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Chamonix Ski Area
The Chamonix valley is a narrow yet profound trough through Europe's highest mountains and glaciers, measuring 23 km (14 miles) from the Col de Voza to the Col de Balme and separating the Aiguilles Rouges to the north from the Mont Blanc massif. The valley was created by an immense glacier at a time when the entire region was glaciated, with the present site of Chamonix buried under at least 1,000 m (3,281 ft) of solid ice. Glaciers, along with their dangerous crevasses, remain a striking feature of the Chamonix ski area and it comes as no surprise that the biggest of them, the "Mer de Glace" is the second largest glacier in the Alps after Switzerland's Aletsch glacier. For this reason, any serious off-piste skiing should not be considered without a guide.
Of the six ski areas in the Chamonix valley, Le Brevent and La Flégère are lift-linked, and the remaining four—Les Grands Montets, Le Tour, Les Houches and the off-piste skiing accessed from L’ Aiguille du Midi are linked only by road. For reasons of local political reasons Les Houches is not available on the main Cham'Ski lift pass and is consequently often overlooked—a shame because it offers some good tree-lined skiing, though its low altitude - 1,000 m (3,281 ft) rising to 1,900 m (6,233 ft) - can mean poor snow cover. If it were available, it would act as a nice counterpart to the Le Tour area at the other end of the valley.
The diverse and separate nature of the ski areas does not really pose a problem as they are all worth skiing in their own right, unless you are in a mixed-ability group when you are likely to want to ski different ski areas. There is no doubt that the skiing in Chamonix is more heavily skewed to strong skiers than practically any other resort. Intermediates looking for lots of piste mileage will not find it here as in most areas the marked trails are kept to a minimum in order to preserve the off-piste terrain.
Le Tour
The predominately west-facing slopes of Le Tour are generally regarded as having the best intermediate pistes in the valley which have been further enhanced by the new lift from Vallorcine. The tree skiing on the north/north-east face down towards Vallorcine is also well regarded, though it can be avalanche prone. One of the best runs in this area is the blue Liaison Balme (T13) which is a lovely long run from which you can either follow the circuit back to Charamillon or carry on down the T17/T19 through the trees to Vallorcine for an epic 8,000 m (26,248 ft) long run.
Le Brévent and La Flégère
The most scenic skiing in the valley is at Le Brévent and La Flégère, as from here you get sublime views of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix peaks. Even skiers who are not strong enough to make the descent from the top of Le Brévent (the run down is one of the steepest in the valley) should take a ride up the cable car on a clear day to check out this most iconic vision of the mountains. The two areas are linked along a south-facing flank and the skiing takes place above the tree-line between 1900m and 2400m. There are several picturesque runs hidden in the bowls: check out Combe de la Charlanon (B8) and Crochus (F13), a 4,500 m (14,764 ft)-long red which has been opened up by the addition of a short drag at the top of l'Index 2,385 m (7,825 ft) and drops down 750 m (246 ft) of vertical. Note that the cable car linking the two areas can be closed in high winds.
Les Grands Montets
Les Grands Montets above the village of Argentière is the heart of the Chamonix ski area. Its steep, wide flanks are fantastic in powder and within a week will be covered in moguls to make it one of the best areas for bumps in the Alps. The skiing rises to a height of 3,275 m (10,745 ft), though access to the final cable car requires a small payment for every journey (you get two free uplifts on a six-day pass). It is becoming quite a popular option to stay in Argentière and many people ski here more than anywhere else. Most of the slopes face north or northwest and have the best conditions in the valley.
The Vallée Blanche
The final ski area comprises the off-piste routes down the famous Vallée Blanche from the top of Aiguille du Midi. It’s one of the most common reasons for people to come to Chamonix and, despite the crowds, is certainly a must-ski. More information on this can be found in the off-piste section.
Chamonix
| Base | 3,396 ft (1,035 m) |
| Summit | 12,605 ft (3,842 m) |
| Elevation | 9,209 ft (2,807 m) |
| Snowmaking | |
| Ski area | |
| Beginner | 54 % |
| Intermediate | 32 % |
| Advanced | 14 % |
| Number of trails | 74 |
| Longest trail | 14 mi (22 km) |
| Snowfall | 0 inch (0 cm) |
| Season start | late Dec |
| Season end | late Apr |
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