Skiing in Chamonix-Les-Houches

Chamonix-Les-Houches is a very pretty ski station, with tree-lined, wide, well-groomed pistes, and a variety of delightful piste-side restaurants.

Maison Jaune really is ski-in ski-out. This means that anyone who can manage a snowplough can ski directly to and from the garden.

   

The Snow Coverage:
In Chamonix valley, the skiing ranges from 900 metres to 3840 metres!
This makes Chamonix Valley one of the highest resorts in Europe, and virtually guarantees snow!

Ski stations in Chamonix valley are even open until the first weekend in May!

The Les Houches ski station ranges from 1000 metres to 1900 metres.
There are also 110 snow cannons covering 23 hectacres - just in case!

Last season, 2006/7 - the worst season for snow in Europe - with the exception of 10 days, we were still able to ski the entire season from the chalet.

The Lifts:
With over 17 million euros spent in the last two years on the new 8-person high-speed cable car at Prarion, together with 3 new chair lifts opening this season, and an additional 6 million euro investment approved for 2008/9, Les Houches is the best kept secret in Chamonix Valley.

The new high-speed Prarion cable car is just 400 metres below us, and from the chalet you can gain access to 55 km of pisted ski runs. There are 26 ski runs served by 19 lifts.

The Pistes:
Les Houches is great for beginners and intermediates. The piste are wide, and well groomed, and offer a 360° panorama over the entire Mont-Blanc massif. There are delightful piste-side mountain restaurants, including a 250 year old savoyarde farm which serves the best vin-chaud in the valley.

• 2 black pistes (including the Chamonix world cup downhill run)
• 13 red pistes
• 7 blue pistes
• 4 green pistes
• 2 new beginners areas

Our video of Les Houches:
Please feel free to watch the ski video which we made at the end of last season, showing the skiing from the chalet, and the pistes of Les Houches.
It may take just a few moments to load...

Night skiing:
On Thursdays, there is night-skiing free of charge on the piste du Tourchet.
 

Ski Instruction:
We work closely with a number of English-speaking ski instructors and guides who we trust, and can recommend, and will gladly arrange private ski lessons or guiding.

Our instructors will pick you up from the chalet, and transport you to the most appropriate location for your ability.

For private ski lessons, (up to five people), the cost is approximately:
2 hours: 120 euros
Half day: 210 euros
Full day: 330 euros

In addition, there are also 3 ski schools operating in Les Houches: ESF, Ski Sensations and Evolution2.
 

   

Ski Hire:
There are approximately 10 ski hire shops in Les Houches, and we recommend one which in our opinion has the best prices and equipment which offers great service, and is perfectly located directly opposite the lift station.

We can pre-book your skis and boots for you to ensure minimum waiting times, transport you to collect your equipment, and advise you on the best choice of lift passes for your abilities. You can pick those up at the same time. If you desire, we can pre-book your ski passes for you.

We aim to get you on the piste with the minimum amount of fuss, and as soon as you desire.
 

Guiding and Ski Touring:
We can offer guiding by internationally qualified UIAGM High Mountain Guides. Whether you would like a day out on the Vallée Blanche, or to try ski touring to explore the untracked mountains, we can help.

A day on the Vallée Blanche will cost you 350 euros for your guide - who is available to you for whole day. So should you finish early, he can show you the best snow in some of the 'secret' routes in the Chamonix valley.
 

Heli-skiing:
Chamonix valley does not permit heli-skiing. However, just an hour's drive away, in either Italy or Switzerland, you can find some fantastic heli-skiing routes. We can arrange a day's heli-skiing for you with a recommended qualified guide.

The price for heli-skiing will vary according to where you go, how many drops you do, and how many are in your group, but for a group of five, the cost is approximate 250-450 euros per person.
 

Ice climbing / Avalanche awareness:
If you fancy trying something a little more extreme, we can always arrange a day (or half-day) Ice Climbing or learning about Mountain Safety and Cravasse Rescue. We will be very happy to arrange activities for you.

If you are interested, we advise you to contact us as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
 

Paragliding:
Leighton is an avid paraglider pilot, and will happily bore you to tears about it:  Be warned!
However, we can recommend some of the best tandems pilots in the Valley, should you wish to experience this amazing sport.

Approximate prices are 90 euros for a 20 minute flight.
 

Cross Country and Snowshoeing:
In Les Houches, there are pisted tracks for cross country: Classic or Skating, as well as paths for snowshoeing.
In addition, we can recommend loads of other really good places to go, both in the Chamonix valley, and just a short drive away.