Chamonix Cross Country Skiing Areas

Get back to nature and explore tranquil cross-country trails at your own pace. Hire the comfortable boots and lightweight skis and poles from any hire shop, and book a group or private lesson to learn the basics. For those used to downhill skis, at first you feel precariously balanced and downhill sections are definitely more exciting on narrow skis with no edges. Once you have grasped the essentials, head off for the 75kms of the beautiful and tranquil cross-country trails which start in Les Houches (near Le Prarion lift), Bois de Bouchet (starting from Foyer du Fond), Le Praz (nr Flegere lift), Argentiere (entrance to town) and Vallorcine (starting point Tourist Office). In this activity, one can be as energetic or slow as one likes. Adrenaline factor: 2/10 Top tip: wear layers of clothing that can be removed as you warm up. Chamonet verdict: perfect for anyone who enjoys peace and quiet, or who finds the downhill pistes too crowded or too steep. Contact here or here See here for cross country piste maps

Cross-Country Skiing Areas in Chamonix

Traditional cross country skiing Skating style Known as 'ski de fond' in French, there are 58km of prepared cross country trails in the valley, situated in Les Houches, Bois de Bouchet (Chamonix), Les Praz, Argentiere and Vallorcine. Both the traditional (two straight grooves formed side-by-side) and skating (more energetic) forms of the sport are accommodated, usually side by side on specially prepared pistes. These trails all operate on a one-way system (for obvious reasons!) and you are required to purchase a special pass to access them before setting out. Passes can be bought from the cross country ski lodges at the beginning of the trails and they will be checked en route. The pistes are open from 9am - 5pm each day (snow cover permitting) and are maintained each evening. Walkers (and dogs) are requested to keep to the yellow marked pedestrian trails (which are free access) and not stray onto the marked ski trails. Les Houches - There are pistes at 1000m starting from just after Le Prarion lift (6km), and others at 1800m (10km). Bois de Bouchet - Trails start from the Foyer du Fond, situated on the main road to Les Praz/Argentiere (opposite the MBC bar) from where piste passes may be purchased. There is a 3km circular green route through the trees which links on to a further 17kms of more demanding blue and red graded trails. Les Praz - Starting from near the Flegere lifts try the long green circuit (6km) around the golf-course. Argentiere - The trails begin in Les Grassonets before you reach Argentiere itself (on your left on the way up the valley after the long avalanche protection tunnel). Look out for the tennis/squash courts. Near the starting point the trails are fairly flat greens or blues (6km) although if you carry on through to Argentiere there are steeper sections, classified red (10km). Vallorcine - The meeting point is by the Tourist Office in the centre of the village or at Le Buet, the village before Vallorcine. There are around 10km of trails through picturesque woodland and along the banks of the river “Eau Noire”. They are mainly blue and red classified pistes so suit beginner or intermediate skiers. If snow conditions permit, there is also a beautiful trail that will take you as far as the Col des Montets. Just outside the valley you can also go to Les Contamines, Les Saisies and Val Ferret (in Italy, via the Mont Blanc Tunnel) Mountain/Ski Guides Listings

last updated 1-Dec-2007