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Les Houches
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Ski area: Les Houches, France
Resort height: 950m
Resort top height: 1900m
Les Houches
Km piste: 55
Lifts: 19 (1 cable car, 1 gondola, 6 chairlifts, 8 drags, 1 rope)
Snow cannons: 120+
No. of slopes: 22
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Beginners
Intermediates
Experts
Boarders
Driving distance from Calais: 554 miles (7hrs 45)
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resort info
ski info
Other Accommodation In: Les Houches
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At the entrance of the Chamonix valley and only 6km from its famous town, the pretty village of Les Houches is right under the impressive Mont-Blanc. It is a typical mountain village with a pretty church and old wooden Savoyard farmhouses around.
Nestled in the heart of the Mont-Blanc, Les Houches village & resort offers an outstanding panoramic view of the Aiguilles de Chamonix. This family
Ski resort keeps the traditional image of mountain ski holidays.
There are a number of pleasant bars and good restaurants in Les Houches for quiet evenings out and buses run in and out of Chamonix all evening.
Les Houches’ friendly relaxed atmosphere provides a great base for families. Les Houches is also ideal for those wishing to explore the rest of the legendary valley.
Why Les Houches?
· Unrivalled scenery with splendid views of the Mont-Blanc and Aiguille du Midi & Aiguilles de Chamonix. · Easy access as only 2km from the motorway exit · Ideal base to discover the Chamonix valley · Good children’s facilities- Opening Dates
- Child Care
- Activities
- Apres Ski/Eating
- Access
- Resort News
- Other Amenities
Opening Dates
Les Houches opens on 18/12/10 and closes mid April 2011.
Child Care
Les Houches has acquired the Famille Plus label for its childcare facilities. Please view here for more information on the Famille Plus label.
CHAVANTS’ NURSERY
–18mnths to 3 years Mon-Fri
From 3 years Sun-Fri
Tel. +33 (0)4 50 54 43 33
Before 20 Dec. on +33 (0)4 50 54 68 89
email: enfancejeunesse@leshouches.fr
Open from Dec-April.
From Sunday to Friday.
Bookings: Saturdays 3.00 pm - 6.00 pm.
Hours: school holidays 8.30 am - 5.30 pm.
Outside school holidays 11.30 am - 5.30 pm.
Proposed nursery activities: games in the snow, luge, sledging, creative workshops and games.
Half days with or without meal
0830-1230 or 1330-1700
0830-1330 or 1145-1700
Rates 10/11
Full days with lunch - €44.30
Half day with lunch - €36.50, without meal €22.50
Meal + 2 ½ hours nursery at lunchtime (11.30-14.00) - €23.40
Municipal Day-Care Centre
Tel. +33 (0)4 50 54 48 19
email: creche@leshouches.fr
Open Monday to Friday. For children of 3 months – 3 years, depending on place availability.
Centre de Loisirs
Maison familiale de Montvauthier
Tel. +33 (0)4 50 47 20 65
email: montvauthier@fol74.org
Open during the school holidays for 6-12 year olds.
Outdoor and educational activities (walking, snowshoeing or sledging, skiing).
Sledging
Les Houches
At Les Chavants - Special slope
At Le Tourchet - special site in village centre
Sledge hire available in all the sport shops.
Servoz
Sledging slope - access via the Chemin de la Grangiat.
Sled hire available at the Tourist Office
Merlet Animal Park
A tour of the park and active participation in feeding the animals. Outstanding panoramic view of the Chamonix Valley.
Afternoon tea in an Alpine chalet.
Every Wednesday & Thursday from 13:00 to 17:30, depending on snow coverage, from 20/12 to 15/03. Booking is required.
Coupeau 74310 Les Houches - Tel.: +33 (0)4 50 53 47 89
www.parcdemerlet.com
BABY CARRIER HIRE
• Per day: €6, per week: €28 (guide price). In all sports shops. BABY CARRIER OR ALL-TERRAIN PUSHCHAIR TRAILS
A flat, wooded route follows alongside the cross-country skiing trails (look out for the waymarkers). With an all-terrain pushchair it is possible to get to the centre of the hamlet of Les Chavants by turning at the corner of the Hameau de Pierre Blanche residence. There are still a few typical farmhouses here, as well as some magnificent chalets built in the traditional Savoyard style. BABY GOODS HIRE
Laverie des Houches (launderette)
M. Dufoug
& +33 (0)6 21 79 10 47
285, avenue des Alpages
Open 7 days a week from 8.30am to 8pm. High chairs and cots.
All-terrain pushchairs available to rent at Le Hameau de Pierre Blanche.
BABY CHANGE FACILITIES
At the Crèche, Les Chavants day nursery, ski lift ticket points and public toilets at the ice rink.
• Per day: €6, per week: €28 (guide price). In all sports shops. BABY CARRIER OR ALL-TERRAIN PUSHCHAIR TRAILS
A flat, wooded route follows alongside the cross-country skiing trails (look out for the waymarkers). With an all-terrain pushchair it is possible to get to the centre of the hamlet of Les Chavants by turning at the corner of the Hameau de Pierre Blanche residence. There are still a few typical farmhouses here, as well as some magnificent chalets built in the traditional Savoyard style. BABY GOODS HIRE
Laverie des Houches (launderette)
M. Dufoug
& +33 (0)6 21 79 10 47
285, avenue des Alpages
Open 7 days a week from 8.30am to 8pm. High chairs and cots.
All-terrain pushchairs available to rent at Le Hameau de Pierre Blanche.
BABY CHANGE FACILITIES
At the Crèche, Les Chavants day nursery, ski lift ticket points and public toilets at the ice rink.
Activities
Non-skiers can try out the many other activities Les Houches has to offer such as dog sleigh rides, ice-skating, Abre Adventure, climbing, snow shoeing, ice climbing, tree-tops adventure, ski jumping, paragliding, and air excursions. Places to visit include Les Houches local markets, the ‘Musée Montagnard’ and the Saint-Bernard breeding kennels.
Paragliding
Tandem flights from 75 to 215 €
Courses from 95 €/day
LES AILES DU MONT-BLANC 24 av. de la Plage - 74400 chamonix
Tel. +33 (0)4 50 53 96 72 or 06 20 46 55 57
With Sandie cochepain, World champion in 1997 and 2000.
Climbing
MONT-BLANC ESCALADE in Les Houches
A climbing arena of 1,250 m² with more than 100 routes for all levels.
Winter: open Monday to Friday noon to 10 pm, Saturdays noon to 9 pm,
Sundays and bank holidays from noon to 8 pm.
Christmas and February school holidays: noon to 8 pm.
Open at 9 am in bad weather.
Adults from 12,50 €
Juniors (13 - 16 yrs) from 9 €
Children (5 - 12 yrs) from 7 €
Sightseeing by Helicopter
Chamonix Mont-Blanc Hélicoptères
Tel. +33 (0)4 50 54 13 82
Flights of 10-30 minutes to admire the most beautiful peaks in the alps. Inter-resort flights from Geneva and Chambéry Airports also available.
Price per person (min.6) depending on destination 67,50 to 200 €
Tree adventure
Two routes in the trees - Indiana’ventures
285 rte de coupeau - 74310 Les Houches
‘La Forêt du Mont-Blanc’ - Coupeau
70 activities taking you from tree to tree in a new layout of this three hectare park facing the Mont-Blanc massif.
Technical equipment provided.
Kid Adventure - Les Chavants
For 4-9 year olds. Children are attached by rope and harness on a continuous safety line making it 100% safe.
Sleigh dogs
HUSKYDALEN
Tel. +33 (0)6 84 99 34 67
Initiation into, sledge driving, half or full day outings, trapper evening, seminars, activities for the handicapped, tours.
ÉVOLUTION2
+33 (0)4 50 55 90 22
Introduction (1-2 children in the sleigh) from 69 €
Initiation into sleigh driving from 69 €
Saint Bernard dog breeding centre
Tel: Les Houches +33 (0)4 50 47 23 60
In a guided tour one hour tour, Jean Pierre and Renée Dumont will tell you about this breed of dogs, which were first bred as guard dogs and then trained to find lost travellers by the monks of Grand St Bernard. Kennels can also mind your dogs during your leisure activities.
Mon-Sat 2pm-5.30pm (closed Sun excp. School holidays).
€4.50 per adult and €3.20 for 5-12yrs.
La Ferme a Payot (Payot Goat Farm)
Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun.
25/12/10 – 15/05/2011
Walking with donkeys
Donkeys love children and with their pace, they easily discover the nature around them: different walks are available.
Throughout the year depending on snow. Reservation only.
Stroll - €6
1hr - €11
Half day - €34
Day - €56.
Vaudagne
74310 Les Houches Tel: +33 (0) 4 50 47 26 18 Skijoring Ski joering Mont-Blanc Skijoring Les Houches +33(0)6 13 08 33 58 www.skijoeringmontblanc.com
Vaudagne
74310 Les Houches Tel: +33 (0) 4 50 47 26 18 Skijoring Ski joering Mont-Blanc Skijoring Les Houches +33(0)6 13 08 33 58 www.skijoeringmontblanc.com
All the above information is for information only. For the most up-to-date information please visit the resort tourist office website
Les Houches Tourist Office BP9 74310 - Les Houches From Monday 19 December 2011 to Sunday 15 April 2012 Daily from 8.30am to 12pm and 2.15pm to 6.30pm Other periods: 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm Closed on Sundays and public holidays English spoken Tourist Office Tel. 00 33 450 555 062, Fax. 00 33 4 50 55 53 16 www.leshouches.com
Apres Ski/Eating
Bars-restaurants in the village and others in the mountains.
The lively town of Chamonix is only 4 kilometres from Les Houches, offering a wide range of bars, restaurants, nightclubs and shops.
http://www.chamonix.com/
Access
By Road: Driving distance from Calais to Les Houches: 552 miles or 7hrs30. Arrival directly from the A40
By Rail: The TGV station at St Gervais/Le Fayet is 17km from Les Houches
Train station of Les Houches +33 450 55 50 07
Airports:
Geneva Airport is 93km from Les Houches (1 hour)
+41 21 22 717 71 05 (daily bus transfers)
www.gva.ch/en
Chambery Airport is 125km from Les Houches (1 ½ hours)
www.chambery-airport.com
Turin Airport is 176km from Les Houches (2 hours)
www.aeroportoditorino.it
Grenoble Airport is 212km from Les Houches (2 hours)
www.grenoble-airport.com
Lyon Saint-Exupery is 213km from Les Houches (2 hours)
www.lyonairport.com
Bus transfers from Geneva Airport
Eight buses a day run from 22/12/12 - 14/04/13. Tickets must be reserved (not pre-bookable with Peak Retreats). Transfer time 1.15hrs. Cost is €55 per adult return (cheaper prices for groups of 4 adults). Child is half adult rate (4-12yrs). Book at http://www.sat-montblanc.com/
Timetable and prices 12/13
Timetable and prices 12/13
Getting around the Chamonix Valley area
(Argentiere, Le Tour, Chamonix, Les Houches, Vallorcine etc The Chamonix Valley has very good shuttle bus links throughout all its resorts so it’s easy to hop on the resort shuttle to whatever ski area you desire. Link up to Chamonix town, Les Houches, Vallorcine; buses run from early in the morning to late afternoon and the night bus runs between 10pm-12pm, returning latest 12.30am. Les Houches – see lines 1, 15 & 15s. The Mont Blanc Express train also provides access between the Chamonix Valley resorts. There are a number of ski lockers underneath the Prarion lift station in Les Houches.Airport Transfer
Pre-book your taxi transfer with Peak Retreats From Geneva Airport to Les Houches - from £86 per person return based on 4 people sharing. For all other transfer prices please click here
Resort News
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Other Amenities
Bank, Doctor, Hospital, Chemist, Dentist, Post Office, sports equipment shops
ski info
Les Houches, part of the Chamonix Valley, is the regular venue for Chamonix World Cup Downhill but is in fact well suited to families, beginners and intermediates, with plently of beginner and intermediate runs.
LES HOUCHES SKI AREA
The 70 kilometres of almost entirely wooded slopes form the biggest single area of prepared runs in the Chamonix valley. Les Houches ski runs are normally quiet and the views superb from the several attractive mountain restaurants. Les Houches (6km from Chamonix) has some of the best tree-lined skiing in the Mont Blanc. This offers shelter when the winds are high elsewhere and also you don’t experience so much those white out conditions with the trees providing cover.
Les Houches is a great area for mixed ability groups, as the slopes at the top of the mountain range from green nursery slopes right through to the famous “Verte” black run used in the Kandahar World Cup skiing where Les Houches is the regular home to the Kandahar World Downhill Ski Championships.
LES HOUCHES LIFT SYSTEM
There are two main lifts taking you to Les Houches ski area. A gondola (Bellevue) takes you from the centre of the ski village up to the far left of the ski area, at 1800 metres. Once at the top, the immediate area is pretty flat – perfect for beginners, but not so great for snowboarders looking to get to the snowpark (but Bellevue is still the lift you should take if you want to go straight to the park).
The other gondola is the Prarion gondola, where the new and efficient gondola whisks you up to the centre of the ski area at Les Houches. The top of the ski area at Les Houches gives you a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, and is plentiful in sunshine!
LES HOUCHES BEGINNERS
Although Les Houches centres around some tough terrain, the ski resort of Les Houches is also an ideal terrain for beginners. There are two nursery areas for beginners. The first one is in the village. The Tourchet nursery area in the village is found by the main church, about 1km up the road from the Bellevue lift. There are two draglifts and two pistes on which to practice. If you have mixed abilities in your group you may want to accompany your fellow skiers up to the main ski area. At the top of the main ski area there are two nursery slopes– the Mont Blanc which is at the top of the Bellevue lift, and the Ecole piste, at the top of the Prarion lift. Both pistes are served by a draglift.
LES HOUCHES INTERMEDIATES
For intermediates, down the front of Les Houches the Table D’Orientation which leads on to the Maison Neuve, and the Mur des Epines are long runs back down to the village. These front runs are sheltered by the trees. The Col de Voza is a lovely red run for intermediates and for advanced riders to start their day. Fontaines red run takes you around the back and through the trees. There are two other red runs down the back towards Saint Gervais that also take you through the trees.
LES HOUCHES ADVANCED For the advanced skier, skiing in Les Houches wouldnt be complete without a ride down the Verte des Houches, or as it’s more famously known, the Kandahar. This World Cup black run is accessed from the top of the Voza-Prarion or Kandahar chairlifts, and takes you straight back down to the village. For the more daring ski Les Houches’ 3 ski jumps or complete the famous Vallee Blanche in Chamonix. This legendary off-piste trail (guide essential) offers a unique spectacle of snowy waves and mountain ridges. After a 20-minute ascent by cable car, you set out from the peak of the Aiguille du Midi for a nearly 3000 m descent, ending in the centre of Chamonix. It is one of the longest glacier trails in Europe (22 km), open until open until May, conditions permitting and accessible to competent skiers in the company of a guide. Les Houches snowpark (for freestyle enthusiasts) - Airpark Bellevue: http://www.airparkbellevue.com/
LES HOUCHES INTERMEDIATES
For intermediates, down the front of Les Houches the Table D’Orientation which leads on to the Maison Neuve, and the Mur des Epines are long runs back down to the village. These front runs are sheltered by the trees. The Col de Voza is a lovely red run for intermediates and for advanced riders to start their day. Fontaines red run takes you around the back and through the trees. There are two other red runs down the back towards Saint Gervais that also take you through the trees.
LES HOUCHES ADVANCED For the advanced skier, skiing in Les Houches wouldnt be complete without a ride down the Verte des Houches, or as it’s more famously known, the Kandahar. This World Cup black run is accessed from the top of the Voza-Prarion or Kandahar chairlifts, and takes you straight back down to the village. For the more daring ski Les Houches’ 3 ski jumps or complete the famous Vallee Blanche in Chamonix. This legendary off-piste trail (guide essential) offers a unique spectacle of snowy waves and mountain ridges. After a 20-minute ascent by cable car, you set out from the peak of the Aiguille du Midi for a nearly 3000 m descent, ending in the centre of Chamonix. It is one of the longest glacier trails in Europe (22 km), open until open until May, conditions permitting and accessible to competent skiers in the company of a guide. Les Houches snowpark (for freestyle enthusiasts) - Airpark Bellevue: http://www.airparkbellevue.com/
- Ski Hire
- Ski Passes
- Ski School
- Activities
Ski Hire
Ski hire Les Houches prices start from £33 for children (skis and boots) & £47 for adults (skis and boots) for 7 days. View here for Les Houches ski hire prices.
Ski Passes
FREE PASSES!
Children under 4 receive a FREE lift pass.
Note: Proof of age will be required for reduced price passes.
Family pass – 2 adults and 1 child (4-15yrs), extra children free (people living at same address)
Other lift pass on offer (to buy locally in resort in Euros):
Les Houches ski pass – ½ day and daily rates 12/13:
½ day - €28.10 children, €33 adults
Day - €31 children, €36.50 adults
Ski pass for Le Tourchet ski area 12/13:
Learners’ area in the village centre
• Petit and Grand Tourchet:
€14 for a full day, €8.90 for a half day.
• Petit Tourchet:
€6.10 for a full day, €5.00 for a half day
| Lift Passes 12/13 Les Houches | Les Houches 70km of pistes | Mont-Blanc unlimited | |||
| 7 days | 6 days | 7 days | 6 days | ||
| Adult (16-59yrs) | £170 | £155 | £251 | £224 | |
| Child (4-15yrs) | £145 | £132 | £214 | £190 | |
| Senior (65-74yrs) | £145 | £132 | £214 | £190 | |
| Senior 2 (75yrs+) | £78 | £70 | £126 | £112 | |
| Infant (under 4yrs) | Free | Free | Free | Free | |
| Family* | £484 | £443 | £716 | £637 | |
| *2 adults + 1 children (4-15yrs), extra children free (people living at same address - max 4 free children) | |||||
| NOTE: Compulsory €3/pass for all hands-free pass to pay locally | |||||
Learners’ area in the village centre
• Petit and Grand Tourchet:
€14 for a full day, €8.90 for a half day.
• Petit Tourchet:
€6.10 for a full day, €5.00 for a half day
Ski School
Ski School: Lesson times are subject to change right until the last minute. Outside French school holidays the ski school reserves the right to cancel group lessons should numbers be insufficient. For peak periods (23/12-6/1, 16/2-16/3 & 14/4-21/4) we strongly recommend that you book as early as possible and in any case at least 6 weeks prior to the required dates. Morning lessons tend to get booked up first and therefore we may only be able to offer afternoon classes within 6 weeks of departure. In some resorts English speaking instructors may not always be available, particularly at peak times.
Between in 12pm-14.30pm.
Individual tuitions can only be purchased directly from the ski school. Peak Retreats cannot pre-book these.
Please note that prices are only an indication and are subject to change
Ski school Les Houches contact numbers:
ESF Les Houches Tel. +33 (0)4 50 54 48 79
| Ski School ESF Les Houches 12/13 | Lessons only (lift pass not included) | ||
| Adults (13+) | Children | ||
| 6 half-days SKI | £118 | £113 | |
| 6 days SKI (Lunch not included) | £197 | £188 | |
| 6 half-days SNOWBOARD (8yrs+) | £125 | ||
| Kindergarten (3-5 1/2 yrs old) 6 half-days (2hrs30/day) | £116 | ||
| Mornings: 9.00-11.30 all winter, Afternoons: only available 23/12-4/1(14.00-16.30) & 17/2-15/3 (14.30 - 17.00) ALL TIMES TO BE CONFIRMED | |||
| Please note that a booking fee of £9 per party will apply | |||
Individual tuitions in Les Houches
(2012/2013) – not pre-bookable
| 1/2 people | 3/5 people | |
| 1 hour | €42 | - |
| 1½ hours | €62.50 | €80 |
| 2 hours | €82 | €104 |
| 2 ½ hours | €103 | €123.50 |
Activities
Skiing tracks by the lake of Chavants offers free access (2.8km) The 4.2km track up at the Prarion plateau at 1800 meters will need a return gondola ticket.
Group and private lessons can be provided by ESF Les Houches.
Ski jumping was the first sport practised by the Ski Club of Les Houches when it was founded in 1930.
Introduction, examinations and competitions...
Mountain restaurants
7 mountain restaurantsCross-country in Les Houches
There are 10km of cross country skiing in Les Houches.Skiing tracks by the lake of Chavants offers free access (2.8km) The 4.2km track up at the Prarion plateau at 1800 meters will need a return gondola ticket.
Group and private lessons can be provided by ESF Les Houches.
Other Winter Activities in Chamonix Valley
Run by LA COMPAGNIE DES GUIDES DE CHAMONIX Tel. +33 (0)4 50 54 50 76 VALLÉE BLANCHE Group outing ....................73 €/person Private hire ......................from 278 € SKI MOUNTAINEERING Half-day ..........................175 € Ful day ........................... 305 € Group outing .....................80 € SKI TOURING Group outing .....................95 € ICE CLIMBING Full day group outing ...........112 € Half day ............................78 € 2 day ice-climbing course Introduction ......................360 € Three day advanced course ...570 €Snowshoeing in Les Houches
A way-marked route follows the cross country ski trail from the top of Prarion gondola lift. In the village, above Les Houches railway station, you can explore the Route des Crêts – also known as the “deer path”. Walks – there is a footpath at high altitude leads from the Bellevue cable car, along the Mont Blanc tramway line and back to the Col de Voza.Ski Jumping in Les Houches
The resort possesses 3 ski jumps : 15, 30 et 50 m.Ski jumping was the first sport practised by the Ski Club of Les Houches when it was founded in 1930.
Introduction, examinations and competitions...
Snowparks
Airpark at Bellevue and Snowpark DS Shoes Area 43 at Le Prarion.Other Accommodation In: Les Houches
Le Hameau de Pierre Blanche
4* Superior Apartments. Sleeps 2-8
Indoor Pool
Le Hameau de Pierre Blanche in Les Houches benefits from superb panoramic views and great skiing. Just foot steps away from the Prarion cable car.
4* Superior Apartments. Sleeps 2-8
Indoor Pool
Le Hameau de Pierre Blanche in Les Houches benefits from superb panoramic views and great skiing. Just foot steps away from the Prarion cable car.
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