Megeve At Christmas first time ski family

[Remmy123]

we have been given a quote for Megeve flying on the 27 December, I wanted to ask on here if this resort is good for families who haven't skied before?

Two teens went with the school and one 8 year old. The holiday company suggested we get an instructor just for our family which I though was a good idea

the other quote we had was at Alpe d'Huez which was slight more expensive.

any thoughts welcome

thanks so much

Megeve is lovely though it's very chi chi - everyone is dripping in designer clothes. But it's pretty and friendly and the ski area is big and good - we've just come back from Saint Gervais in the same ski area and went to Megeve last year. The lifts are fast and modern, the resort centre is very pretty, and the ski schools are good. There are plenty of greens and some nursery slopes. It was the first place I ever skiied and I thought it was great. Its very family focused and not at all loud or 'Apres ski' focused. They have good snow making, though it can get a little slushy in the afternoons.

Megève is known for struggling for snow in recent years as it’s so low and as a beginner you may well be confined to lower runs.
Ideally you would go somewhere fairly snow sure early in the season. I’d go with Alpe d’Huez as lovely as Megève sounds! Or you could take a chance and it might be OK assuming it has been consistently cold enough to get the cannons going.
if you have two teens who have already done a week of skiing they will need to be taught separately from the beginners. Teens learn fast and they will be bored watching their folks master a snowplough.

The lower levels were a bit slushy last week but they do well will the snow making so was fine. But as a beginner you're definitely not confined to them if you're prepared to get on a gondola- plenty of greens high up and a magic carpet at the top in Saint Gervais which you can get to on the gondola.

Thanks this is very helpful

ok so re ski school if the teens go to one ski school we also have an 8 year old that has never ski before can he come with us? Or are we just best putting him in ski school for his age?

Definitely put the 8 year old into classes for his own age group. Kids learn in a different way to adults initially and the instructors make it a lot of fun for them, although I would avoid ESF. Have a look at Evolution 2 or Oxygene if either are in Megeve. He will also learn far more quickly than you and will be keeping up with the teenagers, while you and your dh bring up the rear. You and your dh will be fine in adult lessons or book a private instructor between the two of you - you'll make quicker progress.

Some lessons in a snow dome - if there's one near you - would certainly help you get the most of your first week's experience - as would building up fitness beforehand.

It's very hard to ski without lessons. He needs ski school to master the basics.

For an 8 year old’s first week I’d be relaxed if they wanted to learn alongside the parents or go into ski school. It’s true they will learn faster but unless they are super keen to go to group classes I’d not worry too much about the first week. If he seems to be progressing faster maybe you could let him have the odd hour alone with the instructor while you stop for a coffee and let the old quads recover 😂

We went to Megeve two years ago, definitely a chichi resort (very close to Geneva!). It was Jan and the lower slopes were slushy but higher up was fine.

as a family of beginners we’ve always done a group lesson, it’s worked really well for us.

OP be aware that this is a very expensive resort - eating out etc will be very pricey. It is also very low so the snow is unreliable - I went there about 20 years ago late season and it was literally green fields. I would really look at another resort. And lessons for everyone every day if you have not skied before. And ideally a trip or two to a dry ski slope in advance of the holiday. I think something a bit all inclusive makes life easier for beginners so lessons all lined up - ClubMed or similar.

Thanks I did read that and it's putting me off to be honest! Because we won't have much spare cash!

I said to the tour operator I don't mind Bulgaria (quieter resorts) as cheaper to eat out etc but she said Megeve or Alpe d'Huez,

Megeve probably will have snow by New Year but isn't the easiest place to go for first timers (due to the fact the different parts of the ski area aren't linked up and you might need the ski bus etc) and has already been said it is expensive. Nearby Les Saisies would be more suitable.

I haven't been to Alpe d'Huez but know it has beginner runs near the centre of the resort and it should be fairly snow sure. However it lacks tree cover.

I definitely wouldn't go to Bulgaria.

If cost is an issue New Year is the second most expensive week after half term. The first week of the Easter holidays would be a good time to go and it should be cheaper and less crowded.

OP definitely do not go to Megeve if money is tight!! Five of you eating out there will cost a fortune. It sounds like your travel agent does not have a clue. If you speak French maybe go for one of the small family resorts in France that can be fairly cheap and would be okay for beginners - Val Cenis etc (although the very small resorts may not be great if you don't speak French). Or one of the cheaper French resorts like Serre Chevalier - get an Air BnB, use the traiteur/supermarket to eat in cheaply each evening, eat on the slopes at lunchtime (although can get pricey so you could go to the boulangerie in the morning and bring sandwiches up and have a picnic but may not be easy to start off skiing with a backpack so if you can get somewhere near the slopes you could book ESF (or another ski school) to have group lessons every morning, go home for lunch and then ski together on the greens/blues in the afternoon).
No doubt some other MNers can suggest other resorts in Europe that are easier on the purse than Megeve!!

In terms of an instructor you'll need to compare the cost of paying an instructor vs getting group lessons for all of you (it may be more fun for the children to join children's lessons). Also in France at peak times it can be difficult to book an instructor just for some days/half days/a couple of hours a day (and note if you take them for a full day you need to budget for paying for their lunch as well as your own on the slopes).

Passo Tonale is much more suitable and budget friendly - snow is excellent and good skiing for beginners and intermediates.

This is exactly what we did in Val Cenis on our first family ski trip - felt like a great place for us. Longer transfer time though but would thoroughly recommend otherwise.

Megeve might be iffy for snow and it’s going to be very expensive for food. Do you have very niche requirements because narrowing it down to there of Alpe D’Huez is just odd so I’m wondering what you said to the travel agent to end with those resorts as your 2 options?

And definitely separate lessons for everyone. Kids even at 8 years old have a lower centre of gravity, usually do their first week without poles, generally aren’t scared of falling and need to learn more through play than technical instruction. Teens usually have great fitness and no fear plus yours have already skied so are more experienced so can probably go into an intermediate teen group. I think the one instructor for the family is a really bad idea tbh and between that and the destination suggestions I’m wondering if you might be better off not using this travel agent as they don’t sound very good…

I just want to chip in with comments on Megeve...I'm actually in the next village as I write, as we have our own place out here and have been skiing 3-4 times a season on the Megeve ski area for the past 6 years. Just packing up after a glorious week.
Please don't be put off by the comments about it being expensive. Food at bars and restaurants on the pistes can be found at the same sort of prices as other French resorts. There are some very fancy places, which are extremely expensive, but lots of more normal ones too. There are lots of villages around the ski area which are good value, and have reasonably priced restaurants. Look at accommodation in Combloux, Bettex, St Nicolas Veroce and Megeve Demi Quartier (where there is also a biggish supermarket). Accommodation and eating out in the centre of Megeve town will be expensive, but the other locations are not, and are just as well placed for access to the pistes.

Someone said something above about buses between ski areas but I suspect they are thinking of a different resort...the main ski area here is a good size and all parts are linked by pistes and lifts, not by buses.

The resort is really good for beginners, with lots of long greens and easy blues to progress on to. I'd recommend it over many others for this. We use the website Maison Sport to find independent ski instructors (they have to be fully qualified or its not legal for them to take customers). We have had great instructors with excellent English and prefer them to ESF, which we have found to be a bit hit and miss. Had a lovely Spanish female instructor for half a day this week that we found on there, she was terrific.

As for snow - well it is one of the lower resorts so won't always have deep cover, but the piste management is very good indeed, and the local team make vast efforts to ensure that all the easy slopes are well covered and groomed every day.

Do message me if you have any questions about Megeve, happy to help.

Thanks for responses! Based on the above then speaking to someone else we have abandoned Megeve.

the next recommendation and quote we have is Flaine.

we just want a down to earth family resortt and a friend suggested Flaime - any thoughts?

Sounds like it will fit the bill but just ask on snowheads perhaps?

@WellWoman i meant that for some accommodation one would need a ski bus. Eg I liked the look of L’Eclat de Variaz but it is a ski bus from the pistes. I also believe that not all the sectors of megeve are lift linked to each other. It is a beautiful area but I feel there are other places that are more suitable for the op.

@Remmy123 Flaine would be more suitable in my opinion particularly if you book Residence Alhena which is close to the beginner area. It is definitely a family resort.

Flaine should work well - it is very likely you’ll have a good base of snow and it is family friendly.

do be prepared for the architecture - it is not a cute mountain village vibe. The upside of the modernist buildings (which are quite stark) is that access to the ski areas is generally easy. And you’ll still get lovely local food.

Any other places you want a view on?

Thank you - well that place has gone so she sent another for Les Gets - it looks nice but wondering if ok that time of year? Thanks for your help 🙂

Most accommodation will not be available to book yet for next New Year. However it really doesn’t sound as though your travel agent is a ski specialist and giving you enough choice. Peak Retreats a French ski specialist company have lots of accommodation in Flaine and you could reserve an apartment or hotel now with a £200 deposit. Their holidays are self drive or train or accommodation only if you book your own flights. If you want a full package including flights I expect Crystal do packages to Flaine. Les Gets is not a bad option but it is lower than Flaine and therefore less snowsure. Also check whether the accommodation you are being offered is close to the ski lifts for the main part of the ski area.

agree with that — toss a coin for Les Gets. It could be amazing. It may not be. In any event they will likely have enough artificial there to keep you going but it wouldn’t be my choice. Can’t remember why ADH was rejected

Thank you - I am speaking with Heidi ski company I may try the other companies you suggested!