Megève
Built for elegance before ski lifts existed, Megève's medieval centre does horse-drawn sleighs, art galleries and patisserie counters like nowhere else in the Alps.
- Best forFamilies · Skiers & snowboarders · Luxury seekers
- In December2°C · 16 rainy days
- Ideal stayA week
- Approx. flying time~11h 55m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyEUREuro
- LanguageFrench
- Local time12:371h ahead of the UK
- PlugsType C / EBring an adapter
- Drive on theRightOpposite to the UK
- Dialling code+33
Why go
Megève was built for elegance decades before the first ski lift arrived, and it still shows: a cobbled medieval centre of art galleries, patisseries and horse-drawn sleighs rather than the purpose-built concrete of many Alpine resorts. Fifty kilometres of groomed winter walking paths wind through larch forest with Mont Blanc appearing between the trees, and the skiing itself is gentle by French standards, better suited to long lunches than black-run bragging rights.
It works well for a week that mixes moderate skiing with genuine village life: markets, spa afternoons and sun-terrace lunches reached by gondola rather than earned by effort. Families and couples looking for atmosphere over adrenaline will get more from Megève than committed off-piste skiers, who tend to base themselves in higher, snowier resorts nearby. Summer brings hiking and mountain biking on the same well-kept trails.
- Ideal stay
- A week
- The vibe
- Elegant, understated, village-scaled
From our guides
Fifty kilometres of groomed winter footpaths wind through larch forest with Mont Blanc peeking between branches. Ride the Mont d'Arbois gondola up for lunch on a sun terrace and descend without a single moment of peril.
Featured in Ten cosy winter resorts for people who don't really ski
Things to do
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Mont d'Arbois gondola
A cable car rising above the village to a sun terrace with panoramic views, a popular spot for a long lunch break from skiing.
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Megève's old village centre
Cobbled streets lined with boutiques, patisseries and horse-drawn sleighs, largely unchanged in character since long before the ski lifts arrived.
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Fifty kilometres of winter walking paths
A groomed network of footpaths through larch forest, entirely separate from the ski pistes and popular with non-skiers and dog walkers.
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Mont Blanc viewpoints
Several lift-served terraces and marked trails give clear, uninterrupted views of the Mont Blanc massif on cloudless days.
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Le Jaillet ski area
A gentler beginner and intermediate sector above the village, well suited to families and less confident skiers finding their feet.
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Summer hiking and mountain biking
The same lift network reopens each summer for high-altitude walking and biking trails through larch forest and alpine meadows.
Getting there
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Fly to
Geneva (GVA)
Nearest airport to Megève, about 58km away as the crow flies.
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Then
To Megeve
About an hour by car or transfer from Annecy (NCY); Geneva is a common alternative at around an hour and a quarter.
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On the ground
Getting around
The medieval centre is walkable and partly pedestrianised, with free ski buses to the lift stations and horse-drawn sleighs for the short hops in winter.
Public transport: Resort shuttle buses cover the village and lifts well; reaching Megeve itself without a car means a coach or shared transfer from Sallanches or the airport.
Flights
Los Angeles Megève, France
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Roughly 11h 55m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
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When to go
Daytime highs run from about 2°C in January to 22°C in July. Driest in August; wettest in June, with rain on about 19 days.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
December2° · rain 16 daysCold and often wet.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Chalet hotels and family-run auberges in the village, self-catering apartments on the outskirts and catered chalets through UK operators. Large purpose-built residences are rare.
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Best base overall
Megeve village centre
The medieval core with the sleighs, patisseries and the free bus network radiating out. Lifts are a short walk or shuttle ride rather than ski-in, which is the trade for the atmosphere.
Find stays in Megeve village centre -
Best for couples
Mont d'Arbois
Up the hill by the gondola, with the smartest chalet hotels and direct access to the slopes. You are dependent on the road or the lift to reach the village for dinner.
Find stays in Mont d'Arbois -
Best value
Demi-Quartier and Le Planellet
Residential slopes just outside the centre with apartments and chalets at gentler prices, on the shuttle route. You will be walking or waiting for a bus in ski boots.
Find stays in Demi-Quartier and Le Planellet -
Best with children
Combloux and Praz-sur-Arly
Neighbouring villages on the same lift pass, cheaper, calmer and with good nursery slopes. Both need the bus or a car to reach Megeve's restaurants and shops.
Find stays in Combloux and Praz-sur-Arly
Worth knowing before you book: French school holidays in February and the Christmas fortnight sell out early with Saturday-to-Saturday changeovers, and low altitude means checking snow reports before committing.
Search everything else in Megeve by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Skiing
- The terrain suits beginners and intermediates better than experts; strong off-piste skiers may want to base in a higher, snow-sure resort instead.
- Getting there
- The nearest airport is Geneva, roughly an hour and a half by road; there is no direct rail link into the village.
- Timing
- Lower altitude means snow reliability drops later in the season; January to early March gives the safest window for good cover.
- With kids
- Gentle nursery slopes and a village that keeps working outside the ski lifts make this an easy resort for young families.
- Pack this
- Bring smart-casual clothes alongside ski kit; Megève's restaurants and bars lean more polished than many purpose-built resorts.
Similar places
Alpbach
AustriaAlso for families and skiers & snowboarders · 3°C in December, as here
Peak 2 Peak Gondola
Whistler, CanadaAlso for families and skiers & snowboarders · -2°C in December (2°C here)
Cortina d'Ampezzo
ItalyAlso for skiers & snowboarders and luxury seekers · 0°C in December (2°C here) · cheaper to stay
Nearby destinations
Chamonix
France · 21km away →
Aiguille du Midi
Chamonix, France · 21km away →
Lac Blanc
Chamonix, France · 25km away →
Courmayeur
Italy · 26km away →
Les Gets
France · 33km away →
Morzine
France · 37km away →Elsewhere in France
Related articles
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Megève?
Daytime highs run from about 2°C in January to 22°C in July. Driest in August; wettest in June, with rain on about 19 days.
How long should I spend in Megève?
Our suggestion: a week.
How do I get to Megève?
About an hour by car or transfer from Annecy (NCY); Geneva is a common alternative at around an hour and a quarter.
Do I need a car in Megève?
No. Resort shuttle buses cover the village and lifts well; reaching Megeve itself without a car means a coach or shared transfer from Sallanches or the airport.
What currency and language are used in Megève?
Currency: Euro (EUR). Language: French. Plugs: type C and E.
Who is Megève best for?
Best for families, skiers & snowboarders and luxury seekers. In a phrase: elegant, understated, village-scaled.