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• Skiing in Chamonix
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Which slopes?
Dont be duped into thinking Chamonix is only for the super confident, there are five different areas each with their own charms;

Les Grands Montets, L'Aiguille du Midi / La Vallee Blanche, Le Tour & Vallorcine (Domaine de Balme), Brevent & Flegere and Les Houches.

Chilled out:
Le Tour is fantastic for intermediates wanting to find their ski legs on the first day. For some sun head to Aiguillette de Posettes, although the runs are pretty short. Le Brevent has just had a bit of a makeover and easier for intermediates. Go up the Index lift and come down Combe Lachenal over at La Flegere.


Tree lined:
Quite often when Chamonix valley is covered in thick fog the mountain tops are in full sunlight, but if not, or in a snow storm just put on some extra layers and head for the trees. Les Houches pistes are almost all nipping down through forests, with plenty of blacks, reds and blues for all abilities. For some amazing powder runs head over to the aptly named Dream Forest between the Retour Pendant and Plan Roujon chairs, its usually quiet as there is a short hike to deter most people.

Challenging:
The Argentiere glacier is the place to go for some exciting blacks and reds. If you take the lift as high up as you can its possible to cover some leg-burning 2000m of vertical. In Brevent, if you take the Charles Brozen and The Nant run down its 1500m of exhilarating vertical descent, and I cant go without mentioning La Vallee Blanche, the largest descent in the area although competent intermediates would be fine with this one. For only those who are seriously advanced and want to test themselves, try the world renowned Kandahar run just off the Vert des Houches piste.

Mountain Restaurants:
The majority of Chamonix mountain restaurants do leave a lot to be desired. However there are exceptions if you know where to look.

The Plan Joran in Grands Montets offers the best quality food on the mountain, although a little pricey.

Chalet-Refuge away from the crowds in Logan is worth the visit.

Cremerie du Glacier, Argentiere, is a lovely rustic restaurant with good food.

Col de Balme in Le Tour has some good luchtime offers but dont expect speedy service.

La Bergerie is the most poplularand friendly eaterie in in Brevent.


Statistics
Nearest town St Gervais Les Bains
Shops 285
Laundrettes 4
Post office 3
Banks 10
Highest Lift 3842m
Ski Area 500km
Longest run 22km
Lifts 55
Mountain Restaurants 8
Beginners 32%
Intermediate 28%
Advanced 50%
Off piste 10/10
Pipes 1
Parks 1
Trees 30%
Backcountry Excellent
Fly to Geneva
Transfer Time 1 hour
Nightlife Vibrant and very cool