self catered chalet & apartment accommodation for rent

les houches, chamonix valley, french alps

CHALET IN THE MOUNTAINS

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tel: 00 33 619 12 45 84

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all our chalets have

Ski areas of the Chamonix Valley, including piste maps, ski maps, resort maps and trail maps.

The Chamonix Valley is quite different from most of the high altitude French Skiing resorts.  There are no rolling open areas of uniform interconnecting ski resorts, but instead there are several individual and very different ski areas. And this is backed by some of the best off-piste you can find.  The result is variety.  In the Chamonix Valley itself there are 5 main ski areas, each one has its  own individuality and its own attractions and all are within 3 to 20 minutes drive of the chalets.  On top of that, there is the ultimate challenge of the Vallée Blanche.  But that's not to say beginners are forgotten.  Each of the main areas have easier pistes and there are several beginner slopes on the lower levels of the valley. But if that's not enough, twenty five minutes drive down the valley, there are other resorts such as Les Contamines and Megeve,  St.   Gervais, Flaine, Samoens, Les Carroz, La Clusaz, Le Grand-Bornand . Click here for a map of the Valley.

So, starting with the 5 main areas:

This ski area is the closest to the chalets and is a favourite with many of our visitors.  It has both wide open pistes and trails through the forest.  Although there are a few challenging pistes, the majority are not too difficult.  Good for the beginners to intermediates and ideal for the more experienced skiers to find their ski legs again.  Click here for a piste map.

La Flégère combines ski area altitude, snow quality, sunshine with spectacular views.  But also the big attraction to La Flégère is that its based in a big bowl, so its a favourite with snowboarders and is especially good after fresh snow with plenty of great off piste (not that we recommend going off piste without guide of course!!).  In recent years, the ski-able area has been substantially expanded so that much more of the mountains is accessible and there is more variety for beginners at the lower levels.  La Flégère is also favourite with non-skiers (or even lazy skiers) as it has a couple bar/restaurants with spectacular views directly opposite the Mont Blanc and a superb view of the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice glacier).  Click here for a piste map.

One of the more popular ski areas and is the closest ski area to the centre of Chamonix.  It has slopes with a good variety difficulty levels and, for the more experienced skiers, there is a spectacular cable car that takes you between two peaks.  There is also a cable car that connects with La Flégère.  Click here for a piste map.

Agrentiere/Grands Montets (1230m - 3300m)

Probably the most famous of the ski areas and certainly the most popular with locals.  The altitude and exposure of Les Grands Montets guarantees snow  quite late into the season.  The area is huge (covering 2800 acres) and from the top to the bottom you have a 2000m drop.  There is a good variety slopes of all levels, but Les Grands Montets is really best suited to the intermediate to experienced skiers.  Definitely a great place to go if you want to let rip.....  Click here for a piste map.

Domaine de Balme is right at the end of the valley sitting on the boarder with Switzerland.  Its a great place to take a larger group of skiers mixed abilities as there is a good mix of slopes from wide open slopes to tracks through the forests.  Its also popular with snowboarders with its natural pipe and some great gullies. There is also good off-piste ranging from wide open spaces to a reasonably steep drop through a forest.  There is also a good restaurant with an outdoor terrace and fantastic views down the valley.  Click here for a piste map.

La Vormaine

Located just next to the gondola lift at La Tour, there are three drag lifts that take you up three pistes of differing length and level.  At a altitude of 1462m, it normally has good snow late into the season.  There are also a couple of bars and restaurants close by.

Chosalets

Three pistes, each accessible by drag lift.  Situated behind the Grandes Montets cable car and overlooked by a bar/restaurant with a terrace. There is also a panda club for very young kids. 

Les Bossons

The largest of the lower ski areas.  Just 3mins drive from the chalets and has beginners slopes and green, blue as well as intermediate slopes: 1 red and 1 black. Skiing is accessible by drag and chair lifts. Les Bossons also has a system of flood lights for night skiing.

Le Tourchets

In the centre of Les Houches, just next to the ice rinc.  There are three pistes, one for sledging and two for skiing.  There are also 2 drag lifts which operate on two speeds, so it absolutely ideal for small kids and complete beginners.

Le Savoy

Several pistes, fairly close to the the centre of Chamonix, not far from the Brévent ski lift, with snow cannons and drag lifts, as well as a Jardin d'enfant (Kids' garden)

Les Planards

Close to Chamonix town centre (5 mins drive from the chalet), Les Pananrds has several ski runs adapted to every level : 2 green runs, 1 blue run et 1 red run. It includes a chair lift as well as drag lifs.  It also has snow cannons, to ensure that there is snow later into the season.  Theres also a good bar/restaurant which over looks the skiing area.

For lots more information on skiing, up to date snow reports and ski news have a look at j2ski.com ... just click on their logo.

Want to enjoy the thrill of the piste all year round or thinking about getting "ski fit" before your holiday arrive, than have a look at Realli Ski Centre who offers courses for all levels of skiers on the Realli Ski Simulators.

Daily weather reports for the Chamonix Valley, click here, courtesy of France Meteo

Direct links to the piste / trail maps