Picnic Rooms in Megeve (Evasion Mont-Blanc Ski Area)

At key points on the ski slopes there are Salle Hors Sac, translated on the piste map as Picnic Room, though it literally means ‘Room Without or Off Bag’.

They are free to use and are popular with groups, families and individuals, especially when the weather is too poor to rest or picnic outside. Sometimes people just go there for a break or to read a book.

On popular weekends and holidays they can be very busy between approximately 12.00 – 14.00. If all the tables are in use it is acceptable to share a partly occupied table, just ask the people already there whether the seats are free. It is advisable not to drink the water unless it is labelled ‘eau potable’.

Princess Telecabine Mid-Station, above the Woody Bar and Restaurant.

Access by clearly signed external stairs. A modern pine clad room with large windows giving pleasant views. About 60 seats at pine tables for 4 or 6 people. Two sinks. Waste bin. Unisex toilet with WCs and urinal. Snacks and drinks can be bought at Woody’s snack bar when it’s open and carried up. Ski rack at the bottom of the stairs.

Le Plateau de St Nicolas, above the Schuss Bar/Restaurant, at the bottom of the Vanay Tow.

Access by external stairs from the outside dining area. A serviceable room with good views of Mt Blanc and the peaks of the Chamonix Valley. About 50 seats on a mixture of stacking chairs and fixed upholstered benches around the walls. Café tables. 1 unisex wc (nice toilets next door on the ground floor of the Chef Lieu chair-lift top station). Ski rack at the Schuss.

Terrasse du Freddy’s, above the top station of the Bettex - Mt d’Arbois Telecabine.

Acces by internal stairs signed ‘Salle hors Sac’ as you walk from the telecabine or go outside and climb up the snow slope. Freddy’s is unique in Megeve/St Gervais because the snack bar and Salle Hors Sac share the same seating inside. The outside seating is ‘Pique-nique interdit”. About 60 seats inside, plus some standing room. A pleasant pine clad room with large windows and good views. It can get very, very busy, especially in poor weather. It shares M and F toilets with the telecabine station. Waste bin, no sink. Ski rack at the exit from the telecabine station.

The Caboche, above the bottom station of the Caboche Telecabine/top Chamois Telecabine.

Access from the wide terrace which faces Mt d’Arbois, then ascend the external staircase or by the lift next to the Terrasse Snack Bar. A light, airy, pine clad room with large windows and good views towards Mt d’Arbois. About 70 seats on pine benches with pine tables. Plastic stacking chairs also available. Two catering sinks, waste bin, a hot drinks machine and a large oven (which may work). Unisex toilets with 2 WCs and 2 urinals. Ski rack at the top or bottom of the external stairs.

Signal, Les Contamines, under the top station of the Signal Telecabine.

Access from the piste, Not shown on the Megeve/St Gervais version of the piste map but it is on the Les Contamines map. It shares the seating with the Espace snack bar. The ‘public’ area has about 80 seats. It is a pleasant room with large windows giving good views of the piste. The larger adjacent Salle Panoramic is usually reserved for groups who book in advance. The very good M and F public toilets are across the corridor, though the Salle Panoramique has its own. Waste bins, no sinks. Free wifi. A ski rack is visible through the large windows.

Etape 1470, Les Contamines, beneath the top station of the Telecabine de la Gorge.

Access from the Village Variant of the Montjoie piste where it passes between the top stations of the Montjoie and Gorge Telecabines. A large room seating about 100 people at long tables and benches. Small windows face the piste. There are toilets.

Ferme La Ruelle, 1600, Les Contamines, at the bottom of the Col chair lift.

The Ferme de la Ruelle bar and restaurant has a store of tables, benches and chairs which can be carried out onto the snow for picnics without charge. Users should put them away afterwards unless someone else takes them. The room is below the restaurant’s terrace and faces the start of the Belleville piste, with a sign on the door saying “Haut-Lirou, Pic Saint Loup”. The room is not officially a Salle hors Sac but it has unisex toilets and a waste bin.

Le Jaillet, beneath the top station of the Jaillet Telecabine.

As you leave the telecabine building, go down the steps and turn left at the bottom. A large room seating about 80 and a smaller room seating about 30, both with long tables and benches. Both rooms have small windows. Waste bin, recycling, sink, microwave oven, vending machines for hot drinks and snacks/ cold drinks, 2 sinks, M and F toilets

La Giettaz, le Plan 1200, opposite the bottom of the Grande Rare Chairlift

From the bottom station of the Grande Rare chairlift, cross the small car park and the ShS is next to the Ticket Office. Clearly signed. A modern, light room with large windows looking out onto the lift and hills. About 40 stacking chairs with folding tables, plus picnic tables outside. Waste bins, sink, microwave oven, vending machines for hot drinks and snacks/cold drinks. The M and F toilets are next door.

Combloux, at the Entrance of the Brons Car Park

(It took us 4 seasons to find this ShS) Take the Marmottons piste, ski past the bottom the Beauregarde chairlift, then past the Garettes Tow and Alberts Restaurant. Turn left towards the Guarderie, ski to the left of it towards the car park, and on your right you’ll see the Forfait de ski (Ticket Office). At the office turn right and the ShS is in front of you. There are no signs visible from the piste! A large pine clad room with large windows giving good views. Approx 250 seats, pine benches and tables with some stacking chairs. Waste bin, recycling, sink, 2 microwave ovens, vending machines for hot drinks and snack/cold drinks), electric sockets, 2 unisex WCs (one with baby changer), high chair, defibrillator. Skis can be left leaning against the fence outside. When you leave, walk past the Ticket Office and up the slope straight ahead with the car park on your right. From the top of the car park you can ski down on to the Baghera piste and take the Mowgli tow.

Note: The Salle Hors Sac at le Livraz, Cote 2000 is only really accessible to Nordic Skiers and is not included in this information.

 

(Every effort has been made to ensure that the information above was correct at time of writing but it cannot be guaranteed. Please inform us if you think there is an error or if things have changed.) January/February 2019