Les Houches, Chamonix Mont-Blanc and Valley

Resort altitude: 1000 m

The village resort of Les Houches is found at the start of the Mont Blanc valley; it is located at 1000 m altitude and is an easy and direct drive along the motorway, approx. 50 mins from Geneva. The town of Chamonix is only 7.5 km distance away. Les Houches is spread out over 5000 hectares. There are various restaurants, cafes, bakers and supermarkets to be found in the centre. The village also has a post office and a library. The village offers some of the most spectacular views of the Mont Blanc and it's fellow mountains.

Les Houches is composed of various typical residential hamlets: Vaudagne (a cultural heritage village with chapels and old bread ovens), Les Chavants and Maisonneuve (best known for it's outdoor activities: rock climbing, cross-country skiing, fishing, beach volley...), Les Tarbrets in the centre, Coupeau (with it's own animal and adventure parks), La Griaz, Saint Antoine, Les Granges and Taconnaz all with offering plenty of walks.

Enjoy local specialties from the market held every Monday morning (summer and winter months).

Winter
Les Houches skiing ranges from 950 m to 1900 m with long descents through pine and larch forests. From the highest point you can find a spectacular 360 degrees view of the Mont Blanc mountain range. Les Houches ski resort serves as the training field for the National French Ski Team. The resort caters for downhill skiers, boarders, cross-country skiing, off-piste and telemark.

There are a total of 22 slopes (1 black, 12 red, 5 blue and 4 green) all serviced by 1 cable car, a bubble lift, 4 chair lifts and 12 drag lifts. Les Houches also has 67 snow canons in order to ensure the skiing lasts. There are also night piste descents on Thursdays. There is also dog sleighing available for those looking for a snow activity with a difference.

Summer
During the summer months, Les Houches opens it's cable cars and gondolas. There are many outdoor activities to enjoy, including rock climbing at La Plaine St Jeanand at the Lac des Chavants, archery at Coupeau, Mounatin biking along it's many trails, donkey rides for children or load carrying, paragliding and a tree top adventure park complete with Tyrolean. For mini people up to 1.35 m there is KID AVENTURE near the Chavants lake. Further activities to be found are Petanque and Fishing.