{"id":519,"date":"2014-08-12T12:15:37","date_gmt":"2014-08-12T10:15:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mountainpassions.com\/wordpress\/?p=519"},"modified":"2021-10-25T12:09:37","modified_gmt":"2021-10-25T10:09:37","slug":"ski-megeve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mountainpassions.com\/winter\/ski-resort-reviews\/alps\/ski-megeve\/","title":{"rendered":"Meg\u00e8ve"},"content":{"rendered":"
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E<\/span>xactly how we\u2019ve managed to ski all around Meg\u00e8ve<\/strong> over the years without actually discovering what its own terrain holds in store until now is beyond us; perhaps we\u2019ve simply been influenced by its relatively low altitude \u2013 and low profile on the average skier\u2019s radar. Among those who prize premium quality services above all else, however, it has an enviable reputation founded upon an illustrious history. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\nEver the diplomat, Meg\u00e8ve knows precisely how to flatter less competitive skiers…\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The summit of Alpette (1871m) offers pleny of possibilities.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The arrival of the Petite Fontaine high-speed chairlift, Meg\u00e8ve<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Impeccably-groomed Meg\u00e8ve…<\/h2>\n
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Our first morning finds us boarding the celebrated Rochebrune cable-car<\/strong>, the first in France designed for the exclusive use by skiers, having opened way back in 1933. The weather in the valley is mild, but after a surprisingly smooth haul to 1754m<\/strong> we\u2019re relieved to feel firm snow conditions beneath our skis, despite an unnervingly lengthy spell since the most recent snowfalls. It\u2019s clear that the piste groomers have done a skilled job, but as we launch off to join the Alpette chairlift<\/strong> we can sense that springtime can\u2019t be far away. The six-seater lift speeds us smoothly up to 1871m<\/strong>, where we pause to take in the stirring sight of nearby Mont-Blanc<\/strong> before dropping down via the red-graded Scion<\/strong> piste to the 4-seater Petite Fontaine chairlift<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The onward climb gives us an overview of the progress we\u2019re making along a ridge which will eventually take us into the C\u00f4te 2000<\/strong> sector. Getting there entails a short but steep tow, courtesy of the Roche Fort draglift<\/strong>, with the option of a longer one up its big brother Lanchettes<\/strong>, should you be tempted by the red-graded piste after which it takes its name. We opt instead for a more relaxed blue cruise on G\u00e9ant<\/strong> over to the C\u00f4te 2000 chairlift<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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To C\u00f4te 2000…<\/h2>\n
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This actually tops off at 2014m<\/strong> and serves the red-graded Chamois<\/strong> plus a black \u2013 the innocent-sounding Marmotte<\/strong>. This time we take the steep option, which turns out to be more red than black, and tells us something about the piste-grading: ever the diplomat, Meg\u00e8ve<\/strong> knows precisely how to flatter less competitive\/technical skiers. The snow in this sector is among the best on offer, so we take advantage of it with a couple more runs before working our way back to Rochebrune <\/strong>for lunch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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