Salomon
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Chamonix? Just visit the NetSki Salomon store!
Best Pistes in Le Tour & Vallorcine
Great pistes for intermediates & beginners
The area of Domaine de Balme is a great mixture of 22 easy and intermediate runs and is a popular destination for the ski schools.
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Accessed either from Vallorcine or Le Tour; Le Tour is slightly closer to Chamonix town and is on the main bus route, but Vallorcine rarely has any lift queues and can be accessed directly by train station.
La Vormaine is the beginner's area at the foot of Le Tour; the gentle terrain is perfect for getting those out of practice ski legs back into action before taking on the tougher runs elsewhere in the valley. Generally, this area is the quietest of the Chamonix Valley as everyone tends to rush to Les Grands Montets when they first arrive or to an area closer to their accommodation and the main town of Chamonix.
The Autannes chairlift at the front of Le Tour gives access to some good intermediate runs, Les Ecuries being the most obvious as it runs below the lift. You can then carry on down the Charamillon run to the carpark and then take the gondola back up, making a nice long run that you can keep on lapping until the corduroy is all gone. The Autannes chairlift avoids having to use any of the draglifts that also service this area; additionally, as your confidence grows there are numerous small jumps and gullies that you can get your first air on. The front of Le Tour is littered with gullies, which during the winter fill in with snow and form themselves into natural halfpipes; look out to the left from the Autannes chairlift and you’ll notice one right next to the Ecuries piste.
Also just to the side of the Autannes chairlift is the timed slalom course; you just scan your lift pass to have your run filmed and timed then go to the website afterwards to see how you did.
The Tete de Balme chair at the backside of the Domaine de Balme offers fast access to some steeper runs and excellent off-piste through the trees. If the snow is good there’s always the possibility of skiing right down to the village of Vallorcine and riding back up on the gondola. With some great access to powder even a few days after a dump the backside of Le Tour is one of our favourite areas in Chamonix.
Don’t forget the Aiguilette des Possettes draglift as it gives access to some great open powder fields skiers left down towards the Esserts piste. Make sure you don’t take the skiers right though - although it may look tempting, this area is highly prone to avalanches. There is also a fabulous little mountain restaurant located at the base of this drag lift – the Alpages des Balmes – which serves one of the best vin chaud’s in the valley!
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Beginner ski hire
Ski Hire in Chamonix
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Grands Montets Sports
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Chamonix? Just visit the Skiset Grands Montets Sports store!
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Ravanel & Co Alpina
This ski hire shop is situated in the centre of Chamonix right on the corner of the Place du Mont Blanc where all the ski shuttle buses run to.
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Cham'Sport Centre
One of several Cham'sport shops, Cham'sport Centre is located at Avenue Michel Croz, just opposite the Hotel Pointe Isabelle and down from the train station, not far from McDonald's and central Chamonix. Save time and money by booking all your ski and snowboard gear online, and collect easily before hitting the slopes.
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Sanglard Sports
This rental shop in Argentiere is situated right at the foot of the Grands Montets cable car - so there's a minimum of carrying equipment and a maximum amount of convenience - just grab your skis or snowboard and go! Frederic and his team are on hand to assist you in the store.
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Chamonix Ski
This ski and snowboard hire shop is only a 3-minute walk from the centre of Chamonix and perfectly located if you're staying in the Les Pècles / Les Moussoux.
Beginner ski lessons
Ski School Lessons in Chamonix
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Private ski lessons
This ski school connects snow sports enthusiasts of all abilities with expert ski and snowboard instructors across Europe’s top resorts. With thousands of top-rated, verified instructors to choose from, their private lessons offer a flexible and personalised learning experience.
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Group ski lessons
Operating across the valley, this world-class team of ski instructors is available at all meeting points in Chamonix.
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Private ski lessons
Chamonix Sport Aventure is one of Chamonix's leading ski and snowboard schools offering a personalised service to maximise progress and fun in the mountains.
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Group ski lessons
The perfect choice for group ski lessons in the Chamonix Valley if you're staying in Vallorcine, Le Tour or Montroc, or would like to discover the beautiful Balme ski area at the top end of the valley.
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Group ski lessons
This ski school offers group ski lessons for both children and adults, catering to all ability levels. Their group lessons provide a great and affordable way to improve your skiing in a safe, social and supportive environment.
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Group ski lessons
This ski school welcomes everyone from beginners to experts in group classes.
What should I wear when skiing or snowboarding?
Ski Hire in Chamonix
See all Ski Hire in Chamonix-
Salomon
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Chamonix? Just visit the NetSki Salomon store!
-
Grands Montets Sports
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Chamonix? Just visit the Skiset Grands Montets Sports store!
-
Ravanel & Co Alpina
This ski hire shop is situated in the centre of Chamonix right on the corner of the Place du Mont Blanc where all the ski shuttle buses run to.
-
Cham'Sport Centre
One of several Cham'sport shops, Cham'sport Centre is located at Avenue Michel Croz, just opposite the Hotel Pointe Isabelle and down from the train station, not far from McDonald's and central Chamonix. Save time and money by booking all your ski and snowboard gear online, and collect easily before hitting the slopes.
-
Sanglard Sports
This rental shop in Argentiere is situated right at the foot of the Grands Montets cable car - so there's a minimum of carrying equipment and a maximum amount of convenience - just grab your skis or snowboard and go! Frederic and his team are on hand to assist you in the store.
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Chamonix Ski
This ski and snowboard hire shop is only a 3-minute walk from the centre of Chamonix and perfectly located if you're staying in the Les Pècles / Les Moussoux.
More inspiration...
Take a look at this year's Ski Pass Prices or, if you're not sure which pass to buy, read Ski Pass Options for more information. Find your way around with Piste Maps for Chamonix.
