Between frozen lakes and sparkling peaks, Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc rolls out this winter a white carpet of 2200 km of trails... but also a thousand little off-ski joys. Follow the guide!
Between frozen lakes and sparkling peaks, Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc rolls out this winter a white carpet of 2200 km of trails... but also a thousand little off-ski joys. Follow the guide!
42 stations, two UNESCO Geoparks, forests covering 40%... Here, it's not just the top of the ski area, it is the summit of Europe.
In less than 5 hours by high-speed train from Paris, you can go from the cobblestones of Paris to snow-covered fir trees:
- 2200 km of marked alpine ski runs
- 800 km of Nordic trails, accessible with headlamps or under the sun
- 5105 km of marked trails for hiking enthusiasts
All this in a patchwork of preserved villages where baroque church steeples stand in conversation with state-of-the-art gondola lifts.
Hard to resist the allure of the roof of Europe (4,806 m). From Chamonix, the legendary Aiguille du Midi cable car launches dreamers up to 3,842 m in 30 minutes, including a 360° panorama.
The most daring continue on to the Vallée Blanche, 20 km of glacial powder; the contemplative prefer the Montenvers Train and its Sea of Ice. Bonus for 2025: the Cascades piste (Grand Massif) turns red! 14 km of descent through the Sixt-Passy nature reserve, from 2,500 m to 760 m in altitude.
Skiing yes, skiing responsibly is better. Ten resorts now boast the Green Snowflake label, Combloux inaugurates its low-consumption Beauregard gondola, and Châtel installs a "clean" motorized chairlift. Even the grooming goes hybrid in Megève. The standout figure: 95% of the high-Savoyard resorts are true village-resorts, inhabited year-round. Guaranteed cheese and church bell atmosphere.
Did you say multi-slide? Fat biking on Salève, dog hiking in Môle & Brasses, paragliding in Thollon-les-Mémises, or ice diving in Avoriaz...
Not to forget the snowshoe aperitif-fondue: put on your skins, walk for 45 minutes, and savor your tomme cheese under an igloo (Plateau de Plaine-Joux) or a heated teepee with a stove (La Clusaz).
Even the Nordic night events are a hit: 10 areas lit up until 9 pm.
Starting December 6th, Megève lights up its XXL Christmas tree (20 m, 274 trees). In Saint-Gervais, Lumières Mont-Blanc turns the town into an art-light gallery. And to shake hands with the famous bearded man, head to Santa's Hamlet, Europe's unique elevated maze accessible even in winter. The children? In Les Gets, they take part in a torchlight descent before heading to the magical trail Alta Lumina.
Time for comfort food! AOP raclette, reblochonnade, berthoud, or matouille... under the panoramic "Chéry Dôme" bubble or in a private cable car (Grand Massif). For relaxation, the new QC Thermae of Annecy (4000 sqm) joins a network of high-altitude spas (Forme d'O, Aquariaz, Palais de Megève), while Saint-Gervais offers a package deal of 4 hours of skiing + 3 hours at the thermal baths: ski-&-spa, the perfect alchemy.
20 rooms in the brand-new Refuge du Mont d'Arbois (1800m), log cabins with jacuzzi facing Mont Blanc (Passy Plaine-Joux), igloo bivouac at Semnoz, or a night under the stars in the Bubble Pods of Mines d'Or (Morzine).
The unusual has become the norm, and sometimes there are more stars in the sky than on the facade.
Family Plus label, fun slopes (Opoualand, Enchanted Marvel, Ludo Park), skijoring or snowtubing: here the little ones start skiing from the age of 3. Special mention to the First Ski Festival in Les Gets (March 2026) or the new "Jora" slope at Praz de Lys Sommand, filled with educational modules on alpine fauna. Even the museums are getting involved: mechanical music in Les Gets or the Heritage House in Le Grand-Bornand.
International Hot-Air Balloon Festival, Praz-sur-Arly (January): over 20 balloons in the sky.
Biathlon World Cup, Annecy/Le Grand-Bornand (December).
Rock the Pistes, Portes du Soleil (March): free concerts... with skis on!
The Great Odyssey, sled dog race starting January 9.
Not to mention Glisse en Coeur (24-hour charity ski event at Le Grand-Bornand) and Radio Meuh Circus (La Clusaz) to warm up your ears.
The new Valléen connects the SNCF train station at Fayet to the village of Saint-Gervais via urban gondola, with an expected 25% reduction in road traffic. In Chamonix, the guest card offers free TER and bus services up to Vallorcine. Les Carroz launches GO Les Carroz, a low-carbon route comparator, while Karos enhances carpooling to the Léman ski resorts. The result? We breathe easier and save some oxygen for the final descent.
Author Audrey on 20 October 2023
Travel and Tourism : Stay
Author Audrey on 17 June 2022
Travel and Tourism : Rental