Megeve
Megeve is a very French, very chic resort next to St Gervais.
The reputation as a playground for the rich and famous holds true, but this isn't a place like St Tropez, where you are judged by the size of your yacht, its a little bit more refined than that; though the price tags in the windows do remind you that the resort was set up by the Rothschild family. Famous in the 1950's as the place to be seen, Megeve is one of the prettiest resorts in the world.
The Evasion Mont Blanc, consisting of 5 different resorts, consists of 440km of runs, and non-existent lift queues.
There are pistes range from confidence building greens and endless scenic blues to fast and fun reds, and challenging blacks; though this is a resort that beginners and intermediates will get the most out of.
This is not to say that there isn't a great selection of steep and deep, because there is; but few resorts are so easily accessible to those not so confident on blacks and tricky reds.
Piste Maps: (they will open in a new window)
Evasion Mont Blanc (St Gervais, Megeve, St Nicolas, Combloux, Jaillet)
Les Houches
Les Contamines (included in the Evasion Mont Blanc Pass)
Chamonix
This area does have something for everyone. With short-to-non-existent lift queues and many traditional mountiain restaurants, this feels a million miles away from the motorway cruising style of the 3 valleys, or the ram-packed Espace Killy.
St Gervais has countless tree runs and some great bowl skiing. Beginners will enjoy the long greens whilst experts can push themselves on the steep slopes of Mont Joly.
Drop into St Nicolas de Veroce for fast blues and reds with great snow conditions thanks to the bowl it inhabits.
Megève offers endless tree-lined runs and some top quality mountain restaraunts; while in Cote 2000 there is always great snow and powder bowls.
Combloux and Jaillet - always quiet and are always very popular with beginners looking for confidence building greens and blues, but on a powder day it has some great steep sections hidden away for your enjoyment.
Les Contamines is a fantastic ski area in his own right, it holds onto its snow brilliantly and has great wide pistes for all levels accompanied by massive open powder fields and fantastic views.
Les Houches, accessed by the Tramway Du Mont Blanc (just 200m from us) gives you a chance to see the Chamonix valley, and is famous for its Kandahar world cup downhill run.
Chamonix is the birthplace of European Alpinism and extreme skiing. Its well worth a day for those who love the steep and scary.
EVASION MONT BLANC - The honest ratings:
Beginners: ****
Intermediates: *****
Experts: ***
Off-Piste: ***