Les Houches ski resort 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 alpine 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. Le Houches is perfect for skiers and snowboarders of almost any level of training thanks to its variety of slopes and slopes.

Trails, slopes, lifts

The Le Houche ski area 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 Courmayeur and the Swiss Verbier. There are 55 km of slopes in Le Houches, of which 2 are black, 12 are red, 5 are blue and 4 are green. The resort has cross-country ski trails and a snow park.

The Le Houches ski area is not the highest in the valley. The snow 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 from wind and bad weather. Where possible, artificial snow is provided by snow cannons, covering 67 hectares. There are 18 lifts of various types on the slopes (10 towbars, 6 chairlifts, 1 pendulum, 1 gondola). One of the slopes – Le Tourchou – is illuminated in the evening and at night, and night torchlight runs are also organized on it.

Les Houches is best known for its selection of trails for experienced skiers. The legendary “black” run of La Verte des Houches, which is used as a downhill course in the World Cup, is particularly famous. Diverse in structure, with a height difference of 900 meters, with bends and jumps, it runs along the front of the resort and is considered the longest vertical run in the area. Rolling down La Verte des Houches, a compacted and in places icy run, is a challenge even for the most experienced riders. An alternative is the dynamic red run of Mur des Epines, which is almost the same length and provides considerable speed. Having climbed on the ultra-modern Prarion gondola, finding yourself on an open sunny plateau with a magical panorama of the entire Mont Blanc massif, you can descend down to the village along the long red run D’Orientation.

However, Les Houches has a lot to offer for beginners: children’s slopes and many gentle slopes. It is a great place to learn how to ski or snowboard. The small Bellevue cable car takes skiers from the town centre to the far end of the resort, at an altitude of 1800m. Here, on the mountaintop, there is a fairly flat area, ideal for beginners, as well as a snow park with an obstacle course. Quite a few easy “blue” runs are located within the resort, in close proximity to the hotels.

Les Houches for children

The ski resort of Les Houches, ideal for children and families, is marked with the Famille Plus mark. The resort is located at the foot of Europe’s highest mountain, Mont Blanc, 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 3 years old are taught to ski in Le Houche. The resort has qualified children’s instructors who carefully and attentively ensure that children confidently take their first steps on the snow. There are many ski schools 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 communicate with sled dogs in the HuskyLand park. Guests will certainly be offered to ride a dog sled. You can go with children to a goat farm. The resort has a children’s railway that leads to a children’s amusement park. Water fun lovers can visit the local water park (Piscine du centre 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 in the solarium and jacuzzi, sauna and Turkish hammam.

Entertainment and outdoor activities

Les Houches offers many options for leisure: toboggan runs, an outdoor ice rink, dog sledding, skijoring (skiing with towing) and even speedriding (skiing under sail) or unforgettable helicopter rides over the valley.

You can take a trip to the nearby village of Servais to learn about its traditional crafts, try local delicacies, visit festivals and fairs, visit the Gorges de Diosaz, and visit the Alpine Museum.

Guests of the resort The largest Saint Bernard farm in the Alps awaits you, the legendary rescue dogs. There are many opportunities for children: the natural zoo with wild animals “Parc Merlet”, the “Paiot” farm, where you can ride donkeys and touch domestic goats.

Local cuisine, restaurants

Les Houches 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

Les Houches has a wide selection of accommodation options: from luxury 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

Le Saint Antoine is located in the ski resort of Les Houches in the Mont Blanc region. The spa includes a hot tub, sauna and hammam (free access) and additional massage treatments.

The rooms and suites feature a flat-screen TV with cable channels and free Wi-Fi. The compact 2 m2 bathroom has a shower and toilet. The suite can accommodate up to 6 people.

After an active day of 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. In the morning, a buffet breakfast is served.

Le Saint Antoine is located just 500 meters from the ski lifts and close to the luge and ice rink. A free shuttle service to Chamonix or Les Houches is available opposite the hotel.

Hôtel Les Mélèzes 2 star hotel

Hotel Les Mélèzes is located in the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc valley, in 800 metres from Les Houches SNCF train station and just 150 metres from the Bellevue cable car. Free Wi-Fi is available. Peaceful setting and close to the cable car!

The 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 is available every morning at the hotel.

Additional facilities offered include a lounge area in the lobby where guests can relax.

RockyPop Hotel 3 star hotel

RockyPop Hotel – aux portes de Chamonix is located in Les Houches, 5 km from Chamonix Ski Resort. It features a ski pass sales point and a ski school. Excellent hotel close to the main sports facilities. Very clean and comfortable. Private 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 feature a safe and a TV with satellite channels and free video-on-demand. The bathroom is equipped with free toiletries and a hairdryer.

You will find a free shuttle service and a gift shop at the property.

This hotel offers ski storage and ski equipment hire. Les Houches Ski Lift is 2.2 km from RockyPop Hotel, while Les Chavants Ski Lift is 2.7 km from the property.

Auberge le Montagny 3 star hotel

Located in Les Houches, Auberge le Montagny offers a living room with a fireplace, views of Mont Blanc and the famous Aiguille du Midi. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and its ski slopes are just 6 km away. Free private parking is available on site.

All rooms feature mountain and garden views, a TV, a safe, a wardrobe and a desk, while some also have a private balcony. The bathroom includes a hairdryer and free toiletries.

A buffet breakfast is served every morning at Auberge le Montagny, featuring local produce. A traditional restaurant can be found just 1 km away.

Additional features include ski storage. A free ski shuttle is available 500 metres from Auberge le Montagny. Les Houches ski resort is 4.5 km away and the A40 motorway is ideally located 500 metres from the hotel.

Chalet DU CERF

Located in Les Houches, just 300 metres from Les Chavannes Ski Lift and 400 metres from Gondola Lift, Chalet DU CERF features a balcony.

The chalet is fitted with 6 bedrooms, a kitchen, a flat-screen TV, a seating area and 1 bathroom. The chalet features 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 property.

Getting there

Les Houches is just 97 km from Geneva International Airport (less than an hour’s drive) and 138 km from Chambéry Airport.