Pétanque

Our own pétanque court sits right next to the garage — grab the boules and play a few rounds before dinner, Provençal café-terrace style. Doubles or triples both work well for a group.

Hammerschlagen (the nail & hammer game)

The tree stump next to the fire pit is set up for Hammerschlagen — a German "strongman" tavern game, also known as Stump: everyone hammers a nail partway into the stump, then takes turns trying to sink their own (or an opponent's, depending on the house rules you agree on) with a single swing. Last nail standing wins. A classic evening warm-up before or after the fire's lit. The nails and hammer are stored in the outdoor kitchen.

Board games

We keep a well-stocked shelf of board games at the chalet for anyone who'd rather enjoy the cosiness of a night in — ask your host if you can't spot them.

Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix

The original Chamonix guide company, founded 1821, with 240+ guides covering mountaineering, glacier treks, ski touring, and hiking. Extensively reviewed on Tripadvisor — mostly strong, though (being such high-volume) some mixed experiences reported too, which is normal for an operation this size.

Vertical Frontiers

Smaller, IFMGA-certified guiding outfit, consistently praised in reviews for tailoring routes to skill level and for the personal attention of guides like Ben and Ally.

Asmus Nørreslet — Norreslet Mountaineering

A Danish UIAGM/IFMGA guide based in the valley, with over 20 years of experience running mountaineering, ski touring, hiking, and ice climbing in Chamonix and the Alps. Long-time clients consistently praise him as safe, sensible, and always with a backup plan — the kind of guide people return to year after year.

Stuart Macdonald — IFMGA Mountain Guide

An independent IFMGA guide based in Chamonix since 2008, with an exceptional climbing record spanning Everest, over 100 Alpine routes (including the north faces of the Eiger and Matterhorn), Alaska's highest peaks, and first ascents in Greenland and South Georgia. He now leads a small team of hand-picked guides offering everything from summer alpinism and the classic Mont Blanc ascent to ski touring, the Vallée Blanche, and avalanche safety courses, with private guiding available year-round.

Aiguille du Midi

The highest cable car in France, climbing from central Chamonix straight up to 3,842m, directly across from Mont Blanc's summit. At the top, panoramic terraces and the glass-floored "Step into the Void" platform. A return ticket runs around €81 for an adult in 2026 — check the operator's site for current pricing and conditions before heading up, as high-altitude weather can close it at short notice.

Montenvers – Mer de Glace

A little red cogwheel train carries you from Chamonix up to Montenvers station (20 minutes) for views over the Mer de Glace, France's largest glacier. A cable car now takes visitors down onto the ice itself and into the ice cave, alongside a glaciology exhibition explaining the glacier's rapid retreat.

Brévent–Flégère

On the opposite side of the valley from Aiguille du Midi, these two cable cars face Mont Blanc head-on. Brévent rises to 2,525m straight from central Chamonix; Flégère, from Les Praz, connects on to the Index chairlift and gives access to hiking trails toward Lac Blanc and Lac Cornu.

Télécabine du Prarion

Departing from Les Chavants in Les Houches, this gondola climbs to the Prarion plateau at nearly 2,000m, with a spectacular 360° panorama over the Mont Blanc massif, the Aiguilles Rouges, and the Fiz. A great, low-effort way up to easy walking and hiking terrain, or the mountain bike descent back down. Runs daily in summer, weather permitting.

Panoramic Mont-Blanc & Skyway Monte Bianco

A dramatic gondola crossing from the top of Aiguille du Midi over to Pointe Helbronner on the Italian side, connecting with the Skyway Monte Bianco down into Courmayeur. Weather-dependent and often sold on the day at the summit, so it's best treated as a bonus rather than something to plan around in advance.

Mont Blanc Escalade (Les Houches)

The valley's main public climbing wall, with 100 routes from grade 4 to 8b, a large bouldering area, and a relaxation space with a bar and terrace. A great fallback on bad-weather days.

Deep Nature Spa — Les Granges d'en Haut

A short stroll from the chalet, this 600m² mountain-chic spa sits in a peaceful clearing facing the Mont Blanc range. Slip between the indoor pool, sauna, and steam room, then head outside to the hot tub, Swedish bath, and Finnish sauna on a terrace with one of the best views in the valley. Treatments and massages available too, plus lunch next door at La Table des Granges.

Les Thermes de Saint-Gervais

For something further afield, these natural thermal baths are fed by mineral-rich spring water, captured at 39°C after a centuries-long journey through the Alpine rock. Wander between indoor and outdoor pools at the foot of the Bonnant Gorge, saunas, steam rooms, and a herbal tea room, all wrapped in an immersive, sensory design that plays with light, sound, and water.

QC Spa of Wonders (Chamonix)

A striking 4,000m² wellness resort right in town, with an outdoor infinity pool facing the Aiguilles and Mont Blanc that's spectacular in any season — swimming amid snow in winter is a signature experience. Over 30 wellness practices, whirlpools, waterfalls, hydrojets, saunas, and massage treatments, with an evening aperitif included, enjoyed in your bathrobe.

Ruth Martin — Equilibrium Massage & Wellbeing

A UK-qualified sports and remedial massage therapist based right in Les Houches, massaging in the valley since 2008. Ruth brings deep expertise in fascia therapy, myofascial release, and deep tissue work, and comes to you — chalet, hotel, or her Les Houches treatment room — bringing everything needed including the massage table. Loved by everyone from weekend skiers to Olympic athletes and UTMB runners, with consistently glowing reviews for how precisely she reads and treats the body.

Place du Mont-Blanc Market

Every Saturday, the Place du Mont-Blanc in central Chamonix fills with stalls of fresh, local produce — cheeses, cured meats, seasonal fruit and vegetables, honey, bread, and flowers — alongside clothing, crafts, and the odd antique. Runs roughly 8am to 1pm, all year round. A lovely way to spend a morning: wander, graze, and pick up something for dinner while soaking up the smells and buzz of the valley's biggest market.

Musée du Mont-Blanc

The long-running Musée Alpin closed in 2021 for a complete transformation, and reopened on 11 July 2026 as the new Musée du Mont-Blanc — occupying a beautifully restored historic palace on Avenue Michel Croz, with 1,200m² of exhibition space across three permanent galleries tracing the relationship between people and the mountains: the valley's shift from pastoral life to tourism, the great mountaineering ascents, and the changing landscape under climate change. A great option on a rainy or high-altitude-weather day.

Guided hiking & trekking

Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix also runs guided hiking and trekking, including multi-day routes like Chamonix–Zermatt, reviewed positively on Tripadvisor for knowledgeable, safety-conscious guiding on both short valley walks and longer treks.

Hiking trail: Les Chavants → Col de la Forclaz via Charousse

A scenic, moderate loop starting right in Les Houches, following part of the historic Tour du Mont-Blanc route through spruce forest. 9.6km round trip, ~2h40, 541m elevation gain. Open mid-June to end October, weather permitting.

Prarion downhill trails (Les Houches)

Right above the chalet: the Prarion gondola carries bikes up to around 1,870m for three marked descents back into Les Houches — a gentler blue "Respect" trail, a red "Bouquetins," and a technical black "Chamois" — winding through forest, meadow, and footbridges.

Arve valley cycle path

A flat, easy 9km route following the river between Les Houches and Chamonix — ideal for a relaxed ride with the family, and particularly enjoyable on an e-bike if you'd rather save your legs.

Bike & e-bike hire

Rental shops right in Les Houches, including Cyprien Sports near the Bellevue cable car and Balmat Sports opposite the Prarion lift station, cover everything from cross-country and downhill mountain bikes to e-bikes for an easier day out.

Longer e-MTB rides

With a bit of battery assist, the valley opens right up: link the Arve valley path with the Petit Balcon Sud and Petit Balcon Nord trails along the hillside for a full loop, or take on a valley-length route toward Argentière and Le Tour. E-bikes make the climbs manageable for mixed-ability groups, saving the effort for enjoying the views.

Via ferrata above Flégère

Reached via a roughly 20-minute walk from the top of the Flégère cable car, this two-section route follows cables, ladders, and rungs fixed into the rock — a way to experience real exposure and mountain terrain without technical climbing skills.

Guided via ferrata

Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix and several other local operators run introductory via ferrata days suited to beginners and older children, with helmet, harness, and all safety equipment provided.

Fly Chamonix

Tandem flights only, run by British & French-qualified instructor Sean Potts, who has been flying the valley for around 30 years. Takes off from Planpraz, Plan de l'Aiguille, Grands Montets, and — for the adventurous — Aiguille du Midi itself. No experience needed; flown clients from age 4 to 91.

Air Sports Chamonix

A long-established paragliding school offering tandem discovery flights and multi-day courses for those wanting to learn, with a dedicated flight equipment shop alongside.

Mont Blanc Rafting

Half-day rafting on the Arve, an 8km class III descent between Chamonix and Les Houches — right on the chalet's doorstep. Family-friendly from age 8, with hydrospeed (white-water riverboarding), canyoning, and kayaking also on offer for those wanting something more.

Canyoning

Offered by the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix, canyoning blends climbing with white water — natural rock slides, pool jumps, and waterfall abseils down a mountain torrent. The Canyon de Barberine in Vallorcine is a great half-day introduction, suitable for the whole family; wetsuit, harness, and helmet all provided.

Hydrospeed

Also run by the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix, hydrospeed (white-water riverboarding) has you floating down the Arve on a board with fins, steering your own descent under an instructor's guidance — 45 minutes and over 6km of counter-currents at the foot of Mont Blanc. Good fun for beginners and thrill-seekers alike.

Lac des Chavants (Les Houches)

A gentle lake right in Les Houches, free to access, with grassy banks for lounging and shallow water that's easy for kids — also used for the free-to-use cross-country ski loops in winter.

Lac de Passy

A short drive from the chalet near the Karting du Mont Blanc circuit, this is one of the valley's better swimming lakes, with grassy areas for a full day out.

Mont-Blanc Padel (Passy)

The largest padel complex in the Savoie region, with 3 indoor and 1 outdoor court, equipment rental, and a bar/snack area on site. About 15 minutes from Les Houches.

Tennis (Les Houches)

6 courts right in the village, with lessons, adult/child camps, and racket hire available.

Karting du Mont Blanc (Passy, near Sallanches)

A 900m outdoor circuit next to the Lac de Passy, technical and varied with straights, a hairpin, and fast curves. Open March–November.

Rocher des Chavants (Les Houches, by the lake)

A gentle, family-friendly crag right next to a small lake — grassy, shaded in the morning, great for beginners and kids.

Rocher de la Plaine Saint-Jean (near Servoz)

A bigger wall with about 20 routes from grade 3 to 7b, 15–45m tall, for those wanting a proper outdoor climb.

Rocher des Gaillands (Chamonix, by the lake)

The valley's historic, internationally known training crag, right by the Gaillands lake with over 150 routes, most beginner-friendly.

Parc Animalier de Merlet (Les Houches)

A wildlife park at 1,500m right above Les Houches, where ibex, chamois, marmots, llamas, and deer roam freely across open pasture and forest facing Mont Blanc — an easy 2–3 hour walk rather than a hike. Reservation is required, especially on weekends and throughout July and August. Picnic tables sit just outside the entrance (no picnics or pets inside), and a free shuttle runs from Les Houches train station in July and August.

Note: the park is taking 2027 off entirely to let its pastures recover, reopening afterward — so it's a summer 2026 activity, not a standing one.

Chamonix Leisure Park — Les Planards

The valley's biggest family attraction, a few minutes from Chamonix centre: the Alpine Coaster luge (a 1.3km rail sled with turns and 540° spins, open year-round from age 3), plus a summer amusement park with trampolines, slides, a splash boat, looping rides, mechanical diggers, and rides for toddlers. Pay-as-you-go with tokens or wristbands, and a restaurant on site for lunch.

Annecy

About 1 hour away, Annecy is one of the prettiest towns in the Alps — a medieval old town of canals and pastel houses on the edge of the turquoise Lake Annecy. Wander the Thursday, Friday, and Sunday markets, take a boat out on the lake, or just stroll the lakeside paths. Easily fills a half day, longer if you want to swim or cycle the lakeshore path.

Courmayeur, Italy

Just 20 minutes through the Mont Blanc Tunnel, Courmayeur is Italy's answer to Chamonix — a smart, café-lined mountain town at the foot of the massif's Italian side. A great half day for proper Italian coffee, gelato, and lunch, with its own cable cars and boutiques to browse if you want to make more of it.

Saint-Gervais

About 30 minutes away, Saint-Gervais is a classic Belle Époque spa town with a relaxed, old-world charm quite different from Chamonix. Highlights include the Thermes de Saint-Gervais thermal baths, the Tramway du Mont-Blanc up to Bionnassay, and a pleasant town centre for a coffee or lunch stop.

Megève

About 40 minutes away, Megève is a chic, historic resort village known for its cobbled streets, boutiques, and excellent restaurants — a favourite escape for a smarter lunch or an afternoon of browsing. Popular year-round, not just in ski season.

Combe de Savoie wine region

The nearest proper wine district, around 1–1h15 away near Chambéry. This is the heart of the Vin de Savoie AOC — mostly crisp Alpine whites from villages like Apremont and Chignin, plus a scattering of light reds. Several family domaines welcome visitors for tastings, and the Combe de Savoie itself is a scenic drive through vine-covered hillsides below the Bauges massif. Well worth combining with lunch in Chambéry, the old capital of the Duchy of Savoy.

Les Houches / Saint-Gervais

Right on the doorstep, with 55km of mostly wooded, sheltered slopes between 1000m and 1900m — the best choice in the valley on a poor-visibility day. Home to the legendary Kandahar World Cup downhill (La Verte des Houches), but equally geared towards families and beginners, with a dedicated learner area at the top of the Prarion gondola. Access via the Bellevue cable car or Prarion gondola, both a short drive or walk from the chalet.

Chamonix — Brévent-Flégère & Grands Montets

About 10–15 minutes away, these are Chamonix's classic high-mountain areas. Brévent and Flégère face Mont Blanc directly and offer some of the best off-piste and freeride terrain in the valley; Grands Montets, above Argentière, is famed for its steep terrain, reliable snow, and access to the Vallée Blanche. Not for beginners, but unmissable for confident skiers.

Évasion Mont-Blanc (Saint-Gervais, Megève, Les Contamines, Combloux)

About 30 minutes away, this is one of the largest linked ski areas in the region — over 400km of piste across several resorts, with a huge amount of wooded, gentle terrain that holds up well in bad weather. A good option for mixed-ability groups or a change of scenery from Chamonix.

Courmayeur, Italy

Just 20 minutes away through the Mont Blanc Tunnel, this is a proper day-trip-to-another-country outing — a beautifully set Italian resort with its own distinct terrain, plus the reward of Italian mountain food and coffee at lunch.

Plateau du Prarion (Les Houches)

Around 10km of groomed classic and skating trails at 1850m, accessed via the Prarion gondola, looping across a high plateau with a 360° panorama of the Mont Blanc massif, the Fiz, and the Aravis. The valley's most scenic — and most challenging — Nordic skiing. Requires a pedestrian/cross-country pass for the gondola.

Lac des Chavants (Les Houches)

A gentler, free-to-use option right by the lake — two easy loops of around 3km, winding through the forest. A good choice for beginners or a relaxed outing.

Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix

The valley's original guide company runs everything from introductory ski touring days — learning to skin, kick-turn, and use ski crampons away from the lift queues — to the legendary multi-day Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt, launched by the company's own guides back in 1903. Ability levels range from complete beginner to seasoned tourer, with routes matched accordingly.

Guided snowshoe outings

Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix and several other local operators run half-day and full-day snowshoe tours around Vallorcine, Le Tour, and Montroc — a good way to get properly into quiet winter scenery without any skiing ability required.

Self-guided trails (Les Houches)

Marked snowshoe routes are also available directly around Les Houches and the Prarion area for anyone who'd rather set their own pace. Snowshoe hire is available from the same shops that rent skis.

Valley-floor trails

Lower-altitude paths around Les Houches and Chamonix stay walkable through winter with proper boots (and microspikes on icy days), offering a quieter, snow-covered version of the valley's summer walks — no skis or snowshoes required.

Mushing in the valley

Local mushing outfits run both passenger sled rides and introductory lessons in driving your own team of huskies through snowy forest — a proper taste of Arctic travel in the Alps, and popular with kids and adults alike. Worth booking ahead in the busy weeks around Christmas and February half-term.

Les Houches ice rink

Right in the village — an easy, low-key option for an hour of family fun without leaving Les Houches.

Chamonix ice rink

Central Chamonix's rink, open through the winter season, with skate hire on site.

Free nursery-slope sledging

Bring your own sledge to any of the valley's nursery slopes for free — the classic, no-equipment-needed way to spend an hour with younger kids.

Alpine Coaster — Les Planards

The rail luge at Chamonix Leisure Park (see Family & Little Ones) runs right through winter, not just summer — a fun alternative if the snow isn't cooperating for sledging.

Cascade de Bérard (Vallorcine)

An entirely artificial icefall purpose-built for safe introduction to the sport, maintained nightly by a dedicated team so the ice stays reliable through the season (roughly late December to late February). A 20-minute approach and no prior climbing experience needed — a great first taste of ice climbing.

La Crémerie (Argentière)

The valley's other main beginner-friendly ice climbing site, alongside more advanced natural lines that form each winter around Argentière and the wider valley depending on conditions.

Guided ice climbing — Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix

All technical equipment (ice axes, crampons, helmet, harness) is provided; you'll just need suitable crampon-compatible boots. Guides run both single-day introductions and a two-day course for those wanting to go deeper.