Montgenevre
Our 4 top reasons to stay in Montgenevre ski resort
- Montgenevre has a good snow record despite its sunny position
- Montgenevre has plenty of intermediate cruising
- 'Famille Plus' resort - good children’s facilities and great for families
- Montgenevre was nominated for a World Snow Award 2017 - Family Resort of the Year
- Montgenevre links with many Italian ski resorts (Milky Way ski area)
As well as being one of the world’s oldest ski resorts, Montgenevre is also amongst the highest at 1850m and the slopes themselves reach nearly 2700m. Thanks to its geographical location and high altitude, Montgenevre and the area benefit from maximum snow coverage and the very welcome Mediterranean climate, claiming 300 sunny days a year! The resort is actually part of the Provence Cote d’Azur region but the average number of days of sunshine is greater than most resorts in the Alps - even so, the resort’s snow conditions have a track record of being excellent.
Montgenèvre village is a popular destination with a multitude of slopes and plenty of après ski to keep the whole family happy. Montgenèvre ski resort really does offer something for everyone.
The main road traffic is directed through a tunnel, restoring Montgenevre’s charm and making it a much more family-friendly resort as many areas are pedestrian.
Within the “Milky Way” (Via Lattea) ski domain, Montgenevre is the only French resort on the circuit. The remainder extend across the border into Italy, with over 400km (250 miles) of pistes which include the 2006 Winter Olympic resorts of Sauze d’Oulx and Sestriere.
MONTGENEVRE SKI AREA
From Montgenèvre, it is easy to get from one area of the huge Milky Way domain to another, although most connections are red slopes.
Montgenevre’s own local ski area spans two sides:
- the south Chalvet-Serre Thibaud sector - a sunny sector, with mainly open slopes. There are blue and green runs back to Montgenèvre and a blue run to Claviere
- the north Chalmettes-Gondrans-Eagle area - high, wide-open slopes reached by the Chalmettes chondola (a mix of gondolas and chairs) with a green run bringing you back. There is also a red link to Claviere
There is also cross-country skiing, a toboggan area, a 50,000 square-metre beginners’ area and fun zones (snowpark/boarder cross).
The neighbouring French resorts of Serre Chevalier and Puy-Saint-Vincent are easily reached by car and a joint lift pass is available. However, if you prefer to keep your skis on, simply ski over the border first to Claviere, then Cesana and on to the 2006 Olympic biathlon venue of Sansicario before reaching Sestriere and Sauze d’Oulx. Although there’s little skiing involved, if you wish to almost complete your 2006 Olympic set, you can take the new gondola on to Pragelato, the Nordic centre.
MONTGENEVRE SKIING
MONTGENEVRE BEGINNERS
For beginner skiers, there’s a fine selection of convenient and gentle nursery slopes in Montgenèvre with reliable snow at the foot of the north facing area (Front de Neige). Progression to longer runs couldn't be easier, with a very easy blue piste starting at Les Anges, leading on to a green run. Skiing in Montgenèvre is certainly not a problem for beginners!
Montgenèvre has an area dedicated entirely to families and beginners. The 50,000 square-metre facility is situated at the foot of the slopes of the north facing area in the heart of Montgenèvre village. It’s a secured area composed of a travelator (conveyor belt), a free ski lift (La Durance), and a snow garden…
The whole family can enjoy the Montgenèvre ski resort, which includes a discovery trail, half pipe, freeride zones and a children's play area at the top of the Chalvet gondola.
MONTGENEVRE INTERMEDIATES
Montgenèvre has extensive intermediate slopes with a big lift network. The local slopes are best suited to leisurely intermediates, with lots of easy cruising on blues and greens, both in the woods and on higher terrain. The major north-facing Montgenèvre Les Gondrans sector offers easy intermediate slopes above the mid-mountain gondola station, with more of a mix of runs lower down. A few of the red pistes are relatively easy for their grading.
MONTGENEVRE EXPERTS AND OFF-PISTE
There are relatively few challenging pistes, but on the other hand there’s ample off-piste terrain (see below). There’s the popular option of off-piste skiing with a mountain guide to show you the way and keep you safe. From classic runs like the Doire and the La Vachette valleys to the highly technical gullies of Le Janus, there are just so many opportunities to get off the beaten track. It's just a question of choosing which magic run to try - from the nearest in Les Bois des Brousset or Le Tremplin, and the sweeping curves of Les Mamelons to the gentle 1000-metre descent to Cervières via Les Gondrans… you’ll never run out of options! And you can get even more energetic on the slopes of La Plan or the Le Janus gullies… and a thousand other possibilities that one trip just isn't long enough to enjoy.
MONTGENEVRE SNOWBOARDERS
For snowboarders there are good local beginner slopes in Montgenèvre and long runs on varied terrain for intermediates. And there are some excellent off-piste areas for more advanced boarders - plus a dedicated free-ride area at Les Gondrans.
Located on the sector Gondrans, the snowpark at Montgenevre is accessed via a lift. Suitable for beginners as well as experts. The snowpark is maintained and secured. Montgenevre also has a boardercross, located on the Chalvet side. There is a dedicated free-ride area in the Gondrans sector. Try out your moves on the Big Air Bag - freestyle skiers and snowboarders of all ages and all levels can try the joys of acrobatic jumps safely.
MONTGENEVRE CROSS-COUNTRY
There is more than 80km of cross country skiing are maintained throughout the season. 23km on the nordic site in Montgenevre and 65km in total on Alberts and Rosiere. Label 4 Nordic site, highest honour for a nordic website.
MONTGENEVRE SNOW RECORD
Nestling in a minor pass between France and Italy, where the storms funnel up the valleys, the snow record in Montgenèvre is generally excellent. The high north-facing slopes keep their snow naturally, and snow cannons cover 55% of the area, including most of the lower slopes.