Megève Magic

Megève is a magical winter playground for beginners with plenty of gentle, wide slopes for practising.  In Europe, ski-run colours mean the following:

 

• Green: Easy
• Blue: Average or intermediate
• Red: Advanced or difficult
• Black: Expert or very difficult

 

50% of Megève ski resort’s terrain is intermediate, 37% easy and 12% difficult. It is also super kid-friendly so parents can drop kids off at a ski lesson and go about their day. For intermediate skiers, there is an abundance of blue and red runs to explore, with the Mont d'Arbois sector being particularly enjoyable.

 

From 1113m to 2350m, there are 235 slopes for all levels at the heart of the Domaine Évasion Mont-Blanc. It's 400km of secure, marked and proudly maintained slopes that guarantee exceptional skiing comfort. When you’re ready to hit the slopes, you can either drive to one of the base stations and park at the lot there (the earlier the better to find a spot!) or take your hotel’s shuttle bus if they offer one.

 

I haven’t skied very often in my life, but this experience is one for my journal – to be surrounded by so much snow, to hear the giggles of other learners like me, who couldn’t brake properly and plopped in the snow or who collided with the instructor, it was heart-warming and reassuring that no one was judging me, everyone was just having a great time, tumbles and all.

 

Megève gives you one unique experience after another. One of the things I enjoyed the most was having 8 magnificent dogs lead me in a 30-minute tour of the snowy landscape. The most beautiful Malamutes, Greenlandic, Samoyed and Husky dogs covered me with wet nose bops and slobbery kisses, their bushy wagging tails as the musher (the person who handles them and the sled) hooked them to the sled. As I set out for my ride, the only thing I could hear was the noise of the sled and the breathing of the dogs as they excitedly propelled me forward with all their might. 

Dog Sledding is done in morning and afternoon slots so make sure you book in advance via their website as winter slots can fill quickly. Go to the car park at the bottom of Chemin des Follières. From there, follow the “dog sledding” signs. A set of signs are placed so that you can go to the trapper camp.

In the summer, the Cascade de la Belle au Bois is a gorgeous waterfall that cascades into a crystal-clear natural pool. Situated just above the pedestrian zone near the heart of the village, it’s a favourite summer spot for tourists. The best part is that it is open every day and is completely free. When I visited, the place was buzzing with energy; kids splashing in the cool waters, adults perched on the driftwood for a closer look, and everyone trying to capture the perfect shot against the dramatic rocky backdrop. In winter this waterfall becomes an ‘icefall’.

 

You can also try ice climbing at the ‘icefall’  at Cascade de glace Découverte, a place that’s accessible even to the young ones (from 14 years old under conditions). You will have to rent crampons or cramponable shoes and ice axes, but do give it a try. It is a delightfully amusing activity and very different from any adventurous activity you might have done in the past. 

 

I tried it, and I thought I wouldn't be able to go past a couple of feet from the bottom, but I did!! This again was such an invigorating activity, because half my brain was praying for the ice not to crack and the other half was loving the feeling of plunging my ice-axe into the icefall and hauling myself up the steep incline. You guys will love it !

 

Think of snowshoeing as an extension to hiking. You walk on the snow with the assistance of snowshoes, a type of outer footwear with a wide frame that distributes the weight of the person over a larger area.

 

Megève has many trails and routes specifically for snowshoeing for you to discover the beauty of the powder-white snow, the snow-covered spruces, the view of the mountains, and the frozen waterfalls, all that will make you appreciate the tranquillity of winter.

 

I went on a Snowshoeing trail just because it sounded different and fun. By the time I got back, I had six-pack abs and chiseled calves! Just kidding! But yes, snowshoeing does focus more on the legs and core, and using poles gave me an added upper body workout.

 

As snowshoeing constantly exposes your legs to snow, you'll need a good pair of snow pants or snow bibs too. The best pants for snowshoeing are ski or snowboard pants that are warm, waterproof, and breathable to keep you dry inside and out. Same way you need to keep your upper body insulated with a combination of warmers, sweaters and weatherproof or down-filled jackets.

 

In Megève, you will find shopping for every kind of sensibility. 

The first thing that I looked for was sports and equipment rental shops, because there was no way I was buying skis and ski-wear for just 6 days of skiing. There are plenty of places that rent out things like skis, snowboards, snowshoes, helmets, crampons, snow boots, winter apparel, mountain bikes etc for adults and children. 

 

After I was done with all my ‘adventure activities’ in the first 4 days of my trip, I decided to treat myself to a more relaxed day of just exploring the city of Megève, and of course- shopping!

 

The boutiques here redefine shopping, blending ultra-luxury with alpine chic. Hermès has the most beautiful luxury outlet, it looks like you’re walking into a cute mountain villa rather than a high-end store.  Moncler also has an outlet in Megève, offering its signature scarves, leather goods and chic, high-performance outerwear. Dolce & Gabbana, Hogan, Cucinelli, Balmain, Fendi, Cartney and Saint Laurent all have their stores on a charming cobbled street.

 

For exquisite jewellry, Piaget and Chopard have timeless pieces. Joly Pottuz offers the biggest watch brands such as Swatch, Pandora, Tissot and Zag. Master perfumer Alberto Morillas’s shop called AM specializes in scented candles and also offers a collection of eau de parfum that are truly exquisite.

 

For cheese lovers, La Fromagerie Boujon offers an impressive selection of local cheeses that are sure to please any palate. Wine enthusiasts should not miss Le Cellier, a wine shop that features a curated selection of French wines, including many from the surrounding regions. 

 

However, the most famous shop in Megève is AAllard. Founded in Geneva almost a century ago, Maison AAllard has built its reputation thanks to its innovations in the world of ready-to-wear, especially since the invention of the spindle. You will find a great collection of sweaters, jackets, pants, shirts and furs here.