Chamonix Ski Areas: All About the Ski Area
also see Ski Guides in Chamonix: Mountain Guides

Ski Areas in the Chamonix Valley

If you like challenging steep runs that seem to go on forever then Chamonix has got plenty to keep your legs working hard. Because the valley floor is low and the lifts rise to over 3000 metres there are plenty of possible runs offering 2000 or more metres of vertical. The largest amount of vertical is offered from the Aiguille du Midi, however the gradient on La Vallee Blanche is flat at times so it won’t offer you the high speed thrills that you’ll be looking for. From the dramatic glaciers and peaks of the Aiguille du Midi and Grands Montets to the gentle rolling slopes of the Domaine de Balme, each unique skiing area in Chamonix has something different to offer skiers and boarders. One thing's for certain, skiing in Chamonix is unlike skiing any other French resort. It's variety on and off the slopes are almost guaranteed to keep you sufficiently entertained during your stay. In summary, the differences between the two main categories of Chamonix ski area are:

Chamonix's different areas are linked by a regular bus and train system that is included with the price of your weekly or season lift pass.

Brevent & Flegere Ski Area Description

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 separate until lift systems linked them together in 1997 with the introduction of the Liaison cable car forming one larger area.

Les Grands Montets Ski Area Description

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.

Domaine de Balme (Le Tour & Vallorcine) Ski Area Description

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.

La Vallée Blanche

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.

Les Houches Ski Area

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.