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Book a Call Enquire OnlineBY - Will Davis , 7 October 2024 - VIEW ALL ARTICLES
‘A chic boutique retreat’ is a good description of the French ski resort of Megeve. A cluster of pretty, traditional buildings gather around the charming town square as horse-drawn sleighs pass by. Originally a mountain hamlet with a 13th-century church, which still stands today, Megeve was developed in the 1920s as a rival to St Moritz in Switzerland.
This French ski resort offers a quieter and more sophisticated luxury ski holiday than neighbouring Chamonix and is a favourite for families.
Few resorts can boast such a picturesque village centre as Megeve. With its cobbled square, watched over by the church and the towering snow-covered Christmas tree, Megeve just oozes charm in the winter.
In keeping with the ancient farming village the buildings here in Megève are given strict guidelines to follow; no high-rise hotels or masses of concrete are visible in the village and the plethora of new and old luxury ski chalets in the valley are designed to resemble the traditional farmhouses of generations gone by.
The ski lifts in Megeve are open from mid-December to the end of April, and many visitors come for summer holidays too. Restaurants bars and hotels are open most of the year.
Megeve is just over an hour’s drive from Geneva airport and the nearest train station is at Sallanches, 30 minutes away.
Megeve offers some of the most challenging skiing in the Alps, especially when it comes to off-piste, but it also caters for beginners and intermediates. There is a choice of lift passes, from the all-encompassing Mont Blanc Unlimited to individual tickets for cable cars.
Standing at 1,113m altitude, Megeve has access to a large and varied ski area to suit all standards of skiers. The lift pass covers the ‘Evasion Mont Blanc’ area which has 325km of pistes, including two nursery slopes. On one side of the valley, you can ski over to La Giettez, and on the other to Les Contamines and St Nicolas de Veroce.
A handful of black runs, including a World Cup piste also makes Megeve a great luxury ski destination for advanced skiers, and there is plenty of off-piste powder in the right snow conditions. Nearby Chamonix has more extreme slopes for expert skiers, such as the Vallee Blanche, a 22km off-piste trail which can be followed with a guide.
However, a large number of runs in the Mont Blanc ski area are gentle and suitable for beginners and intermediates. There is also a network of cross-country ski trails, and snowboarders will be happy to learn that Megeve has two snowparks and no T-bar lifts.
Firefly Collection is thrilled to offer you some of the finest luxury ski chalets and apartments in arguably one of our favourite ski resorts.
The luxury French ski resort has maintained its history admirably and is centred around its original village which dates back to the 13th Century. The ancient cobblestone streets wobble their way through the glamorous resort lined with modern restaurants and boutiques oozing Gallic charm and Alpine chic. Megeve is relatively uncrowded, yet it is full of life and offers a host of Beauty spas and music venues as well a host of luxury ski chalets.
There are plenty of things to do apart from skiing too. A large leisure centre houses a swimming pool, climbing wall and tennis courts, and there are indoor and outdoor skating rinks. Non-skiers can follow the marked walking paths and use a special, limited lift pass making this a popular luxury ski holiday destination for all.
Megeve is a magical ski resort for children with countless activities both in and out of the snow for them to enjoy. A firm favourite is going on an adventure through the trees on a sleigh led by dogs with cuddles and slobbery kisses awaiting you at the end.
Megeve is as much a venue for foodies as for skiers with many world-class restaurants.
How many ski resorts can boast a 3-star Michelin restaurant? Les Flocons de Sel has this honour and is the top place to go for a really special meal in Megeve. Away from your luxury ski chalet, there are plenty of good restaurants around the town that offer delicious regional specialities. Some of the highlights of Savoyard cuisine are cheese fondue, raclette and tartiflette.
If the local cheese-based dishes become too much to digest, you will find a range of different cooking styles in Megève’s many other restaurants. You can find seafood dishes at L’Atelier, Asian dishes at Kaito, and several Italian restaurants.
Megeve’s mountain restaurants vary from basic canteen style for a quick re-fuelling, to five-star comfort for a gourmet blow-out. Try L’Alpette, La Raviere and L’Ideal 1850 for some of the best dining at altitude. Advance booking is usually advised for all these restaurants.
Bars range from the atmospheric pub style where overflowing pints of beer are de rigeur, to sophisticated cocktail bars where a pianist plays in the background. Club Les 5 Rues is a famous venue for live music, and there are several small nightclubs if you are looking to spend the evening out of your luxury ski chalet.
Few chalets can mimic the sheer sophistication and style of Ultima Chalet in Megeve. Across two properties with a surrounding garden, Ultima Chalet is a glorious alpine eutopia. Throughout, you’ll find the finest décor with chrome, glass, and bespoke furniture – this is the definition of opulence. A full team of staff will be at your beck and call, their role is to provide luxury service barely imagined.
An afternoon and evening in Ultima Chalet might look something like this: Arriving home from an incredible day on the slopes, head to the extensive private spa area where you can relax in the swimming pool, hot tub, hammam or treat yourself to a massage in the treatment room. Prepare your taste buds for the exciting evening menu your private chef has prepared with carefully selected wine pairings. After supper, perhaps you’ll be in the mood for a dance in the private nightclub or a quiet aperitif in the wine cellar.
Staying in Ultima Chalet in Megeve is not just accommodation, it is an experience that will certainly live favourably in your memory for a very long time!
If you were to close your eyes and picture a luxury alpine chalet, the chances are you’ll be imagining something like Chalet des Sens. All the flair and modernity that you’d hope for in a luxury ski chalet in Megeve, but with the bonus of having charming traditional touches throughout.
The ground floor boasts a spacious wellness area with an impressive swimming pool that doubles up as a dance floor or yoga studio thanks to the innovative adjustable flooring. There’s never a dull moment in Chalet des Sens with a range of epic facilities to keep the group busy, including a games room, wine cellar and cinema room.
Written by
Will is a keen traveller and writer. When he's not travelling the world or writing about it, he's managing the marketing for Firefly Collection.