The ski resort of Les Houches is located in Haute-Savoie area of the French Alps. It is only 6 km down the valley from Chamonix, unquestionably the ski and mountaineering capital of the world. With its exceptional backdrop of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe, the breath-taking panoramas of Les Houches ski area truly set it apart. This family resort, made up of a string of traditional mountain hamlets and a beautiful ski area offers everything a traditional mountain holiday should. At the foot of Mont Blanc, the Les Houches ski area stretches over 55 km of marked ski runs, from 950 to 1900 metres in altitude. The groomed ski runs descend over high alpine mountain pastures and through the ancient mountain forests. Beginners can safely learn to ski in two different areas, either at the base of the mountain in ‘Le Tourchet' or take the Prarion gondola to the top where they will also find a special beginners area. Freestylers can enjoy the Bellevue Airpark and the DC shoes Area 43. Ski racers can amuse themselves on the Les Houches world cup ski descent, ‘La Verte des Houches'. Skiing in Les Houches is not only limited to that of downhill, but also cross country skiing, snowboarding, telemarking, freestyle and speed-riding. - Cross country skiing in Les Houches: 10 Km of marked trails, free and open to all. It is situated in the ‘Chavants' area. - Try out Speed-riding in Les Houches under the guidance of Absolute Chamonix, the ESF (French ski school' or ‘Ailes de Chamonix (Wings of Chamonix)' If winter sports are the flagship activity of the valley, Les Houches also has a many other activities on offer in order to make your holiday a truly magnificent one: - Snowshoeing, tobogganing, ice-skating rink, an adventure park and a climbing wall for those feeling a bit more energetic. - Farm visits in Saint Bernard and trips to a goat farm for animal lovers. - Paragliding or a flight in a helicopter around Mont Blanc for those who want to really discover this amazing region of the Alps. - Relax in the local Spa or relaxation area if you wish to get away from it all. Accommodation wise Les Houches ski resort has a varied array of hotels, bed and breakfasts and furnished apartments for singles, couples, amongst friends or with the family. To find a place for the kids to spend their holiday is a key factor in ensuring the success of any mountain ski holiday with the family. The team in Les Houches offers child care and kids clubs for children of all ages. All the available programs pack the kid's days full of activities making sure that parents can make the most of their stay. - The Kids Club ‘ Les Chavants' is for children aged 18 months up to 10 years. - The Crèche in Les Houches is for children aged 3 months to 3 years old. The highlight in Les Houches; a run down the legendary "Verte des Houches"! Along with the ‘Oreiller-Killy' ski run in Val d'Isère, the Verte des Houches is one of only two men's world cup downhill's in France. Amongst racers it is regarded as one of the most beautiful yet most highly challenging, what with its mythical sections including “La Cassure (The Break)", the "Rocher Blanc (White Rock)", the "Goulet", and the "Schuss Battendier". No visit to Les Houches would be complete for any budding intermediate to expert skier without trying it out!

Legendary Chamonix Family Friendly les Houches Unspoilt Servoz Argentière the legend Natural Vallorcine Chamonix tourist office : Chamonix hotel Find your ideal accommodation in Chamonix: hotels , chalets, B&Bs and apartment rentals let by private owners and agencies for your holiday this year. From budget to luxury quality stays, the Chamonix tourist office provides online booking and all the information you need to plan a successful holiday in the French Alps. From your hotel in Chamonix, enjoy easy access to the groomed slopes during winter or use your summer pass for the chair lifts to visit the glaciers of the Mont Blanc, to reach your hiking itinerary, discover the stunning alpine villages such as Servoz, Les Houches... Chamonix is an ideal destination for mountain lovers with its varied landscapes, forests, meadows and lying at the foot of the Mont Blanc, Chamonix offers a vast range of sports and leisure activities to suit all ages and tastes. For your accommodation, we provide full details to help you choose the Chamonix hotel or chalet that provides the comfort and space you are looking for. Chalets are available for two to fourteen people, half-board or full board accommodation, services for families, facilities for guests with reduced mobility and more. Feel free to view our listings and book online! Holidays in Chamonix Mont Blanc in the French Alps. Book online your stay, weekend in the ski resort of Chamonix, France : hotel, apartment, catered chalet, bed and breakfast, guest house, studio, residence ... Summer and skiing holidays at the foot of Mont Blanc. Chamonix hotel - Chamonix « Chamonix Mont-Blanc valley, mountain resorts and villages located in the French Alps : Chamonix, Les Houches, Argentière, Servoz et Vallorcine. Prepare your summer holidays with the Chamonix tourist office : choose and book online your mountain holiday, purchase online summer pass Multipass, discover many activities and attractions, check out online webcams and weather in Chamonix, FranceChamonix valley official website © copyright 2015 : Office de Tourisme de la vallée de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc - Tous droits réservés OFFICES DE TOURISME Cette marque prouve la conformité à la norme NF X 50-730 et aux règles de certification NF237. Elle garantit que les activités d’accueil, d’information, de promotion/communication, de production/commercialisation, de la boutique, de création et gestion d'événements, l’évaluation et l’amélioration de la qualité de service sont contrôlés régulièrement par AFNOR Certification – 11, rue Francis de Pressensé – 93571 LA PLAINE SAINT DENIS Cedex – France

Don’t be put off by the relatively low altitude of the resort itself because 90% of the pistes in the Chamonix valley have an altitude over 2, 000m, providing skiable terrain from December through to May. Because of the varied terrain facing N, S, E & W, you can find good conditions whatever the weather or time of day. If it’s very windy or there’s lots of snow, Les Houches has some lovely sheltered tree-lined runs as well as over 120 snow cannons if a little extra coverage is needed. If its warm and wet, the Grands Montets is north-facing and high, so it holds the snow well into May most years. When’s best to visit largely depends on what you want from your Chamonix ski holiday. We love it during Christmas, New Year and school holidays where the atmosphere is lively and infectious, but those prefering peace, quiet and less traffic on the piste might prefer quieter (and cheaper) dates in January or March. Browse all Chamonix ski deals or read about holidays in December, January, February, March or April. Peak Dates You can enjoy a traditional white Christmas in Chamonix , where Father Christmas visits on ‘Le Train du Pere Noel’ as well as making a magical torch-lit appearance. Children will love the Christmas workshops and tasty treats while performances from the Chambelles choir, gospel choir and carol singers add to the festive atmosphere. Browse Chamonix Christmas ski holidays ‣ Chamonix appears in lots of ‘top ten’ lists as a New Years Eve destination - and it’s no surprise why. New Years Eve in Chamonix is amazing thanks to the fantastic range of après ski venues. The atmosphere is buzzing and it’s hard to think of a better way to see in the New Year than in the presence of the Mont Blanc massif! Browse Chamonix New Year ski holidays ‣ A child-friendly ski destination, February half term in Chamonix will keep all ages entertained. With fantastic childcare services for little ones, craft workshops and snow-fun for all the family, it’s a great way to spend your week off. Browse Chamonix Half Term ski holidays ‣ Because of its high altitude terrain, a ski holiday in Chamonix at Easter combines great skiing and fun activities for all ages and abilities. Browse Chamonix Easter ski holidays ‣

Looking for a massage in Chamonix? After a long day skiing, walking, or sat in the office your muscles can pick up aches and niggles. These pressure points or trigger points build up in certain areas of the muscles dependant upon your genetics and the activities you are doing. The truth is we often learn to live with an achy calf, a heavy thigh or an uncomfortable back. Its only when we get a great massage from a professional who knows how to reset these trigger points and put your body back into its natural released position, that we realise how the body should feel! A great massage will flush out toxins, reduce stress and remove tension, leaving your body and mind refreshed relaxed and ready to go again! Our professional massage therapists offer lots of different types of massage Deep Tissue Massage Also known as a sports massage, a deep tissue massage will rejuvenate physical strains you have picked up. Our therapist will use myofascial release techniques to break down problematic scar tissue which will allow your muscles fibres to heal effectively. Deep tissue massages are also recommended as a maintenance massage for those with a physical lifestyle as it will help reset any niggles you are picking up which may result in problems further down the line. This will ensure your muscle performance is optimum and you can concentrate on being your best! Our deep tissue massages are deeper than other massages. Our massage therapist can asses your muscles and apply deep tissue techniques where necessary along with a lighter Swedish massage style on muscles that are less in need of a deep focus. Because a deep tissue massage goes so deep into the muscles, its important that you drink lots of water afterwards to help flush out the toxins our therapist has removed from the muscles. Swedish Massage There is nothing quite like a refreshing, rejuvenating Swedish massage. Not as deep as a sports massage, a Swedish massage, also known as a spa massage is the most relaxing massage imaginable. We recommend this rejuvenating massage for those who maybe are just feeling a little run down and fatigued. After the therapeutic massage you will find yourself totally relaxed, you may even fall asleep during the massage! Foot and Leg Massage Our foot and leg massage concentrates on the often problematic muscles of the lower body. Aches can build up in the calves, hamstrings, hips and thigh muscles. Our massage therapist will asses the muscles as they massage and choose the relevant pressure and technique help restore the holistic balance of the muscles. Head and Neck Massage Also known as an Indian head massage, this massage will address aches and pains in your upper back and neck which can lead to tension headaches, stress headaches, pressure headaches and sinus pressure. Our masseuse will asses the tension in the various muscles and work to ease them, leaving you feeling fresher, calmer and with a clearer head.

Use the buttons below to tell us… James Hughes Very hot and sunny today +5C making the pistes much softer. Off piste avalanche risk is very high, the warm weather is causing the snow pack to move spontaneously. from Bansko The above table gives the weather forecast for Bansko at the specific elevation of 2100 m. Our sophisticated weather models allow us to provide snow forecasts for the top, middle and bottom ski stations of Bansko. To access the weather forecasts for the other elevations, use the tab navigation above the table. For a wider view of the weather, check out the Weather Map of Bulgaria. Visitor Reviews of Bansko Amanda from United Kingdom writes: 33 of us spent the February half-term in Bansko; our 6th year! We are a party with various levels of ski ability. Pirin 2000 looked after our hire, lessons and bus up the mountain every day. We had another fantastic holiday, eating in Victoria, Motikita, Penguin and Queens. Stayed in Pirin Heights which is a great location, near to the gondola and ski shop and easy walk on a night out. Looking at the snow falling at the moment we are trying to justify another visit at Easter!

Upon arrival at the ski area base, you have the choice of the main cable car or the new gondola. During busy times it is often faster to take the gondola lift to get to the mid-station as lines for the cable car can get really long! The mid station on Les Grands Montets has seen some huge improvements in the past few years. The Bochard telecabine system replaced those 'old eggs' and a new Herse high speed 6-pack chair lift replaced the old two man chair. The new Herse lift starts lower down and closer to the téléphérique making access very easy. There are two restaurants, with snack bars and covered areas for picnics (Hors Sac) plus two ski-test centres. Bochard and Herse Lifts At the top of the Bochard and Herse lifts the ski terrain is steep and glaciated. It is advisable to stay on the marked and controlled pistes. The vast area served by these two lifts offers some fantastic skiing although the top sectors are just on glacier. Avalanche risk will be a moderate to high after fresh snow. The whole area is "skied out" quickly after a snow fall but due to its size there is plenty of exhilarating and challenging skiing. The Bochard lift gives access to the Lavancher Bowl on the left side of the ski area; an extensive bowl; escape the crowds and ski 1000m of descent. Use the Pendant lift at the bottom to return to Lognon (or continue descending the track through the forest to Lavancher village and 1600m of descent). The Summit of the Grands Montets Skiing from the top of the Grands Montets (3300m) is a skiers dream. With a 2000m vertical drop to Argentière, on a good powder day, who needs heli-skiing ?! Two black pistes, Les Pylônes and Point de Vue , run out of the 3300m top station. The possibilities are huge. There is a small snack bar and terrace. Take a short climb up metal steps to the observation platform. The sheer size of the mountains can be deceptive. Over to the south west is the Aiguille du Midi which is in fact over half a kilometre higher! Beyond that is Mont Blanc, another kilometre higher than the Midi.

The driver will be waiting at arrivals on the Swiss side of Geneva airport next to the right hand side of the visitors center (information desk) with a name board with the group leaders name on it. What time should we leave the resort for our outbound transfer? We usually leave three to four hours before the flight takes off however on very busy transfer days or bad driving conditions we may leave earlier. What happens if our flight is delayed will you still pick us up? Yes we will, if the flight is delayed you must call the My Chamonix shuttles number 0033 (0) 642708144 and we will then arrange seating on the next available transfer. Is My Chamonix Shuttles a fully registered and insured business for transporting people? Yes, we hold a full international transport license in all our vehicles and are fully insured for hire and reward. How long would we be waiting at the airport? We aim to depart the airport 1 hour after meeting the driver but we will endeavor to minimize waiting time. If you would like to ensure that you depart the airport as soon as you meet the driver, you could always book a private transfer. Do you work with other companies to get me away quickly from the airport or on time from the resort for my flight? Yes to minimize your waiting time we may transfer you on to one of our partner companies services at no extra cost. Do I need to reconfirm my booking? You will receive a text message the evening before you are due to travel. If you haven't received any message by 18.30hrs please contact the office on 0033 (0) 642 708 144 as we may have an incorrect mobile number for you.

Legendary Chamonix Family Friendly les Houches Unspoilt Servoz Argentière the legend Natural Vallorcine Chamonix tourist office : French ski resort Discover more about Chamonix, the French ski resort lying at the foot of the highest peak in Europe with the official tourist office website of the Chamonix valley and Mont Blanc massif. Learn about the three ski areas around the resort, ski hire, ski schools, lift passes and book your dream accommodation online. Experienced skiers or those new to winter sports will find a vast and stunning area with slopes, cross-country tracks and snowboarding for all levels. Enjoying skiing on a romantic break or planning winter fun for all the family, we provide all the information you need to have a memorable stay in this highly popular, French ski resort . Enjoy discovering the villages of the valley such as Les Houches, Vallorcine or take the Mont Blanc Tramway, visit the Mer de Glace, glaciers of Montenvers, your choice of opens the legendary beauty spots of the Alps. Take a virtual tour of the Chamonix valley and get a view of the stunning landscapes... Plan your holidays in Chamonix Mont Blanc in the Alps (France) with the tourist office : accommodation, restaurant, activity, transportation, airport transfer, ski ... French ski resort - Chamonix « Chamonix Mont-Blanc valley, mountain resorts and villages located in the French Alps : Chamonix, Les Houches, Argentière, Servoz et Vallorcine. Prepare your summer holidays with the Chamonix tourist office : choose and book online your mountain holiday, purchase online summer pass Multipass, discover many activities and attractions, check out online webcams and weather in Chamonix, FranceChamonix valley official website © copyright 2015 : Office de Tourisme de la vallée de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc - Tous droits réservés OFFICES DE TOURISME Cette marque prouve la conformité à la norme NF X 50-730 et aux règles de certification NF237. Elle garantit que les activités d’accueil, d’information, de promotion/communication, de production/commercialisation, de la boutique, de création et gestion d'événements, l’évaluation et l’amélioration de la qualité de service sont contrôlés régulièrement par AFNOR Certification – 11, rue Francis de Pressensé – 93571 LA PLAINE SAINT DENIS Cedex – France

The Chamonix Valley is very famous for its ice falls. In and around Chamonix you can find more than 200 routes for all levels and skills. The valley itself offers you more than 10 spots where you can use your crampons and ice axes. But the good thing is that in a distance of one or two hours driving you can find another two wonderful spots for vertical ice. We're talking about the Swiss Valley of Trient or the Cogne Valley in Italy. Access is easy, with 10-60 mins walk from the road. Some of the ice falls are equipped with belays and most have abseil descents. The icefalls at altitude normally start to form around December. The lower falls start forming from January onwards with the best ice fall climbing months being between January and February. The most famous beginners place is La Cremerie, in Argentiere. Here you can find some nice and easy routes, some of them only 45º steep. But there are plenty of other spots such as the right and left side of the Argentiere Glacier, the Col des Montets, Le Tour and many others. Ice climbing equipment: boots, ice axes, crampons, screws, etc. can be purchased or hired in all the sports shops in the Chamonix Valley. See our list of mountain equipment shops. There are also an abundance of high Mountain Guides and guiding organisations that run ice climbing courses, for beginners and intermediates. The weather, recent snowfall, temperature changes, ice quality and equipment condition are all factors the ice climber should consider. The level of difficulty or grade can also change depending on the ice thickness. Avalanches and falling ice may be a threat. Care should always be taken on approaches. Wear an avalanche tranceivers if in any doubt. You can always hire the services of a Mountain Guides who will take you out ice climbing and ensure your safety.

The first visitors When two young English aristrocrats, William Windham et Richard Pocock, discover the Priory of Chamouni 1741, they have no idea that the recital of their visit to this small mountain village and its glaciers, will have an impact on the whole of Europe. Wealthy tourists, in particular the English, come to admire the mysterious Mer de Glace. The huntsmen and crystal-finders, with their knowledege of the mountains, act as their guides. History from Chamouni to Chamonix The first inn opens in 1770 and marks the early development of the hotel trade and the first mountaineering exploits. The conquest of mont Blanc in 1786, contributes to the demystification of the summits and seals the destiny of this mountain community. The influence of pre-romantic and romantic writers also helps to alleviate the fear of the unknown and consecrates the mountains as being an expression of nature totally preserved. The first luxury hotel was built in 1816 and the hotel industry continued to thrive through the 1800's, crowned by 3 splendid palaces built in the early 1900's. Certain dates are synonymous with the development of summer tourism : the creation of the Compagnie des Guides in 1821 and the inauguration of the Montenvers Mer de Glace cog railway in 1908. 6 years later, there are 39 hotels in the valley ! However the major turning point in Chamonix's development was the creation of road and rail access. In 1866 under the reign of Napoleon III, the first horse-drawn coaches alighted in the village square and in 1901 the railway line between St Gervais Le Fayet and Chamonix was inaugurated. The arrival of the train much improved access to Chamonix in winter and opened the way to winter-sports tourism, with Doctor Payot being the precursor in the valley. Mountains accessible to all The first Winter Olympic games were hosted by Chamonix in 1924 and consecrated the valley as a winter Mecca, with an important number of lifts being built in the ensuing years. First were the Glacier cable cars (no longer existing) and Planpraz, followed by the Brevent, the Aiguille du Midi and the Flégère. Chamonix today, is not only an important tourist destination, but it is also a strategic link with Italy via the Mont-Blanc tunnel. The town strives to maintain a healthy balance between tourist and transport demands and the preservation of an exceptional natural environment. Chamonix, a mountain town of a thousand facets Chamonix has expanded under the influence of tourism and has developed through several different architetcural periods. The town is doted with a rich and diverse architectural heritage where traditional and modern styles rub shoulders. Wander through the town and outlying villages and you will discover baroque churches and protestant chapels dating from several hundred years, hotels and palaces from the golden age, « Art Deco » facades, traditional farmhouses, colossal villas and chalets contrasting with modern constructions. It is this architectural diversity that contributes to Chamonix's unique and undefinable charm Read more Good to know A magnificent fresco dedicated to the famous people who marked the history of our valley awaits you on Rue du Docteur Paccard in Chamonix. Museums and exhibitions Small village recording the everyday life of the village in times past. The "Maison de l’Alpage" allows to discover the exhibition ITINERIO on the theme "Agriculture and landscapes, the major transformations ". Contemporary art gallery that showcases different perspectives on mountain and nature, particularly those with an offbeat and contemporary outlook. The museum’s completion is the culmination of a collaboration between the Mineralogy Club and the town of Chamonix. A house dating from 1750 is home to the museum, recording the mountain way of life via the recreation of a traditional dwelling and displaying everyday obj... In a building dating back to 1480 included in the heritage of the Valley and opened October 12, 2014, you will be transported and aware of mountain agricul... Just a short distance from the centre of Chamonix is this delightful chalet, the “Alpenrose”, which houses the studio and home of Marcel Wibault. The Chamo... Situated at the Col des Montets, the Aiguilles rouges chalet laboratory offers visitors a unique opportunity to delve into the passionate world of fauna an... A living and open place that welcomes visitors, the Maison de la Mémoire et du Patrimoine [Heritage Centre] is designed to allow everyone to familiarise th... A place of discovery designed on the basis of electronic and mechanical systems for a unique, playful experience through a long journey in the Alps from fo... Chamonix valley official website © copyright 2015 : Office de Tourisme de la vallée de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc - Tous droits réservés OFFICES DE TOURISME Cette marque prouve la conformité à la norme NF X 50-730 et aux règles de certification NF237. Elle garantit que les activités d’accueil, d’information, de promotion/communication, de production/commercialisation, de la boutique, de création et gestion d'événements, l’évaluation et l’amélioration de la qualité de service sont contrôlés régulièrement par AFNOR Certification – 11, rue Francis de Pressensé – 93571 LA PLAINE SAINT DENIS Cedex – France