Les Houches Ski Resort Chamonix France
As the home of the Kandahar World Cup skiing event, Les Houches ski resort offers a variety of long ski descents on picturesque tree-lined slopes with stunning views of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix valley.
A charming ski resort, Les Houches has managed to keep a traditional atmosphere largely intact. The slopes are dotted with superb mountain restaurants & alpine farm buildings. For one of the best mountain restaurant experiences in the Chamonix valley, try Les Vieilles Luges, located on the slopes in a 250yr old farm chalet.
Skiing & Snowboarding Terrain
The lowest elevation of the main Chamonix ski resorts, Les Houches is a good option in bad weather conditions due to the visibility and shelter afforded by its low elevation & tree lined slopes.
See the Les Houches ski trail map here.
With two distinct sides (Les Houches & St Gervais), the longest runs and best lifts are on the full 1000m vertical from the summits down to Les Houches. Aside from the world cup piste, there is little for advanced & expert skiers & snowboarders.
Les Houches is a perfect ski resort for beginners & intermediates with 90% of piste trails dedicated to them. For novices there are two short gentle slopes gloriously located at the top of both the Prarion gondola and the Bellevue cable car. The gentler & longer of the two is at the top of Bellevue.
Ski Lift Passes
The Les Houches ski resort has the cheapest ski lift ticket in the Chamonix valley and is NOT covered by the commonly purchased Chamonix Le Pass ski lift ticket. Les Houches is included in the expensive Mont Blanc Unlimited ski pass validity area, but if basing yourself at Les Houches, the local ski pass is better value.
Where is Les Houches France?
Les Houches is situated 8km south of Chamonix. Access to the ski resort can be via Les Houches or on the rustic & spectacular Tramway du Mont Blanc (TMB) from the St Gervais les Bains side of the mountain. The Tramway du Mont Blanc starts at the Saint Gervais - Le Fayet railway station just north of St Gervais les Bains. The tram journey takes about 1hr to the top of Les Houches ski resort at Bellevue where it terminates in winter. The TMB is included in the Les Houches ski lift ticket price.
The best airports for travelers heading to Les Houches & the Chamonix valley are Geneva (GVA) & Lyon St Exupery (LYS). A huge number of bus & train transport options from both airports to Chamonix exist. The bus is the cheapest & most efficient mode of travel.
Search & book train & bus tickets to Chamonix here.
For detailed information on the best ways to get to Grands Montets see our Travel to Chamonix page.
Les Houches Accommodation
Les Houches is a large village surrounded by numerous hamlets full of chalets & apartments, plus some hotels.
Search & book all Les Houches accommodation here.
The obvious alternative to Les Houches is Chamonix. If spending less time in the Chamonix valley and more time toward Megeve, St Gervais les Bains and its surrounded villages provides a useful lodgings location due to the access afforded by the TMB.
Search & book all Chamonix accommodation here.
Ski Rentals, Guiding, Lessons & Equipment
Ski rentals are available in all the Chamonix valley villages including at Les Houches adjacent to the ski lift base. Search & book ski or snowboard rentals for Les Houches ski or snowboard rentals for Les Houches here.
Any Chamonix experience is better when the magnificent off-piste terrain is explored. For off-piste skiing improvement or to access group freeride day tours & private guided skiing, see our Les Houches Ski Lessons & Guiding page.
If you need a new ski outfit comprising modern jacket, pants, gloves & googles, Chamonix (& Les Houches) is one of the French ski resorts served by a ski clothing rental company. Order online & your ski outfit is delivered direct to your accommodation at the resort.
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Review
The Powderhounds will review Les Houches in the near future. We skied three Chamonix resorts in 2019, but Les Houches missed out on the pleasure of our company. Stay tuned for our photos & insights.
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