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SKI AREA
Domaine de Balme is formed of the village of
Vallorcine and Le Tour next door. The area is lift
linked (22 easy and intermediate runs), however the
main beginner’s areas are both a train ride
away at either Le Poya (separate ski area on other
side of valley) or Le Tour. The train to Le Tour
doesn’t go directly to Le Tour and instead has
a stop at Montroc (about 1km from Le Tour itself). It
does mean a bus ride to reach the main lift station
area. Intermediate skiers can reach Le Tour on blues
and reds instead of taking the train/bus.
From the top of the Domaine de Balme ski area there
are some spectacular views down to Switzerland. There
is some great off-piste skiing to be found as well.
Le Tour offers mixed terrain where pistes tend to be
wide cruisy blues or fairly easy intermediate reds.
BEGINNERS
For families and beginners arriving when there is
snow at valley level there’s the additional
option of the small, separate, la Poya ski area which
operates three lifts and three runs – a green,
blue and red as well as a snow garden for
children.
The other area is at Le Tour/La Vormaine. 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.
INTERMEDIATES
Intermediate level skiers will be satisfied by the
local ski area for several days, particularly the
long blue run back to the resort. The Autannes
Chair at the front gives access to some good
intermediate runs on the front, Ecuries being the
most obvious as it runs below the lift. The front of
Le Tour is littered with gullies, which during the
winter fill in with snow and form themselves into
natural halfpipes.
EXPERTS
Advanced skiers will probably want to take advantage
of the Mont Blanc regional pass which encompasses the
ski areas of a dozen resorts around Western
Europe’s highest mountain, including Courmayeur
across the border in Italy. This provides
access to all the treasures of Argentiere, Chamonix
and many more. Chamonix is about a 20mins drive or
shuttle bus ride away from Vallorcine.
However there are snowy delights to be had closer to
home. In addition to the one technical black
run on Balme, Emosson, which includes a steep mogul
section, Les Jeurs, on the northern part of La Tete
de Balme is one of the favourite off-piste routes
which goes down through the forest. There are many
other options which the local mountain guides, who
are based in Vallorcine, can take you to, with option
of skiing further along the valley and returning to
the villager by train. Of course, for the hardcore
skiers amongst you there is the famous Vallee Blanche
in Chamonix.
CHAMONIX PISTE
MAP
To see the Chamonix
piste map for 11/12 please see the resort guide panel
on the top right hand side of the current
page.
CHAMONIX SNOW
REPORTS
To see Chamonix snow
reports please see the resort guide panel on the top
right hand side of the current page.
Vallorcine Lift
passes
Save Time in resort and budget ahead by pre-booking
lift passes. See below for prices.
PRE-BOOK* your CHAMONIX VALLEY LIFT PASS with
PR
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Ski-Pass
Mont Blanc Lift Pass Prices
2011/2012
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Choose
from 2 different passes
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Adult
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Child
(4-15) +
Senior
(65-74)
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Senior
(+75)
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Family*
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7 Day Cham
Pass (1)
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£216
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£184
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£108
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£615
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6 Day Cham
Pass (1)
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£191
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£162
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£95
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£545
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5 Day Cham
Pass (1)
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£173
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£147
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£86
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£492
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7 Day MBU
(2)
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£260
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£221
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£130
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£741
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6 Day MBU
(2)
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£232
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£197
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£116
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£661
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5 Day MBU
(2)
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£211
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£179
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£105
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£601
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MBU Early
snow (03/12-23/12) & Spring (14/04-06/05)
OFFER: 6 day passes only.
See below prices.
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6 Day MBU (2)
OFFER
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£174
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£148
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£87
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£496
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MBU
Early Booking Offer
(weeks 14/01-10/02
& 10/03-13/04): 6 day passes only. See
prices below. MUST BE BOOKED BY
15/11/11
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6 Day MBU (2)
OFFER
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£185
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£158
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£93
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£529
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(1) Chamonix Le Pass: Brevent/Flegère
(Chamonix), Lognan (Argentière, except Lognan
- Grands Montets cable car), Balme (Tour/Vallorcine)
+ Les Planards, Le Savoy, Les Chosalets, La Vormaine
(family area, bottom of the valley). Access to the
resort shuttle service also included.
(2) Mont-Blanc Unlimited
What's covered by the MONT BLANC Unlimited pass:
In France…
• Unlimited access to the ski areas in the
Chamonix-Mont Blanc Valley: Les Grands Montets
(includes Lognan - Les Grands Montets cable car),
Brévent-Flégère, Balme ski area
(Le Tour - Vallorcine), Les Houches ski area, La
Vormaine, Les Chosalets, Le Savoy, Les Planards.
• Unlimited access to 3 major attractions:
Aiguille du Midi Cable Car (access to the
Vallée Blanche), Montenvers Train,
Mer de Glace (Vallée Blanche return route),
Mont Blanc Tram (from Saint Gervais - Le Fayet).
In Switzerland…
• The Verbier - 4 Valleys ski area (included in
passes valid for 6+ days): an 'unlimited' ski area,
fantastic for all snowsports.
In Italy…
• The Courmayeur ski area (1224 m - 2624 m):
this warmly welcoming ski area just 20 minutes from
Chamonix by road offers a variety of pistes for
all abilities in sunny, wooded surroundings with the
bonus of some great Italian food and delicious lunch
opportunities along the way.
• The Monte Bianco Cable Car to the
Vallée Blanche from Italy.
Still included: Free daily shuttle buses to
Courmayeur and back (reservation required), reduced
rates for the Mont Blanc Tunnel crossing, free
reservations on the Aiguille du Midi Cable Car, plus
lots more on offer
NOTE: Compulsory €3/pass for hands-free pass to
pay locally (reuseable annually). No photo necessary.
*2 adults + 1 child (4-15yrs); extra children free
(people with same name living at same address).
Other lift pass on
offer (to buy locally in resort in Euros):
Cham Le Pass ski pass – ½ day and
daily rates:
½ day - €32 children, €37 adults
Day - €36 children, €42 adults
Vallorcine-Le Poya ski pass -½ day
and daily rates:
½ day - €8 children, €10 adults
Day - €12 children, €14 adults
Mont Blanc Unlimited-½ day
and daily rates:
Day - €44 children, €52 adults
Vallorcine Ski
Schools
PRE-BOOK* your GROUP SKI/BOARD LESSONS WITH PR
Please note that a booking fee of £9 per
party will be charged
Group Ski Lessons
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Ski School
ESF Vallorcine Prices 2011/2012
Ski School only
(lift pass not included)
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- SKI - *
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Adult
(13+yrs)
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Children
(6-12yrs)
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Kindergarten
(3-5yrs)
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5 half days
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£127
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£117
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£117
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6 half days
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£127
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£127
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n/a
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KIDS CLUB- ski lessons + lunch + garderie
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Adult
(13+yrs)
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Children
(6-12yrs)
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Kindergarten
(3-5yrs)
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6 half days
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/
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£214
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£214
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6 days
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/
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£271
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£271
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- SNOWBOARD - **
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Adult
(13+yrs)
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Children
(9-12yrs)
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Kindergarten
(4-6yrs)
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5 half days
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£127
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£117
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n/a
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6 half days
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£127
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£127
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n/a
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Times and
Schedules
(ALL TIMES TO BE CONFIRMED,
SUBJECT TO CHANGES).
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SKI: Adults (5 sessions,
Monday-Friday)
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AM – Mornings
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PM - Afternoons
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All season
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09.30-12.00
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OR
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14.15-16.45
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* SKI
: Children (6-12yrs) (5 or 6 sessions,
Sunday/Monday-Friday)
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AM – Mornings
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PM - Afternoons
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All season
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09.30-11.30
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OR
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14.15-16.45
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* SKI
: Kindergarten (3-5yrs) (5 or 6 sessions,
Sunday/Monday-Friday)
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AM – Mornings
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PM - Afternoons
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All season
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09.30-11.30 (3-5yrs)
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OR
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14.15-16.15 (4-5yrs)
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**
SNOWBOARD: Adults & Juniors (9-12)
(Sunday-Friday):
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AM – Mornings
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PM - Afternoons
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Beginners–All season
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09.30-12.00
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Not available
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Other Levels–All season
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Not available
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14.15-16.45
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Please note that 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 (18/12-2/1, 13/2-13/3 & 9/4-24/4) 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.
Vallorcine Individual
Tuitions
(11/12 prices, NOT
pre-bookable)
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Duration
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Cost
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1-2 pers*
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1hr
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48€
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1-2 pers**
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2hr
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88€
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* + €5 per person suppl.
** + €8 per person suppl.
Individual
tuitions can only be purchased directly from the ski
school. Peak Retreats cannot pre-book
these.
Gare de la Télécabine
74660 Vallorcine
Ski school contact
number:
Tél : +33 (0)4 50 54 61 67
contact@ecole-ski-vallorcine.com
Vallorcine Ski Hire
Ski hire in Vallorcine prices start from £37
for children (skis and boots) & £54 for
adults (skis and boots) for 7 days. View
here for Vallorcine ski hire prices
Mountain restaurants
Various
Ski in Vallorcine Off-Piste
Le Tour in the Domaine de Balme has some of the best
off piste in the valley. Do take a guide with you
though; as comes with the territory of off-piste
skiing the conditions can be dangerous and avalanches
are frequent in this area.
Ski in Vallorcine Cross country
In the centre of the village.
Tel: (+33) 4 50 54 61 09
Open every day from 9 am - 12 noon & 1.30 pm -
5.30 pm.
10 km of cross country pistes starting from the foyer
or Le Buet. For beginner & intermediate skiers.
Snowshoeing in Vallorcine
At Balme there is now a
snowshoeing trail which departs from the top of the
Vallorcine gondola, direction Les Posettes.
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