Chamonix is a skiing destination for the bucket list if ever there was one. This renowned ski resort was the host village for the first-ever Winter Olympics in 1924. Today, Chamonix is a lively ski resort with not only fantastic ski slopes but also great shops, restaurants and plenty of alternate activities if you need a break from skiing. The winter sport possibilities in and around Chamonix are endless - in fact, Chamonix has a multitude of ski areas to its name! In this article we give a quick overview of the different ski areas, along with our tips on mountain restaurants and great pistes.
Just two minutes from the centre of Chamonix lie the pistes of Les Planards. This ski area is beloved by families and beginners. Here you'll find two drag lifts, a 4-person chairlift (1249m) and a magic carpet. More than 40 snow cannons guarantee reliable snow cover all winter long at Les Planards. Don't forget to make some time to have a spin on the Chamonix Alpine Coaster during your time in Les Planards!
6 days: € 121 (adult)
6 days: € 109 (child)
Click on the piste map to enlarge
On the other side of Chamonix is the Savoy ski area, also an ideal spot for the first few times on skis. The Savoy ski area is easy to reach by foot from the village, and features two drag lifts and a magic carpet. There is also a children's area here where the kids can learn to love the snow. Once you've mastered the basics of skiing, it's an easy gondola ride to Brévent.
6 days: € 104 (adult)
6 days: € 88.40 (child)
Click on the piste map to enlarge
The Brévent-Flégère ski area has the largest selection of pistes at Chamonix, with something for every level of skier and snowboarder. The southern-facing pistes give a lovely view onto the legendary Mont Blanc. To get here, take the Brévent gondola from the centre of Chamonix, or the gondola from Les Praz (3km away). These two ski areas have been linked since 1997 by a 40-person cable car. In Brévent-Flégère, be sure not to miss the Nants valley run or the runs off the Cornu and Index chairlifts. Freestylers will want to check out the snow park on the Brévent side. There is also a speed run on the Flégère side where you can measure your speed and see how you stack up against your fellow skiers. Beginners will feel at home on the green pistes of the Funi 2000 mountain train. For lunch, we recommend stopping by La Bergerie de Plan-Praz.
1 day: € 42.40 (adult)
1 day: € 36 (child)
Click on the piste map to enlarge
If you're staying closer to Argentière and you've brought young kids along, you can't go wrong by skiing at Les Chotalets. There's no need to head up high into the mountains here: this practice area has everything the kids need to make their first tracks, including two drag lifts with runs perfect for practising turns. When they're ready to move up in the world, the gondola will take you to Grands Montets.
6 days: € 75 (adult)
6 days: € 62.50 (child)
The pistes of Les Grands Montets lie at an impressive altitude of 1235m and 3275m, meaning the upper pistes at least enjoy reliable snow cover. This challenging ski area can be reached via the 10-person Plan Joran gondola from Argentière. Once in Les Grands Montets, the ski area is divided into three parts: the Argentière glacier, Lognan and Pendant. This is a freeriding mecca and draws pro freeriders from around the world for its off-piste terrain. Our tips: the red Bochard piste and the Pierre à Ric valley run. For lunch, stop by the Chalet Refuge de Lognan.
The Lognan and Grands Montets gondolas were closed during the 2018/19 ski season due to a fire; hopefully they will open for next year
1 day: € 42.40 (adult)
1 day: € 36 (child)
Click on the piste map to enlarge
If you need to disconnect from the bustling atmosphere of the Chamonix village centre, head to the Le Tour (1462m) and Vallorcine (1264m). These two towns share a ski area that lies between Aiguillettes des Posettes, Tête de Balme and Les Autannes. Located almost at the border between France and Switzerland, the versatile ski area offers something for every ability level, plus incredible views of the surrounding mountains. The Autannes BMW xDrive slope at the Arve lift offers the opportunity to be filmed while you ski a slalom course. And don't miss the Alpage de Balme for some of the best Savoyard cuisine you've ever tasted.
1 day: € 42.40 (adult)
1 day: € 36 (child)
Click on the piste map to enlarge
Next to the bottom station of the Charamillon gondola in Le Tour you'll find the beginners' slopes of La Vormaine. Four drag lifts, two green pistes, one blue slope and a practice area provide the perfect conditions for learning to ski. There's also a nursery here, if you want to take off and ski at La Balme Vallorcine without the kids.
6 days: € 90 (adult)
6 days: € 76.50 (child)
Les Houches boasts amazing views of Mont Blanc and the Aiguille du Midi, with world-class skiing to match. Les Houches shares its slopes with Saint Gervais and the combined ski area reaches an altitude of 1900m. More than 100 snow cannons ensure reliable snow cover from early until late in the season on the 50km of ski slopes. Don't come to Les Houches without trying the notorious Verte World Cup slope, which is 3343m long and is in fact anything but green! Les Houches is a 10-minute drive from Chamonix.
1 day: € 44 (adult)
1 day: € 37.40 (child)
Click on the piste map to enlarge
It's the dream of every freerider: the mythical Vallée Blanche. From the Aiguille du Midi (3842m), an incredible 20km-long off-piste route leads back down to the valley. It's renowned for being one of the best off-piste routes in the world, with a vertical drop of 2700m. Off-piste skiing at the Vallée Blanche is only suitable for experienced freeriders in the company of a guide.
Single ticket: €50 (adult)
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
