This information is intended as a rough guide. Please note that the areas change drastically depending upon snow conditions, the weather and the number of people in the resort.

Selecting the right area for the day and your abilities is the secret to getting the best out of the Chamonix Valley. Do not hesitate to consult www.compagniedutmontblanc.com or  phone the lift companies to ask for reports on conditions - particularly on days following a heavy snowfall or on very strong wind days, when lifts or areas may be delayed / closed or reduced. Only the tourist office can supply information for all ski areas - this info can sometimes be a little outdated though.

ARGENTIERE / LES GRANDS MONTETS Tel: 04 50 54 00 71

The largest and most challenging of all the areas. Usually offers the best snow conditions due to its abundance of North facing slopes. The piste skiing is challenging and somewhat limited, particularly if there is insufficient snow to ski down to the bottom. Lower intermediate skiers should leave this area until the latter part of their visit. Experienced skiers can benefit greatly by employing a mountain guide or instructor to show them the area for their first day here. The off piste descents (7,600 ft vertical) to Chamonix from the top of Les Grands Montets can be outstanding but are only for experienced skiers who due to the natural dangers and difficult navigation should be accompanied by a guide.

The best skiing is invariably off the pistes but beware of the crevassed areas that can be accessed from the top cable car . To use the top cablecar you must either have a Mt Blanc unlimited pass or to purchase supplementary tickets before entering the queue . It is possible & sometimes  necessary to reserve your place on the lift  at the ticket desks or www.compagniedutmontblanc.com. There is very limited tree skiing available in the case of bad weather; if the piste to the bottom is closed the tree skiing is exclusively off piste, is limited & difficult. In the early part of the season this area receives little sunlight and can be bitterly cold, ski the Brevent or Flegere in the morning (they receive more sunlight) then move to the GM. The four man chairlift offers a restful descent to the valley compared with queuing and standing in the cablecar if snow is limited on the lower piste.

BREVENT Tel: 04 50 53 13 18

This area offers a good variety of pistes and some discreet steep off piste. There is a small beginners slope which leads on to longer and fairly gentle slopes. This area works well for groups of mixed (lower) abilities as it is well exposed to the sun and has a good meeting point at the Snack 2000 restaurant that can be accessed by beginners. The only real pisted  tree skiing is on the piste back down to Chamonix - this often lacks snow cover &  can become very busy in the late afternoon; a  rather challenging ski for lower intermediates . Paragliders can be seen launching  from close to Snack 2000 . It is now possible for lower intermediate skiers to take a connecting lift to the Flegere ski area. During peak holiday periods there is often a lengthy queue to take the lift back down to Chamonix from Planpraz.

FLEGERE Tel: 04 50 53 18 58

The sunniest skiing in the valley with a slender selection of intermediate pistes but nevertheless a worthwhile area to ski. Higher intermediates will enjoy the off piste which is vast and with spring snow the conditions can be absolutely fantastic. Care should be taken when skiing the off piste as navigation can be complex and after new snow the rolling terrain can make for a high avalanche danger. During peak season it is advisable to take the cable car from the valley floor before 9 a.m. so as to avoid lengthy queues. Once up the mountain the lifts system works very effectively. Due to snow conditions it is comparatively rare to be able to ski down to the valley and the cable-car back down can become very busy in the late afternoon.  Lower intermediates can ski over to the neighbouring Brevent ski area.

LE BALME / LE TOUR Tel: 04 50 54 00 58

Wide open pistes and generally excellent snow conditions make this the easiest way to start your holiday or to learn a new discipline such as telemark or snowboarding. The area is at the head of the valley and is invariably exposed to the wind, it can be decidedly chilly even on a sunny day ! There are vast beginners slopes (La Vormaine) at the foot of the area which help to make this a good choice for mixed (lower) ability groups. A high speed quad chair-lift has opened a large area of pisted & off piste skiing on the North facing area descending towards Vallorcine. A gondola from Vallorcine village offers a convenient link to the train to or from Chamonix (Free upon presentation of the guest card / Carte d'hote).

LES HOUCHES Tel: 04 50 54 40 32 or 04 50 54 42 65

This area is extensive and the closest in the valley to Austrian style skiing with wide, predominantly easy pistes cutting through the forests. Complete beginners will struggle to find suitable slopes, advanced skiers will make up for the lack of technical difficulty by going fast without stopping, intermediates will have a great time. The trees provide shelter and enhance the visibility on bad days but because the area is comparatively low it sometimes rains here whilst it is snowing on the higher areas such as Argentiere. The bus service to Les Houches can be even more irregular than in most other areas of the valley. Not included on the Chamski pass - it is possible to upgrade to  Mt Blanc Unlimited pass by paying a supplement. 

AIGUILLE DU MIDI Tel: 04 50 53 30 80

This lift accesses the amazing Vallee Blanche area which starts off with a skis off descent of a knife edge ridge and follows up with some of the most amazing glacial scenery a skier can ski through. There are a variety of different descents that can be made but even the easiest requires a good skiing ability and a reasonable degree of fitness(reasonable parallel turns and the ability to stop instantly !), the most technical reserved for expert skiers only.

A mountain guide will whisk groups of up to eight down the Vallée Blanche with what seems like no worry of danger - do not be fooled, the guide will know the route intimately but will nevertheless be surveying the terrain with great attention. Apart from ensuring safety , a good guide will be a friendly and informative host; bringing the Vallee Blanche to life with his detailed knowledge of the run and its surrounding mountains. A descent usually takes most of the day and lunch can be taken at a mountain refuge or if the weather is good there are plenty of good picnic spots. Expert skiers can descend one of the more testing routes and combine this with another descent. If the weather is poor the guide will make the decision to cancel the trip as at best it spoils the fantastic scenery and at worst it can be dangerous in poor weather conditions. Vallee Blanche  descent: ax 270€  for a mountain guide or as part of a made up group from 70 € / person.  Fit & experienced skiers may benefit from taking a guide for the whole day (ax 300 €) so that they may make numerous descents of the Vallee Blanche in the same day.