The Ski Resort
In French eye, forget the glitzy ski resorts of Courchevel and Val d Isere, as they come a long way second to the style and sophistication of their favourite luxury ski resort, Megeve. The luxury ski resort of Megeve for the French is their winter version of St Tropez and here at Chalet Ski holidays we kind of know why too. Megeve simply has that kind of Parisian style and atmosphere, mixed with stunning scenery, sunny tree-line ski slopes, and most importantly, particularly to its French chalet ski holiday visitors, some of finest dining in the Alps too.
Linked with St Gervais, Combloux and a host of smaller ski villages, Parisians flock to Megeve literrally in their thousands in February and for long weekends as the skiing in and around Megeve is extensive and will keep most skiers busy throughout the week or days ahead for weekend visitors. Not that most will be skiing all day as the Megeve mountain restaurants are probably the best in the Alps for charm, character and most importantly, fabulous food. People that are attracted to Megeve for a luxury ski holiday typically prefer a sedate start to the day rather than first lifts, enjoying croissants, fresh bread, preserves and a relaxed coffee looking up at the beautiful mountains, and after some brief skiing, long sunny lunches in wood beamed traditional farmhouses!
And being a luxury ski resort for the exclusive Parisian set, the ski slopes are always beautifully manicured. The skiing itself is therefore best suited to beginners, intermediates, and skiers who prefer cruising down smooth tree lined pistes, rather than experts and adrenalin junkies searching for death defying slopes.
And if you enjoy the dining experience on the slopes, wait until you are off them! Somehow in the town of Megeve the dining experience still manages to go up another level, with locals claiming Megeve has the most Michelin Star restaurants outside of Paris! Whilst this may not be true (probably not), its Michelin dining is extensive and overall the restaurants in Megeve are of the highest class. Apres-ski life is also at the higher end, quality being more important than anything else.
Worth Knowing
The Parisians just love Megeve and they do not just descend through out February, but at weekends via the night trains that stop at nearby Le Fayet. You may therefore get a great table at one of the fabulous mountain ski restaurants during the week without a reservation, but at the weekends it is unlikely to be the case. Concierge services therefore are worth their weight in gold and help you get the sunniest table at the best mountain table, whilst others are being turned away.
Off Piste Skiing
Limited in Megeve. This said, the slopes off Mont Joly are steep and as the majority of skiers skiing Megeve do not pursue off-piste skiing, you will often find good snow long after a snowfall.