Montgenevre Ski Chalets
Altitude (m) 1850
Highest ski lift (m) 2700
Total piste (km) 100
Longest descent (km) 7
Ski Lifts 39
A convenient but natural ski area with a lovely old village. Possibly the best non-glacier conditions in France. Very high and snow sure with brilliant local skiing and cheap links to the Milky Way.
This is one of those rare resorts with everything! The attractive old village of Montgenevre is convenient, snowsure and extensive with brilliant skiing for all standards and with high mileage available for those who want it. From the terrace of our hotel you can see a vast, white expanse of gently shelving slopes fed by lifts. Beyond is a wide bowl, mostly above the trees. Behind the hotel is the sunny, south-facing side which you reach after a long schuss and short walk, or a longer walk up the village. It's less accessible, quieter, uncrowded and is a brilliant area for an early morning blast.
The ski pass includes Claviere and Cesana which adds about 50% more skiing and intermediates can ski there and back. There has been a lot of investment in recent years, both in Montgenevre and neighbouring Claviere, and the combined area offers more lifts, pistes and links every year. You can now ski sans frontiers north or south of the pass and the whole area is fully integrated. A new reservoir was built last year to supply the snowmaking system, which can now cover most of the resort. Beginners have a great choice, not only on the superb village runs but in the bowl as well. They can ski all the way home on an easy blue path to gain that invaluable sense of achievement. The ski school is friendly and the instructors speak good English.
Intermediates have plenty of choice, including sweeping blue runs, reds with gentle moguls, some pretty tree runs and now, the fantastic Colletto Verde into Italy. Last year, a fast four person chair replaced the uncompromising dog-leg tow to the Rocher de l'Aigle. There are dramatic, craggy outcrops and great views all the way, then a beautiful run, partially off-piste, all the way to Claviere.
Much of the Montgenevre terrain gets unofficially pisted by skiers enjoying the gullies and trees between the pistes which almost doubles the official mileage. Experts have three or four blacks and we also recommend the cheap day extension to the Milky Way, giving over 400km of great skiing in all. Absolutely all standards are happy here.
Montgenevre village is a delightful jumble of old stone buildings clustered around a church. Unlike most French resorts it's an authentic mountain community established on the pass for centuries and with loads of character.
Montgenevre was France's first ski resort and you can see the remains of the antique lift next to the abandoned fortress overlooking the pass. Night life is friendly and fairly lively, centred on a sprinkling of bars.
This is one of those rare resorts with everything! The attractive old village of Montgenevre is convenient, snowsure and extensive with brilliant skiing for all standards and with high mileage available for those who want it. From the terrace of our hotel you can see a vast, white expanse of gently shelving slopes fed by lifts. Beyond is a wide bowl, mostly above the trees. Behind the hotel is the sunny, south-facing side which you reach after a long schuss and short walk, or a longer walk up the village. It's less accessible, quieter, uncrowded and is a brilliant area for an early morning blast.
The ski pass includes Claviere and Cesana which adds about 50% more skiing and intermediates can ski there and back. There has been a lot of investment in recent years, both in Montgenevre and neighbouring Claviere, and the combined area offers more lifts, pistes and links every year. You can now ski sans frontiers north or south of the pass and the whole area is fully integrated. A new reservoir was built last year to supply the snowmaking system, which can now cover most of the resort. Beginners have a great choice, not only on the superb village runs but in the bowl as well. They can ski all the way home on an easy blue path to gain that invaluable sense of achievement. The ski school is friendly and the instructors speak good English.
Intermediates have plenty of choice, including sweeping blue runs, reds with gentle moguls, some pretty tree runs and now, the fantastic Colletto Verde into Italy. Last year, a fast four person chair replaced the uncompromising dog-leg tow to the Rocher de l'Aigle. There are dramatic, craggy outcrops and great views all the way, then a beautiful run, partially off-piste, all the way to Claviere.
Much of the Montgenevre terrain gets unofficially pisted by skiers enjoying the gullies and trees between the pistes which almost doubles the official mileage. Experts have three or four blacks and we also recommend the cheap day extension to the Milky Way, giving over 400km of great skiing in all. Absolutely all standards are happy here.
Montgenevre village is a delightful jumble of old stone buildings clustered around a church. Unlike most French resorts it's an authentic mountain community established on the pass for centuries and with loads of character.
Montgenevre was France's first ski resort and you can see the remains of the antique lift next to the abandoned fortress overlooking the pass. Night life is friendly and fairly lively, centred on a sprinkling of bars.
Montgenèvre has a reputation for lively and high value après ski.
The two dozen bars and restaurants include Le Graal and the Pub Chaberton, with Club Bluenight for active nightlife later on. Live music in the Rois Mages bar and Le Graal.
The two dozen bars and restaurants include Le Graal and the Pub Chaberton, with Club Bluenight for active nightlife later on. Live music in the Rois Mages bar and Le Graal.
There are several dozen restaurants in Montgenèvre with a good mix of French and Italian. On the French side Le Crepouse is a great crêpery whilst Le Jamy is a mecca for fondue lovers and Le Refuge is good for standard French fayre. There are four dedicated pizzeria inluding the non-Italian sounding Chez Pierrot, Le Transalpin and equally non-Italian Le Napoléon.
Traditional village on a high pass with a long skiing pedigree. First ski race held here in 1907. Convivial atmosphere.
- bars, karaoke and nightclubs
- cafés
- sauna
- skidoo trip for mountain supper
- bus to Briançon and Claviere
- cinema (sometimes in English)
torchlit descents
ski guiding of the Milky Way
heli skiing
parapente, Serre Chevalier
ice skating
snowmobiling
snow shoeing
- bars, karaoke and nightclubs
- cafés
- sauna
- skidoo trip for mountain supper
- bus to Briançon and Claviere
- cinema (sometimes in English)
torchlit descents
ski guiding of the Milky Way
heli skiing
parapente, Serre Chevalier
ice skating
snowmobiling
snow shoeing
Reports on the schools childrens classes have been complimentary of both class sizes and spoken English. It is a shame about the intrusive main road, which does get very busy.
