Montgenèvre

The French ski area extends between 1,850 and 2,648 metres above sea level and offers, according to official figures, 95 km of pistes: 9 green, 22 blue, 38 red and 9 black, served by 24 lifts. The runs are mainly spread across the slopes of Chalvet and Gondrans-Les Anges, with the possibility of reaching the high-altitude Rocher de l’Aigle sector.

Montgenèvre is particularly popular with families, beginners and intermediate skiers. At the base of the ski area there are extensive nursery slopes, beginner areas and easy runs directly connected to the village. Higher up, red runs predominate; they are generally wide and smooth, making them suitable for those who want to improve their technique or spend the whole day skiing without tackling excessive difficulty.

Expert skiers will find black runs, more demanding walls and interesting off-piste opportunities, especially in the Rocher de l’Aigle area, always to be tackled in suitable conditions and with the necessary preparation. The Gondrans sector also features the snow park and the Citadelle fun run, inspired by Alpine fortifications, while a boardercross course is available on the Chalvet side.

The lift network includes gondolas, télémix lifts and numerous chairlifts, alongside several drag lifts in the secondary areas. The most important development in recent years was the construction of the 10-passenger Rocher de l’Aigle gondola, which came into operation in 2023 and made access to the upper slopes faster and more comfortable. The main routes are therefore efficient, although some older lifts remain in the outlying areas, with connections relying on drag lifts.

One of Montgenèvre’s main strengths is its ski-in/ski-out connection with Claviere and with the Italian Monti della Luna sector. The international Montgenèvre-Monts de la Lune area has 110 km of pistes and allows visitors to ski between France and Italy on the same day. With the appropriate ski pass, it is possible to continue towards Cesana, Sansicario, Sestriere, Sauze d’Oulx and Pragelato, entering the vast Vialattea ski area, which offers approximately 400 km of pistes in total. Before planning very long itineraries, it is advisable to check whether the connections are open and carefully calculate the time needed to return to the French side.

Although it is an international resort, Montgenèvre has preserved the character of a compact, inhabited Alpine village. The proximity of the slopes to the accommodation makes the resort convenient for holidays with children, while alternatives to skiing include snowshoe trails, cross-country skiing, the Monty Express alpine coaster and the Durancia balneotherapy and wellness centre.

Montgenèvre is also very popular in summer. The lifts provide access to hiking trails, mountain-bike routes and Bike Park tracks; the offering is completed by golf, a pump track and walks towards Chenaillet, Monte Janus and the military fortifications that bear witness to the pass’s longstanding strategic importance. It is a well-rounded destination suitable for stays in every season, with the added advantage of being located at the heart of one of the Alps’ largest international ski areas.