Other resorts in the Chamonix Valley
Les Houches:
This place is radically different from the other resorts because of the
altitude it is situated at. The highest point is les Prarion, which is
lower than the start of the bottom of pistes at La Flegere (1900 something).
This gives you a completely different type of snow and skiing environment.
The skiing can only be described as "american": artificial snow, skiing
among the trees, and sometimes (if you're lucky) good fun skiing.
Les Houches has completely cut itself from the Chamonix Valley system, so if you
buy a skipass, you cannot ski here...bummer. This was done apparently to make
the passes cheaper at les Houches. Since the break-up, many improvements have been
made to the pistes.
Unfortunately there is only one black here (oddly enough called "La
Verte"), yet it isn't REALLY a black except for the top portion, where there
is a wall that can be quite challenging if you take it at its steepest angle.
Les houches is good fun if nothing else is opened (e.g.: in Feb 99 when so much snow fell). Be careful though, the snow is often icy and
even though it's not high up, you rarely get much sun due to the exposure of the mountain...brrr!!
It also held the 1995 World Cup, so it can't be ALL bad (even though they should
have done it in the Grands Montets! Some off-pistes possibilities, and very good cross-country skiing
pistes between the trees!
Le Col de Balme:
This is also different from the others. This is the easiest resort Chamonix has to offer. No black pistes, no moguls, only one chair lift, the others being "tires-fesses...
This is where you go when you're tired. It is (almost) always graced by the sun
which makes the snow very slushy, or "gros sel".
Too relaxed for me, but great for the tourists.
You also have a great view of the valley
and of the glacier du Tour, a huge menacing glacier that appears as if it is going to
come down on you any minute...reassuring or what!
Fun for beginners...Great if you're in urgent need of a tan!
There is a new lift at the back of Le Tour which descends into Martigny. These new pistes
are huge, but I still haven't tried them in good snow conditions. The off-piste
possibilities seem endless, so this piste might make the trip up to Le Tour
worthwhile!
This resort is very good for budding and expert snowboarders as the pistes aren't
too steep and there are many natural half-pipes (fun even if you're skiing!).
Le Glacier des Bossons:
I've finally visited this resort for the first time. It's actually better than I thought.
It's bigger than Les Planards (see below), and the pistes are quite interesting. There might
even be some good off-piste in the trees (the snow wasn't good enough when I went to try it out!).
It also stands under
one of the fastest moving glaciers in Europe: the Glacier des Bossons. Apparently it also boasts some
night skiing! Brrrr...
Off-piste? Not exactly. Nice picture though.
Last and least:
Les Planards (aka: les Nanards):
This is a two run "resort" in the valley. There is always a lot of people (see picture above!!),
the snow is artificial, and the pistes aren't very varied. I go there only if it's
the only thing that's open, or if I want to go snowboarding...nuff said! Much appreciated when it's
the only thing that's open though! There's bobsledding here in the summer, and it's hilarious...so we forgive Les Planards for being there...almost.
Back to Main Page |
This page is hosted by
