Megève is a small town situated in the Alps. Close to Mont Blanc, it is known as an upmarket ski resort where the glitterati and jet set go to spend their winter months.

The Alps are one of the most wonderful destinations in Europe. Spanning several countries, you would assume that each resort has its own character and style. Yet it is not always the case, with many turning into simple tourist traps that spend the year gearing up for the skiing season. One bucking this trend is Megève, a truly unique experience that should be visited at any time of the year.

Where is Megève?

Megève is a commune of historical villages and areas in the east of France. It is surrounded by the Alps, with Switzerland swooping round its north and the border to Italy tucked into its side. This makes Geneva its closest large city, and is where most people transport in and out of when they want to experience its biggest attraction: Mont Blanc.

It has a very small population of around 3000, with most permanent residents in the younger age category making a living from its hospitality and tourism sector. While it is a medieval city, the resort was conceived in the 1910s when the Rothschild family wanted to make a rival to St Moritz. They began to develop this first purpose-built resort, which gives it much of its 1920s charm that remains today. It has also kept its reputation as an exclusive ski resort, where the rich can play in the snow and experience the finest the Alps have to offer.

Getting to and from Megève usually involves Geneva. The easiest way is to get a shuttle from Geneva airport to Megève. These transfers are extremely reasonable, but should be booked in advance. Many people travelling to Megève spend the money on private transfers, making public options harder to come by. Thus, quality ones can book up easily and quickly.

Megève in Winter

The skiing area in Megève encompasses several areas, spanning around 400km of ski slopes. Combined, there are 67 platter lifts, 35 chairlifts, 13 gondola lifts and a cable car. In total, there are 219 slopes, though not all may be open when you visit, so check in advance.

Several events also take place over the winter months. They may impact the booking of accommodation and transport, so check the yearly calendar. They include curling tournaments, several skiing competitions and more obscure events like snow golf and ice polo championships. There have also been several major figure skating championships there over the years.

Visiting in the Summer

A trek into the Alps during summer is a glorious undertaking, and Megève provides everything you need. A truly breathtaking vista that encompasses Mont Blanc awaits, with flowers, plants and greenery bursting into life around it.

In the town itself, with the cold weather gone, pavement cafes open up. You can traverse its cobbled streets, popping into unique boutiques and mouth-watering patisseries. A host of festivals and activities also punctuate the summer, with dancing, music and arts found in abundance.

For those wanting to head out into the wilderness, Mont d’Arbois is a great starting point. It is full of hiking trails and even has an 18-hole golf course. You can definitely bring a lightweight golf bag to have the experience of playing in this majestic destination.

Elegant accommodation often sits next to working family farms, so it is easy to get fresh goods and produce each day of the week.

Must-Try Activities in Megève

There are three Michelin-starred restaurants here: Vous, La Tabla de L’Alpaga and Flocons de Sel. All offer extremely modern French cuisine, and you will need a reservation. Vous, for example, only has fourteen seats, and many of these only have limited evening opening hours. At the time of writing, Flocons de Sel is also temporarily closed, making the other more likely to book up quickly.

Friday is also market day in the town. For anyone who loves to shop, this is the ideal day out. Not only do you have fresh local produce coming in from the farms, but you also have a range of goods and objects to take home. These can range from handmade confectionery to antiquities and textiles. High fashion is also available if you fancy something a little different from the boutiques visited by everyone else.

Megève is not the cheapest ski resort in the world. In fact, it could qualify as the most upmarket and expensive. Yet it can be done on a reasonable budget, and it is winter when the streets swell and prices go up. During summer, you will find a different world awaiting you, and it can be a great point at which to venture further into the Alps.