Les Houches Ski Area

Skiing & Boarding In Les Houches Ski Area

Les Houches is an independent ski area that is included in the ‘Mont Blanc Unlimited’ skipass but not the ‘Chamonix Le Pass’ skipass. Almost as large as Le Brévent and La Flégère ski areas combined, Les Houches offers 55km of pistes and 15 lifts. The area is well linked via bus with Chamonix or is a 10 minute car journey away.

This resort is ideally suited to beginners and intermediates with its gentle meandering pistes through the forests. However, there are some excellent wide red runs down to the Plancerts lift as well as the infamous Kandahar black piste which is often used for the Downhill Skiing World Cup.

Les Houches also has options for ski-tourers and non-skiers with a dedicated ski-track from the bottom of the Prarion lift and various snowshoe paths from the top of the Bellevue and Prarion lifts (see piste map below for details).

The resort is generally open for skiing and snowboarding from mid December through to mid April. Please check the opening dates for the latest information.

Mountain Restaurants in Les Houches

We’d say that Les Houches is the best resort in the valley for piste side lunches. All the restaurants on the mountain are independently run and offer quality Savoyard / French cuisine. These restaurants include:

La Ferme | Charming rustic stone refuge with low ceilings and log fireplaces. Serves great Savoyard dishes at the top of the Maison Neuve lift.
Le Hors Pistes | Upmarket chalet style restaurant with spacious sun terrace at the bottom of the Kandahar lift. Also includes a separate snack bar for quick bits and hot drinks.
Kitsch Inn | Situated at the bottom of the Bellevue lift this fun contemporary restaurant serves a variety of burgers and sandwiches with good vegetarian and vegan options.
Le Prarion | Canteen style restaurant serving French cuisine close to the top of the Prarion lift
La Taniere | A chalet style refuge in a peaceful location by the Plan du Cret piste. This restaurant is a popular choice and has a wonderful atmosphere and attractive terrace.
Vieilles Luges | The fabulous restaurant is situated down a short off-piste track accessed from the Aillouds piste. Its welcoming rustic interior with logfire places and authentic decor make this a great place for mountain meal.

Apres Ski in Les Houches

The atmosphere in Les Houches is far more relaxed than Chamonix town and best suited to families, but there are still a few bars to keep the après ski contingent happy. Here are a couple of place to try:

Le Delice | Popular with locals, this is the bar to party at later on in the evening
Kitsch Inn | Ski to the door for some laid back apres ski with regular live music sets
Le Spot | A lively bar just opposite the Bellevue lift with regular parties and DJ sets
Le Solerey | This micro-brewery offers a good selection of locally brewed beers and has a lovely sunny terrace next to the outdoor ice-rink at the bottom of Le Tourchet nursery slopes
The Wine Factory | A brand new wine bar opposite the tourist office where you can take you pick from a large selection of wines and enjoy a chilled drink with friends

You can also head to Chamonix where you’ll find a move lively nightlife scene.

Interactive Piste Map of Les Houches

Lift Status - Les Houches

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Webcam - Les Houches

Les Houches Ski Area at a glance

Snowmaking machines: Yes
Resort height: 1900
Highest lift: 1900
No. of lifts: 14
No. of pistes: 28
Total piste length: 55km
Snow parks: Yes
Purpose built: No

Snow
Beginners
Intermediates
Advanced
Snowboarding
Off piste
Après-ski
Non skiers

Properties

Interactive piste map