Chamonix Skiing Areas

Le Brevent and La Flegere (2525m) on the sunny south side of the Chamonix Valley are the closest skiing areas to Chamonix’s main town centre. Skiers and snowboarders are guaranteed to find something to their liking from the vast array of moderate, challenging and difficult runs from the top of Planpraz (Le Brevent), Cornu (Le Brevent) and Index (La Flegere) chairlifts. For many years these two areas were seperate until lift systems linked them together in 1997 with the introduction of the Liaison cable car forming one much larger area.

The combined area has rollers, couloirs, natural table tops and half pipes so there’s much whether you are a freestyle or an advanced skier there’s bound to be something that will keep you entertained for the day. Being south-facing these fairly high altitude areas tend to get plenty of sunshine with many opportunities for lunchtimes soaking up the rays at the various restaurants. Conditions often remain good on the slopes throughout the season with Brevent typically staying open until the end of April. This area is also home to our Chamonix Panoramic Webcam that offers spectacular views over the Chamonix Valley. ... see "Le Brevent & La Flegere Ski Area" for more

Les Grand Montets is situated above Argentière and with over 1800 hectares, is the largest of the pisted skiing areas in the Chamonix valley. In comparison to linked ski-systems across the Alps, the Grand Montets area isn’t huge but the sheer number of combinations of possible descents both on and off piste combined with the consistent steepness and difficulty of its slopes is one of the reasons why Les Grands Montets is a favourite with many skiers and riders in the valley.

Les Grands Montets has a reputation for offering some of the hardest pistes in Europe, and this is a reputation fully justified. Don’t be put off though, there are still long, wide slopes that can be attempted by daring beginners that suit an advanced skier just as well. There’s usually a board/skier cross park built here but if that’s not your thing, then there are plenty of runs to get the blood flowing with the Bochard and Lavancher bowl both lots of fun. Most of the area is above the tree line with large expanses of open terrain. The upper skiing areas are located on a glacier so you need to keep your wits about you when skiing there, but it is generally a fairly straight forward process to keep within the pisted markets and thereby avoiding danger. ... see "Les Grands Montets Ski Area" for more

If you are just starting out in your snowsports career and have heard that Chamonix is only for the hardcore don’t believe it: you will find the Domaine de Balme area (formally called Le Tour & Vallorcine) is perfect for you.

Le Tour with its rolling meadows in the summer is the gentlest of Chamonix’s snowy areas in the winter. It’s a mixed terrain that’s relatively rock free and where pistes tend to be wide cruisy blues or fairly easy intermediate reds. Being right at the top of the valley means that it’s the furthest ski area from Chamonix but it’s worth making the 20 minute journey up there either by car or the local free bus. The train ride to and from Vallorcine is a pleasant one however, the train doesn’t go directly to Le Tour and instead has a stop at Montroc, about 1km from Le Tour itself which therefore requires a bus ride to reach the main lift station area. From the top of the Domaine de Balme ski area there are some spectacular views across to the Emosson dam and down to Switzerland. For as much as it’s a great area for beginners, it also offers an expanse of off piste skiing and can be a great place to learn how to ski or board in powder as you can stay relatively close to the piste diving off when you feel confident enough to do so. ... see "Le Tour & Vallorcine (Domaine de Balme) Ski Area" for more

For many people, a trip to Chamonix would not be complete without skiing the famous Vallée Blanche off-piste itinerary run that drops 17km from the Aiguille du Midi to the Montenvers. Descending through some truly spectacular glaciated scenery, it is an experience never to be forgotten. However, IT IS NOT A PISTE and there is a steep descent down the arête with sheer drops on either side to be negotiated on foot before you can set off on your skis or board. If you have any doubt about your ability to ski on a glacier or what equipment you should have with you (and how to use it!) you should seriously consider hiring a local mountain guide. There is no shortage of guides in Chamonix and they will certainly add to the whole experience, ensuring a safe and enjoyable descent. ... see "The Valley Blanche" for more

Les Houches lies 6 km down the valley from Chamonix and its’ ski domain extends from an altitude of 950 metres up to 1900 metres. The skiing combines long descents through pretty tree-lined slopes, with amazing views of the Mont Blanc massif and the Chamonix valley. The area is certainly not the highest in the valley, and the snow here can be the first to suffer when the weather warms up, but its’ great advantage is that most of the skiing is through pine and larch forests. Not only does this make the skiing here more charming than the more exposed areas further up the valley, but the trees offer shelter when the winds are high elsewhere, and definition when the snow is coming down or during white-out conditions.

The pistes in Les Houches lie on grassy hillsides, so even if the snow is thin, there is small chance of scraping your skis or boards on rocks. The ski-out is generally open throughout the season thanks to the great snow cannon coverage on the sheltered lower runs, so no queuing for the gondola back down to the village – always a bonus! Even if you are not staying in Les Houches, you can access the area by taking the free bus (included in your lift pass) that runs from all the villages in the Chamonix valley to Les Houches. Les Houches is a great area for mixed ability groups, as the slopes at the top of the mountain range right through from green nursery slopes to the famous “Verte” black run used in the Kandahar World Cup skiing! ... see "Les Houches Ski Area" for more

With such a big ski area to explore, it's sometimes good to have a little bit of inside information… For your pleasure, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite places for challenging and steep runs, the places to go on bad weather days, and the nicest and sunniest spots for lunch. For those wanting to check out the off-piste, Chamonix also has vast areas which are easily accessible from the lifts. ... see "Where to go in Chamonix for..." for more