A picturesque French village situated just a stone’s throw from the Italian border at 1860m, Montgenèvre or ‘Monty’ as it is affectionately known, sits at the eastern end of the large Milky Way or ‘Via Lattea’ ski area which also encompasses Sauze d’Oulx, Sestriere, Claviere, Pragelato, Sansicario and Cesana. Montgenèvre is the only French resort in the group and stands out for being more affordable than most other French ski destinations. Everything is close to the slopes, making it easy and convenient to get around.

With ancient origins, Montgenèvre is home to Église Saint-Maurice, a French Catholic church with a bell tower that was once used as a beacon for travellers navigating the tricky terrain of the mountains in extreme conditions. Although rebuilt after a fire in the 18th century, the church still stands today. The village was also a pivotal passage point during WWII, when nearby Briançon became a garrison occupied by 4,000 soldiers.

Today, it has a reputation as a quiet, budget-friendly family-orientated resort with mixed-ability, uncrowded pistes and little by way of nightlife. Traditional with some modern buildings, the valley is flanked by forests which gives it a peaceful and pretty feel.

What is the Skiing like in Montgenèvre?

A varied resort of decent terrain, Montgenèvre has 85 km of pistes comprising 8 green, 13 blue, 17 red, and 10 black slopes. If you want to extend your ski pass beyond the local pistes, you can do so for a small fee, unlocking 300km more of the Via Lattea in the process. While Montgenèvre does sit at the far end of the Milky Way, it’s well connected to the rest of it by the Chalmettes and Rocher de l’Aigle lifts which take you over the border into Italy down in the direction of Sestriere.

Quiet, easy slopes make this a great resort for beginners and mixed groups. There’s a selection of green runs from the top of Les Gondrans right back down to the village, making the long and enjoyable Phare blue run a great next step, or the wide blues accessed from the Chalmettes cable car. For intermediates, there’s a decent selection of reds, ranging from the tricker slim tree runs of Claviere to the more popular runs from Les Anges.

For experts who want to get off the beaten track, untouched powder is often found in the Col de l'Alpet area, while Rocher de l'Aigle is the go-to for backcountry guides from neighbouring resorts to treat their clients to some challenging descent and backcountry riding.

Where to eat out in Montgenèvre?

Oozing alpine charm, this village is known for its hospitality and traditional fare. While most people drop down into the resort for lunch (it’s so accessible you might as well) there are a couple of options on the mountain such as Les Terrasses at the bottom of Le Belier lift and Les Anges in Gondrans. If you want more choices for slopeside food, head over into the Italian side of the Milky Way. Down in the town, there are over 20 restaurants to consider, most of which are reasonably priced serving either Italian or French cuisine. Le Petit Creux is a great lunch stop, Le Transalpin is known for being a great dinner option for families and Caesars is known for its legendary hospitality and hearty food. Le Chalet Blanc is probably as upmarket as it gets with an elegant interior and a gourmet menu featuring indulgent options and local classics such as fondue.

What is the Après Ski like in Montgenèvre?

Small, humble and perfectly formed, there’s not a great deal of après and nightlife in Montgenèvre. However, Le Graal Cafe has occasional live music and a wonderfully sunny terrace where the weary skier will be met with perfectly cold drinks and even draft cider, a real rarity in France.

Is Montgenèvre good for Families & Non-Skiers?

Little ones will love the Mini Club Les Marmottes beginner area and the play area at the top of the Le Chalvet gondola. Other than that, families can enjoy the usual activities such as ice skating, snow-shoeing, snowmobiling and walking.

There isn’t a great deal for non-skiers to do in the resort, but there is a choice of hotels with spa facilities should a wellness day be on the cards.

Where to stay in Montgenèvre?

There’s a range of hotels and apartments to choose from in Montgenèvre. There’s a couple of CGH Residences with spas for a flexible approach while independent options such as Chalet Hotel Lucille, Chalet le Pot de Miel and Chalet Saint Bernard are favourited for their hospitality and great settings.

In the luxury realm, Anova Hotel & Spa and Hotel Chalet Blanc offer a more upmarket experience with onsite spa facilities. If you’re travelling as a bigger group and want the self-catered chalet experience, you can also rent chalets and apartments directly via the Go Montgenèvre website, such as the stunningly situated Chalet Belvedere.

Is Montgenèvre Eco-friendly?

The Go Montgenèvre team are actively trying to become more environmentally focused, with sustainability initiatives at the forefront of their current agenda. In 2023, they were lobbying for Montgenèvre to become a leading eco-resort in the region, with more renewable energy components, such as solar/sun-generated power forming part of their manifesto.

Pros & Cons of the Montgenèvre

Pros

• Cheaper than most other resorts
• Easy access to entire Milky Way ski area
• Varied terrain for beginners & mixed groups

Cons

• Lack of après and nightlife - may also be a pro