Montgenèvre is over a century old, and is one of the smallest and most charming ski resorts in France. With a population of fewer than five hundred people, Montgenèvre has a keen following among discerning skiers, who often travel in search of an authentic local experience with a focus squarely on the slopes. If you want to visit a small, personal and beautiful resort for some no-fuss skiing, Montgenèvre never fails to deliver.
A Good All-Rounder
One of the reasons skiers love Montgenèvre is that you’re virtually guaranteed perfect skiing conditions on every visit: the area is known for its reliable, good quality snowfalls, which are neither too light nor too heavy. What’s more, the resort’s weather tends to be clear and sunny, making skiing Montgenèvre a uniquely refreshing experience (but be sure to invest in a good pair of ski goggles in order to avoid eye damage).
Mid-Level Skiing
Montgenèvre caters excellently to the vast majority of winter sports enthusiasts. It has a wealth of top quality slopes for those of middling experience, meaning that a holiday group made up of skiers ranging from reasonably new to reasonably experienced would be very well served by a trip to Montgenèvre. With that said, it does have a few green and black slopes, making it a versatile resort for its size.
If some or all of your group would like a change, bear in mind that Montgenèvre is linked to the Via Lattea ski area, making it relatively easy to get to one of the many nearby ski resorts across the border, in Italy.
Evening Entertainment
As a tiny, traditional resort, Montgenèvre has very little by way of après-ski. While those who live for the après-ski may wish to look elsewhere, this makes it perfect for groups hoping for a quiet, peaceful holiday, as well as groups travelling with small children.
Evenings in Montgenèvre often mean long nights spent by the fireside in your or a friend’s chalet, or perhaps dinner at a local restaurant. If you feel like spending some time outdoors, Montgenèvre has some truly spectacular stargazing and is known for breathtaking views of the Milky Way.
How to Get to Montgenèvre
Montgenèvre lies in south-eastern France close to Italy, so the closest airport is across the border in Turin. A flight from London to Turin Airport takes only an hour and forty-five minutes. If you’ve booked a Turin airport transfer with Shuttle Direct, you’ll have a driver waiting at arrivals to whisk you away to Montgenèvre, only ninety minutes away. Shuttle Direct can transport you and your winter sporting equipment up the winding mountain roads, so all you have to do is marvel at the spectacular views!
Alternatively, you can hire a rental car at Turin airport and make the drive to Montgenèvre yourself by taking the A55 west to Salze d’Oulx and then the SS24 south-west to Montgenèvre. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even drive all the way to Montgenèvre from London. The drive takes about 13 hours, but can easily be split over two days. There are plenty of cities to stop at along the way, such as Dijon and Lyon, that might make you want to linger on the road!
Take extra care if you’re driving during the peak skiing season – once you get into the mountains you are likely to experience icy conditions and plenty of fellow travellers headed in the same direction!
Where to Stay
Chateau Plein Sud – With its competitive prices and its highly convenient, lift-adjacent location, Chateau Plein Sud offers quality customer experience at a low cost. Enjoy the comforts of the cosy rooms before and after a day on (or off) the pistes.
Aparthotel Hameau des Airelles – The Hameau des Airelles is built (somewhat unusually for an Alpine hotel) with a heavy emphasis on natural light and airiness. Even in the winter it boasts some interesting outdoor options such as excellent views from its terraces and a heated outdoor pool to go with its spa options.
Chalet Le Pot de Miel – with traditional Alpine décor, the Pot de Miel is as sweet as its namesake, taking the mountain chalet concept to the next level in terms of comfort and welcome. You couldn’t ask for a better traditional Alpine accommodation experience.
