There are 5 ski resorts near Chamonix one of the most beautiful resorts in the world with amazing chalets and hotels, high-end restaurants and easy access to the pistes.
This amazing winter sports area should be on every skier and snowboarder bucket list!
The area is world-famous for its off-piste skiing and freeriding, being prefered by many winter sports lovers who seek for a high dose of adrenaline.
In this article, I will tell you which are the 5 villages around Chamonix and what makes from each of these places the best holiday destination.
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Chamonix ski resort France
1. Grands Montets
Les Grands Montets is the largest ski resort from the area suitable to all categories of skiers.
The skiable area includes 3 major zones:
- the lower mountain area between 1.325 m and 1.975m
- mixed alpine terrain from 1.975 m to 2.765m
- steeper alpine terrain, which includes Argentiere glacier, from 2.765 m to 3.275m
The area is most suitable for experts and advanced skiers as the long and steep terrain might be challenging even for those ones.
The most famous black pistes are Les Pylônes and Point de Vue which starts from the top of the mountain, at an altitude of almost 3.300 m.
On the top of the mountain, on the south-western part is Aiguille du Midi, an extremely high peak with a total height of almost 3.800 m and beyond you can spot the beautiful Chamonix Mont Blanc.
Down in the valley, there are also a few slopes for beginners and 3 chairlifts which serve these pistes but the area is not so popular among beginners.
Where to sleep
Chalets Grands Montets is our choice for this mountain village.
The resort is made of three amazing chalets each named after owners’ kids: Estelle, Paul and Charlotte.
Each of the three buildings has a unique design based on children’s personality.
La Ferme d’Estelle is a typical mountain farmhouse with a lot of character, dedicated to those who enjoy the simple way of life.
L’Alpage du Paul is different; staying here makes you feel like you are staying in an Alpine pasture chalet at the heart of Mont Blanc Massif.
L’Atelier de Charlotte makes you feel inspired as it has a creative vibe like the one from an artist workshop.
2. Les Houches one of the best ski resorts near Chamonix
This cosy resort offers amazing panoramic views of Mont Blanc, great restaurants and many kilometres of slopes suitable for all levels of skiers.
The slopes are located at heights between 900 m to 1.900 m and are best places to practice for beginners and intermediates.
Les Houches have to main cable cars: one leaves from the centre of the village up to Bellevue and the second one goes from Les Chavants to Le Prarion.
Where to sleep
Chalet Hotel Du Bois Houches is our top choice when skiing in Les Houches.
With amazing views of Mont Blanc, this amazing hotel is located just 10 minutes walk from the centre of the city and 7 kilometres away from Chamonix.
Outdoor and indoor swimming pools, plus a restaurant serving Savoyard dishes awaits each day the guests.
Massage and mountain bike rentals are available at the property for an extra fee.
The hotel is famous for its warm welcome, friendly atmosphere and high quality of services.
Free shuttle to and from the slopes are available each day according to the scheduler.
Stay safe while you travel
- medical safety abroad
- medical assistance including COVID-19
- emergency medical evacuation
- trip interruption -up to $5.000
- travel delay - up to $100/day
3. Le Tour/ Balme
Probably one of the best Chamonix ski resorts France for beginners and intermediates is Le Tour/Balme.
The main ski area consists of 19 pistes out of which 11 are blue and 7 red offering many kilometres of pistes for ski passionates.
Most experts say that this is the best place to ski in your first day on Chamonix because this is the easiest part of the entire area.
New lifts and chairs have been installed in the area, so going up the mountain is quick and comfortable.
The pistes are exposed to the sun the entire day and you have a wonderful view of the Chamonix Valley from almost every corner.
4. La Flegere
One of the most interesting ski resorts near Chamonix is La Flegere, a place with a large number of pistes suitable for all types of skiers.
At the bottom of the ski area, there is beginners’ dedicated area which is accessible on foot from Chamonix centre.
In total, in La Flegere area re 55 kilometres of pistes serviced by 18 lifts located at altitudes between 1.030 m to 2.525 m.
In the area are 7 red pistes, 2 blue, 2 green and 3 black ones where experts can take their dose of adrenaline.
Most of the pistes are facing south, so you bath in the sun the whole day and have amazing views of the surrounding area.
Where to sleep
Boasting an awesome position overlooking the inspiring scenery of the Mont Blanc, Hotel Les Lanchers Flegere is our favourite choice when skiing around Flegere area.
The hotel is located in the heart of Les Praz village, 200 metres away from the Flegere cable car which connects Brevent ski domain with Flegere area.
At this hotel, you can enjoy the delightful village ambience of Les Praz de Chamonix with benefiting from all the amenities of Chamonix.
The on-site restaurant offers an a la carte menu, while in house guests can choose from half-board options or just breakfast.
The hotel’s bar serves a large variety of cocktails, while après ski offers are available each day.
These are the new essentials you have to pack for your trip
1. Hand sanitizer with 99.9% efficiency
2. Face mask with increased protection
3. Vaccine card and passport holder
10. First aid kit
5. Le Brevent
The closest to the Chamonix village of all Chamonix ski resorts France is Le Brevent.
In the village, area are pistes suitable for all abilities, but one stands out from all.
It is the black run known as Charles Bozon and goes from Le Brevent to Planpraz.
At the end of February, Le Brevent hosts the Red Bull Extreme Skiing competition on its steep faces.
High cliff jumps add to the excitement that attracts some of the world’s best “extreme” skiers.
Where to sleep
Facing the majestic Mont Blanc,Les Balcons Du Savoy Brevent is a 4-star hotel which welcomes their guests in an unforgettable scenery and high-quality services.
From studios to 4 room apartments, the spacious and comfortable rooms guarantee you great moments as family or couple.
Each living space is equipped with a large living room, a fully equipped kitchen and a lot of storage room to make you feel comfortable.
Some of the rooms are overlooking the Aiguilles de Midi and Mont Blanc!
When you get bored from so much skiing ( which I think is impossible) plan a trip to Mer de Glace, the largest valley glacier from the area and follow one of the hiking trails from the area.
Take the trail map from your hotel or from an info point and choose a hiking trail which gives you the opportunity to admire the beauty of the place.
And there is something else you should do before leaving the area: take the Aiguilles du Midi cable car and go on top of the world for a breathtaking view!
These are the best ski resorts near Chamonix which should be included in your travel plans for an incredible holiday!
Choose which one suits you best and book your holiday in advance as the place is very popular among winter sports lovers!
Book your accommodation
We always use Booking.com as they have the best price-quality ratio and they offer a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and villas to choose from.
You will find here all types of accommodations, from the cheapest ones to the most luxurious.
Don't forget travel insurance
We never leave home without HeyMondo Insurance or Safety Wings Insurance as they offer the best services and a good value for money.
When we go for longer trips around the world we get Globelink Insurance as it offers a good cover for an affordable price.
Travel insurance will always protect you against unexpected costs caused by medical events like illness, injury, theft, or travel cancellation.
We never go on any trip without travel insurance and there were many cases when we had to use it.
Renting a car
We like to explore a country on our own and a car gives us the mobility and freedom to do that.
We always rent our car from Discovercars as they have free cancellation 48 hours prior to starting date and a wide range of car rental companies and options to choose from all over the world.
Tours and attractions
When we are looking for some adventure or we simply want to break up the monotony and discover new places, we always use GetYourGuide.
We love it because we always find the most amazing experiences, with free cancellation and a large variety of activities and tours to choose from.
Airplane tickets and holiday packages
Expedia is our ally when searching for the best price for airplane tickets as it works as an aggregator for a huge number of airlines and we always find the best price for our flights.
Travel tip: use Expedia when you are searching for holiday packages as they have many last-minute offers and great discounts for hotels, flights, and even the whole holiday packages.