Chamonix Mont-Blanc Ski Region

• Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is in the Haute-Savoie department, north of Mont Blanc.
• Chamonix lies between the Mont Blanc massif and the Aiguilles Rouges; the commune borders Italy and Switzerland.
• The five major ski areas are Les Houches, Brévent, Flégère, Grands Montets and Balme.
• Balme has access points at Le Tour and Vallorcine; Savoy is a separate beginner area in the town centre.
• Chamonix hosted the first Winter Olympic Games in 1924.
• The villages in the valley are spread out: make sure your accommodation matches the ski area you want to access.

When choosing an area, the location of the access point matters more than the collective name Chamonix. Chamonix is part of the French Alps and among France’s high-altitude ski regions.

Les Houches is at the end of the valley and offers access to an area at elevations of around 1,000 to 1,900 metres. Its wooded slopes and access via Bellevue or Prarion set it apart from the high-alpine character of the areas around Chamonix and Argentière.

Brévent starts close to the centre of Chamonix: the Planpraz cable car takes you to the south-facing slopes, with views of Mont Blanc. Flégère is reached by cable car from Les Praz, around three kilometres from the centre; a link from there continues towards Brévent. If you’re staying in Les Praz, this access point may be more direct than travelling to Chamonix in the morning.

Grands Montets is near Argentière and is known as a freeride area. It is better suited to visitors specifically seeking this alpine terrain than to those choosing accommodation solely for its proximity to the town centre.

Balme has two distinct access points: from Le Tour (Charamillon), broad, gentler slopes extend across the valley; on the Vallorcine side, the terrain is wooded and close to the Swiss border. Le Tour is eleven kilometres from Chamonix; Vallorcine is a destination in its own right. Staying centrally therefore means extra travel.

The small Savoy area in central Chamonix is a dedicated beginner area: two drag lifts and a magic carpet are ideal for first turns, and the run also connects to Brévent. For beginners staying near the town centre, it may be more practical than spending a whole day in a distant ski area.

Before booking, compare your specific location with the access point you actually plan to use. For access at Le Tour, the nearest stops are in Le Tour (bus) and Montroc (train); in Chamonix, the train station is about a twenty-minute walk from Savoy. Timetables, road conditions and opening hours change seasonally. Piste maps and information about ski lessons and lift passes are available from the ski information service for the valley. Planning your entire ski holiday means considering travel and accommodation as well as choosing the right ski area.