Winter Holidays - Chamonix

Skiing/ Snowboarding in Mont Blanc

There is arguably no other mountain range in the world that offers as much extraordinary and accessible skiing and snowboarding in such a concentrated area as the Espace Mont Blanc. With 1100 square miles and breathtaking scenery the area crosses the borders of France, Switzerland, and Italy.

All levels and ages of skiers and snowboarders are catered for, from those who want wide, easy runs to the gnarly snowboarder who seeks the thrills of a snow park.

Espace Mont Blanc is a playground for winter activities for all types; cross country skiers, snow shoers hiking off into the beyond, going sledging with huskies, heli-skiing or maybe ski randonee.

The Chamonix valley is an amazing and wonderful place for snowboarding. This region is noted for its steep and high mountain terrain, It offers you spectacular domes, peaks, pyramids, needles, glaciers and bumps to ride. While Chamonix is world renowned as top destination for hardcore snow boarders it is also a great place to learn. The Chamonix valley actually consists of six snowboarding/skiing areas which are all accessible by a free bus service that won’t leave you waiting long to get to your favorite mountain or resort.


Located at the Grand Montets  is a new snowboard park. This park is equipped with a whole host of modern features such as rails, boarder cross courses and kickers. A half pipe is also being planned. If you plan on freesytle riding, then you need to see what La Flegere and Le Tour have to offer. 


Ski Passes

There are different options for ski passes in Chamonix, some examples of these are listed below. The Ski Bus is free with your ski pass. Photos for your ski pass are no longer needed in Chamonix unless you want to purchase a ski pass for more than 10 days.

Grand Montets

Situated in the picturesque valley of Chamonix, the Grand Montets ski and snowboard resort is the most popular as well as the largest of all the resorts in the region. The Grand Montets offers skiers and snow boarders a wide variety of options. Lift choices are either a detachable quad or a gondola.

Long exhilarating runs with perfect snow conditions and a spectacular vertical drop all the way down can be experienced. The mid station is an excellent place to take a break. As you arrive at the mid station, you will notice two small chairlifts over on the right side of the ski area. Make your way over to them, and you will find some more spectacular skiing and boarding. These runs will take you though the forest.

A halfpipe for snowboarders and skiers is also located near the mid station. The pipe has a nice long run down to the bottom. Argentiere has a reputation as one of the finest skiing and boarding areas in the world. This is due to its perfect location, right at the Grand Montets base area. It offers a vast amount of powder fields, as well as piste and off-piste skiing and boarding.
 

Le Brevent

Le Brevent ascends from the charming valley of Chamonix that lies below. For skiers and snowboarders who wish to reach the summit of Le Brevent, there are two options available. First, there is the 6-person lift which whisks them through the green forests at the base of the mountain up to the mid station. The second option is a large gondola. The summit offers a restaurant and also a snack bar and terrace areas from which to take in the most spectacular views from 2525m high of Mont Blanc, Le Buet and all of the snow covered mountains in the valley below.
 

From the summit of Le Brevent, weather conditions permitting, it is quite possible to ski or board from there and descend down all the way to the Chamonix valley. Which all makes for an amazing and unforgettable experience of descending down a total of 1500 metres of vertical drop.

The Col Cornu area of Le Brevent provides visitors with some great on and off-piste skiing, couloirs, and a very large bowl area which is ideal for boarders or skiers. On the opposite side of that bowl is a gondola that can take you to the La Flegere resort if you wish. The beginners area, located around the mid station area, is accommodating to all levels of skiers and boarders. This is because it features a variety of gentle slopes for beginners as well as slopes for the moderately experienced.