The world-renowned resort of Chamonix offers visitors a chance to try their hand at many winter activities, skiing and snowboarding being the most popular. Due to the excellent choices of skiing and snowboarding areas in Chamonix and the surrounding areas, expert skiers and snowboarders are drawn to the area to experience glacial skiing and cruising through the tress. However, that doesn't mean to say that Chamonix is only suitable for expert skiers, it is in fact a very beginner-friendly area. There is a choice of nursery slopes, schools to provide lessons (both private or group) and many equipment hire shops that can offer excellent advice in English about the correct equipment and the best areas to learn. Due to the number of schools and hire shops in the area, visitors will find that the prices are fairly competitive.
Skiing Areas:
There are 5 main skiing areas in and around Chamonix including the legendary Grands-Montets, Le Brevent and Vallée-Blanche which boast some of the best skiing trails you can ever dream of. If you add off-pistes possibilities, the domain is more than 30,000 acres of ski-able terrain, which means you won't have to descend the same piste again and again. There are 49 lifts both north and south exposed with 9,000 feet of vertical at your disposal. The ascent to the slopes gives skiers an opportunity to see some breathtaking views.
Les Grands Montets
Les Grand Montets or Argentiere is one of the world's most renowned ski areas. Sitting high above the town of Argentiere on the southern side of the valley. Grand Montets offers a staggering vertical drop (2023m) with a great variety of terrain, the best northerly aspect and generally the best snow. A new high-speed 6 seater lift has improved the ascent of skiers; and the snow making facilities has made skiing to the bottom possible even at the end of the season. For beginners Les Chosalet area on the valley floor is a good place to start and practice. However, the upper slopes at Grand Montets are for those who are confident on blue slopes and above. There is a good number of blue and red runs for intermediate skiers and for the more adventurous the Bochard bubble lift opens up a whole new world of skiing either down the front or down to Le Lavancher. Some of the best skiers in the world take advantage of the best tracks here that have everything - steeps, bumps, off piste, jumps, drop offs, fast pistes, narrow couloirs etc. With a separate ticket strong skiers can enjoy the glacial skiing at the top of the Grand Montets. Snowboarders will revel in the free riding heaven they will find here.
Le Brevent
Easily accessible from Chamonix town and the village of Les Praz, Le Brévent is situated on the northern side of the valley directly above Chamonix'. The southerly aspect ensures Brévent has lots of sunshine and spectacular views of the town and across the valley to Mont Blanc and the Aiguille du Midi. Brévent has something for all levels of skier and boarder, even a cable car link to La Flegere. Beginner skiers will find an excellent choice of blue and green runs, even further up the mountains, which is great for building confidence. The Intermediate skiers will find a brilliant choice of blue runs and a large number of red runs from the Col Cornu triple chair. There are plenty of off piste runs for the advanced skiers and some of the best steep skiing in the valley. There is also a new black piste, which runs to the valley floor and opens up some great gulleys to ski in fresh snow. Snowboarders, both beginners and advanced will keep themselves entertained at Brevent with a good number of blue and red runs which can be accessed by the quad which means no negotiating drag or tow lifts.
La Flégère
La Flégère sits above the golf course and the village of La Praz on the northern side of the valley. It has good skiing for all levels and is the starting point to some of the valley's best ski touring. Like Brevent, to which it is linked, Flégère enjoys more than its share of sunshine and it is popular with those seeking a tan or some warmth on the colder days. The views from Flégère over the Mer de Glace are jaw dropping. Beginners will find a good variety of green and blue runs, some below the tree line, which is good for the unclear days. Flegere is a great place to explore for Intermediate skiers, as the majority of pistes are blue and red. The Crochues red run from the top has been described as "intermediate heaven". Although there are not a great deal of choices for Expert skiers, Flegere does offer some good black runs from the top of the mountain. Flegere is often forgotten by the Expert skiers, which means while crowds are queuing at Les Grand Montets, there are fresh tracks to be skied. Flegere is an excellent place for Snowboarders as the natural terrain is like a snowboard park, which makes it one of the favourite places to board in the area.
Le Tour
Le Tour sits at the top of the valley and is the furthest drive from Chamonix but is well worth the visit. Le Tour offers some of the best skiing in the valley when the weather is bad. Le Tour is the best option for Beginners in the area; and most of the ski schools hold their lessons at Le Tour. It has three button tows and the largest blue and green open area runs in the valley. It also boasts one of the most scenic blue runs of the valley, which is above the mid station. Intermediates will be able to boost their confidence at Le Tour as there are nice open runs and a variety of gradients, perfect for practicing techniques. The recently opened gondola on the back of Tet du Balme has given advanced skiers faster access to some of the best tree skiing in Chamonix. There is also the option to ski east through a tree run to the village of Trient in Switzerland and catch the bus back. There are good opportunities to learn to snowboard here; and the more advanced boarders can head into the trees with the skiers.
Aigulle du Midi
Aiguille du Midi is the starting point of one of the most famous descents in the skiing world, The Valley Blanche. The epic ski route is 17kms long and takes you from an altitude of 3841 mts back to the town of Chamonix (1048 mts). It includes some of the most stunning alpine scenery in the world. One of the main attractions of this descent is that you do not have to be an expert skier to undertake this route. An intermediate skier who is comfortable on a red run would be able to do this as long as they were fit enough to do a full day of skiing. Snowboarders would also be able to execute this must do run as long as they are comfortable boarding on flat sections. By many this is considered one of the most incredible skiing days that you can have, which explains why people return year after year to see the ever-changing glacier.