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Winter
The
ski area of Les Houches extends from an altitude of 950 metres
to 1900 metres. The skiing is extremely varied, providing enjoyment
for all abilities. There are 12 red runs, 5 blue runs and 4
green runs.
 In
addition there is an international black run 'la verte' located
next to the apartment, well known on the World Cup circuit.
Every winter, Les Houches hosts the Alpine World Cup (Men's
Downhill & Slalom).
Skiing
in Les Houches is a real pleasure. Many of the runs are long
descents meandering through pine and larch forests, set amongst
beautiful scenery. From the resort summit there is a breathtaking
360° panorama of the Mont-Blanc range. In contrast to the
other ski areas in the valley, Les Houches ski area offers a
tempting number of Savoyarde character restaurants. All are
perfect for taking in the views, topping up your sun tan, and
expanding your waistline!
When
necessary, artificial snow
coverage is assured providing snow from the summit of the ski
area right down to the foot of the village. In addition, the
'Tourchet' piste in Les Houches village, offers floodlit evening
skiing every Thursday.
The
ski bus is free to lift pass holders. The service connects all
resorts in the Chamonix valley providing access to 700km of
pistes. The bus to Chamonix takes 15 minutes from Les Houches.
 
Lift Passes
The
Les Houches ski pass is the local pass. For more information
check www.leshouches.com
 The
Mont Blanc Unlimited ski pass includes
all resorts in the Mont-Blanc region: Chamonix, Vallorcine,
Les Houches, Passy, St Gervais, Les Contamines, Combloux, Cordon,
Megeve, Sallanches, Praz sur Arly, Domancy and Demi-Quartier.
Info at
www.compagniedumontblanc.fr
The Mont-Blanc ski pass gives access to one of the largest playgrounds
in the Alps covering 14 resorts, 25 areas of slopes and over
200 lifts. Also covered is the resort of Courmayeur in Italy,
located on the other side of the Mont-Blanc tunnel - approximately
30 minutes drive from Les Houches. Courmayeur is a traditional
Italian mountaineering village. It is very chic, and one can
easily spend more time in the bars on the cobbled streets than
on the slopes!
 The
Vallee Blanche
Staying in the Chamonix valley also offers you the opportunity
to ski one of the most famous descents in the world, The Vallee
Blanche. Departing from the summit of the Aiguille du Midi (3790
metres), the route meanders for a length of 26 km back down
to Chamonix. The surrounding landscape is simply breathtaking
as you ski between huge ice walls, crevasses and seracs. This
trip is for skiers of intermediate level and above, and you
are strongly recommended to hire a ski guide. See
Links
Equipment Hire
Arranging
equipment hire is straightforward. There are a number of local
rental shops in Les Houches which offer every type of equipment
for all levels. Cyprien Sports have a wide range of rental equipment
and a well stocked sports shop. They offer our guests 10% discount
on all rental prices (see discount cards in our apartment).
Ski School
Ski school in Les Houches can be arranged through ESF
or through
Evolution 2. See Links
Childcare
Childcare
is also available within the village for children aged 3 months
to 10 years. The childcare centres are located in Les Houches
village (10 minute walk from apartment) or in Le Prarion (5
minute walk from apartment).
Apres
Ski
In
the evenings, Les Houches has a varied collection of restaurants
and bars only a short walk from the apartment. Generally, the
atmosphere is quiet and relaxed. Restaurants close to the apartment
include Bassilica and La Ferme des Agapes, both offering extensive
menus including local Savoyard dishes. Le Delice is a new restaurant/cafe
managed by an english couple - Katie & Fred - the food is
excellent. Le Delice is located in the village centre, opposite
the church. Hotel Slalom has recently been refurbished (Feb
06) and has a friendly bar with Satellite TV.
For
those who love the nightlife, Chamonix has discos, a casino
and numerous late opening restaurants and bars offering lively
and cosmopolitan entertainment. Recommended bars include The
MBC, La Terrasse, Elevation, Barred Up, Poco Locos and Chambre
Neuf.
Throughout
the year in Les Houches and neighbouring resorts are various
shows, concerts, sporting events and firework displays, which
add up to make a memorable holiday experience. Chamonix town
has a cinema, a mountaineering museum, a sports centre, swimming
pool, indoor tennis courts, squash courts, bowling and far too
many shops!
Other
activities
Les
Houches offers numerous alternatives to downhill skiing. These
include hiking, mountaineering, paragliding, cross-country skiing,
snow shoeing, dog sledding and ice-skating, climbing and canyoneering,
husky farms, hangliding, helicoptor rides etc.
Also
available are visits to the Forest Adventure Park, the Saint
Bernard breeding kennels and The Mountain Museum. Les Houches
also boasts an enormous indoor climbing arena, ideal for those
wishing to embark on a new sport!
A
traditional market is held in Les Houches village on Monday
mornings and in Chamonix town on Saturday mornings.
The
Mont-Blanc tramway is accessible from the top of the Bellevue
cable car
in Les Houches. The tram winds either down the mountain to St
Gervais and Le Fayet, or up towards the Mont Blanc summit, stopping
at the Nid d'Aigle at an altitude of 2400 metres. Throughout
the trip you can admire a succession of spectacular summits
in the heart of the mountains.
Tips
Les
Houches skiing
Recommended mountain restaurants: Le Vieilles Luges (don't go
away without sampling their hot chocolate!). This restaurant
also offers evening food on certain nights (advance group bookings
only), but initially involves a 25 minute stroll up to the restaurant,
and a short slide back home!
 Argentiere
skiing
It is worth making the effort and taking the Grand Montets lift
to the highest point - the views of the mountains (including
Les Houches) are amazing. The snow is always fantastic at this
altitude. If you want to get away from the self-service restaurants,
ski down to the small restaurant called Le Chalet-Refuge located
in exceptional surroundings overlooking the Argentiere glacier
ice-fall.
St Gervais / Megeve ski area
This is an immense ski area. Park at St Gervais village and
catch the Bettex lift to the ski area. Megeve town is also worth
a visit.
Courmayeur
Visit Courmayeur in Italy. Leave the apartment at 7.30am (grab
a croissant from the boulangerie en-route). In Courmayeur, park
car in car park located next to the main cable car and catch
the first lift up! Lunch at Christiana's or at Le Maison Vielle,
but also have a cappuccino (or a Bombadino!) at Dez Luna or
Zerrotta. Après ski at Bar Roma and finish with a stroll
down the main cobbled street and perhaps treat yourself to some
real spaghetti and parmesan cheese. A great day out!
Ski
areas in the Chamonix valley (via car or bus):
Aiguille de Midi, the world's highest cable car and starting
point for the Vallee Blanche: 10 minutes
Brevent and Flegere: 10 minutes
Argentiere and Grands Montets: 15 minutes
Le Tour: 20 minutes
Ski
areas outside the Chamonix valley (via car or bus):
Megeve and St Gervais: 20 minutes
Combloux: 20 minutes
Courmayeur, Italy: 30 minutes
Les Contamines: 40 minutes
Praz sur Arly: 40 minutes
Flaine and the Grands Massifs: 45 minutes
Les Gets and the Portes du Soleil: 45 minutes
Chatel and the Portes du Soleil: 1 hour 30 minutes
Morzine and the Portes du Soleil: 60 minutes
Trois Vallee: 1 hour 30 minutes
Verbier, Switzerland: 1 hour 30 minutes
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