What to do in Megève?
Mainly known as a ski resort in Haute-Savoie in France, Megève is also a small town that hosts numerous events and offers a variety of activities in addition to its many ski slopes. Just a few kilometers from Geneva, you’ll find yourself in a superb setting, surrounded by large snow-capped mountain ranges, including Mont Blanc. So, apart from skiing, what else is there to do in Megève?
This guide brings together all the must-do activities for your stay in Megève. Whether you like skiing, sliding, walking, or cycling, you’ll find all the information you need in this article. A practical guide will also enable you to anticipate your arrival with a few practical tips and recommendations with good addresses.
The must-do activities in Megève
In winter, Megève offers a wide range of activities to make the most of the snow. Whether you’re on your own, with friends, or in family with children, you’re sure to have a great time in Megève!
Skiing down the slopes
Megève boasts a vast ski area surrounded by snow-covered forests. It is dominated by four mountain ranges, with no fewer than 400 kilometers of pistes. So whether you're a beginner or an expert, you can enjoy skiing or snowboarding on the 235 slopes!
Once you've taken the lift to the top of the slopes, you can stop and contemplate the amazing views you'll have of the surrounding massifs, including Mont Blanc. Only the crackle of snow on your skis or feet will disturb this breathtaking view.
To help you find your way around, feel free to download the piste map from the Internet.
Another great activity is cross-country skiing! In this case, there's no need for ski lifts: you're free to advance on your skis over untracked powder snow. It's a great way to combine the pleasures of hiking with those of skiing.
The ski area is open from mid-December to early April. A day's lift pass costs €30, but you'll need to budget more for equipment rental (boots, skis, helmets, etc.).
Snowshoe trekking
From Megève, you can enjoy several types of snowshoe hikes. There are:
- with a mountain leader,
- on a glacier with a guide,
- suitable for families,
- to the Stassaz waterfall,
- and many more in the various mountain ranges.
So there's a wide variety to choose from, giving you the choice of how you want to discover Megeve and its many wonders in the heart of the snow-covered massifs.
You can also choose whether or not to be accompanied. If you're a beginner, you can also do a simple initiation, simply following the unmarked trails, or go for a day trip if you're more at ease.
Note that snowshoeing around the Col du Jaillet can also be done on foot.
Snowshoe trekking doesn't require any technique or physical effort, depending on the itinerary you choose. It's a fun way to visit Megeve and the surrounding area.
Of course, the price and time required for this activity will depend on all these criteria.
Taking a helicopter tour
During your stay in Megève, be sure to take a helicopter ride over Mont Blanc, the region's most emblematic landmark. Whether you're with friends or family, this is a unique experience for everyone.
The activity will take place in three parts. The first consists of a flight briefing and an explanation of the safety rules to be observed. Then, before the engine ignites, you'll board the helicopter. After receiving the go-ahead, the pilot will take off, and you'll be off for a minimum 20-minute flight to explore the surrounding area. Once you've completed your tour, the helicopter will land, and you've just completed your first flight.
At an altitude of over 4,000 meters, it's time to take out your camera and immortalize the panoramic views.
For this activity, you can choose from several flight options: 20, 30, or 50 minutes. The helicopter can accommodate up to six people. However, it is possible to make the flight private by reserving the other seats.
Visiting Megeve by paraglider
You can also visit Megeve from the air with a paragliding flight. You'll fly over Megève's mountains and valley. You'll enjoy a panoramic view of the valley.
To complete the activity, you'll need to take the Rochebrune cable car to the heights. The flight lasts between 15 and 25 minutes. You'll be flying with an instructor by your side. Paragliding is available every day between June 30 and September 1. You'll need to budget between €100 and €130 per person.
If you've never flown a paraglider before, it's possible to take your first flight. The site remains the same, but the meeting point is at the bottom of the ring road, not at the top. This first flight is open to children aged 6 and over. The flight lasts between 15 and 40 minutes.
Paragliding is available every day between January 1 and December 31. Different prices are available, depending on what you'd like to do. For adults, the price will vary between €90 and €130. For children, the price is between €80 and €90.
Other activities to do in Megève
In this part, we will talk about other activities that you can do, if you plan to stay longer in Megeve or to simply fully discover the region.
Go for a bike ride
A stay in Megève is an opportunity to try your hand at snow biking in the winter and classic biking in the summer. In fact, the resort offers a whole new way to get around the snow-covered mountains. Choose from fat bikes, mountain bikes, or electric scooters.
With larger wheels than an ordinary bike, the fat bike offers optimum grip on snow, ice, stones, and mud. Be warned, however, that the risk of falling is still possible but is considerably minimized by this system.
We recommend that you take part in this activity with an instructor. He or she will be able to reassure you and show you the right moves and techniques to master your bike.
You'll also be equipped with a helmet, knee pads, and other protective gear before setting off to discover Megève on this adventure.
The price of bike hire will depend on the tour you choose and its duration. However, you can expect to pay between €50 and €80.
Dog sledding
A dog sled ride is a unique experience not to be missed in Megeve. You'll discover a new way of visiting Megeve and admiring its beautiful landscapes.
Before embarking on the ride, the musher, the person in charge of driving the sled, will introduce you to the dogs that will accompany you. They are often of several different breeds. Here, they're likely to be samoyeds, malamutes, Greenlanders, or huskies. Generally speaking, ten or so dogs are enough to pull you along.
During your walk, you'll be able to admire the different landscapes, from snow-covered mountains to sun-drenched plateaus and snow-covered fields.
Feel free to ask the musher any questions you may have at the beginning or end of your ride. He'll be delighted to explain the specifics of his work and the close relationship he has with his dogs.
A half-day of dog sledding will cost you around €30. A full day costs around €50. It's also possible to privatize your dog-sledding experience by choosing the date, place, and time, starting at €175.
During your stay in Megève, you may also have the opportunity to attend La Grande Odyssée Savoie-Mont-Blanc, a sled dog race.
Ice climbing in the Alps
The Hautes-Alpes, and therefore Megève, offer ideal conditions for ice climbing. As winter temperatures plummet, the water in the waterfalls freezes, creating a whole new activity! Once frozen, you can try your hand at ice climbing.
Before starting this activity, the instructor will equip you with a harness, notched shoes, and a helmet. He'll also provide you with ice axes to facilitate your ascent.
Contrary to popular belief, ice climbing is accessible to beginners and experienced climbers alike. This enchanting activity, though short-lived, is a must-do that few cities offer.
For this activity, remember to take a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun's reflection on the ice. Warm, impervious clothing is recommended, especially gloves!
Ice climbing takes half a day, or around three and a half hours. It's accessible to people aged 14 and over. Although not reserved for experts, a fairly good level of fitness is recommended.
Going down the slopes on a sledge
Discover Megève on a sledge and rekindle your childhood spirit! The town has a number of sledging areas with trails specially reserved for this activity. You'll have the chance to slide down a 3-kilometer-long track! Children can also go sledging in complete safety, as the runs are secured with markers and nets.
Megève also has a 4S (four-season) sledge run, which is open all year round. It's an interesting idea for an activity that lets you explore snow-covered landscapes while having fun. The 4S toboggan is practical because it allows you to avoid contact with the snow. So you'll always be dry!
The principle is very simple: you'll be sitting on a sledge, which is itself on rails. It's equipped with wrist straps, brakes, and a safety belt.
On your descent, you'll alternate between tight turns and passing through a tunnel. Speed also varies, as do the gradients. The descent covers 715 meters at a speed of approximately 36 kilometers per hour. It's like being on a merry-go-round!
It's also possible to go down the 4S sledge run at dusk. The track will be illuminated, and music will accompany you all the way.
Another activity similar to sledging is available for children. It's called pony sledging. The pony will be entrusted to you, and you can go for a ride with the animal pulling the sled with your child on it.
Enjoy the ice rink
Every year, an outdoor skating rink opens on the Place de la Résistance in Megève. It gives you the chance to spend a convivial and pleasant moment with friends or family, surrounded by the village's illuminations.
The ice rink covers an area of 1600 square meters. Animations and initiations also take place. There's a choice of free skating, field hockey, curling, and eisstock.
At Palais Megève, you'll find the town's Olympic ice rink. It has been open since 1969 and has a surface area of 60 meters long and 30 meters wide. It has already hosted several international sporting competitions.
The Olympic rink is open from March 11 to May 5, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Tickets start around €5 for adults. Children under 5 have free access to the rink.
Take a hot-air balloon ride over the Alps
Just an hour's drive from Megève, another way to discover the region from the air awaits you. Take a hot-air balloon ride over the mountains.
Near La Cluzaz, you'll need to get to the meeting point, which will be communicated to you once you've made your reservation. Once there, the instructor will brief you on the activity and safety instructions.
Once aboard the hot-air balloon, you'll enjoy a panoramic view of La Cluzaz and the surrounding area, as well as the instructor's commentary.
The flight lasts around an hour. You will be accompanied by other passengers in this hot-air balloon, which can accommodate up to 12 people. At the end of the flight, you'll even leave with a flight diploma! To take part in this activity, a minimum height of 110 centimeters is required. You'll need to pay €280 per person.
Practical guide
Having covered the must-sees and dos in Megève, it’s time to move on to the practicalities. This will help you plan your stay as effectively as possible.
How to get to Megève?
The nearest airport is Geneva, or Lyon, for those wishing to fly. It will take you around 1 hour to get to Megève from Geneva, and two hours from Lyon.
You can also reach Megève by car. It’s easy to park once you arrive. There is plenty of parking, but you have to pay for it. Remember to equip your car with snow chains, snow tires, or all-season tires between November 1 and March 31.
Megève is easily accessible by train from the main French towns, which will drop you off at the Sallanches station. From there, you can take a bus directly to the town center.
How long to stay?
In order to enjoy all the activities without being pressed for time, we recommend that you stay for at least a week. This will allow you to hit the slopes if you’re coming in winter, but also to do activities that require a little more time, such as climbing.
If you don’t want to ski, 3 to 5 days will be enough to simply do activities like hiking!
Where to stay in Megève?
It’s easy to find accommodation in Megève. You’ll find a wide range of accommodations, including hotels, chalets, and apartments.
We recommend staying at either Les Chalets de l’Alpaga or Le Coeur de Megève. At the former, you’ll be staying in cozy wooden chalets facing Mont Blanc. The second is a hotel located in the center of the ski resort. So it’s easy to get around Megève.
For more information, see our article on the best hotels to stay in Megève.
Good places to eat in Megève
There’s no shortage of restaurants in Megève! Whether you’re in the village or at altitude, or whether you want a terrace or a view of Mont Blanc, there’s something for everyone.
We recommend a meal at Flocon de Sel, a gourmet restaurant with three Michelin stars. You’ll find yourself in a sober but warm setting, enjoying delicious cuisine.
Another good address to note is La Table de l’Alpaga. It’s also a gourmet restaurant with one star. It offers refined cuisine, all in a mountain setting.
To sum up, Megève is a pleasant town to visit, with a wide choice of activities to do, whether you come in winter or summer.
Some activities are just as feasible in winter as in summer, such as hiking or 4S tobogganing. Others are only specific to the summer or winter seasons.