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Winter Sports
Skiing and Snowboarding | Off Piste
Cross Country Skiing | Ice
Skating
Ski/Snowboard & Equipment Rental
Ski Pass | Ski
School
Skiing and Snowboarding.
Come to Chamonix and enter one of the most spectacular mountain valleys
in the world. Every ski area offers you a different perspective of Mont
Blanc, presiding over snow-capped peaks, blue-green glaciers and rocky
“aiguilles”.
Whether you are pausing piste-side, sitting on a chairlift or relaxing
on the terrace of a mountain restaurant, the surrounding views are quite
literally breathtaking.
The skiing is a bit special too! Just two minutes from the back of the
hotel past the ski hire shop is the Flegere cable car which gives
access to the whole Flegere/Brevent ski area. Skiers and boarders
alike will find a variety of cruising terrain of an intermediate standard
on sunny, south-facing slopes. The Charles Bozon piste from the top of
Le Brevent is a must for any self-respecting skier, while beginners and
the less experienced will find a number of gentler slopes to tackle during
or after ski school. At lunchtime the Michelin-listed “Bergerie de Planpraz”
is not to be missed.
Le Tour/Col de Balme at the head of the valley, skirting the Swiss
border provides an excellent area for beginners at La Vormaine. Its natural
bowl is a snowboarders’ paradise, offering wide-open blue and red runs
and some north-facing tree skiing served by a new lift down towards Vallorcine.
What can be added to what has already been said about Les Grands Montets,
high above the nearby village of Argentiere. Set beneath the 4,000 metre
Aiguille Verte, the top cable car takes you all the way to 3,275 metres
(nearly 11,000 feet high) onto the Pointe de Vue piste, amid one of Europe’s
most dramatic glaciers. Renowned for offering some of the most thrilling
off-piste skiing anywhere in the Alps, the powder hounds will find bumps
and jumps galore and the snow-park with half-pipe sponsored by Salomon
is heaven for boarders. In this sensational setting, perfectly groomed
pistes with snow cannons all the way back down to the bottom at 1200 metres
virtually guarantee you day after day of total hedonism. Make sure to
take time to stop for an al fresco lunch at the Chalet de Lognan.
Les Houches, home to La Verte-Kandahar, the World Cup Downhill
run, although not available on the Chamski lift pass, offers great opportunities
for tree skiing with good snow-making facilities.
Last but not least, the jewel in the crown! Book a guide to take you to
the top of the Aiguille du Midi and from the awesome height of
3,842 metres (over 12,500 feet up), ski the legendary Vallee Blanche
some 23 kilometres of glacial skiing for confident intermediates all the
way down to the valley floor when snow conditions permit.
Off Piste.
Our close links with the Association Internationale des Guides du Mont
Blanc (AIGMB) enables us to put together a number of off-piste programmes
to suit every requirement. A meeting with your guide in our sports bar
on Sunday evening marks the beginning of your mountain adventure. Whether
you fancy carving the first tracks in fresh powder on the Pas de Chevre
or exploring parts of the Mont Blanc Massif on both the French and Italian
side, the camaraderie of the challenge will quickly bond your small group
together. Take a picnic in your rucksack (the hotel will prepare these
to order), and get ready to enjoy an unforgettable ski experience.
You may prefer to enrol on a ski mountaineering tour using special ìskis
de randonneeî, enabling you to walk uphill to discover high mountain solitude
amid perfect snow conditions with a maximum emphasis on safety. Prices
depend on the length of course, size of group and equipment required;
whatever you choose, you are sure to want to come back for more.
Snowshoeing, heli-skiing in Switzerland and paragliding can also be arranged.
Cross Country Skiing.
The resort offers around 60 kilometres of ski de fond trails, split
into four main loops. There is an excellent cross-country circuit within
easy reach of the hotel at Les Praz de Chamonix and we can make the necessary
arrangements for you to join other groups of enthusiasts too.
Ice Skating.
Nearby there is an outdoor ice rink, which is open to the public depending
on weather conditions. Ice hockey matches are regular features, and Chamonix
is one of the leading teams in the National League. At the Richard Bozon
Sports Centre there is an Olympic indoor skating track as well.
Ski/Snowboard & Equipment Rental.
Skis, boards, telemark, snow-blades or cross-country skis, all kinds of
boots and snow shoes from beginner right through to technical equipment
for advanced skiers and ski tourers are all available for hire from the
local sports shop.
Ski Pass.
There is no need to provide a photo to obtain a pass, as the system is electronic. If you are not already insured for winter sports, you should pay the supplement for insurance cover on the lift pass. The " Chamonix le Pass" gives all beginners and intermediate skiers access to most areas they will require. The more expensive " Mont Blanc Unlimited" pass in addition provides access to the Grands Montets cable car, the Aiguille du Midi cable car and the neighbouring ski resorts of Les Houches and Courmayeur in Italy.
Ski School.
The ski school provides half-day classes on Sunday afternoons and weekday
mornings with English-speaking instructors if required. Private lessons
can be arranged, generally in the afternoons. There are groups to suit
every level of ability, including children's ski school and crèche facilities
on a full or half-day basis.
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