Megève

[FiftyLB]

We have found a cheap airbnb that looks central and lovely and cheap flights if I take my son out of school for 3 days before Feb half term. Has anyone been? Is it really expensive are there any reasonable restaurants? Can we buy cheap food from the bakery or supermarket? It looks lovely but really worried about the cost of food and drink.

We went last year. We had a good time but there are some downsides. It’s very popular with well heeled Parisians so the whole place has a moneyed feel to it. It’s expensive. And there’s no medium sized supermarket in walking distance so we had to use the tiny Carrefour Mountain which like corner shops in the UK has a big mark up. so we spent a lot more on groceries than we normally do. It’s not particularly snow sure as it’s low. And it was heaving at half term - I knew a lot of French resorts are but it felt even more hectic than others. So called English speaking class at ESF wasn’t really in English - DD did fine in Dutch/English Ourson but DS struggled in 2 star with an instructor who didn’t speak much English who was an absolute stereotype of a French ski instructor right down to stubbing his gaulois out on the way to his class.

We also got a cheap deal on a self catering apartment and now I know why. If you want a small resort not too far from Geneva that’s not too English i would go to Grand Bornand or La Clusaz instead.

Sorry Edits for typos.

Thank you so much for the information. I really appreciate it, very helpful.

It’s an upmarket resort and it’s low. You might find you have to bus over to alternative resorts if the snow doesn’t cover lower slopes. I personally wouldn’t risk booking there this far in advance.

Agreed. We will leave it for now. Thanks so much for the advice

Hi @FiftyLB . We ski the Megeve area lots - we have our own place in one of the villages on the edge of the ski domain. It's lovely, especially the Combloux side of the town (Porte du Mont Blanc), and a great ski area, but the town is very expensive, and the snow can be elusive...however, should be fine in February.

Maybe look at properties in surrounding villages: Combloux, Bettex, St Nicolas de Veroce. They all have lifts into the main Megeve Evasion Mont Blanc ski area. Or look at Les Contamines, the next ski town along from Megeve towards Chamonix. The ski area is smaller and not as pretty, but it is higher and very snow sure as a result.

There are some terrific big supermarkets if you can get to one and the produce is amazing, but more expensive than in the UK. Restaurants in towns and villages around Megeve are reasonable for family suppers.

There is a good supermarket (branded Casino) on the road between Megeve and Combloux, about 2/3 of a mile from the centre of Megeve that you could get to by bus if you are not hiring a car.

Hiring a car for a week from Geneva can be cheaper than transfers and give you the opportunity to spend a day or two on a different ski area and get to the supermarket.

Thanks so much for all the really helpful information