Les Houches Ski Lifts
A varied ski area linked to the town of Les Houches by two ski lifts
Generally considered to be the most family-friendly of the Chamonix Valley ski areas, Les Houches is easy to access via the Bellevue cable car and the Prarion gondola.
The Prarion gondola is right at the end of the Chamonix valley bus line, with a stop right outside the lift station. During peak season we recommend this as the best way to get there as the car park is often very busy and there are few options for roadside parking nearby. At the top of the Prarion you'll find yourself on a wide plateau from where you can either drop straight on to the Table d'Orientation red run to access a number of chairlifts and draglifts on the front side, or you can scoot across the nursery slopes to cruise the Saint-Gervais side of the mountain.
Les Houches is the only ski area in Chamonix to have a high-altitude cross-country ski circuit up amongst the pistes. Access is easiest from the top of the Prarion gondola; you can either use your regular lift pass or, if you don't have one, you can save a few euros by buying a pedestrian pass. The same applies for snowshoers who want to hike around the beautiful trails signposted from the top of the Prarion and and Bellevue lift stations.
The Bellevue cable car also has a bus stop right outside the lift station and a free car park for those who are driving. The cable car brings you up to the wide expanse of the Col de Voza, where you'll find a couple of draglifts serving a short red run and a long gentle blue run. Continue on along the col towards the Voza Prarion chairlift and you'll be in the heart of the ski area with choices such as the world-famous Kandahar piste and the lovely tree-runs of Abbaye and La Cha.
Les Houches is the only ski area in Chamonix to have its own tram! The Tramway du Mont Blanc runs daily from Saint Gervais up to the Col de Voza and is a fantastic way to see the mountains. If you have non-skiing friends, they can take the tram up to meet you for lunch. It is included in your Mont Blanc Unlimited lift pass, or you can buy a ticket at the lift station in Saint Gervais.
Parts of Les Houches are a bit tiresome for snowboarders as you often hit flat sections around the lift stations; fine for skiers who can use their poles to skate along though, and perfect for little ones perfecting their duck walk!
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Directions
You can access Les Houches most easily by one of the local buses or by car. There is a large free car park at the Prarion gondola and although there is a train stop in Les Houches it's a very long walk from there to get to the bottom of the lifts. Buses stop at both the Bellevue cable car and the Prarion gondola.
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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La Ginabelle Premium Residence
La Ginabelle offers cosy, alpine-style apartments, just steps from shops, restaurants and mountain adventures.ย
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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: โฌ3,250
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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: โฌ990
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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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La Riviere Apartment Residence
Peaceful apartment residence just a short walk from the train station and cable car.
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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: โฌ1,273
Things to do nearby
Things To Do in Les Houches
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Adaptive Sensory Walks in Chamonix
In 2012, the photographer/author Teresa Kaufman hosted her first group of autistic adolescents on a Discovery & Photo Walk in the valley of Chamonix. She is now introducing a 5 Senses Walk for disabled visitors - visually impaired, hard of hearing or autistic youngsters.
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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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Teresa Kaufman Discovery Walks & Mini-Photoshoot
An opportunity to get in the picture with Teresa Kaufman as your personal photographer, guide and story teller. This is the perfect activity accessible to everyone; children, adults, grandparents - easy walking, incredible scenery, a moment to share. Non-skiers will love it in the winter. An activity to experience with loved ones or to give as a gift.
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Outdoor Ice Rink
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.
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Centre Equestre Du Mont-Blanc
This horse riding centre is situated in just up the hill from the train station in Les Houches. The centre is open all year round and has both an indoor and outdoor arena.
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Montagnard museum
Situated in a house dating back to the 1750's, this museum showcases mountain lifestyles from the reconstruction of three pieces of traditional housing and objects from everyday life.
Restaurants nearby
Restaurants in Les Houches
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Rocky Pop Restaurant
This restaurant is part of the popular Rocky Pop Hotel, opened in December 2016, whose ethos is "joy and togetherness".
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Kitsch Inn Bar & Restaurant
Quirkily decorated, as the name suggests, this restaurant has different rooms for different moods. Grab a quick coffee and a snack at the breakfast bar, enjoy a casual meal in the retro formica kitchen area, or sit and take your time over dinner at one of the large tables in the dining room. They also have a large sunny terrace where they serve up a nice BBQ in the summer and a kids play area.
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Gandhi Restaurant
This restaurant serves tasty, good value Indian cuisine for lunch, dinner and to takeaway.
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Le Delice Restaurant and Cafรฉ
Le Delice in Les Houches serves fresh seasonal dishes made from scratch, including two flavour-packed burgers with homemade fries. There are veggie vegan and gluten-free options, plus a great drinks list with beers on tap cocktails and local liqueurs. Whether you're after lunch dinner or just a drink it's a welcoming spot with something for everyone.
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Le Basilic Restaurant
Just across the road from the Bellevue lift in Les Houches, this is a perfect spot to recharge your batteries after a day on the mountain, or pop in for lunch.
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Le Hors Pistes Restaurant
Brilliantly located in the heart of the Les Houches Prarion ski area.
Nightlife nearby
Bars & Clubs in Les Houches
See all Bars & Clubs in Les Houches-
Kitsch Inn Bar & Restaurant
Quirkily decorated, as the name suggests, this restaurant has different rooms for different moods. Grab a quick coffee and a snack at the breakfast bar, enjoy a casual meal in the retro formica kitchen area, or sit and take your time over dinner at one of the large tables in the dining room. They also have a large sunny terrace where they serve up a nice BBQ in the summer and a kids play area.
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Rocky Pop Bar
This bar is situated in the Rocky Pop Hotel which opened in December 2016. The hotel aims to break the mould of traditional style hotel accommodation with its flamboyant, fun and unconventional approach.
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Le Spot
Found at the bottom of the Bellevue cable car, Le Spot is perfectly located for for lunch or an aprรจs-ski drink.
Sights nearby
Sights in Chamonix
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Montagnard museum
Situated in a house dating back to the 1750's, this museum showcases mountain lifestyles from the reconstruction of three pieces of traditional housing and objects from everyday life.
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Les Houches summer lifts
Les Houches sits at the bottom end of the Chamonix Valley and is a popular place for hikers, mountaineers and mountain bikers in the summer months.
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Parc de Merlet
Parc de Merlet is a great place to spot some local animals in their natural environment. A nature reserve, rather than a zoo, the park is perched on a large plateau high above Les Houches.
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Tramway du Mont-Blanc
The Tramway du Mont Blanc runs from the bottom of the valley in Le Fayet all the way up to the Nid d'Aigle at 2,380m above Les Houches.
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Les Bossons glacier
This small two person chairlift is only open for a short time in summer, but it's great if you want to take a close up look at the bottom of the Glacier des Bossons.
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Maison de l'Alpage museum
This little museum is housed in the same building as the post office and library in the village centre of Servoz.