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Winter activities.

The skiing at Les Houches is simply wonderful.  The pistes range from 1000m to 1900m, with superb views of the Aiguilles de Chamonix with Mont Blanc in the centre.  Skiing is suitable for all ages and abilities.

There is one international black run, 12 red runs, 5 blue runs, 4 green runs, 1 cable car, 1 bubble lift, 3 chair lifts and 12 drag lifts.  The black piste is also known as the Green Piste, so be careful!

The Green Piste at Les Houches is deceptive and does not live up to its name.  This piste is in fact a black run of 3343m long. Starting at an altitude of 1871m and descending to 1001m, the best skiers in the world descend it in 2 minutes.  It comprises a series of very technical runs and jumps like the Cassure and the Goulet.   It is, however, one of the most beautiful pistes in the world.

Les Houches has been holding international competitions for 60 years and is the training center for the French National Ski Team.  For the last four years the Green Piste has hosted the Telemark World Cup.  Every three years the piste hosts the Kandahar descent and slalom world cup. 

The more adventurous skier can ski the "Vallée Blanche".  This is a glacial descent through the Mont Blanc range.  This is a unique experience in an area of stunning natural beauty.  The descent starts at an altitude of 3842m and is 24km in length.  The descent takes 3 to 5 hours and drops a total of 2800m.  Although the descent is not very difficult, you are skiing off piste and therefore you must be a competent skier, able to control your speed and know how to sideslip down steep slopes. It is strongly recommended that a mountain guide is hired for your own safety.

For novice skiers there are ski schools and gentle runs to build up confidence. Ski schools and individual ski instructors offer lessons to children and adults of all ages. The cable cars and ski lifts take you to the top of the pistes, where there are plenty of restaurants and cafés. 

Ski hire is available in Les Houches from various shops. 

If a break from skiing is needed there are plenty of other activities available.  Snowboarding is very popular and exciting.  Snowboards can be hired in Les Houches and there are schools to teach you how to do it!  Other activities include ski-jumping, ice-climbing, snow-shoeing, ice skating, ice hockey, swimming, and sledging.  For a completely unforgettable experience, visit the Boréal Traîneau Adventure for an outing on a dog-sleigh.

The opening dates for skiing are from 1st December - 21st April, depending on snow conditions.