The resort
Megève developed as a ski resort in the 1920s from a farming village at 1,113 m. The largely pedestrianized center has cobbled streets around the church of Saint John the Baptist, with chalets, hotels and shops nearby. Ski areas lie on three sides of the town.
The skiing
Megève has five named ski sectors: Rochebrune, Cote 2000, Mont d’Arbois, Princesse and Le Jaillet. The Rochebrune cable car and the Chamois and Caboche gondolas provide access from the town.
The Rocharbois cable car connects the Rochebrune and Mont d’Arbois sides near Caboche. Check the lift map before choosing a meeting point: being in the same resort does not mean every sector is a short ski away.
Mont d'Arbois links onwards to Saint-Gervais and the wider Évasion Mont-Blanc, over 400 km of slopes covered by the Évasion Mont-Blanc pass across Megève, Saint-Gervais, Saint-Nicolas de Véroce, Combloux, La Giettaz and Les Contamines. The Megève–Saint-Gervais slopes are lift-linked. Jaillet/Portes du Mont-Blanc and Les Contamines–Hauteluce are separate ski areas covered by the shared pass; you cannot ski between all of them.
Le Jaillet, on the opposite side of the village, is a separate operation within Les Portes du Mont-Blanc (with Combloux, La Giettaz and Cordon). Its tree-lined slopes sit away from the main circuit.
Snow & weather
Megève’s village sits at 1,113 m, with linked skiing reaching 2,353 m on Mont Joly. Compare monthly temperatures and wet-snow risk on the Megève snow and weather page, especially for early- or late-season dates.
Lessons & ski schools
ESF Megève, Oxyski and Evolution 2 offer instruction in the area. Children’s courses, group lessons and specialist sessions may start in different places, so match the booking to your accommodation and transport.
Passes
The main pass is the Évasion Mont Blanc, covering all five Megève sectors plus Saint-Gervais, Saint-Nicolas, Combloux, La Giettaz and Les Contamines/Hauteluce, sold by the day, by stay (1-21 days) or as a Liberté carnet of non-consecutive days through the lift company's online shop. The Jaillet side can be bought separately as a Les Portes du Mont-Blanc pass if you plan to stay in that area.
For a trip covering more areas, compare Mont Blanc Unlimited, which extends into the Chamonix valley, Courmayeur in Italy and Swiss partner resorts: the exact inclusions vary with pass duration and the season's agreements, so check the official list when you buy.
Where to stay
Stay in the pedestrianized center for restaurants and the village square, then walk or take a bus to the lifts. Mont d'Arbois, Rochebrune and Jaillet place you nearer their respective ski areas. Demi-Quartier is a separate commune on the bus route between Megève and Combloux.
Getting there
Geneva is the airport: about 1h15 by car on the A40, exit Sallanches (n°20), then 12 km up to the village. Lyon (~2h15), Annecy (~1h15) and Chambéry (~1h30, seasonal flights) also work, and Megève keeps an altiport for light aircraft.
By rail, TER and TGV services reach Sallanches to Combloux to Megève station, 12 km out, with the SAT Y83 bus, shuttles and taxis covering the last leg. French mountain law (winter tires or chains carried, November 1 to March 31) applies on the approach.
Beyond the pistes
Le Palais sports center has a pool, ice rink, indoor climbing, cinema, and the mountain adds LALUGE, a 3,000 m toboggan run on the lift network. Snowshoeing, dog sledding and winter walks run from the village, with horse-drawn carriage outings to fondue dinners also available.
Who it suits
Megève can suit groups who value village life and non-ski activities alongside time on the slopes. Compare the different sectors for lessons and family skiing. If high-altitude snow is your main priority, weigh those preferences against the resort’s lower elevation.
Quick answers
How high is Megève? The village sits at 1,113 m with linked skiing reaching 2,353 m on Mont Joly, on the Saint-Gervais–Saint-Nicolas side. Check the month-by-month conditions before choosing your week.
What does the Megève ski pass cover? The Évasion Mont Blanc pass covers Megève's five sectors (Rochebrune, Cote 2000, Mont d'Arbois, Princesse, Jaillet) plus Saint-Gervais, Saint-Nicolas de Véroce, Combloux, La Giettaz and Les Contamines/Hauteluce: over 400 km of slopes covered by the Évasion Mont-Blanc pass. The Jaillet side is also sold separately as a Les Portes du Mont-Blanc pass, and Mont Blanc Unlimited extends into the Chamonix valley, Courmayeur and Swiss partner resorts, with inclusions depending on pass duration: check the official list when buying. These are separate areas under one pass, not a single continuous ski circuit.
How do you get to Megève? Geneva is the airport: about 1h15 by car on the A40, exit Sallanches (n°20), 12 km from the village. By rail, TER and TGV services reach Sallanches–Combloux–Megève station, with the SAT Y83 bus, shuttles or taxis for the last 12 km.