The French Alps have long been renowned as the world’s premier destination for skiing enthusiasts. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to picking a resort, so to make your decision a little bit easier, let’s take some time out to talk about two of the best: Chamonix and Megeve.
Chamonix
Chamonix ski resort sits at the base of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps, so it’s no surprise that it’s known the world over for its skiing. An immensely popular resort, it straddles the border between France, Italy and Switzerland and attracts visitors from all over the world. This is partially because of the destination’s legendary status as the location of the very first Winter Olympics back in 1924, and partially because of the wide range of pistes on offer.
Chamonix is a particular favourite for experts and adventure seekers who have long enjoyed the thrill of skiing and snowboarding in some of the resorts famously challenging areas. However, to focus only on that would be to belie the resort’s huge appeal as a family friendly destination. Chamonix caters to beginners and hobbyist skiers just as much the very experienced, with plenty of gentle nursery slopes and smooth pistes to enjoy. It also offers an excellent off-piste experience to intermediate-level skiers and up, in the form of the blissfully scenic Vallée Blanche route, with 20km of beautiful mountain surroundings to explore. Plus, Chamonix can be reached in around an hour from Geneva Airport, making it ideal for weekend getaways as well as longer trips.
Megève
Megève ski resort is another favourite of those in the know. It offers a cultural experience as well as an adrenaline hit, with its cobbled medieval streets and historical landmarks, like the Église Saint Jean-Baptiste de Megève church. It also offers lush forests to explore in the summertime, and panoramic Alpine views all year round.
This pretty village of course has a range of appealing opportunities for skiers and snowboarders too. An ideal destination for beginners and intermediate learners, here you can enjoy easy downhill slopes and cross-country trails. More experienced skiers will have a ball in one of the resorts four terrain parks. Megève is also a great destination if great snowfall isn’t guaranteed — comprised of green pastures in the warmer months, it needs a smaller amount of snow to open up its slopes than some of the more rocky terrain you’ll find higher up in the Alps.
In conclusion, it’s hard to go wrong with either of these excellent resorts! Chamonix may offer more opportunities for highly experienced thrill seekers, while Megève caters to Alpine enthusiasts looking for a quaint, historic town to explore as well as a range of slopes. Whichever you choose, you’re guaranteed some great skiing, which at the end of the day is the thing that matters most.
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