Domaine de Balme Ski Lifts, Le Tour & Vallorcine
Connected ski areas & details of the lift system
The Domaine de Balme area is situated at the top end of the Chamonix Valley; accessed by either of two gondolas, one based in the village of Le Tour and another from Vallorcine on the French/Swiss border.
The Charamillon Ski Area on the Le Tour side of the mountain consists of rich alpine meadows in the summer and wide and varied ski slopes in the winter, great for beginner/intermediates with some steeper slopes and wonderful off-piste in the tree-lined Tete de Balme area on the Vallorcine side. Le Tour has a higher proportion of drag lifts than the other areas in the valley, but these can mostly be avoided by taking the Autannes or the Tete de Balme chairlifts.
As well as the two gondolas, the Autannes chairlift also runs in the summer, taking hikers and mountain bikers up above 2,000m, just a short distance from the border with Switzerland. In winter it can sometimes be quicker to access this area by driving or taking the train to Vallorcine, as the majority of skiers head to Le Tour.
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Directions
Le Tour & La Vormaine can be reached best by car, as the train only takes you as far as Montroc. It takes around 25 minutes to drive here from the centre of Chamonix, or alternatively you can take one of the local buses which will also take around 30 minutes from the town centre. You can travel to Vallorcine separately on the train and catch the gondola up from there to the main ski area which is a good idea if the car park at Le Tour is full.
When to come
Take a look at all the winter lift opening dates and timetables.
How to get passes
You can buy lift passes at the ticket office once you arrive, or buy a pass in advance on line. See all the Winter Lift Prices.
Hotels nearby
Hotels in Chamonix
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Chamois Blanc Apartment Residence
Stay in the heart of Chamonix-Sud at Le Chamois Blanc, a charming residence close to shops, the train station and cable car.
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Le Genepy Aparthotel
In the heart of Chamonix, close to all amenities and within walking distance to the Brevent cable car with views of Mont-Blanc.
Price: โฌ2,687
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Lyret Hotel
Hotel Lyret blends Alpine charm with modern creativity, offering a unique stay where art and hospitality come together.
Price: โฌ968
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Faucigny Hotel
Completely renovated in Scandinavian style, Le Faucigny is a charming small hotel in the town centre. Whether you're with family or friends or enjoying a romantic getaway, the hotel provides the ideal setting for a pleasant stay in the legendary Mont-Blanc valley.
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La Chaumiere Mountain Lodge
This mountain lodge enjoys a prime location just metres from the ski bus stop and local train station, with the town centre only a short walk away. Recently refurbished, it now features a smart, modern interior.
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Pointe Isabelle Hotel
Ideally located, the hotel has 45 spacious, well appointed bedrooms with great views of Mont Blanc and the Aiguilles Rouges mountains.
Price: โฌ796
Things to do nearby
Things To Do in Chamonix
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Chamonix Valley Vortex Walk
Chamonix-based photographer and writer Teresa Kaufman has been hosting Discovery & Photo Walks since 2011 in the beautiful and energy-charged environment of the Chamonix Valley. Orignally designed for budding photographers visiting Mont Blanc, Teresaโs walks have started to appeal to a different kind of visitor - those looking for a digital detox from the internet and social networks in order to reconnect to nature in Chamonixโs fantastic landscapes.
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Vallee Blanche Off-Piste Ski Guiding
Trust this local team of High Mountain Guides (UIAGM), Ski and Snowboard Instructors, all of whom have the highest level of state qualifications.
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Cinema VOX
Chamonix's own Cinema VOX is situated right in the centre of town, slightly tucked back on the Place Balmat (main square in the centre). There are three recently refurbished screens equipped with digital 3D projectors show the latest French and International films, as well as a number of premieres and specialist mountain-sports films.
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Guided Snowshoeing
Off-piste snowshoe outings where you can discover the charm and serenity of the Chamonix Valley onย foot.
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Snowshoe Guided Walks
Explore the fantastic natural scenery around Vallorcine, Le Tour and Montroc by going off the beaten track on snowshoes!
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Teresa Kaufman Outdoor Photography Classes
'The best photo class you will ever take', is Teresa's bold strapline for her unique photo walk classes, which take place in the incredible outdoors of the Chamonix Valley and offer an opportunity to photograph the major mountains and viewpoints.
Restaurants nearby
Restaurants in Chamonix
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La Piazza Restaurant
Italian restaurant next to the Savoy nursery ski area with an outdoor terrace and fantastic views.
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Le Comptoir de Plan Praz Restaurant and Cafรฉ
The Comptoirโs menu features a variety of hot and cold dishes, from sandwiches to delicious soups. All to be enjoyed with a lovely view of the mountains.
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Pointe Isabelle Bar and Bistro Restaurant
This tastefully refurbished restaurant and bar are right in the heart of Chamonix on the popular Avenue Michel Croz, close to the train station.
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Bighorn Bistro Restaurant
Bighorn Bistro in Chamonix Sud is known for its homemade American-style comfort food, from stacked burgers to freshly baked desserts. You can pair your meal with a craft beer or one of their creative cocktails. With friendly service and a laid-back atmosphere, itโs a favourite with both locals and visitors.
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Stories & Beer
Stories is a local craft beer bar and taco restaurant in Chamonix. Enjoy a slice of Mexico in France.
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La Fruitiรจre Restaurant
This elegant restaurant is situated in La Folie Douce Hotel.
Nightlife nearby
Bars & Clubs in Chamonix
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L'Amnesia Nightclub
L'Amnesia (formally Le Garage) is ideally located near to the Aiguille du midi cable car in Cham'Sud and is a legendary Chamonix nightclub and melting pot for all the late night (and sometimes all-night) party-goers!
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Bighorn Bistro Bar
Bighorn Bistro in Chamonix Sud is known for its homemade American-style comfort food, from stacked burgers to freshly baked desserts. You can pair your meal with a craft beer or one of their creative cocktails. With friendly service and a laid-back atmosphere, itโs a favourite with both locals and visitors.
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Le Janssen Cocktail Club
Situated in La Folie Douce Hotel, The Janssen is the ideal place to marvel at the ever-changing light that dresses Mont Blanc.
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Stories & Beer
Stories is a local craft beer bar and taco restaurant in Chamonix. Enjoy a slice of Mexico in France.
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Brev'bar, Chamonix - Le Brevent
What could be better than relaxing in the sun on a south-facing terrace facing Mont Blanc?
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La Folie Douce Bar
La Folie Douce Hotels first opened in 1981 and quickly became THE place to be for aprรจs-ski on the slopes, thanks to their unique combination of live music, DJs, dancers and performers.
Sights nearby
Sights in Chamonix
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Le Tour and Vallorcine, Chamonix Valley
Le Tour is a small, quaint little village at the far end of the Chamonix valley in the 'Domaine de la Balme' area with access to some great hiking and mountain bike trails.
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Maison de Barberine museum
Situated in an 18th century house, the Barberine museum is dedicated to showing pastoral life of the Vallorcine people in the valley since the 18th century.
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VerticAlp funiculars and train
At the edge of the Franco-Swiss border lies the 'VerticAlp' experience, which is made up of a steep funicular, a panoramic train and a smaller funicular taking you up to the Emosson Dam. ย
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Aiguille Rouge Nature Reserve
The Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve was created in 1974 and is a bio-diverse area of around 16,000 hectares with spectacular views of the Col des Montets. There is an information centre where you can find out about the animals and plants of the area and buy a drink or snack.
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Les Grands Montets, Chamonix - Argentiรจre
The Plan Joran tรฉlรฉcabine takes you up to Grands Montets at an altitude of 1,972 metres.ย
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La Flรฉgรจre, Chamonix - Le Praz
In summer the cable car at Flรฉgรจre and the Index chairlift operate, taking you up to an altitude of 1,894m and then on to 2,396m at the top of the Index.