Skiing

The Chamonix Valley is world-renowned for its varied and interesting ski areas. Whether you are a visitor or an expert, whether you enjoy pretty tree-lined runs, spectacular steep off-piste slopes or perhaps even narrow couloirs accessible only by mountaineering, Chamonix has something to offer everyone.

There are several excellent ski schools in the Valley through which lessons and guides can be arranged. We recommend that you ski with a guide when going off piste and can put you in touch with an expert with many years experience in the area.

There are five main ski areas in the Chamonix Valley:

Les Houches (950m - 1900m)

Les Houches is a pretty, mainly tree-lined ski area offering a wide variety of slopes that cater for all levels of skiers. There is some lovely off piste skiing through the trees, although if you prefer to stay on the marked slopes the pistes are very well groomed and there is a comprehensive system of snow cannons meaning you can normally ski all the way down to the village. Les Houches is also the home of the Coupe du Monde Mens' downhill ski run, the world famous Kandahar. This ski area is excellent for mixed ability groups and Chalet L'Avant Poste is situated on the slopes of here.

Guests with young children have commented how convenient and economical it is to be able to ski back to L'Avant Poste for lunch and be back on the slopes in no time at all.

Le Brevent (1095m - 2525m)

This ski area is accessed from Chamonix by gondola, and offers pistes for all levels of abilities. There is plenty of off-piste skiing and the slopes enjoy fantastic views and lots of sunshine. The Brevent and Flegere ski areas are interconnecting

Le Flegere (1050m - 2450m)

The Flegere ski area can be reached via a cable car from the valley bottom at Les Praz, just outside Chamonix or by a cable car which links it to the Brevent area. Catering for all levels, but particularly intermediate and advanced skiers, the skiing both on and off piste is very varied.

Argentiere (1230m - 3300m)

The Grand Montets ski area offers skiing for all levels of skiers, although for complete beginners there is a seperate ski area near the main ski lift, complete with button tow and cafe. The main cable car and the chair lift from the bottom both provide access to the pistes and the system of various chair and gondola lifts, whilst there is a second large cable car that takes you up to the Grand Montets viewing area and the skiing on the glacier (recommended only for more experienced skiers with a guide). For skiers of a reasonable level, virtually the whole mountain may be skied off piste, although advice should be taken regarding snow conditions and routes, and it is advisable to have the right equipment and the services of an experienced local guide.

Le Tour (1453m - 2270m)

A beginners' ski area is located at the bottom of the lift system and the Le Tour ski area offers a wide range of skiing for all levels, including some pretty tree lined runs down to the Vallorcine side of the valley. This is a great place to go with a group of mixed ability skiers.

Snowpark

If you enjoy the thrill of riding the half pipe or catching big air, there is a floodlit snowpark at Les Bossons, between Chamonix and Les Houches. This stays open late at night so you can try out your tricks after the other lifts have closed.

Vallee Blanche

The Aiguille de Midi cable car takes you to a height of 3800m from where you can admire the view before descending the 20km long Vallee Blanche. This is a spectacular opportunity to ski off piste in the high mountains and, although the skiing is not difficult, it requires at least a good intermediate level. It is very important to ski with a guide and we can make the arrangements on you behalf if you would like us to. The descent is as much about enjoying the incredible mountain views as the skiing, and most descents include a lunch stop either at a refuge or the aptly named "salle a manger" area on the glacier, where skiers and boarders often stop to picnic and enjoy the views. Most people tend to make a day of it, and the experience provides a lasting impression.

Other Nearby Ski Areas

Chamonix is ideally placed to explore other ski areas, being very close to the Swiss and Italian borders. A quick drive through the Mont Blanc Tunnel brings you to the extensive ski area of Courmayer across the border in Italy, and also nearby there are the ski areas of St Gervais, Megeve and Les Contamines.

Cross Country Skiing

Within the valley there are many kilometers of cross country ski tracks. At Les Houches there are tracks in the valley bottom, and at altitude at the top of the Prarion gondola. In Chamonix there are tracks for all levels of ability and you can ski all the way to Argentiere if the conditions are right. Argentiere has its own extensive cross country area and if you wish to drive through the Mont Blanc Tunnel into Italy, there are many kilometers of tracks in the Val Ferret

Other Winter Activities

Outings with Snow Shoes

You can hire snow shoes locally and there are many beautiful tracks to explore in the winter. This is great fun and can be organised in groups with a guide for those wishing to explore the high mountains, or you can merely "go for a walk" using snow shoes to get to some of the mountain restaurants and huts. This is especially good fun in the evening with torches, and from the Chalet L'Avant Poste there is a cosy restaurant (Les Vielles Luges) which opens some evenings, within easy reach of the chalet.

Ice Climbing

There are lots of sites for ice climbing in the surrounding area and if you wish to try this sport or need a guide we will be pleased to make the appropriate arrangements.

Mountain Security Courses

If you would like to learn more about mountain security, skiing off piste, snow conditions, avalanche danger and how to use safety equipment, we can put you in contact with a guide who can provide half day courses to teach you all that you need to know.