|
| Les Planards
and the Savoy area at the foot of the Brevent area, are popular for
gentle nursery slopes. Le Tour is tree-free, but as a rule, this
resort is not for beginners. If you must visit, head for the valleys-
the lifts at La Vormaine, Les Chosalets, Les Planards and Le Savoy are
fine for first-timers. The slopes on the south side of the valley can
be dark and cold in winter. The separation of beginner slopes from the
rest make lunchtime meetings of mixed groups impractical. Best to
learn elsewhere, and come to Chamonix with some experience. |
|
| The skiing is
divided into four areas. Lots of reds and blues to offer a varied
choice of skiing allowing you not to ski the same run twice! Start at
Le Brévent where a six-seat gondola to Planpraz for blue runs down to
Col Cornu before trying the moderately challenging reds down to La
Charlanon. The Col de Balme area above Le Tour is good for easy
cruising and usually free from crowds. The slopes of the separate
Prarion-Bellevue system above Les Houches are mostly gentle tree-lined
blue and reds, great for building confidence. A ride up the
Aiguille de Midi cable car, the highest in Europe is a must before you
go home. |
|
| Chamonix is
the off-piste capital of Europe. Head for the Grands Montets at
Argentiére. A magnificent mountain for experts offering steep, complex
and dramatic possibilities. Its accessible by an 80 capacity cable
car, at a supplement of €5 on your
lift pass. Climb 121 metal steps for the stunning view, before the 200
steps from the cable car to the skiing. Here you'll find long and
exhilarating ungroomed black pistes of Point de Vue and Ploynes.
The Bochard gondola serves a testing red and moderate
black. Go down the Combe de la Pendant bowl for wild unpisted
mountainside. |
|
| Known as the
free-riding capital of Europe. Offers plenty of varied terrain. The
terrain parks on the Signal piste has a tunnel and half-pipe |
|
|
8 cable
cars | 5 gondolas | 17 chairlifts | 20 drag lifts |
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click for larger image
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|
number of lifts
|
 |
| 50 |
|
uphill capacity per hour
|
| 52,660 |
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direction of slopes
|
|
N,E,S,W |
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summary
|
good
|
average
|
poor
|
|
nursery slopes
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off-piste / ski touring
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cross country
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snowboarding
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tree level skiing
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summer skiing
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children's facilities
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snow making facilities
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|
total length of pistes |
|
162km |
|
piste type and number |
|
easy |
|
39 |
|
intermediate |
|
25 |
|
difficult |
|
10 |
|
longest run |
|
24km (Vallée Blanche) |
|
number of snow cannons |
| |
|
mountain restaurants |
|
14 |
|
cross country trails |
|
42km |
| night
skiing? |
| |
|
number of ski instructors |
|
12 English speaking |
|
usual hours of instruction |
|
mon, tues, thu, fri for
beginners. 12-2 sun-thur for other levels. max 8 per class. |
|
photo required for lift pass? |
|
yes |
|
