Megeve, The French Alps
10/10 :D
Its village is family friendly and the the skiing will satisfy even the best of skiers. A preponderance of upper intermediate pistes will make the majority of skiers and their families holiday one of the best ever.
A ski area "cut in the trees" so even if there are "white out" conditions or high winds you can still ski and visibility is not a problem and the lifts are still operational.
A fantastic snow making infrastructure insures great skiing from early December to mid April.
Inexpensive lift passes (in all of France)!
From anywhere in the UK and most of Europe ... you can fly into (GVA) Geneva International Airport in less than 1 hour. Another 1hr. 10min...easy drive and you have arrived.
"The Affordable Megeve English Ski School"
[www.SkiProsMegeve.com]
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Mike, thanks for the review, but to carry weight, you do need to review other resorts so that your scoring can be seen in 'context'.
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Started by Andyhull in Ski Chatter 25-Sep-2013 - 64 Replies
Mikeskifrance
reply to 'Rate the resorts you've visited.' posted Sep-2013
Bedrock barney
reply to 'Rate the resorts you've visited.' posted Sep-2013
mikeskifrance wrote:Megeve, The French Alps
10/10 :D
Its village is family friendly and the the skiing will satisfy even the best of skiers. A preponderance of upper intermediate pistes will make the majority of skiers and their families holiday one of the best ever.
A ski area "cut in the trees" so even if there are "white out" conditions or high winds you can still ski and visibility is not a problem and the lifts are still operational.
A fantastic snow making infrastructure insures great skiing from early December to mid April.
Inexpensive lift passes (in all of France)!
From anywhere in the UK and most of Europe ... you can fly into (GVA) Geneva International Airport in less than 1 hour. Another 1hr. 10min...easy drive and you have arrived.
"The Affordable Megeve English Ski School"
[www.SkiProsMegeve.com]
Mike, thanks for the review, but to carry weight, you do need to review other resorts so that your scoring can be seen in 'context'.
slippy slidey snow......me likey!
Andyhull
reply to 'Rate the resorts you've visited.' posted Sep-2013
I've listed in the order I last visited them.
Mayrhofen
Pros
Huge ski area, lots of areas all available on one lift pass
Good lift system once on the mountain
Varied terrain, plenty to suit all levels
Very attractive town with a superb mountain vibe
Cons
Out dated access up onto and down from the mountain. Lets the resort down. Very slow with long queues even during off-peak weeks.
Lots of travelling between ski areas, cuts down skiing time.
Not many mountain restaurants and one or two weren't very good.
8/10 Would definitely go back, huge amount of skiing to explore. As long as you know what to expect and are prepared for travelling you'll have a great time.
Meribel-Mottaret
Pros
The perfect base for 3 Valleys, half way up middle valley with quick and easy access to all parts of ski area. Excellent lift system.
Attractive buildings, nicely set out.
Quiet in the evenings for those that suits, night life down in Meribel a short bus ride away.
Huge choice of mountain restaurants to suit all budgets.
Cons
Struggling to think of any.
Fairly expensive.
9.5/10 Will go back. As good a ski area as I've skied, the perfect base to explore it from. Plenty for all abilities.
Verbier
Pros
Amazing ski area, lots of challenging skiing
Attractive town, with a great vibe.
Cons
Queues for main lists.
Town spread over large area so a lot of chalets are a long way from lifts.
Some of the lifts let the area down, too many drags in key areas.
8/10 Will go back. Suited to good skiers, not ideal resort for beginners.
Val Thorens
Pros
Amazing ski area, some of the best skiing in 3V
Superb lift system, quick and easy
Often the best snow in 3V
Excellent choice of places to stop.
Cons
Bit bleak in bad weather
Can get busy if snow gets iffy in lower parts of 3V
Bit of a trek across to Courchevel
9/10 Will go back to 3V, but would choose Mottaret. Great for all abilities.
Val D'Isere
Pros
Espace Killy ski area is epic
Fast efficient uplift, few queues.
Proper ski town, mostly attractive buildings and a great vibe.
Cons
Resort runs get a bit busy at times.
Santons shouldn't be a blue.
8.5/10 I keep going back. Love the place, would suit anyone.
Alpe D'Huez
Pros
Varied terrain, outlying villages. Big ski area.
Easy skiing close to town.
The perfect resort for mixed groups.
Position of resort gives tendency for intense snowfall, followed by clear skies. Frequent powder days.
Amazing black runs.
Cons
When bad weather closes the higher lifts there's little advanced skiing. (Epic when it reopens though)
9.5/10 My favourite resort, will keep going back again and again.
Les Arcs 2000
Pros
Huge ski area, varied and enough to suit all abilities
Linked to La Plagne
Some epic runs up about Arc2000
Cons
Arc2000 dead in the evenings
Expensive lift pass
Long trek across to La Plagne
7.5/10 Would go back, but ideally would choose Arc 1800.
Tignes
Pros
Espace Killy see above
Great lift system
Better skiing early and late season
Cons
Purpose built and it shows, though later additions much more attractive.
Bleak in bad weather
8/10 Will go back as Skiworld have superb big chalet there. Val D'Isere edges it in Espace Killy but only just.
Val di Fassa – Sella Ronda
Pros
Amazing scenery – Simply mind blowingly beautiful.
Huge ski area, varied resorts all efficiently linked by the Sella Ronda 'donut' circuit.
Unique Italian/Austrian mix (was Austrian until after WW1). Fascinating history.
Cons
Large distances to be covered to get the most out of area, so need to be able to a reasonably competent skier.
Big taxi bill if you mess up your timings and miss the last lift.
8/10 Would love to go back. Amazing area, I don't think there's anywhere else like it.
Jackson Hole
Pros
A must do resort for advanced skiers.
Friendliest place I've skied.
Loads of lift served inbounds off piste.
Loads going on in town.
Microbrewery in town, amazing beer.
Amazing food as long as you eat meat.
Cons
Exaggerated snow record.
Ranch country, not recommended for vegies.
9/10 Loved it, would love to go back. More suited to advanced skiers.
Meribel
Pros
Great buzz about the place.
Great base for 3V
Most attractive looked resort in 3V
Epic nightlife
Cons
Sprawling, as mostly chalets. Need to use the bus to get about.
8.5/10 Would stay further up valley in Mottaret as it's better positioned
Les Menuires
Pros
Some of the quietest skiing in 3V
Great base if on a budget
Well linked
Cons
Ugly, very ugly.
Resort slopes get busy.
7/10 Would only choose if was on a tight budget, as there are better positioned bases. But as a cost effective 3V resort it has a lot going for it.
Mayrhofen
Pros
Huge ski area, lots of areas all available on one lift pass
Good lift system once on the mountain
Varied terrain, plenty to suit all levels
Very attractive town with a superb mountain vibe
Cons
Out dated access up onto and down from the mountain. Lets the resort down. Very slow with long queues even during off-peak weeks.
Lots of travelling between ski areas, cuts down skiing time.
Not many mountain restaurants and one or two weren't very good.
8/10 Would definitely go back, huge amount of skiing to explore. As long as you know what to expect and are prepared for travelling you'll have a great time.
Meribel-Mottaret
Pros
The perfect base for 3 Valleys, half way up middle valley with quick and easy access to all parts of ski area. Excellent lift system.
Attractive buildings, nicely set out.
Quiet in the evenings for those that suits, night life down in Meribel a short bus ride away.
Huge choice of mountain restaurants to suit all budgets.
Cons
Struggling to think of any.
Fairly expensive.
9.5/10 Will go back. As good a ski area as I've skied, the perfect base to explore it from. Plenty for all abilities.
Verbier
Pros
Amazing ski area, lots of challenging skiing
Attractive town, with a great vibe.
Cons
Queues for main lists.
Town spread over large area so a lot of chalets are a long way from lifts.
Some of the lifts let the area down, too many drags in key areas.
8/10 Will go back. Suited to good skiers, not ideal resort for beginners.
Val Thorens
Pros
Amazing ski area, some of the best skiing in 3V
Superb lift system, quick and easy
Often the best snow in 3V
Excellent choice of places to stop.
Cons
Bit bleak in bad weather
Can get busy if snow gets iffy in lower parts of 3V
Bit of a trek across to Courchevel
9/10 Will go back to 3V, but would choose Mottaret. Great for all abilities.
Val D'Isere
Pros
Espace Killy ski area is epic
Fast efficient uplift, few queues.
Proper ski town, mostly attractive buildings and a great vibe.
Cons
Resort runs get a bit busy at times.
Santons shouldn't be a blue.
8.5/10 I keep going back. Love the place, would suit anyone.
Alpe D'Huez
Pros
Varied terrain, outlying villages. Big ski area.
Easy skiing close to town.
The perfect resort for mixed groups.
Position of resort gives tendency for intense snowfall, followed by clear skies. Frequent powder days.
Amazing black runs.
Cons
When bad weather closes the higher lifts there's little advanced skiing. (Epic when it reopens though)
9.5/10 My favourite resort, will keep going back again and again.
Les Arcs 2000
Pros
Huge ski area, varied and enough to suit all abilities
Linked to La Plagne
Some epic runs up about Arc2000
Cons
Arc2000 dead in the evenings
Expensive lift pass
Long trek across to La Plagne
7.5/10 Would go back, but ideally would choose Arc 1800.
Tignes
Pros
Espace Killy see above
Great lift system
Better skiing early and late season
Cons
Purpose built and it shows, though later additions much more attractive.
Bleak in bad weather
8/10 Will go back as Skiworld have superb big chalet there. Val D'Isere edges it in Espace Killy but only just.
Val di Fassa – Sella Ronda
Pros
Amazing scenery – Simply mind blowingly beautiful.
Huge ski area, varied resorts all efficiently linked by the Sella Ronda 'donut' circuit.
Unique Italian/Austrian mix (was Austrian until after WW1). Fascinating history.
Cons
Large distances to be covered to get the most out of area, so need to be able to a reasonably competent skier.
Big taxi bill if you mess up your timings and miss the last lift.
8/10 Would love to go back. Amazing area, I don't think there's anywhere else like it.
Jackson Hole
Pros
A must do resort for advanced skiers.
Friendliest place I've skied.
Loads of lift served inbounds off piste.
Loads going on in town.
Microbrewery in town, amazing beer.
Amazing food as long as you eat meat.
Cons
Exaggerated snow record.
Ranch country, not recommended for vegies.
9/10 Loved it, would love to go back. More suited to advanced skiers.
Meribel
Pros
Great buzz about the place.
Great base for 3V
Most attractive looked resort in 3V
Epic nightlife
Cons
Sprawling, as mostly chalets. Need to use the bus to get about.
8.5/10 Would stay further up valley in Mottaret as it's better positioned
Les Menuires
Pros
Some of the quietest skiing in 3V
Great base if on a budget
Well linked
Cons
Ugly, very ugly.
Resort slopes get busy.
7/10 Would only choose if was on a tight budget, as there are better positioned bases. But as a cost effective 3V resort it has a lot going for it.
Edited 1 time. Last update at 26-Sep-2013
Andyoneil
reply to 'Rate the resorts you've visited.' posted Sep-2013
Andy you have inspired me and I'll do mine in a bit - though I may just reinforce much of what you've said about Espace Killy and 3V. Especially about Santons!
Powderpuppy
reply to 'Rate the resorts you've visited.' posted Sep-2013
The best area for both size and value for money has to be the Dolomiti Superski area - 1200kms on one lift pass for less than anywhere in France and without all those rude annoying french. There's skiing for all abilities both on and off the Sella Ronda circuit; Corvara and Colfosco have loads of wide cruisy blues, Arabba has more challenging reds and blacks, Val Gardena has masses of night life and San Cassiano has a wonderful 4.5km blue run home with a great little bar near the end for that final bombardino (and a shorter red run)which both end up at the gondola station on the edge of the village and if you stay in the Chalet Albergo Frohsinn you just stop at their front door to de-kit and straight into their bar! Not to mention the wonderfully freshly cooked food anywhere on the mountain and the Italians look after their pistes beautifully.
Penny
Stevie999
reply to 'Rate the resorts you've visited.' posted Sep-2013
I love playing the ratings game so here goes!
Mayrhofen 7/10. Great nightlife, slopes pretty good.
Chamonix 8/10. Great skiing but lots of bus travel (little interlinking). Lovely centre.
3 Valleys 10/10. It has everything you could wish for. Expensive yes, but avoidable. We stay in Mottaret, high up and a great central location.
Les Arcs & La Plagne 9/10. Superb skiing and variety for everyone. Well worth a visit.
Tignes & Val D'Isere. 6/10. Skiing good but too many boarders sitting in the middle of slopes, and a bit soulless really.
Lech Austria for 2014 so will update.
Most of this was catered chalets with skiworld, but some self catering in the 3V which made it very affordable.
Hope this helps anyone?
Cheers
Steve
Mayrhofen 7/10. Great nightlife, slopes pretty good.
Chamonix 8/10. Great skiing but lots of bus travel (little interlinking). Lovely centre.
3 Valleys 10/10. It has everything you could wish for. Expensive yes, but avoidable. We stay in Mottaret, high up and a great central location.
Les Arcs & La Plagne 9/10. Superb skiing and variety for everyone. Well worth a visit.
Tignes & Val D'Isere. 6/10. Skiing good but too many boarders sitting in the middle of slopes, and a bit soulless really.
Lech Austria for 2014 so will update.
Most of this was catered chalets with skiworld, but some self catering in the 3V which made it very affordable.
Hope this helps anyone?
Cheers
Steve
Edited 1 time. Last update at 26-Sep-2013
Andyoneil
reply to 'Rate the resorts you've visited.' posted Sep-2013
Inspired by Andyhull
Listed in order I remember them – I've been to most of them more than once
Sauze d'Oulx – Milk Way (I)
Pros
Dirt cheap (though this was a while ago)
Lots of skiing across the whole area
Quick transfer
Plenty of Apres
Cons
Has (had?) a "Benidorm on snow" reputation
Steep hike up to lifts in morning if in wrong accom
Iffy snow record
Had a lot of slow links (again believe this now sorted)
7/10 I'd go back to see how the Torino Olympics money has impacted
Pas de la Casa – Gran Valira (And)
Pros
Dirt Cheap
Better lifts than you'd give them credit for
Loads of excellent instructors
The Underground – no more needs said
Cons
Lift Pass is now creeping up in cost
Ball ache of a transfer no matter which way you do it and road prone to closing (I've been snowed in)
Lots of iffy quality SC accommodation
"bowl" in centre not ideal for beginners in first week
6/10 – not as cheap as it was and a pain from Newcastle (a big consideration for me personally)
VDI – Espace Killy (F)
Pros
Some of the best skiing in the world
Huge variety for all types (though Santons isn't a blue!)
4 points of the map (High, Low, North, South) is one of the great days out you'll ever have on piste
Great lift system – no queues anywhere
Fabulous food
Proper Alpine Town with lots going on
Ski in/out
Cons
Lift pass is pricey (though VFM)
Robbery with menaces in on mountain restaurants (doesn't bother me but affects some)
Grading is slightly patchy (not just Santons but a case in point)
10/10 – I could happily go every week, never mind every year but like to explore too
Kitzbuhel – (A)
Pros
Lovely town
The Hahnenkamm
The Horn with a different kind of vibe
Good for all abilities
Legendary Apres
Cons
Not as much variety as some of the mega resorts
Low village height means that ski home can be iffy
7/10 – I'm a mileage junkie so prefer something larger these days
Livigno (I)
Pros
Dirt Cheap
Dirt Cheap
Fun skiing on variety of pistes
Brilliant Apres (Conga in boots at Carasello before sliding into the cellar bar (down the slide))
Cons
Again not a huge area
Some rickety old lifts
Spread out so a bus involved at some point of the day (though great service)
Transfer time is ludicrous if you have to fly to Austria first and then get TO bus
6/10 – I'd recommend once but wouldn't go back myself as there are so many other places
Val Thorens - 3 Vallees (F)
Pros
Snow sure due to height
Part of the 3V so EPIC possibilities (fourth valley is easy from VT too)
Skiing for everyone
Ski in and out
Cons
Slightly soulless purpose built (better every year though)
Bad weather apparently closes it (never happened to me in the times I've been though)
Access from Meribel etc can be busy at end of day dodging Folie Douce
Centre of town slopes can be busy at end of day (terrible accident for my wife loses them a point here)
9/10 – I think Meribel might get a 10 but haven't actually stayed there so won't comment
Killington – Vermont (USA)
Pros
Big area – spent one day doing nothing but double black diamonds and still did no run twice
Pico on some pass and good there too
Deserted
Cons
No real village so you ideally need a car (cramps one's après)
Weather – 4 seasons in a day and you have no idea what's coming next
10km Green run that is actually a path – dove off through trees at first chance but had been intending to ski every run on map if possible in the week
Relatively expensive as everything based on 4 sharing – no good for 2 couples
7/10 – A toe in the US water for me but will go West next time. Good idea if one found oneself in NYC/Boston etc with a weekend to kill in winter
Verbier – 4 Valleys (CH)
Pros
Legendary skiing
Lots of variety
Plenty to do in village
Cons
Eye wateringly expensive in bars (and that was happy hour)
Medran Lift/run V Busy at start/end of day
Not as well linked as it claims
Long walk to lifts possible depending on accom
Had some beginners with me and wasn't ideal for them
8/10 – would love to go back in a normal week (I should say it was New Year for reasons of transparency)
So that's it - these are MY feelings on the resorts I remember as I remember them at that time. I don't claim them to be better or worse than someone else's views and I don't care about which country people say is better or worse than others.
Hope this helps someone, somewhere out - the point of a forum after all!
Listed in order I remember them – I've been to most of them more than once
Sauze d'Oulx – Milk Way (I)
Pros
Dirt cheap (though this was a while ago)
Lots of skiing across the whole area
Quick transfer
Plenty of Apres
Cons
Has (had?) a "Benidorm on snow" reputation
Steep hike up to lifts in morning if in wrong accom
Iffy snow record
Had a lot of slow links (again believe this now sorted)
7/10 I'd go back to see how the Torino Olympics money has impacted
Pas de la Casa – Gran Valira (And)
Pros
Dirt Cheap
Better lifts than you'd give them credit for
Loads of excellent instructors
The Underground – no more needs said
Cons
Lift Pass is now creeping up in cost
Ball ache of a transfer no matter which way you do it and road prone to closing (I've been snowed in)
Lots of iffy quality SC accommodation
"bowl" in centre not ideal for beginners in first week
6/10 – not as cheap as it was and a pain from Newcastle (a big consideration for me personally)
VDI – Espace Killy (F)
Pros
Some of the best skiing in the world
Huge variety for all types (though Santons isn't a blue!)
4 points of the map (High, Low, North, South) is one of the great days out you'll ever have on piste
Great lift system – no queues anywhere
Fabulous food
Proper Alpine Town with lots going on
Ski in/out
Cons
Lift pass is pricey (though VFM)
Robbery with menaces in on mountain restaurants (doesn't bother me but affects some)
Grading is slightly patchy (not just Santons but a case in point)
10/10 – I could happily go every week, never mind every year but like to explore too
Kitzbuhel – (A)
Pros
Lovely town
The Hahnenkamm
The Horn with a different kind of vibe
Good for all abilities
Legendary Apres
Cons
Not as much variety as some of the mega resorts
Low village height means that ski home can be iffy
7/10 – I'm a mileage junkie so prefer something larger these days
Livigno (I)
Pros
Dirt Cheap
Dirt Cheap
Fun skiing on variety of pistes
Brilliant Apres (Conga in boots at Carasello before sliding into the cellar bar (down the slide))
Cons
Again not a huge area
Some rickety old lifts
Spread out so a bus involved at some point of the day (though great service)
Transfer time is ludicrous if you have to fly to Austria first and then get TO bus
6/10 – I'd recommend once but wouldn't go back myself as there are so many other places
Val Thorens - 3 Vallees (F)
Pros
Snow sure due to height
Part of the 3V so EPIC possibilities (fourth valley is easy from VT too)
Skiing for everyone
Ski in and out
Cons
Slightly soulless purpose built (better every year though)
Bad weather apparently closes it (never happened to me in the times I've been though)
Access from Meribel etc can be busy at end of day dodging Folie Douce
Centre of town slopes can be busy at end of day (terrible accident for my wife loses them a point here)
9/10 – I think Meribel might get a 10 but haven't actually stayed there so won't comment
Killington – Vermont (USA)
Pros
Big area – spent one day doing nothing but double black diamonds and still did no run twice
Pico on some pass and good there too
Deserted
Cons
No real village so you ideally need a car (cramps one's après)
Weather – 4 seasons in a day and you have no idea what's coming next
10km Green run that is actually a path – dove off through trees at first chance but had been intending to ski every run on map if possible in the week
Relatively expensive as everything based on 4 sharing – no good for 2 couples
7/10 – A toe in the US water for me but will go West next time. Good idea if one found oneself in NYC/Boston etc with a weekend to kill in winter
Verbier – 4 Valleys (CH)
Pros
Legendary skiing
Lots of variety
Plenty to do in village
Cons
Eye wateringly expensive in bars (and that was happy hour)
Medran Lift/run V Busy at start/end of day
Not as well linked as it claims
Long walk to lifts possible depending on accom
Had some beginners with me and wasn't ideal for them
8/10 – would love to go back in a normal week (I should say it was New Year for reasons of transparency)
So that's it - these are MY feelings on the resorts I remember as I remember them at that time. I don't claim them to be better or worse than someone else's views and I don't care about which country people say is better or worse than others.
Hope this helps someone, somewhere out - the point of a forum after all!
Admin
reply to 'Rate the resorts you've visited.' posted Sep-2013
Really good idea this!
But... if we put them all in this one thread then it'll get unmanageable and difficult to navigate (to find the resort you're interested in).
How about a thread for each resort, titled something like "Verbier - Quick Reviews" in the appropriate country forum (e.g. Switzerland), and then you can put your own rating under the appropriate resort. That way anyone looking into a particular ski area (as we do!) can find a range of opinions.
If you agree, then just post a one line reply here with the resort you want to rate and I'll create the Thread and move people's comments across from this thread?
Sound like a plan?
Adders
But... if we put them all in this one thread then it'll get unmanageable and difficult to navigate (to find the resort you're interested in).
How about a thread for each resort, titled something like "Verbier - Quick Reviews" in the appropriate country forum (e.g. Switzerland), and then you can put your own rating under the appropriate resort. That way anyone looking into a particular ski area (as we do!) can find a range of opinions.
If you agree, then just post a one line reply here with the resort you want to rate and I'll create the Thread and move people's comments across from this thread?
Sound like a plan?
Adders
The Admin Man
Topic last updated on 07-October-2013 at 19:52