Winter activities in Les Houches/Chamonix

Snowboarding
Les Houches is perfect for learning, particularly at the top, which is wide & flat. Argentiere/Grands Montets is best for steep descents, there is also a funpark and half-pipe. La Tour is especially good, as the resport is a natural half-pipe with long runs. The Vallee Blanche has many long flats, so needs to be treated with caution.

Off Piste skiing
Safety is paramount, and use of a guide is recommended (see link below).

Here are some further off-piste suggestions in Argentiere (unverified);

• Italian Bowl - Take Telesiege de la Herse, cut left at the top and follow the cliff face. It opens out into a steep pitch where the snow holds up well.
• Canadian Bowl -Take the Bochard bubble, cut back under the lift and traverse. Drop down, aiming for the peak to the left of the bubble, keeping your speed up as you'll need to go uphill. You can get into the bowl on the right or left of the peak.
• Combe de la Pendant - Bochard to the top, drop past the kit-on area and traverse high to your left. Many options prevail.
  Pas de Chevre - Dropping down from the top of Grands Montets onto the Vallee Blanche, four long, steep couloirs. From right to left, and in increasing order of steepness: Le Pas de Chevre, Couloir Centrale, Couloir Rectiligne and, Couloir des Drus (v. technical!).
• Vallée Blanche - Try and take the 'Vraie Vallée' or 'Envers du Plan' options as alternatives to the standard descent. Alternatively, start from the Italian side (Helbronner).
  

Walking with snow-shoes
Possible across the Les Houches ski area, shoes can be hired from Cachat Sports just next to the apartment.

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

Indoor swimming pool
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).

Massage/other
Anne de Sampigny offers a mobile massage service. Tel: +33 6 80 96 13 52
Hotel Albert Premier, Chamonix offers a basic 30min massage for eur54. Tel: +33 4 50 53 05 09 website
PILATES classes and private sessions with STOTT Pilates Instructor. In-house visits available on booking; Core stability, back care,
stretching, injury rehabilitation or fitness and sports specific training. Contact: Rachel +33 6 21 65 63 57 or email

Ice-skating
Located in the centre of Les Houches, next to the Office de Tourisme. Tel +33 4 50 53 12 36