Everything you need for your Montgenèvre ski holiday.
11th May, 2025
5 min read time
Montgenèvre, a resort rich in history and natural beauty, sits right on the French-Italian border. With origins dating back to pre-Roman times, it has long been a significant passage between the two countries. Today, Montgenèvre stands out as a picturesque and idyllic French village, enjoying an impressive 300 days of sunshine annually. As one of the sunniest ski resorts in France, Montgenèvre offers a unique blend of history and charm.
Here's a practical guide we've put together just for you, filled with insider tips and essential info to help you plan the perfect Montgenèvre ski holiday. You'll learn everything you need to know, from its location to its ski areas, snow history, and the best spots to grab a bite or relax after skiing. At the end, we've also included the resort map, plus some handy contact numbers and links.
Montgenèvre is situated near the town of Briançon, in the Hautes-Alpes department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, right on the French-Italian border.
Nearest airport
Chambéry: 158 km (98 mi)
Transfer time
Chambéry: 2hr
Montgenèvre the resort
Resort altitude: 1,850 m (6,069 ft)
Resort permanent residents: ~510
Montgenèvre holds the distinction of being France’s oldest ski resort, with its origins dating back to 1907. Rich in history and culture, Montgenèvre's past seamlessly blends with its present, evident in landmarks that reflect its heritage. The village's architecture, drawing inspiration from traditional Italian designs, is typified by the iconic church tower with its “fanal,” which serves as a symbolic beacon for travelers navigating through fog or snowstorms. The village center, adorned with traditional French-style buildings complete with shutters and wooden balconies, beautifully merges historical charm with modernity, making it an ideal destination for families. The resort offers a range of accommodations, from quaint boutique hotels to stylish, upmarket self-catered apartments, many featuring ski-in-ski-out access. The village’s main thoroughfare is home to a variety of bars, restaurants, and shops, all complemented by top-notch ski equipment hire services.
Pros
Cons
Family-friendly
Slow lift network
Snow-sure resort
Very few black runs for advanced skiers
Uncrowded slopes even during peak season
Poor apres ski scene
Perfect for beginner and intermediate skiers
Lack of non-skiing activities
Here is how Montgenèvre looks like
This short video provides a glimpse of everything Montgenèvre has to offer.
Montgenèvre sits within the expansive Milky Way area, offering over 400 km (248 mi) of pistes, including 100 km (62.1 mi) of diverse terrain within Montgenèvre itself. The resort has 88 pistes, catering to all skill levels, featuring 7 green, 25 blue, 38 red, and 18 black runs, all connected by a network of 38 lifts. Montgenèvre's ski area is divided into several key sectors:
Le Chalvet: this area is a favourite among beginners and intermediates, offering a variety of green and blue runs, along with some more challenging red pistes.
Les Gondrans: this sector is known for its stunning views and diverse slopes, including leisurely blue runs and more demanding red and black runs.
L'Aigle: characterized by a mix of terrain that appeals to intermediate and advanced skiers, the runs in the Aigle sector are known for featuring a combination of open areas and more sheltered runs.
Skiing in Montgenèvre
Beginners
For those new to skiing, Montgenèvre's nursery area, conveniently located near the resort center, is an excellent starting point. Beginners can also enjoy easy greens leading back to the village from the Les Godrans lift, ensuring a smooth transition from learning basics to exploring the slopes.
Intermediates
The resort is interconnected with the Milky Way ski area, providing intermediate skiers with ample opportunities to explore varied blue and red pistes. The Chalvet sector, in particular, offers diverse terrain, including over classified blacks and narrow wooded runs, perfect for those looking to improve their skills.
Advanced
Montgenèvre provides thrilling challenges for advanced skiers, especially in areas like Col de l'Alpet, or the Rocher de l'Aigle.
Snowboarding
Snowboarders of all levels will enjoy Montgenèvre's snow park located in the Gondrans sector which includes two freestyle lines, 5 different boxes and 5 natural snow jumping modules.
Montgenèvre ski season dates
The ski season in Montgenèvre for 2025/26 is scheduled to run from 29 November to 19 April. These dates are provided by the resort and may be subject to change depending on snow conditions and other operational factors. Planning ahead? Don’t forget to check out our Montgenèvre ski deals for the best ski offers available.
Montgenèvre snow history
Montgenèvre boasts excellent snow conditions from December to April, offering skiers distinct advantages each month. In December and January, the resort receives around 20 cm (7.87 in) and 18 cm (7.0 in) of snowfall, respectively, spread over approximately 2.5 days weekly, guaranteeing consistently fresh powder. Although February sees a slight reduction in snow depth to 17 cm (6.69 in), it compensates with more frequent snow days, averaging 3.0 per week. March marks the peak of the season with the first week being the most prolific, delivering a substantial 29 cm (11.41 in) of snow across 3.6 days, ideal for those who revel in Bluebird Powder Days, characterised by sunny skies and light breezes following fresh snowfalls. The season continues into April, maintaining pleasant skiing conditions with 11 cm (4.33 in) of snow falling over 2.5 days, creating perfect conditions for enjoying softer snow in sunnier weather.
