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Sport Things To Do in Les Houches — 2 of Our Favourites

Find your perfect Les Houches activities. Book directly or with help from our local experts

The main draw for people coming to Chamonix in winter is, of course, skiing and snowboarding.

Find loads of top tips and local insights in our Chamonix Activities Guide.

image of Chamonix indoor climbing wall

1. Indoor Climbing Wall

Location
Les Houches

The Chamonix valley is home to one of the largest indoor climbing walls in France. The Mont Blanc Escalade is located in Les Houches and is open all year.

With 1250m sq. of climbing surfaces, and more than 100 routes to the roof, ranging from 16 to 21 metres in height. There is a beginners wall, a kid's wall, a bouldering room and even a cafeteria. All necessary equipment is available for hire. Complete beginners can make a first ascent of the indoor climbing wall with instruction from local guides. Open to adults and children 5 or over.

They offer for private or group lessons for younger individuals or group lessons. But also one-week courses during school holidays. Their training programs for beginners will allow those who are new to climbing the chance to discover climbing in a safe environment. Learn belay techniques and how to understand the body language of other climbers. How to make your first movement on the wall, and to complete your first routes.

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Outdoor Ice Rink, Les Houches

2. Outdoor Ice Rink

Location
Les Houches

This open air ice rink is open throughout the winter months from late December to the end of March. It is situated on the main road just opposite the exit toward the train station and the motorway.

The ice rink is completely free for skaters and skate hire costs just €3.50 ( or €2 per person for a group of 15 or more). For younger children there are supports available to keep them stable on the ice.

You can skate along with the music into the night as the rink is flood lit and on occasion is open until 11:00 p.m.

After you have finished on the ice, you can treat yourself to the various snacks and chocolate bars available at their cafe.

For further details visit the website or contact them directly by phone.

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About activities in Chamonix

The main draw for people coming to Chamonix in winter is, of course, skiing and snowboarding. However, there’s other activities to do in Chamonix in the summer. 

Whether you're just looking for something to do when the lifts close or you simply don't ski, we promise you, you'll have no time to get bored here!

With five different parts of the valley to ski in, and a wealth of off-piste areas, the valley has something for every level of experience. There are around 150km of piste, 65 ski lifts, the pisted terrain ranges in altitude from 950m to 3,300m and not forgetting the world famous Vallée Blanche descent - a 20km long route that takes you from the Aiguille du Midi down 2,700m to town.

What to do in Chamonix?

Chamonix is an outdoor activities paradise. The Alpine town and its surrounding mountains offer hundreds of things to do for every ability and every age.

 Some activities are perfect for solo travellers while others are more suited to romantic couples. Families and groups will also find a wide range of things to do in Chamonix. 

From relaxing to full on adrenaline, from child friendly to adults only, from outdoor fun to bad weather indoor activities, there is something for everyone in Chamonix.

Activities Guest Card

The Chamonix guest card ('carte d'hôte') is valid throughout the year (for the duration of your stay) and entitles you to various discounts throughout the valley, such as reductions at all the sports and cultural facilities including the swimming pool, ice rink, museums and covered parking. 

If you do not receive one when you check into your accommodation, you can buy one from any of the tourist offices in the valley. You can find out more about the various advantages it offers from the tourist office website.