streets and church square are pedestrian only, horse-drawn sleighs drive through the centre, and the ski area has 185 kilometres of pistes with views of Mont Blanc. Megève holds the Famille Plus label and has several children's areas with conveyor belts – but the village sits low and is one of the most expensive in France.
Quick facts
- Country / region
- France, Haute-Savoie
- Ski area
- Megève and Saint-Gervais (Mont d'Arbois, Rochebrune, Mont Joly and others)
- Altitude (village – top)
- 1113 – 2353 m above sea level
- Pistes
- 185 km
- Lifts
- 60
- Season
- mid-December – early April
- Nearest airports
- Geneva (approx. 1 h)
- Train
- Train to Sallanches, then bus or taxi (about 20 min)
- Price level
- ●●●●● (1 = cheap, 5 = expensive)
Family rating
3,5 / 5
- Beginner slopes Several children's areas with conveyor belts, such as Rocharbois, Petit Roch and Bettex.
- Snow reliability The village sits at 1,113 metres – in a mild winter the snow can be thin down by the village.
- Distance from accommodation to lifts Lifts start from the village, but much of the accommodation is spread out and needs a bus or car.
- More than skiing A square without cars, horse-drawn sleighs, skating and Chamonix a short drive away.
The rating is our overall assessment for families with children based on the criteria above – not a paid placement.
Megève is a real alpine village, not a ski station. There was a village here long before anyone skied, and in the 1920s Megève became one of the first winter sports resorts in France. Today the centre with its cobbled streets and church square has no cars, horse-drawn sleighs drive between the houses and the view of Mont Blanc can be seen from almost every slope.
That makes Megève one of the most atmospheric resorts in the Alps – and one of the most expensive.
Three mountains around the village
The ski area spreads over several mountains around the village, with 185 kilometres of pistes and 60 lifts together with the neighbour Saint-Gervais:
- Mont d’Arbois – the biggest area, with long, wide slopes and views of Mont Blanc.
- Rochebrune – the mountain closest to the centre, with sunny slopes.
- Mont Joly – the highest, at over 2,300 metres, where the snow is usually best.
| Difficulty | Kilometres | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Blue and green | 70 km | 37 % |
| Red | 90 km | 48 % |
| Black | 25 km | 15 % |
Not all the mountains are linked on skis, so sometimes you take a bus between them.
The snow – the weak point
The village sits at 1,113 metres, which is low for a big ski resort. In a mild winter the snow can be thin down by the village, while the skiing is good higher up. Choose a week in the middle of winter if you can, and ski higher up if the snow is thin. If you want more reliable snow near Geneva, Flaine is a better choice.
Megève with kids
- Children's areas with conveyor belts – including Rocharbois, Chamois, Petit Roch and Bettex.
- Famille Plus – Megève holds the label for child-friendly resorts.
- A centre without cars – safe to walk around with children among shops and cafés.
- The lift ticket costs about the same as at other big French resorts, and the child pass is cheaper than the adult pass.
We go through how to plan the week with ski school and rest days in ski trips with children.
Keep costs down
Megève is expensive, especially accommodation and restaurants. Some ways to save:
- Stay in an apartment and cook for yourselves – our weekly menu for the ski trip is made for that.
- Shop in the valley, for example in Sallanches, before you go up.
- A packed lunch on the slopes instead of lunch at a restaurant.
More tips are in the budget guide.
The rest day
- Horse-drawn sleigh through the village – a ride the children will remember.
- Ice skating and a walk on the cobbled streets around the church square.
- Chamonix – a short drive away, with views of Mont Blanc. Read more in our guide to Chamonix.
How to get to Megève
- By air: Geneva is about an hour away by car.
- By train: take the train to Sallanches and a bus or taxi up to the village, about 20 minutes. From Sweden: train to the Alps.
- By car: winter tyres and snow chains are required.
We compare more resorts near Geneva – such as La Clusaz, Flaine and Morzine – in France's ski trips.
Packing for Megève – easy things to forget
Frequently asked questions
Is Megève good for families with children?
Yes. Megève holds the Famille Plus label, has several children's areas with conveyor belts and a centre without cars, with a square and horse-drawn sleighs. What counts against it is the prices and the low altitude of the village.
Is Megève snow-sure?
The village sits at 1,113 metres, so the snow can be thin down by the village in a mild winter. Higher up, towards Mont Joly at over 2,300 metres, the snow is usually better. Choose a week in the middle of winter if you can.
How do you get to Megève?
From Geneva the drive takes about an hour. By train you go to Sallanches and then take a bus or taxi up to the village.
Is Megève expensive?
Yes, Megève is one of the most expensive resorts in France, especially accommodation and restaurants. The lift pass costs about the same as at other big resorts.
What can you do on a rest day in Megève?
Take a horse-drawn sleigh through the village, walk the cobbled streets around the church square or go skating. Chamonix and Mont Blanc are a short drive away.
