LES HOUCHES
The ski area of Les Houches extends from an altitude of
950m to 1900m. From the summit one has a spectacular 360° view of
the Mont-Blanc massive. With 55 km of slopes meandering through the
forests, you will discover the real pleasures of
skiing.
When necessary, more than 120 snow machines make
artificial snow which is then pisted onto the slopes.
Access the top of the mountain by either the Parion Gondola, Bellevue Cable Car or the Chair lift in the Bellevue Carpark.
Tourchet Slope is situated in the center of the village and is ideal if you are a beginer or just want to spend a couple of hours getting your ski legs back, with a 1/2 day costing around Eur10.
In addition to the high mountain slopes, there are also a few areas perfect for beginers close to the valley floor, similar to the Tourchet Slope in Les Houches...........
CHAMONIX VALLEY
Brévent and Flégère (1030 m - 2525 m) CHAMONIX (10 mins drive)
Panoramic
skiing. These 2 ski areas have been linked
by a cable car since 1997 and offer one of the most outstanding
panoramas of the Alps. South-facing slopes with a wonderful variety
of pistes and enviable views over the Mont-Blanc Massif. Gently
acquire a tan in this idyllic environment whilst enjoying skiing on
slopes adapted to all skiing abilities.
The Grands Montets (1235 m - 3300 m) ARGENTIERE (20 mins drive)
Situated between the altitudes of 1235m and 3300m, the Grands Montets area enables you to ski the greatest height losses in the world in the heart of the mountains, close to a glacier.
The pistes are spread over three slopes - the Argentière glacier, Lognan and the Pendant which also offer magnificent off-piste, known throughout the world and especialy by freeriders. The quality of the snow coverage is remarkable often up until May, due to it's north facing slopes. For freestyle enthusiasts, a snowpark and a boardercross are open in the Lognan area. You can ski back to the resort on the Pierre à Ric piste.
Freestyle
Park at the Grands Montets: Smile you’re on camera
!
From
winter 2014, the FreeStyle.fr company, in association with the
French ski federation and the French snowpark federation, will
install a system on the Grands Montets snowpark that will enable
riders to admire their exploits once they get back home.
Balme - Vallorcine (1453m - 2270m) Le TOUR (25 mins drive)
In the heart of nature. Accessed via the villages of Le Tour and Vallorcine, the snow-covered alpine pastures offer numerous possibilities on two distinct mountain sides.
From Charamillon, enjoy the wide open gentle slopes overlooking the entire Chamonix valley and on the Vallorcine side, ski beautiful tree-lined pistes bordering on Switzerland.
The Valley Blanche (1050m - 3777m) CHAMONIX (10 mins drive)
The most
famous off-piste descent is doubtless the Valley Blanche, accessed
via the Aiguille du Midi cable car and offering several variants:
the normal Valley, the Petit Envers du Plan or the Grand Envers du
Plan. This glacial route is very popular in early spring, but is
nethertheless a high-mountain intinerary and the presence of
a mountain guide is strongly recommended. The
Vallée Blanche in Chamonix is an off-piste ski route, 20km long
with a vertical descent of 2700m. The views are stunning and the
high mountain environment provides a real sensation of wilderness.
This is one of those memorable life experiences that you'll never
forget.
Be sure
to pay attention to snow conditions and to the weather
forecast.
Avalanche search device, probe and shovel are indispensable.
LOW LEVEL SKI AREAS
-
La Vormaine (1480m) near Le Tour
-
Les Chosalets (1230m) in Argentiere
-
Le Savoy (1049-1125m) centre of Chamonix by the Brevent Lift
-
Les Planards (1062-1242m) Chamonix near the town centre
ITALY
COURMAYEUR (1224m - 2755m) Italy - via Mt.Blanc Tunnel (40 mins drive)
From Chamonix, through the Mont-Blanc Tunnel, you arrive in the Val D'Aosta (Aosta Valley).
Entrèves, the first hamlet just after the tunnel exit, is an architectural wonder with it's beautiful old slate roofed houses, stop for a walk around & pizza!
Courmayeur is a great day trip all year round with great skiing, hiking, shopping and eating! Although its location is close to Chamonix, when you exit the tunnel there is no denying you are in Italy, with the obvious changes in the food and language as well as architecture.
In the presence Mont Blanc, Courmayeur is a paradise for skiers. The 18 lifts and 31 slopes along its free-ride area offer more than 100 kilometres of runs, 10 blue, 17 red, and 4 black runs. Plenty to keep you busy & definitely more than enough to make you want to return to explore more of the 'other side' of the big white mountain!
A lovely Ski Chalet set in a quiet location in the village of Les Houches, Chamonix Mt. Blanc.