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Les Houches Ski Holidays

At a glance

  • Chamonix valley resort
  • World cup host
  • Tree-lined pistes

Great for

  • Short transfer
  • Quiet ski holidays
  • Transport links

Ski Holidays in Les Houches

Sometimes grouped with the Chamonix ski area, sometimes seen as a resort of its own standing… Either way, the views of the Mont Blanc massif up top are gobsmacking, the tree-lined runs are a treat to ski and the cosy hamlets make a wonderfully homely base for the week.

  • Flight Time
  • 1h 45m
  • From London
  • Nearest Airports
  • Geneva, Grenoble
  • Chambery, Lyon
  • Time zone
  • GMT + 1 hour
  • Language
  • French
  • Currency
  • Euros
  • Ski Season
  • Dec - April

Les Houches Stats

Top Altitude
1900m
Bottom Altitude
950m
Resort Altitude
1000m
Total Piste
55km
Longest Run
3.3km
Slope Orientation
Vertical Drop
870m
Skiable Vertical
Night Skiing
No
Glacier Skiing
No

Les Houches is a cluster of hamlets spread across eight kilometres of the Chamonix valley. In the centre, farmhouses and chapels (like the baroque Eglise Saint-Jean-Baptiste) give the place a traditional feel, while modern builds on the hillsides (still in traditional chalet style) have the convenience of doorstep skiing. A ten minute or so walk apart, the Prarion gondola and Bellevue cableway provide access to the ski area.

It earned its place in the history books after hosting the first winter Olympics in 1924, and comes back into the spotlight every year, when the Kandahar Alpine Ski World Cup race takes place on La Verte – continuing the legacy Sir Arnold Lunn began in 1948.

When it comes to location and access, this place is amazing. The legendary mountain town of Chamonix is a ten-minute drive away, and the SNCF train line goes between Servoz and Vallorcine, stopping at Les Houches, Chamonix and Argentière. The Chamonix Bus runs between a number of the resort bases, while the historic Le Tramway du Mont-Blanc takes travellers between Les Houches and St Gervais via an old school rack and pinion train. If that’s not enough, you also have one of the shortest airport transfer times in the alps, with Geneva being just over an hour’s drive away.

Les Houches has its own ski area, but is connected to others in the valley by the Mont Blanc Unlimited Pass which covers Brevent-Flégère, Grands Montets, Vallorcine, Aiguille du Midi, St Gervais, Megeve and even Italy’s Courmayeur and Switzerland’s Verbier.

Winter Sports Ratings

Beginners

Intermediate

Advanced

Snowboarding

Les Houches Transfer Times

Geneva 1hour

The nearest airport to Les Houches is Geneva / Geneve at 70 km or about 1 hour 30 minutes by car

What's the ski area like in Les Houches?

The local slopes are mainly suited to beginner and intermediate skiers.

For a change of scenery, there are a number of other ski resorts within easy reach. You can get to the centre of Chamonix by car in just over 10 minutes for the Brevent and Flegre areas, while both Saint Gervais and Argentiniere are about a 20-minute drive away.

Which other ski resorts are near to Les Houches?

The nearest ski resorts to Les Houches include Chamonix.

Ski Area Facts

LocationChamonix Valley, France
Established1937
Downhill55km
Lift Pass€215 (adult 6 day)

Beginner Slopes

10 runs

Intermediate Skiing

13 runs

Advance & Expert Terrain

4 runs

Snowboarding Trails

55km100%

What is Les Houches like for Beginner skiers?

There are a couple of learner slopes up at the Prarion and Bellevue top stations (we prefer Bellevue’s which is longer and smoother).

What is Les Houches like for Intermediate skiers?

For intermediates, Plan du Cret and Plancerts (towards St Gervais) are often fairly empty, leaving you free to ski at your own pace. On the other side, Table d’Orientation and Rouge Maison Neuve dip in and out of the long blue Aillouds run, which takes you back to Prarion, or links up to Joriand for a route into Bellevue. The Melezes chair serves a number of cruisey blues and the snowpark, which has lines for newbies and experts.

What is Les Houches like for Advanced skiers?

The other way back to base is the legendary black Kandahar piste (also known as La Verte), which holds the men’s downhill world cup race every year. Experts can tackle the full 3.34km descent, which world champions polish off in 2 minutes… Otherwise, you can ski the second half of the slope from red graded Mur des Epines, easing off onto the Aillouds to finish or continuing the challenge all the way to the bottom.

What is Les Houches like for snowboarding?

Boarders might be put off by the number of drag lifts and flat sections, but for some the easy-to-reach off piste and snow park make up for it.

What is Les Houches like for off-piste skiing?

Because the area’s known for its beginner and intermediate terrain, the powder between the trees often stays untouched – a real treat on good snow days.

What is Les Houches like for cross country skiing?

The Chamonix valley has about 58km of trails. There is a 6km track at about 1000m, near Prarion lift and about 10km of trails at the top, 1800m

Les Houches Restaurants

For foodies, La Delice on Rue d’Eglise has a brilliant menu with inspiration from all over Europe. Le Basilic serves everything from seafood and risotto to good old fashioned tartiflette. We like La Ferme des Agapes for raclette and Le Saint Antoine for pizza. If you’re celebrating a special occasion or just fancy pushing the boat out, book a table at Albert 1er in Chamonix or Megeve’s 1920 which both have two Michelin stars, or Le Sérac in St Gervais which has one star.

Les Houches Après Ski

Apres isn’t as lively here as it is over in Chamonix, but you’ll still find some good bars to relax in. The Kitsch Inn by the base of the Bellevue lift ticks a lot of boxes for its handy location, live music and drinks and snacks menu. Harry’s Bar (part of Hôtel du Bois) has squishy armchairs and big screens, while the Slalom Bar (in Hotel Slalom) is a chic drinking spot for good wine and cocktails.

Les Houches Activites for Non-skiers

Activity-wise, there’s indoor climbing at Mont Blanc Escalade, ice skating in the village and wellness facilities at Spa des Granges d'en Haut

Clothing Food & Souvenir Shops

Les Houches Package Ski Holidays

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Best Time to Visit Les Houches

The area is known for its treelined pistes, making this a good option when there’s low visibility. While the trees keep the slopes shaded when the weather warms, the lower area sometimes struggles on sunny spring days. However with Chamonix’s other ski areas within easy reach, you can still find good snow further afield if the area is struggling at the beginning or end of the season.

What's Les Houches like at Christmas?

Pistes through woodland and a pretty village base make Christmas in Les Houches a charmer.

What's Les Houches like in the New Year?

Look out for torchlit descents on the Tourchet piste over New Year in Les Houches.

What's Les Houches like in Half-Term?

Half Term in Les Houches is often a quieter, cheaper option than skiing in neighbour Chamonix.

What's Les Houches like at Easter?

Easter in Les Houches might not see the surest snow conditions in France, but having Chamonix round the corner is a great back up.

Les Houches Snow Conditions

Snow Report, History & Forecast

View our detailed Les Houches snow report to see skiing confitions now. Our Les Houches snow history shows you what snow depths have been in recent years month-by-month. If you're visiting soon, use the Les Houches snow forecast to see predicted snowfall over the coming days.

  • Current snow depth at top
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  • Current snow depth at base
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Ski Accommodation in Les Houches

We have 815 ski holidays in Les Houches. Search all Les Houches ski deals or pick your preferred accommodation type below:

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The short transfer from Geneva is always a huge hit with families, who can roam the tree-lined runs here until the cows come home. Less experienced members of the brood can stick to the nursery slopes and greens, while those with more seasons under their belts take to the World Cup piste and powder between the pistes. There’s always the option for a family day trip to Chamonix and St Gervais to explore the pistes of a neighbouring ski area.

Groups can stick to the local slopes, or head off to explore a different area each day – including the ski areas around Chamonix and St Gervais and Megeve. While the après ski and nightlife scene isn’t huge, there are some good pubs to serve as your local for the week. Excellent transport connections means everyone can travel in a way that suits them, whether it’s flying into Geneva, taking the ski train or driving from home.

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Ski Extras

How much is a ski pass in Les Houches

Maximum and minimum adult Les Houches lift pass prices ranged from €215 to €215 for 6 days access to the Les Houches ski lift system at the start of the 2025 winter season. Our lift passes are part of a packaged Les Houches holiday with accommodation, so prices vary depending on chalet or hotel suppliers. Confirm price for the lift ticket before booking your holiday.

Lift Tickets Child Adult Senior
1 Day Price €37 - €37 €43 - €43 €22 - €37
6 Day Price €183 - €183 €215 - €215 €108 - €183
Age Range 5 - 14 15 - 59 60+
Les Houches Packages + Extras

Getting to Les Houches

Most of our ski holidays to Les Houches packaged with flights include airport transfers. We can also arrange private transfers to Les Houches from nearby airports

How long does it take to fly to Les Houches from the UK?

Flights from London take about 1h 45m to Geneva, Grenoble, Chambery, Lyon. This table shows approximate transfer times to Les Houches from the nearest airports, smaller airports can be more prone to delays.

Airport Distance Transfer Time
Geneva / Geneve 70 km 1 hour 30 minutes
Lyon Satolas 250 km 4 hours
Annecy 90 km 2 hours
Packages with Plane Train or Car

How long does it take to drive to Les Houches from the UK?

Browse our self-drive ski holidays which include your car channel crossing, or go choose accom-only and book your car ferry or tunnel later.

Self-Drive Ski Holidays
↑ INCL CAR ↑↓ WITHOUT ↓
Accommodation-Only

How long is the transfer from nearest France train station to Les Houches?

The transfer time from alpine train stations are generally shorter than from airports, Call us for details of Les Houches transfers.

Station Distance Transfer Time
Houches 0 km 0 minute
Ski Train Holidays

Les Houches Maps

Les Houches piste map
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Regional map
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Town Map
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Going to Les Houches under your own steam

For independant travel to France, compare accommodation only with Les Houches self-drive packages which include Eurotunnel or ferry.

Accomm-Only & Self-Drive

See driving directions to and from Les Houches in France.

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Les Houches Ski Holiday Resources

Need help choose your Les Houches ski holiday? Call us on 020 7770 6888 or click Enquire - we love to help!

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Similar Ski Resorts to Les Houches in France

France Ski Holiday Resorts

Every Sno holiday packaged with flights is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. All our suppliers are ATOL bonded, so your money is safe. In addition to this, payments for your holiday are held in trust, by NatWest bank and the Travel Trust, who insure every booking against supplier failure.

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