What are the ski resorts near Mont Blanc?
Do you wish to go to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region for winter holidays, and more specifically to Haute-Savoie, land of the majestic Mont-Blanc? To help you choose your ski resort for your next stay, Sport 2000 gives you ideas of resorts and areas near Mont-Blanc. You can enjoy a day, a weekend or ski holidays at the foot of Europe's highest mountain.
Rest assured, our selection is for all skiers and snowboarders, whatever their level.
Without further ado, here is an overview of the ski resorts near Mont-Blanc !
In summary
Do you want to go to Haute-Savoie for your winter holidays or a weekend at the foot of the majestic Mont-Blanc? Our guide presents the essential resorts and ski areas of this mythical massif, suitable for both families and experienced skiers. From the international atmosphere of Chamonix and Argentière to the sheltered slopes of Les Houches or Saint-Gervais, find the ideal destination for your stay. Book your equipment online and collect your gear directly from our Sport 2000 stores located in the heart of the resorts.
Mont Blanc: mythical Alpine mountain for winter sports
The mere mention of this name evokes memories of mythical ascents by renowned mountaineers, such as Jacques Balmat, who on August 8, 1786, set foot on the summit of the 4810-meter dome.
If it is a paradise for mountaineers, Mont Blanc is also one for skiers and surfers who can enjoy the surrounding resorts to indulge in their favorite passion.
The Mont Blanc massif is located in Haute-Savoie and consists of 9 resorts and other beautiful resorts are accessible by car or coach.
The Mont Blanc area
The opening of the ski area of the Mont Blanc massif takes place from November until May. Of course, these dates may vary depending on snow conditions. Here are the main resorts and ski areas that make up this majestic Alpine region and the essential information to know.
Chamonix
The best-known resort in Haute-Savoie is a prime destination for skiing near Mont Blanc. It enjoys an international reputation, with American, English, German, Swiss, and Italian tourists visiting every year. Chamonix maintains its reputation for luxury and comfort, but also that of a high-level ski resort, without forgetting slopes for children and beginners. The area thus includes:
Le Savoy and Les Chosalets: two safe and reassuring slopes for young and old alike.
Les Planards: for families and beginners: blue and red slopes.
La Vormaine: for indulging in freestyle without too much risk.
Les Houches: for good skiers.
Le Brevent and Flégère: for experienced skiers.
La Vallée Blanche: for off-piste enthusiasts.
From Chamonix, you can also access the famous Aiguille du Midi, a must-see during your holiday to marvel at Mont Blanc and the magnificent panorama.
If this is the destination you have chosen for your next stay in the Alps, save time by booking your ski equipment in Chamonix by booking here: Chamonix ski rental
Argentière
Located north of Chamonix resort, Argentière is a mountain village in the pure Savoyard tradition. The resort is located at an altitude of 1200 m and is part of the commune of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc.
Argentière is ideal for a ski weekend or family holidays, as the Grands Montets area offers slopes for all levels : green and blue slopes for beginners, but also beautiful red and black slopes for experienced skiers or snowboarders.
Geographically, Argentière offers direct access to Switzerland via the Col des Montets. The village is dominated by the Argentière glacier, where the welcome chalet of the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve is located.
Save time by booking your ski equipment in Argentière by booking here: Stamos Sports Argentière, and remember to book your ski pass in advance to avoid losing a second at the lift ticket offices!
Les Houches
If you want to wake up with a breathtaking view of the Aiguilles de Chamonix, then don't hesitate, Les Houches are ideal. On the slopes side, the Les Houches ski area extends over 55 km of slopes of alpine skiing, served by 16 ski lifts and ranging from 950 to 1900 meters in altitude.
We advise you to try the Piste Verte des Houches, which, as its name does not suggest, is a black slope, and regularly hosted the Ski World Cup.
The Les Houches pass also gives access to 2 snowparks and beginner areas : the Tourchet slopes, in the center of the resort, are ideal for learning to ski.
For ski and equipment rental, our Sport 2000 stores will meet all your needs. You can book your ski equipment in Les Houches by booking here: store Sport 2000 Bellevue Sports located at Place du Téléphérique de Bellevue or Sport 2000 Cuby Sport in the resort.
Saint-Gervais-les-Bains
Saint-Gervais-Les-Bains obviously carries its heritage in its name. Located at the foot of Mont Blanc, the Saint-Gervais ski resort is a popular spot for thermal bath enthusiasts. This mountain town is therefore a prime destination for those who wish to enjoy resort life outside of skiing hours: from Fayet to Bettex, passing through the authentic Savoyard village of Saint-Nicolas de Véroce or Saint-Gervais itself with its historic center, featuring typical thermal architecture.
For skiing, Saint Gervais offers direct access to the Évasion Mont Blanc ski area. You can for example use the Mont-Blanc Tramway (one of the last rack railways in France) to reach the Prarion/Bellevue ski area (1,800 m). In summer, the tramway takes hikers and mountaineers to the foot of the Bionnassay Glacier, at the Nid d'Aigle (2,372 meters). Access point to reach the Tête Rousse and Goûter refuges during the ascent of Mont Blanc.
Winter sports shops in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains offer ski and snowboard rental, but also hiking and mountaineering equipment. It's up to you to select the equipment you need via online rental, or by going directly to a store in the resort.
The Vallée Blanche: for experienced skiers
If Chamonix and its surroundings attract so many people, it's for the beauty of its landscapes, but also for its off-piste skiing.
The mythical "Vallée Blanche" offers an area of more than 20 kilometers of off-piste skiing within the Mont Blanc massif.
The departure is from the summit of the Aiguille du Midi (3,842m) then descends to Chamonix, a unique route in the world, but particularly demanding. We recommend that you use the services of a high mountain guide before venturing onto these slopes. You will also need to be in excellent physical condition. The start is indeed skis in hand before continuing with a 4-hour descent on the glacier.
This freeride area is reserved for experienced skiers. The ideal season to ski the Vallée Blanche starts in February.
Discover the Vallée Blanche by booking your skis at a Sport 2000 ski rental shop in Chamonix.
Other resorts and ski areas near Mont Blanc
In the Alps, there are many other destinations that allow you to admire Mont-Blanc while skiing, snowshoeing, or even enjoying the lifts accessible to pedestrians.
To name a few, there is for example the renowned resort of Megève, the charming village of Combloux and the authentic Giettaz en Aravis, linked to form the ski area of the Portes du Mont-Blanc, with 100 km of alpine ski slopes.
You could also admire Mont-Blanc and the Aravis range by opting for a holiday in Crest-Voland or in Praz de Lys Sommand.
Further north, still in the Alps and Haute-Savoie, other family destinations offer exceptional panoramic views of the largest mountain in France and Europe. For example, go to Samoëns or near Vallorcine.
And know that even by leaving the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, you might have the chance to see Mont-Blanc: the Jura massif offers many viewpoints over this mythical mountain, to be discovered from the ski slopes or by putting on snowshoes, or during a hike or mountain biking in the warmer season!
