Megève / Saint-Gervais
263km pistes, 850-2353m elevation, Évasion Mont-Blanc pass access. Tree-lined terrain, medieval village charm, Geneva 90km.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
12 Dec 2026
Closes
4 Apr 2027
Days open
113
Annual snow
6.4m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
The interconnected domain spans 263 kilometres of piste across 232 marked runs, stretching from 850 metres in the valley to 2,353 metres atop Mont Joly. The 1,503-metre vertical drop carves through predominantly tree-lined terrain below 2,000 metres before opening to alpine bowls at higher elevations. Both resorts form part of the Évasion Mont-Blanc pass, granting access to 445 kilometres across six linked areas including Les Contamines and Combloux. The Rochebrune cable car, France's first purpose-built skiing gondola from 1933, remains an operational centrepiece.
Terrain distribution favours progression: 37 per cent green and blue, 51 per cent intermediate red, and 12 per cent advanced black. Mont d'Arbois delivers long cruising runs through forest, whilst Mont Joux and Mont Joly host steeper pitches including the black Grand Chamois descent. Rochebrune's Côte 2000 sector maintains more reliable snow at 2,000 metres elevation. The Jaillet sector connects westward to Combloux via 5.5-kilometre blue runs.
Megève village sits at 1,113 metres with medieval cobbled streets and direct gondola access to Rochebrune and Jaillet. Saint-Gervais at 850 metres offers thermal spa facilities alongside ski-in access via the Bettex gondola. Both bases blend alpine charm with functional infrastructure, though lower elevations require snowmaking coverage across 650 snow cannons. La Folie Douce occupies the Mont Joux summit at 2,000 metres.
The Évasion Mont-Blanc pass covers all lifts for €63.50 daily (2025-26 adult rate). Mont Blanc Unlimited adds Chamonix, Courmayeur, and Verbier for extended exploration. The domain suits intermediates seeking mileage and families requiring varied terrain, though modest summit elevations make spring conditions variable. Ikon Pass holders receive conditional access to the full Évasion network.
1503m
Vertical
232
Runs
263 km
Piste
6.4m
Annual snow
The Terrain
232 runs across 263 km of piste
Megève and Saint-Gervais share 263 kilometres of piste and 232 runs, dropping 1,503 metres from the 2,353-metre high point to an 850-metre valley floor. The grading is 37% beginner, 51% intermediate and 12% advanced, with nothing rated expert. Skiing falls into three main sectors: Rochebrune with Côte 2000, Mont d'Arbois running across to Saint-Gervais, and Le Jaillet towards Combloux. Long, groomed reds through the trees are the staple here. Gondolas and six-seaters carry the main traffic, while T-bars, 42 of them, serve the outer slopes.
Mont d'Arbois is the largest and most varied sector, with long reds looking across to Mont Blanc and blacks such as Princesse. The higher pitches on Mont Joly above Saint-Gervais are longer and steeper, and the Chamois black is the sharper test. Off-piste lines run through open fields and between the trees from Mont Joly towards Saint-Nicolas, best skied with a guide. From Jaillet, a six-seat chair to Christomet opens the link to La Giettaz. This is intermediate mileage country, good for families, while advanced skiers will find few pistes to challenge them and lower slopes lean on snowmaking.
Terrain split
232
runs
232 runs across 4 grades
Beginner86 runs · 37%
Intermediate118 runs · 51%
Advanced28 runs · 12%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Megève / Saint-Gervais
The 2025-26 season runs from 6 December 2025 (partial opening Côte 2000 and Mont d'Arbois) to 6 April 2026 for Megève sectors, with Rochebrune and Mont d'Arbois closing simultaneously. Saint-Gervais operates the same window, though upper lifts may extend through Easter depending on cover. Typical seasons span mid-December to early April, with Côte 2000's higher elevation occasionally holding snow into late April. Full terrain opening typically occurs by Christmas week.
Annual snowfall averages 321 to 331 centimetres, supplemented by 650 snow cannons covering approximately 15 per cent of marked runs. Base elevations between 850 and 1,113 metres make the domain vulnerable during warm spells, particularly March onwards when lower runs require artificial support. Summit zones above 2,000 metres maintain more consistent coverage. January and February deliver the most reliable natural accumulation.
Peak powder months run January through mid-February, avoiding February half-term crowds (8 to 22 February typically). Early December offers uncrowded slopes but limited terrain access. March provides spring conditions with extended daylight and warmer temperatures, though base runs often close by afternoon. Post-Easter skiing concentrates on Côte 2000 north-facing aspects.
The calendar includes traditional markets each Friday in Megève village. Night skiing operates periodically on select runs. Folie Douce après-ski runs daily from 14:00 atop Mont Joux. No major competitions anchor the season. Horse-drawn sleighs transport skiers between Megève centre and Jaillet base during daylight hours.
Season 2026 - 2027
12 Dec 2026
Opens
4 Apr 2027
Closes
113
Days open
6.4 m
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Megève / Saint-Gervais
Daily snow reports at Megève / Saint-Gervais go back to 1996, 31 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
75 cm
Snowiest day
25 Dec 2024
39 cm
This winter · 2026-27
so far
641 cm
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
cm
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Megève / Saint-Gervais, and where to stay
Megève occupies the Arve valley in Haute-Savoie at 1,113 metres, with Saint-Gervais-les-Bains 12 kilometres northwest at 850 metres elevation in the same watershed. The Mont Blanc massif dominates eastern views, rising to 4,808 metres 20 kilometres distant. The ski domain spreads across forested mid-mountain terrain between the Aravis range west and the Mont Blanc foothills east. Both villages sit within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes administrative region.
Sallanches lies 12 kilometres northeast as the nearest valley town with rail connections. Combloux neighbours 4 kilometres from Megève, whilst Chamonix sits 30 kilometres east via the Arve valley. Annecy occupies the lakeshore 60 kilometres northwest. The area developed as a medieval farming district before the Rothschild family conceived Megève as France's answer to St Moritz during the 1920s.
Road access follows the A40 Autoroute Blanche from Geneva, exiting at Sallanches (Exit 20) then continuing 12 kilometres via the D1212 departmental road to Megève. From Lyon 200 kilometres south, the A43 and A41 motorways connect via Albertville. Swiss travellers require a motorway vignette; Italian arrivals use the Mont Blanc tunnel (A40). Journey time from Geneva airport averages 70 minutes in clear conditions.
Geneva International Airport lies 90 kilometres northwest with the highest frequency of international routes. Chambéry airport sits 95 kilometres south, Lyon 172 kilometres. Sallanches-Combloux-Megève train station receives direct TGV services from Paris Gare de Lyon (4 hours 40 minutes weekends), plus regional TER trains from Annecy and Geneva via Léman Express connections. Bus transfers complete the 12-kilometre link from Sallanches station, operated by SAT Mont Blanc on line Y83.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Megève / Saint-Gervais, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Megève / Saint-Gervais's ski season?
Megève / Saint-Gervais's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from December 12 through April 4. That window is roughly 113 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in France, Europe often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Megève / Saint-Gervais have?
Megève / Saint-Gervais lists about 263 km of piste of marked terrain spread across 232 named runs. That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Megève / Saint-Gervais?
Trail grading at Megève / Saint-Gervais breaks down roughly as 37% beginner, 51% intermediate, 12% advanced. With a strong beginner share, Megève / Saint-Gervais suits families and first-time visitors who want forgiving warm-up terrain before exploring further upslope.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical metres. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Megève / Saint-Gervais have?
Megève / Saint-Gervais operates 81 lifts across 8 lift types. The fleet includes 42 t-bars, 13 quad chairs, 9 gondolas, 9 6-person chairs, 2 aerial trams, 2 triple chairs, 2 double chairs, and 2 surface lifts.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Megève / Saint-Gervais?
Base elevation at Megève / Saint-Gervais is about 850 m (2,789 ft), with the summit around 2,353 m (7,720 ft), giving roughly 1,503 m (4,931 ft) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Megève / Saint-Gervais get each season?
Megève / Saint-Gervais averages about 641 cm (252 inches) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Megève / Saint-Gervais before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 12 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Megève / Saint-Gervais so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Megève / Saint-Gervais have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Megève / Saint-Gervais. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Megève / Saint-Gervais located?
Megève / Saint-Gervais sits in France, Europe. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
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Lake Louise Opens Early on 1 November With Juniper Express and Easy Street
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Kitzbüheler Horn Summit Cable Car to Be Replaced After 70 Years
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30 Oct 2026
Wolf Creek Opens on Halloween Weekend as Colorado’s Early Season Gathers Pace
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30 Oct 2026
Keystone Resort Opens for 2026/27 With More Than Two Miles of Skiing
Keystone is next. After Arapahoe Basin claimed the first chairlift skiing of the season on Wednesday, Keystone opens on Friday 30 October at 9:00 am with more than two miles of snowmaking-built terrain on Schoolmarm and Silver Spoon, plus free donuts, coffee and a live DJ. Last year the order was reversed, when Keystone squeezed in a three-hour afternoon session to beat A-Basin by a day. Snowmaking has been running since 15 October.
29 Oct 2026
Beaver Creek Installs 16 Automated Snow Guns on Birds of Prey Ahead of Record World Cup
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29 Oct 2026
Arapahoe Basin Opens First for North America’s 2026/27 Ski Season
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28 Oct 2026