Skiers and snow-boarders come to the Chamonix valley year after year because of its brilliant off-piste potential. Vast glacier systems, wide powder slopes, steep couloirs and tree skiing, with the spectacular backdrop of the Mont Blanc massif is a perenial lure.
The high mountains are very accessible here.
Chamonix has a highly pragmatic attitude to off piste activity. Every individual is responsible for their own safety. Do not rely on others unless qualified and hired for that purpose.
Get insured and know how to call upon the emergency services should they be necessary.
Avalanches are a real threat off piste. Beware of the potential from above and the snow state in the immediate vicinty. Is there a piste below or others off piste? An avalanche tranceiver should be switched on and secured under clothing, with quick accessibility. It is preferable to know how to conduct a search using a transceiver. A shovel and probe are recommended.
The Brévent ski station is the closest to the centre of Chamonix. With awesome views of the rest of the valley and blessed with sun late into the afternoon, Brévent possesses a range of pistes for all skiers and boarders alike. Having mainly blacks, reds and steep blues. Brévent holds challenges for the intermediate and advanced.
Brévent is linked to Flégère by a large gondola, which enables you to extend your day's itinerary if so desired. Brévent's four famous couloirs are technically demanding, emptying into the wide Brévent Bowl from which you can ride all the way back to Chamonix.
Facing south above the village of Les Praz, between Chamonix and Argentière. Wonderful views of the Mont Blanc massif, the Valley Blanche and the Grandes Jorasses.
The main cable car rises from 1050m at Les Praz to 1900m (mid-station). From here the Index gondola climbs to 2450m, providing access to the main off-piste areas.
The shear size of the area, its vertical possibilities and high mountain atmosphere, place it in the Premier League of great ski resorts. There is enough off-piste skiing, accessible via the top station to bring the faithful back year after year.
The cable car runs from Argentière (1260m) to the Lognon mid-station (1960m). From here either take the Herse chair-lift (2600m), the Bochard lift (2800m) or the Grands Montet cable car to 3300m at the top of the Aiguille du Grands Montets. From here and the top of the Bochard and Herse lifts, the ski terrain is steep and glaciated and skiers should be fully equipped with avalanche and crevasse extraction equipment or should stay on the marked pistes.
This area lies above Le Tour, at 1480m the highest village in the Chamonix valley. Le Tour is also connected to Vallorcine and offers some amazing off piste couloirs.
On the backside of the Tete de Balme the chairlift opens up a large area of off piste and roll overs through trees.
Vallée Blanche in Chamonix This famous off-piste ski route is 20 km long with a vertical descent of 2800m. The route descends from the Aiguille du Midi (3800m).
