This week we’ve all had a little taste of the snow and, as ever, it created the usual chaos on our roads, panic  buying from super markets and a lot of moaning and groaning. If you were a minority statistic it might just have made you long for a skiing break? January is an extremely busy time for actuaries, so if you feel that you can only spare a few days then I know just the place.
Megève is nestled in the French Alps under the watchful eye of Mont Blanc. The resort was purpose build around a hundred years ago by The Rothschild family who grew tired of St Mortiz as a holiday destination so decided to create and build  their own! It is the first resort of it’s type and as a result has everything that you would need, it comes as no surprise that Megève is extremely popular with the elite and maintains a luxury feel. Megève town is extremely pretty with a number of boutiques selling designer goods and Swiss time pieces, there are many inviting bars and award winning restaurants. If you’re not here for the skiing the Après is arguably worth the journey alone.
One of the best things about Megève is convenience, transfer time from Geneva is just over an hour so you really can get from baggage reclaim to slope in two hours. Talking of slopes there are 219 of them covering 445km, they are divided up as 34 Black, 82 red, 65 blue and 38 green so a fantastic mix for whatever your ability or confidence level- I took on Cote 2000 and just about survived to tell the tale.
FACTS and STATS
 Ski Pass- Recommend the Evasion adult Pass which costs €110 for 3 days and €189 for 6
Kit hire- Around €100 for skis/board and boots for 3 days €160 for 6
Ski School- Jarrod and Glenn run Ski Technique with lessons in English costing €80 per hour in high season, less in low season. www.ski-technique.co.uk 
FOOD and DRINK
Brasserie le Chamois- reasonably priced, centrally located with the best Savoyard cheese fondue: +33 (0)4 50212501
L’Alpage- A French restaurant offering traditional dishes, A great place for dinner with a welcoming ambience around the fireplace. +33 (0)4 50213039
L’Equipe by Purple Lounge- very reasonable and contemporary- a bar first and restaurant second, often with live music. +33 (0)4 50900183
REST and RELAXATION
For a real treat book into Les Fermes de Marie- 9 Chalets seamlessly mixing high end luxury with tradition so well that you won’t want to leave. The Spa is well worth a visit and offer a range of massages tailored to reliving the strains of a day of on the slopes. Look out for seasonal special offers too. www.fermesdemarie.com
THE DEAL
£30 off a Megève short break Sunday to Wednesday (now only £245pp) or Sunday to Thursday (now only £350pp)
Prices exclude flights but include breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner with wine in a catered chalet.
w/c 4 March or w/c 11 March
The beginning of the week is a great time to come - flights are cheaper and you avoid the weekend crowds!
See www.stanfordskiing.co.uk for more details or email info@stanfordskiing.co.uk
Telephone 01603 477471
Reviewed by our resident travelling actuary, Eve Hartridge.
All images courtesy of Stanford Skiing.
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