Grand Massif - Morillon

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)

·          and new for 09/10 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.

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

Sunny aspect faces the Mont Blanc range and offers incredible panoramic views. Suitable for all skiers. 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.

NEW! As from December 2008 there is a new cabin lift from Chamonix to Planpraz.

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.

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

CHILDREN/Beginners areas within Chamonix Valley

Le Tour (1480m) - (La Balme – Vallorcine)

Beginners’ area situated next to village of Le Tour, very sunny, lots of snow and great for beginners/intermediates. Ideal for children. Gentle blue runs can then be progressed on at top of Le Tour main lift.

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 drag lifts and conveyor belt lift. 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. 4 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).