Summer sports activities in Les Houches/Chamonix

Surprisingly, the population of Chamonix & local area is actually much greater during the summer months than during the skiing season. Visitors are attracted by the wealth of mountaineering routes, mountain biking, alpine scenery and other popular summer activities. Les Houches is particularly well suited to summer activities, with walking trails and mountain bike trails adjacent to the village.
The Bellevue cablecar (see image below) in Les Houches is open throughout the summer (June to Sept) from 8am, as are many other lifts in the Chamonix Valley, including the famous Aguille du Midi.



Mountaineering
Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix
Mountain & trekking guides - offers climbing schools (including ice & rock), white water rafting, Mont Blanc ascents and childrens climbing courses.
Les Houches office +33 4 50 54 50 76
Evolution 2
Mountain guides & adventure school - offers climbing scools, hiking with donkeys (!), white water rafting & childrens activities.
Les Houches office +33 4 50 54 31 44
Icicle Mountaineering

Mountain biking/VTT (marked trails)
A special mountain bike lift pass is available for those wishing to use the lifts during the summer. In adition, the Les Houches Tourist Office organise frequent half and full day tours.
Chamonix VTT map
Chamonix VTT website link
Les Gets (approx 30mins drive away) also has a comprehensive range of bike trails and plays host to the 2004 World MTB Championships.
Les Gets MTB website

Paragliding
Les Ailes du Mont Blanc (parapente school). Chamonix Les Bossons +33 6 20 46 55 57 website
Haut Vol. +33 4 50 53 98 01
Summits Parapente, 8 imp. des Primevères, Chamonix. +33 4 50 53 50 14 website
La Gratte Ciel, Chamonix paragliding club. website

Tennis & Squash
Les Houches Tennis Club. Open 9-12 and 3-7.30pm. eur10/hr, lessons available (incl childrens courses).
Tel: 04 50 54 43 37
The Centre Richard Bozon in Chamonix has tennis & squash courts.Open 2-8pm (9pm Friday).
Address: 214 av. de la Plage. Tel (tennis): +33 4 50 53 28 40.

Fishing (river & lake)
Possible in the Lac des Chavants.

Swimming
The Hotel La Fontaine in Les Houches has an indoor pool.
The Centre Alpina in Chamonix offers a sauna & jacuzzi for eur15/day. Tel: +33 4 50 53 42 31
The Centre Richard Bozon in Chamonix has a public indoor pool & sauna (eur6 for both).
Address: 214 av. de la Plage. Tel: +33 4 50 53 23 70. Open 14h-20h (21h Friday).

White water rafting
Hydroglisse offer rafting, hydro-boarding and canyoneering in Chamonix (River Dranse) and the Dora Baltea (Italy).
Hydroglisse website
Francecraft offer rafting (grade IV-V) in the Dora Baltea (Italy).
Francecraft website

Other links
Alternatively, for hotter climes, visit our sister site; Quintavilla.co.uk for information on renting a Portuguese villa on the Algarve during selected weeks in March, July & September.