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ski les houches
Les Houches has it all - long descents through the pine and larch forests, off-piste mountain exploring, downhill,
cross-country, telemark and ski-jumping, all within view of the spectacular, panoramic peaks of the 'Aiguilles de Chamonix'.
Les Houches is the training ground of choice for the French National Ski Team and the famous 'Kandahar' black run has been the site
of the World Downhill skiing championships for the last few years - this piste also ends just 20 yards from the apartment!
The Winter Ski Season is from mid December to mid April:
     
       
   
In Winter

Large numbers of green, blue and red runs make Les Houches ideal for families and children, beginner and intermediate levels of skiing.
However, for the more advanced, there is some of the best powder tree skiing in the Chamonix Valley and Les Houches boasts the World Cup downhill run
on the area's black run ' La Verte du Kandahar' (considered by some of the greatest names in Alpine skiing as the most beautiful downhill piste in the world).

Les Houches extends from an altitude of 950 metres to 1900 metres. The skiing is extremely diverse and great for all abilities.
Skiiing is assured as, when necessary, artificial snow from 67 snow canons covers 19 hectares.
This provides an excellent setting for ski school which is located next to our apartment. Try esfleshouches.com or evolution2.com.

Click the image of the piste map below to see a larger view of the Les Houches piste map:

view piste map
  • 1 international black run
  • 12 red runs
  • 5 blue runs
  • 4 green runs
  • 1 cable car
  • 1 bubble lift
  • 4 chair lifts
  • 12 drag lifts

We find there is plenty of skiing for a week but for more skiing the Chamonix and Argentiere lift systems are only a ten minute drive up the valley.
Have a look at the piste maps on Compagnie du Mont Blanc for views of the various skiing areas in Chamonix Valle including:

  • Le Tour, aka Domaine de Balme (Beginner / Intermediate skiing)
  • Les Grand montets (Challenging skiing)
  • Brévent-Fréyère (Panoramic skiing)
  • Vallee Blanche (Challenging skiing)
View a detailed piste map of the whole area here.
Ski rental prices

There are numerous ski hire shops available in the immediate vicinity of the apartment. However, we have a link with the Intersport shop
directly opposite the front door to the apartment. They will give you a discount of 10% in French holidays and 20% out of French holidays.
Next door to the apartment 'Francis' ski hire is run by charming people who will also give 10% discount with a little prompting.

Useful Links

Check out the Les Houches tourist office or the snow-forecast website for current snow conditions in Les Houches -
why not have a look on the Bellevue webcam through ski-leshouches.com.
For current snow conditions in the Chamonix valley see the snow-forecast website or the chamonet website.
Ski lift pass prices and more information about the skiing in Les Houches.
Graham McMahon is a British international mountain guide. Based in Chamonix all winter for off-piste skiing and ski tours for all abilities (Tel: +44 1286 870642).