Lifts & Terrain
Skiing ChamonixChamonix has eight different ski resorts including
Les Grands Montets,
Brevent-Flegere,
Le Domaine de Balme, and
Les Houches. For beginners and children there are four skiing areas in the Chamonix Valley that offer exclusive slopes for novices: La Vormaine, Les Chosalets, Le Savoy and Les Planards.
Vallée Blanche
The infamous Vallee Blanche (3,842m-1,035m) is a long off-piste (ie not marked or patrolled) skiing route on glacial terrain, only to be undertaken if weather conditions allow. The standard route (voie normale) is suitable for advanced skiers or strong intermediates when snow conditions are good, and it is strongly recommended to do this skiing odyssey with a high-alpine mountain guide. Access is via the Aiguille du Midi cable car, 20 minutes from the Chamonix centre (advance bookings recommended).
Boasting the world's largest lift-served vertical descent of 2,807 metres, the Vallee Blanche (White Valley) is an amazing experience not to be missed. During the 20km journey you ski through huge seracs, towers of ice, and past spectacular crevasses. If there is adequate snow you can ski down to Chamonix, or alternatively finish at the Montenvers railway terminus.
Chamonix Off-Piste Skiing
At the risk of stating the obvious, off-piste skiing is dangerous. Off-piste skiing generally involves glaciers and comes with all the accompanying risks (eg. crevasses, avalanches, ice pinnacles). If you are free-riding off-piste or mountain skiing take appropriate safety equipment including an avalanche beacon, shovel and snow probe. The International Emergency number from any mobile phone is 112.
For useful information before going into the mountains,
L’OHM (Office de Haute Montagne / High Mountain Office) centralises all information concerning weather conditions and safety in the mountains.
Chamonix Ski Passes
Prices vary according to the lift pass you choose. There are three main lift passes (not including residential or pedestrian) namely “Chamonix Le Pass”, “Mont-Blanc Unlimited” and “Skipass Mont-Blanc”. There is the choice of buying consecutive or non-consecutive days for adults, children, seniors, and families.
No more waiting in line! Chamonix now uses an electronic “hands free” ski-pass system to operate the turnstiles. The Hands Free Badge costs €3 which will be refunded when you return the badge (unless you want to keep it as a trophy!). The majority of ski passes are available via the internet. You can buy via the web for the day itself (recharging a badge). You can buy a badge online – the charge badge will be sent to your home address (takes around 8 days) or can be picked up from the central cash desk (takes 24 hours).
The “
Chamonix Le Pass” is for good quality pistes in a controlled safe terrain up an altitude of 2,700m. If you generally prefer to stay on the groomed runs or venture off-piste within a secured area, then this is the pass for you. The “Chamonix Le Pass” gives access to all of Chamonix’s ski areas; Les Grand Montets area (excluding the upper Lognan / Grand Montets lifts), Brevent-Flegere, Domaine de Balme, and lower down La Vormaine, Les Chosalets, Le Savoy, Les Planards. Access to the upper Grands-Montets cable car costs €10 and a reservation is required. The daily rate is approximately 40 Euros.
At roughly a 30% premium to the standard “Chamonix Le Pass”, the “
Mont-Blanc Unlimited” pass allows you to discover the diversity of all the ski areas in the Chamonix Valley as well as access to Italy and Switzerland. If back country exploring is your thing and you want the maximum variety of terrain available, look no further! In addition to areas accessible with the “Chamonix Le Pass” (see above) you can also access the upper Lognan / Grand Montets area, Aiguille du Midi and Helbronner cable car, Montenvers train & Tramway du Mont Blanc, Les Houches ski area, Courmayeur ski area & Funivie Monte Bianco (in Italy) and Verbier & the Four Valleys (in Switzerland). Reservations are still required in order to enjoy access to the upper Grands-Montets area. Cost is around 50 Euro per day.
You may exchange the Chamonix Le Pass for a Mont-Blanc Unlimited pass by paying the difference between the two.
“
Skipass Mont Blanc” provides unlimited access to all ski resorts of Pays du Mont-Blanc: Chamonix (Grands Montets, Le Tour, Brevent/Flegere, Planards, Savoy, Les Chosalets, Aiguille du Midi, Montenvers Train, Tramway du Mont Blanc), Combloux, Cordon/Sallanches, Les Contamines, Les Houches, Megève, Passy Plaine-Joux, Praz sur Arly, St Nicolas de Veroce, and Saint-Gervais. In order to make the most of 500+ kms of piste covered on this pass, you need to have a car as the individual ski areas are not easily accessed from Chamonix by public transport. You can buy 3-7 day versions of this pass as well as for the full season. Prices start at around 165 Euro for 3 days.
Chamonix Ski Resorts for Beginners and Children
For complete novices and beginners, Chamonix Valley has four skiing areas with slopes dedicated for those on the “L” plates.
La Vormaine ski area is situated next to the village of Le Tour at the foot of Charamillon on the Balme ski area. Very sunny and with plenty of snow, this area is ideal for beginner and intermediate skiers and boarders. The ski kindergarten is run by the ski school.
Les Chosalets is a vast slope that’s ideal for beginners and children. It’s situated at the entrance to Argentiere, 500 metres from the start of the Lognan / Grand Montets cable car.
Le Savoy is right in the centre of Chamonix Valley at the foot of le Brevent. Supplemented with snow-making facilities, this area is a favourite for the kids with two drag lifts and a ‘magic carpet’ conveyor belt lift. The ski area also has a ski kindergarten.
Les Planards is two minutes from the Chamonix centre, just across from the Montenvers train station. Les Planards is the largest area for beginners and children – it even has a children’s park. With 41 snow cannons, snow is guaranteed all winter long. This area has a restaurant, sun terrace and free parking.
Domaine de Courmayeur
Domaine de Courmayeur (1,224m – 2,624m) is on the other side of the Mont-Blanc tunnel in Italy, and offers numerous possibilities for skiers of all levels. Its 26 pistes are spread over two mountain sides, one of which offers tremendous forest skiing. Courmayeur offers a great addition to your ski week in the Chamonix Valley. With a much slower pace than that found in Chamonix, often the most difficult challenge you might encounter is to hunt down a deck chair to soak up the beautiful Aosta sunshine. The Mont Blanc Unlimited ski pass covers the Courmayeur ski area.