Skiing & Winter Sports
World-class terrain in the shadow of Mont Blanc
Chamonix Mont-Blanc offers some of the most challenging and rewarding skiing in the Alps. With five distinct ski areas connected by a free shuttle bus, the valley provides an incredible variety of terrain — from gentle nursery slopes to legendary off-piste descents through glacial landscapes. The Chamonix Le Pass gives access to all local areas, while the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass extends your reach across three countries.
Ski Areas
Five distinct areas offering terrain for every ability
Brévent-Flégère
~3 mins by car or ~10 mins walk from Chalet Josephine
The iconic Brévent-Flégère ski area offers unrivalled views of the Mont Blanc massif. With 445 hectares of skiable terrain and runs ranging from gentle blue slopes to challenging black runs, this area caters to all abilities. The famous "Le Brévent" summit at 2,525m offers panoramic views that are simply unforgettable.
- Altitude: 1,035m – 2,525m
- Runs: 44 pistes
- Lifts: 24
- Best for: Intermediate to advanced
Included in the Chamonix Le Pass
Les Grands Montets
~10 minutes by shuttle
A favourite among expert skiers, Les Grands Montets is renowned for its off-piste terrain, deep powder, and long vertical descents. The Argentière glacier offers some of the most exhilarating skiing in Europe.
- Altitude: 1,235m – 3,275m
- Runs: 21 pistes
- Best for: Advanced & expert
Included in the Chamonix Le Pass
Le Tour / Vallorcine
~15 minutes by shuttle
At the head of the Chamonix valley, Le Tour and neighbouring Vallorcine offer sunny, open slopes ideal for intermediates and families. Le Tour's Balme area provides wide cruising runs with panoramic views towards Switzerland, while Vallorcine's quieter Domaine de la Vormaine is perfect for building confidence.
- Altitude: 1,453m – 2,270m
- Runs: 29 pistes
- Best for: Beginners & intermediates
Included in the Chamonix Le Pass
Les Houches
~15 minutes by car
Perfect for families and beginners, Les Houches offers quieter slopes, tree-lined runs, and a relaxed atmosphere. Home to the famous Kandahar World Cup downhill race.
- Altitude: 1,000m – 1,900m
- Runs: 21 pistes
- Best for: Beginners & families
Included in the Chamonix Le Pass
Aiguille du Midi
5 minutes from town centre
The legendary Vallée Blanche off-piste route descends 24km from 3,842m through glacial landscapes. An unmissable experience for any serious skier visiting Chamonix.
- Altitude: 3,842m summit
- Vallée Blanche: 24km
- Best for: Guided off-piste
Included in the Chamonix Le Pass
Mont Blanc Unlimited
The ultimate Alpine ski pass
For those looking to explore beyond the Chamonix valley, the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass opens up a vast network of interconnected ski areas across three countries. In addition to all the Chamonix Le Pass areas, it includes access to Courmayeur in Italy (via the Mont Blanc Tunnel), Verbier in Switzerland, Megève, Les Contamines, and Saint-Gervais — offering over 600km of pistes and some of the most varied skiing in the Alps.
- Areas: 10+ ski resorts
- Pistes: 600km+
- Countries: France, Italy & Switzerland
- Includes: All Chamonix Le Pass areas
Ski Schools
Expert instruction for all ages and abilities
Chamonix is home to some of the finest ski schools in the Alps, offering lessons for complete beginners through to advanced skiers looking to refine their technique. Group lessons are a sociable and affordable way to improve, while private instruction allows you to progress at your own pace with a dedicated teacher who can tailor the day to your goals and preferred terrain.
The ESF (École du Ski Français) is the largest and most established ski school in Chamonix, with instructors based at every ski area in the valley. For a more boutique experience, several independent schools offer smaller class sizes and a more personalised approach. Many ski schools also cater specifically to children, with dedicated kids' areas, fun activities, and age-appropriate progression programmes that keep young skiers engaged and learning safely.
Our concierge team can recommend the best ski school for your group and arrange lessons in advance of your arrival, ensuring everything is organised before you reach the slopes.
Off-Piste & Ski Guiding
Explore Chamonix's legendary freeride terrain with an expert guide
Chamonix is world-renowned for its off-piste skiing, and hiring a qualified mountain guide is the safest and most rewarding way to experience it. The Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix, founded in 1821, is the oldest guide company in the world and remains the gold standard for mountain expertise. Their guides hold the internationally recognised UIAGM qualification and have unparalleled knowledge of local conditions, snowpack stability, and the best lines to ski on any given day.
The iconic Vallée Blanche is the must-do experience — a 24km descent from the Aiguille du Midi (3,842m) through spectacular glacial scenery, suitable for confident intermediate skiers when accompanied by a guide. For more experienced freeriders, guides can take you to couloirs and powder fields across Les Grands Montets, the Argentière basin, and remote itineraries that are inaccessible without expert local knowledge.
Guides can be booked for half-day or full-day sessions and will tailor the route to your group's ability and the day's conditions. Our concierge team can arrange guiding for you in advance.
Ski Touring
Earn your turns in some of the most spectacular mountain terrain in Europe
For those looking to escape the lifts entirely, ski touring (randonnée) around Chamonix is an extraordinary experience. Using climbing skins attached to your skis, you ascend under your own power into remote, untouched mountain terrain before skiing back down through pristine snow. It is a deeply rewarding way to connect with the mountains and discover valleys and peaks that most visitors never see.
The Chamonix valley offers ski touring routes for all levels of fitness and ambition, from gentle half-day outings in the forests above Les Bois to multi-day haute route traverses linking Chamonix to Zermatt via a chain of mountain refuges. Popular day tours include the Col du Passon above Le Tour, the Grand Montets area for its steep and technical ascents, and the gentler slopes of the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve directly behind the chalet.
A qualified mountain guide is essential for ski touring in this environment. They will assess avalanche conditions, choose the safest route, and ensure your group has the right equipment including transceivers, probes, and shovels. Equipment hire is readily available in Chamonix, and our concierge team can help arrange both guides and gear.
Ready to Hit the Slopes?
Book Chalet Josephine for the ultimate Chamonix ski holiday.