The ski resort of Le Ouch in France is a traditional alpine village with a family atmosphere. It is located in the department of Haute-Savoie, 6 km from the famous Chamonix – the historical capital of skiing. The resort is located at the foot of the highest mountain in Europe – Mont Blanc (4807 m). Its territory offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding area. Les Ouches is perfect for skiers and snowboarders of almost any level of training due to its variety of tracks and slopes.
Tracks, slopes, lifts
The skiing area of Les Ouches is located at an altitude of 1000-1871 m. It is part of the Mont Blanc ski region, which occupies the entire Chamonix valley and includes the Italian resort of Courmayeur and the Swiss Verbier . 55 km of trails have been laid in Le Ouchy, of which 2 are “black”, 12 are “red”, 5 are “blue” and 4 are “green”. The resort has cross-country skiing tracks and a snow park.
The skiing area of Les Ouches is not the highest in the valley. The snow here does not last as long as in the highlands, but the resort has its own advantage: most of the slopes here pass through picturesque pine forests. This not only adds aesthetics to skiing, but also creates protection against winds and bad weather. Where possible, artificial snow cover is provided by snow cannons, covering 67 hectares. There are 18 lifts of various types operating on the slopes (10 rope lifts, 6 chair lifts, 1 pendulum lift, 1 gondola lift). One of the tracks – Le Tours – is lit up in the evening and at night, and night torch descents are organized on it.
Les Ouches is best known for its selection of pistes for experienced skiers. Especially famous is the legendary “black” track La Verte des Houches, which is used as a speed descent at the World Cup. Varied in structure with a drop of 900 meters, with bends and jumps, it runs along the front of the resort and is considered the longest vertical descent in the area. Skiing down La Verte des Houches, a packed and sometimes icy track, is not an easy task even for the most experienced riders. An alternative is the dynamic red descent Mur des Epines, which is almost the same length and offers considerable speed. Having climbed on the super-modern Prarion gondola, finding yourself on an open sunny plateau with a magical panorama of the entire Mont Blanc massif, you can go down to the village on the long red route D’Orientation.
However , Les Oux has many offers for beginners: children’s slopes and many gentle slopes. This is a great place to learn to ski or snowboard. The small Bellevue cable car takes skiers from the city center to the far end of the resort, at an altitude of 1,800 m. There is a fairly flat area at the top of the mountain, which is ideal for beginners, as well as a snow park with an obstacle course. Quite a lot of simple “blue” tracks are located within the resort, in the immediate vicinity of the hotels.
Le Ouches for children
The Les Houches ski resort, ideal for children and families, has been awarded the Famille Plus label. The resort is located at the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe, in the picturesque Chamonix valley. The cost of ski passes for 1 day is 31 euros for children and 37 euros for adults, for 6 days – 157/185 euros. The ski season lasts from December to March.
Children from the age of 3 are taught to skate in Le Ouchy. Qualified children’s instructors work at the resort, who carefully and attentively ensure that children confidently take their first steps on the snow. Many ski schools are open in the valley: Ski Sensations, ESF de Chamonix, Ecole de ski français, Prestige Outdoor Specialists, ESF d’Argentière, Evolution 2, Ecorider – Lagarde Stéphane.
Children will be delighted to interact with sled dogs in HuskyLand Park. Guests will definitely be offered a ride on dog sleds. You can go to a goat farm with children. The resort has a children’s railway that leads to the children’s amusement park. Lovers of water fun can visit the local water park (Piscine du center sportif Richard Bozon), which has a 25-meter pool and an amusement park with a waterfall, water slides and an artificial river. You can relax as you should in the solarium and jacuzzi, sauna and Turkish hammam.
Entertainment and active recreation
Les Ouches offers many leisure options: toboggan runs, outdoor skating rink, dog sledding, skijoring (towed skiing) and even speedriding (sailing) or unforgettable helicopter rides over the valley.
You can take an excursion to the nearby village of Servois to learn about its traditional crafts, try local delicacies, visit festivals and fairs, you can visit Les Gorges de Diosaz, and also visit the Alpine Museum.
Guests of the resort are welcomed by the largest farm of St. Bernards – legendary rescue dogs – in the Alps. Many opportunities are offered for children: the natural zoo with wild animals “Parc Merle”, the farm “Payo”, where you can ride donkeys and touch domestic goats.
Local cuisine, restaurants
Le Ouch is considered a family resort, there are no nightclubs and discos, but there is a great selection of cozy restaurants and cafes with excellent cuisine and a homely atmosphere.
Where to stay
There is a wide selection of accommodation options in Les Ouches: from luxurious chalets to budget apartments with their own kitchen, which is very convenient for large companies and families. There are residences equipped with hot tubs and saunas.
Le Saint Antoine 3 star hotel
Hotel Le Saint Antoine is located in the ski resort of Les Ouches in the area of the Mont Blanc mountain range. The spa has a hot tub, sauna and hammam (free access) and additional massage treatments.
Guestrooms and suites feature flat-screen cable TVs and complimentary wireless Internet access. The compact bathroom of 2 m 2 has a shower and a toilet. The suite can accommodate up to 6 people.
After an active day spent skiing or hiking, you are invited to visit the cozy mountain atmosphere of the hotel restaurant, where you can enjoy delicious local recipes and pizzas. A breakfast buffet is served in the morning.
Le Saint Antoine is just 500 meters from the ski lifts and close to the luge and ice rink. A free shuttle to Chamonix or Le Havre is available opposite the hotel.
Hôtel Les Mélèzes 2 star hotel
Hotel Les Mélèzes is located in the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley, 800 meters from Les Ouches SNCF Train Station and just 150 meters from the Bellevue Cable Car. Free Wi-Fi is available. A calm environment and the proximity of the cable car!
Rooms at Hotel Les Mélèzes are bright and equipped with a flat-screen TV. All rooms have a private bathroom with a shower and a separate toilet. Some rooms have a balcony.
A buffet breakfast can be ordered every morning at the hotel.
Additional amenities on offer include a welcoming corner in the lobby where guests can relax.
RockyPop Hotel 3 star hotel
RockyPop Hotel – aux portes de Chamonix is located in Les Ouches, 5 km from Chamonix Ski Resort. There is a ski pass sales point and a ski school on the territory. An excellent hotel close to the main sports facilities. Very clean and comfortable. Own parking. Excellent view from the window.
The hotel has sun terraces and a food court where guests can enjoy hamburgers, pizzas and French cuisine.
The air-conditioned rooms are equipped with a safe and a TV with satellite channels and free video on demand. The bathroom is equipped with free toiletries and a hairdryer.
The hotel offers a free shuttle service and a gift shop.
This hotel has ski storage and ski equipment hire is available. Les Houches Ski Lift is 2.2 km from Hotel RockyPop, while Les Chavants Ski Lift is 2.7 km from the property.
Auberge le Montagny 3 star hotel
Auberge le Montagny is located in Les Ouches and offers a living room with a fireplace and views of Mont Blanc and the famous Aigues-du-Midi peak. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and its ski slopes are only 6 km away. Free private parking is available on site.
All rooms are equipped with mountain and garden views, a TV, a safe, a wardrobe and a desk, and some also have a private balcony. The bathroom includes a hairdryer and free toiletries.
A buffet breakfast featuring local products is served every morning at Auberge le Montagny. A traditional restaurant can be found just 1 km away.
Additional features include ski storage. A free ski shuttle is available 500 meters from Auberge le Montagny. Les Houches ski resort is 4.5 km away and the A40 motorway is ideally located 500 meters from the hotel.
Chalet DU CERF
Chalet DU CERF with a balcony is located in the commune of Les Ouches, just 300 meters from the Les Chavans ski lift and 400 meters from the gondola lift.
The chalet is equipped with 6 bedrooms, a kitchen, a flat-screen TV, a seating area and 1 bathroom. The chalet has a terrace.
Popular points of interest near CHALET DU CERF include Les Houches Ski School, Coupe du Monde Ski Lift and Bellevue Ski Lift. The nearest airport is Mayette Airport, 92 km from the hotel.
How to get there
Les Ouches is only 97 km from Geneva International Airport (less than an hour’s drive) and 138 km from Chambéry Airport.