Ski Areas of Chamonix Valley in detail

View here for areas:

·         Grands Montets

·         Brevent/Flegere

·         Domaine de Balme

·         Les Houches

·         Specific Beginner areas

Mont Blanc - 6 varied ski areas in 3 countries and the valley is 16km long.

·          Brevent-Flegere (Chamonix)

·          Balme (Vallorcine, Le Tour)

·          Grands Montets (Argentiere)

·          Les Houches

·          Courmayeur (Italy)

·          Verbier – 4 Valleys (Switzerland).

122 lifts

35,000m of vertical drops

80% of ski slopes above 2000m

20km Vallee Blanche

TOP CLASS SKIING

Les Grands Montets(1235m-3300m) - Argentiere

Vertical drops and famous pistes have given the Grand Montets (Argentiere) its reputation as a world class ski areas. Snowpark is open on the Lognan ski area. There is also a small beginners area.

Return to resorts on skis or by foot depending on snow conditions.

Altitude restaurants

Self de Lognan at 1972m. Accessible via Telepherique des Grands Montets.

SUNSHINE!

Brevent/Flegere(1030m-2525m) – Chamonix

Le Brevent and La Flegere are the closest skiing areas to the main centre of Chamonix. They are located on the sunny south side. Suitable for all skiers from beginners to experts. Accessible via Chamonix Plan Praz cabin lift or the La Flegere cable car. Brevent is a 5-10 minute walk from Chamonix centre. Brevent and Flegere are linked together by lifts.

For beginners, there are runs at both Le Brevent and La Flgere. The Trappe chairlift serves a gentle green run at Flegere. It’s a long green run with some impressive views of Mont Blanc and Aiguille du Midi.

Served by the Parsa chair in Le Brevent, blue runs Vioz and Blanchots are for those wanting more challenging terrain with longer pistes and steeper terrain to practise your linking turns. Le Brevent also has the highest altitude green run - Piste 2000. It is served by its own draglift and will have good snow right until the end of the season in April.

Return to resorts on skis or by foot depending on snow conditions.

Altitude restaurants

La Bergerie de PlanPraz at 2000m (Brevent). Accessible via the Telecabine PlanPraz for pedestrians and skiers. Terrace has magnificent views of Mont Blanc and Aigulles Rouges.

La Flegere at 1913m (Flegere). Accessible via the Telepherique de la Flegere for pedestrians and skiers.

Parking – covered parking by Brevent area (429 spaces – payable by the day). Exterior parking by La Flegere (210 spaces free).

Otherwise the shuttle buses will ferry from resort to resort included within the Mont Blanc unlimited and Cham Le Pass lift passes.

View here for Chamonix Valley lift pass prices

DISCOVERY

Domaine de Balme(1453m-2270m) – Vallorcine/La Tour

Skiers/boarders of all levels welcome here. From gentle slopes of the Charamillion area or the Vallorcine descents to longer runs through the forests of spruce and larch. Access possible from Le Tour or Vallorcine. There is also the mini ski area of Le Poya opposite Vallorcine for beginners.

Return to resorts on skis or by foot depending on snow conditions.

Les Houches(1010m-1853m)

Telecabine du Prarion offers 360 panoramic views over Mont Blanc from Les Houches

2 black pistes, including the famous World Cup downhill course 'La Verte des Houches'

1 snow nursery.

Cable car – 1 gondola lift – 7 chairlifts – 8 ski tows and 1 rope tow.

2 dedicated special beginners' areas

CHILDREN/Beginners areas within Chamonix Valley

La Vormaine (1462m) & Le Tour (1480m) - (Domaine de Balme)

Probably the best beginners areas which has 3 draglifts for all levels of beginners. The ski area is wide and flat so plenty of space to practise. Very sunny, lots of snow (highest altitude of all the lower valley slopes), views of Le Tour glacier and great for beginners/intermediates. Ideal for children. Gentle blue runs can then be progressed on at top of Le Tour main lift served by the Autannes chairlift. Try runs Arve and Stade for improving beginners. Take the gondola Charamillion at end of the day as there is only a red run (Caisets) back to Le Tour.

Les Chosalets (1230m) – Grands Montets (Argentiere)

Vast slopes for beginners, ideal for children and situated at entrance to Argentiere, 500m from start of Lognan cable car in the middle of the forest. This is also the location of the Panda club for children. Ideal place for families to have lunch as plenty of snack bars and restaurants.

Le Savoy (1049m-1125m) – Brevent/Flegere (Chamonix)

Centre of Chamonix, foot of Le Brevent ski lift. Pistes for beginners and children (popular), 2 rope tows and a magic carpet. Artificial snow coverage if needed. 3 greens, plus another 3 greens at altitude (Brevent has one green and further 2 greens on Flegere side).

Les Planards (1062m-1242m) – Chamonix Town Centre

Located a few mins from Chamonix town centre and just across the road from the Montenvers train station, it is the largest area for beginners and children. 5 runs of red, blue, green and a children’s park. Sun and snow guaranteed. Bar restaurant, solarium, free car park plus 41 snow cannons.

Le Poyais another little ski area opposite Vallorcine on the other side of the mountain range. ESF has some of its ski lessons for Vallorcine here. 2 lifts serve 3 slopes (1 blue, 1 red and 1 green). View here for the Domaine de Balme piste map that includes Le Poya ski area (pop-up).

Tobogganing in Chamonix - there are several ski areas where luging (toboganning) is allowed, including Le Savoy (Chamonix town), Les Planards (Chamonix town), La Vormaine (Le Tour), La Poya (Vallorcine), and Le Tourchet (Les Houches). Most ski hire shops also rent toboggans for a charge.