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Ski-Areas > Northern Alps > Haute-Savoie (74) > Mont-Blanc > Megève
The ski resort of Megève is situated in the Mont-Blanc area of the Haute-Savoie department in the Northern Alps region. It is part of the Evasion Mt-Blanc ski domain. The lift served area extends from 1113 metres to 2350 metres. There are 420 km of lift served runs. There are 92 km of cross country trails. The resort features a snowpark.
By the start of the 20th century winter tourism in Switzerland was already well established. Resorts such as Gstaad, Davos, Zermatt and St Moritz attracted the rich and famous including the French arm of the Rothschilds banking family. The Swiss had a reputation for service and fair mindedness, especially where the guest were well healed.
Baroness Noémie de Rothschild favored swanky St Moritz village. The resorts popularity had been assured by a stunning rail link with Zurich, completed in 1904. A fierce patriot, it is alleged that Noémie de Rothschild had asked her usual hotel to bar German guests during the Great War. The hotel owner naturally refused. The baroness decided to create her own resort far from the ghastly bosch. The obvious choice was in her native France. Her ski instructor had visited the Haut-Arly valley and thought that the village of Megève would be just the spot.
Megève was a village of narrow streets of houses huddled around a church. The valley contained some outlying farms built in typical Haute-Savoie style. Large stone buildings with a chalet style roof. When the skier Mathilde Lefournier had tried to convince the Mégevans to open during the winter, snowsports were virtually unknown. It was Lefournier who had pioneered Megève as a winter sports destination. In 1933 the Rochebrune cable car, the first aimed purely at skiers, was constructed. The development of lift served skiing and ski pistes were controversial from the start. Ski Mountaineer Léon Zwingelstein thought the skiers were there just to complete the maximum number of runs and hadnt really earned their turns. A debate that continues to this day.
Accessed from the Mont Joly chair followed by a short 20 meter climb. This gives 1325 meters of vertical from the summit at 2525 meters. This fantastic route is prone to avalanches and should only be skied when the snow has stabilized. There have been a number of fatal avalanches on Mont Joly over the years.
Easy north facing route accessed from the Christomet chair in the Jaillet sector. Around 600 meters of skiing from 1850 meters.
Starting from 2487 meters this north facing couloir has an average slope of 45° with sectons at 50° along with rock bands. The slope eases around 1700 meters.
Accessed from the Velerey chair lift followed by a 40 minute hike from the summit of Mont Joly this couloir starts at 2452 meters and has an average slope of 35° with sections of 4535°, the slope eases at 1750 meters. The was a fatal avalanche in the Stassaz during the 2006 season that killed an 18 year old local man.
Nearest Airport(s): Megève 7km
Road:
Rail:
Two fab self-catering apartments in the centre of Megeve. Do you need to know more? http://www.montblanc-retreats.com
Tell readers about any good restaurants and bars in the resort
We don't all ski 24/7, if there are shops: ski, fashion or bookstores you think people should know about mention them here.
Offers ski instruction, private, group and corporate groups. Ski lessons, with a "native english speaking ski instructor". Full certified American and French qualifications. Ski tours and day trips to Switzerland and Italy. Children and adults welcome. Beginner to expert level. All lessons in native English or French. Reservations confirmed immediately.
Mobile: 00.33. (0)6.81.61.06.15
MikeSkiFrance@yahoo.com
Website: mikeskifrance
http://www.megeve.com/
email: megeve@megeve.com
Category: Ski Areas
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