Le Tour & Vallorcine (Domaine de Balme) for Beginner Skiers

Skiing Areas in Chamonix

The Chamonix lift system consists of several distinct and very different ski areas high above a steep-sided valley where the town and its villages are located. Chamonix is often criticized for being 'disjointed' however this is perhaps a little unfair as it is the physical geography of the valley that largely dictates this situation whilst also giving each of the ski areas - Brevent & Flegere, Les Grands Montets, Le Tour & Vallorcine (Domaine de Balme), L'Aiguille du Midi / La Vallee Blanche and Les Houches - their unique character.

Domaine de Balme (Le Tour & Vallorcine) for Beginners

La Vormaine (1462m) at Le Tour has perhaps the largest and best beginners� area, which is served by three draglifts of varying length and speed for all levels of beginner. You�ll find this area located to the right of the car park just behind the Olympique hotel, which incidentally is the only restaurant here with the exception of the snack hut right at the bottom of the lifts. The ski area is very wide and flat giving beginners plenty of space to make progress without having to worrying too much about collisions. It�s usually a warm and sunny spot with views of the Le Tour glacier looming above giving complete beginners their first taste of the high mountains whilst being on a green run; there�s even a blue run to progress on to.

As it�s the highest altitude of all the lower valley slopes the snow is normally good to the beginning of April. Higher up the mountain Le Tour also has some better blue runs for improving beginners which are served by the Autannes chairlift. The terrain is gentle and not too steep with runs like Arve and Stade perfect for improving beginners working on their technique. At the end of the day it�s easy to take the Charamillon gondola back down to avoid the red Caisets run, which is the only one back to Le Tour.

last updated 11-Oct-2007