Les Houches resort guide & reviews Ski area, apres-ski, things to see & do in Les Houches
Les Houches Reviews
Les Houches is a wonderful family friendly ski resort sitting at the entrance to the Chamonix Valley. Its relatively quiet compared to its much larger neighbour Chamonix, just a few km further up the valley.
Les Houches is made up of a scattering of hamlets set among deep forests and rolling alpine meadows that convert to gentle greens and blue pistes during the ski season.
Spa and wellbeing
Chamonix has opened some fantastic spas in recent years with the latest being the 4-star Heliopic Hotel next to the Aiguille du Midi cablecar.
Les Houches ski area guide
Skiing in Les Houches is more for the beginner and intermediate skier and boarder with some long cruising blues and reds and some excellent tree lined runs. Being lower in the valley than Chamonix and Argentiere, the snow cover tends to get a bit patchy on the slopes back to the village later in the season.
When the weather is not great and the Grand Montets has zero visibility, Les Houches is usually a good bet as it's typically below the cloud level.
| Key information (local area) | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 1008m |
| Top lift | 1860m |
| Family | |
| Beginner | |
| Intermediate | |
| Expert | |
| Piste (km) | 55 |
| Longest run | 24 km |
| Off piste | |
| Cross country | 10 km |
| Season | Dec - April |
| Snowboard parks | 1 |
| Heli Skiing | ✘ |
| Summer skiing | ✘ |
| Glacier skiing | ✘ |
| Babysitting | ✔ |
| Creche | ✔ |
| Apres ski | Relaxed |
Beginners
If you are a beginner or on a family ski holiday, Les Houches is a good choice as there is a wide variety of gentle nursery slopes especially around the top of the Prarion gondola where there are amazing views of the Bionnassay glacier. Also from the top of the gondola, its possible to ski down into St Gervais (linked to Megeve) but be warned, there is no lift back!!
Intermediate
For intermediates, there are some excellent runs and good fun skiing through the trees. Other areas to explore are Argentiere, Brevent and up at the top of the valley in Le Tour.
Advanced
There is a very challenging World Cup run called the Kandahar (also known as "Le Verte" which tests even the most experienced professional down hillers!! If you opt for the Mont Blanc unlimited pass, the whole Chamonix Valley is available to ski with the pass including the nearby resorts of Courmayeur in Italy and Verbier in Switzerland which gives intermediates and advanced skiers so much choice. Most advanced skiers will head up the valley and ski the Grand Montet at Argentiere.
Cross-country
There are many cross-country skiing trails throughout the valley for all abilities.
Snowboard
Les Houches has a snowboard park at Col de Voza and Argentiere near the top of the valley also has snow parks.
Things to see & do in Les Houches
- Ice skating in Chamonix
- Winter walking and snowshoeing trails
- Dog sleighs
- Tobogganing
- Ten-pin bowling
- Parapenting
Après-ski
The apres-ski is relaxed and informal so if you are looking for something with busy bars and nightclubs, then head up the road to Chamonix which has a very lively apres-ski scene with trandy bars, pubs and nightclubs plus some fantastic new restaurants.
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Our view on Les Houches
Les Houches is a fantastic family friendly ski resort comprising a quiet collection of hamlets with Chamonix being easily accessible by bus a few km further up the valley. Some suggestions for your ski holidays in Les Houches...
When the weather is not great at the higher ski areas of Argentiere, locals tend to head to Les Houches where, although lower, the pistes do not suffer as badly from flat light.
If you have time, the stylish yet authentic village of St Gervais is worth visiting where you can also go skiing around the Mont Blanc Evasion circuit that includes Megeve
