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READY, GO, SKI !

Renting Equipment

  • There are many rental stores in Chamonix.

 

  • The closest is really next door at the Rocky Pop Hotel Ski Shop (1476, avenue des Alpages, Les Houches).

  • An other preferred one is Intersport Rent just out of Chamonix after the main round-about. They have good and brand new equipment there.

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Skiing in the Valley

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  • All spots must be reached either by car or by bus (closest bus-stop at the bottom of Route de Taconnaz).

 

  • The Ski Pass is the same one for all ski spots (besides Vallée Blanche which requires extra cost for the Aiguille du Midi cable car and for a guide, either private or group one).

 

  • As ski passes can be easily reloaded (reloading machines), and as buying multi days does not provide any significant rebate, I recommend to reload the pass daily in order to accommodate with weather conditions. As well, note that 4-hours passes are proposed (instead of full day)

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  • Last tip, ski passes can be reloaded at the Rocky Pop Hotel (might avoid queuing).

Ski Spots
Image de Alex Lange

  • Les Houches: nice, next door, good for warm up and for family skiing. But elevation is limited to 1900m. Therefore, snow might be “so-so” for the bottom 2/3rd (icy early in the season or melted towards the end). Parking is a bit tricky there, so I recommend public buses to go there.

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  • Le Brévent – Flégère: I personally prefer to start from Le Brévent (parking and Gondola are just above Chamonix downtown) but both are fine. Fantastic sightseeing on Mont-Blanc. Facing south. So best spot where to ski early in the season. Taking the cable car to the top of Le Brévent is a must do. But beware that only one black slope can be found to ski downward from the top, the famous Charles Bozon ….

 

  • Les Grands Montets : 20mn away into the valley. Definitely the best playground for skiing and especially for off piste skiing. However, facing North … so, with limited sun exposure early in the season.

 

  • Domaine Le Tour – Balme - Vallorcine : 30mn down the road. Park at “Le Tour” (Closest from the Chalet). South facing. Nice and easy skiing, with just the right gradient for fresh powder skiing. If you like playful skiing through pine trees the place is for you…

 

  • Vallée Blanche:  a must do once in a lifetime. This is probably the most famous off piste ski run in the world. 22km of glacial skiing from the top of Aiguille du Midi (3842m) right into the town itself (when sufficient snow) … But must be skied with a guide (booking at Compagnie des Guides). Therefore, extra costs on top of your ski-pass. Not super difficult skiing although you must absolutely be at ease with deep snow skiing. It requires as well to be in good shape especially for the very end of the tour (not spoiling what happens there … ). You need as well to have off-piste skis and to bring necessary gear to piggy bag your skis (mandatory for the first 200m as shown below. Hand carrying skis is forbidden). Necessary piggy-bag / harness equipment can be found at Technique Extreme, 200 Avenue de l'Aiguille du Midi, Chamonix.

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  • And you can as well ski in Italy – Courmayeur. But requires to drive through the Mont-Blanc tunnel to reach Val d’Aoste

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