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Snowboarding, skiing and telemarking at
les Grand Montets,
Chamonix, France

View the trail map and the VIDEOS

Les Grands Montets is the biggest and most popular resort in the valley of Chamonix. The vertical drop is approximately 2100m, with everything from Glacier skiing to tight tree bashing, wide open bowls and, as usual, incredible views. Situated in the village of Argentière, it is a 20 minute bus ride from Chamonix, a bit less if you go by car. On a powder day, you need to take the first bus out of Chamonix if you want to be able to get some tracks, no lazying around is permitted.

The first lift can be either a gondola or a detachable quad chair, on busy days it is sometimes faster to take the chair and the next lift to ski back down to the mid station and take some other lifts, as the line ups for the gondola can be really long. If the summit is closed, the best area to go is the Bochard lift.

 
From the top of the Bochard lift you have two very interesting trails leading to wide open bowls: The Bochard and the Chamois. Be aware that the Chamois might be closed after a snowfall due to avalanche risks, you might see some people going anyway, don't go there in these conditions unless you are properly equipped with transcievers (pieps), shovel, probe and proper avalanche training. Don't be a lemming, it might save your life. From both runs it is possible to go out a bit and join some beautifull powder bowls. Be carefull of hidden dangers, especially to the (skier's) right of the Bochard trail, as the top section is on a glacier and in both areas there are often hidden rock. When skiing the Chamois area (known as Combe de la Pendant), make sure you traverse right (skiers right) back towards the lift, early enough in order to save you from some long hike back, going through a somewhat dangerous area for avalanches.

Skiing from the summit of les Grands Montets is what skiing should always be like: Beautiful views, nice snow and long vertical drops. There is 1 trail leaving from the top, that goes around the back of the mountain and then splits into 2 trails, one continuing along the side of the hill, and one going straight dowm the front. Both are very nice, but i strongly suggest to not stray off the trails too much as both are completely on a glacier and the usual dangers are always present. Doing a run from the summit all the way to the bottom is always a nice experience and your legs will be happy when you finally reach the lower gondola.

The trails going underneath the chairlift "la Herse" are nice and the lift is often less busy than the Bochard on big crowd days. Can be freezing on windy days.The runs are somewhat shorter, but just as nice and for the mogul lovers, this is where you'll find the nicest ones, right below the chair.

 

 

Halfpipe for skiers, snowboarders and snowbladers is located near the mid station. The trail to the bottom is nice, but can be quite bare later in the season or in not so great snow years. It is longer than you think, and, especially at the end of the day, you will find that a rest or two will be useful...

The mid station is the usual place to break for lunch, serving good and not so expensive food (upstairs, snacks downstairs). It is also possible to bring you own lunch, but be aware that you will have to sit in specific areas. The chalet at the bottom of the 2 small lifts to the right is also a nice place to stop for a snack. The skiing from these lift is very enjoyable in the upper parts of the forest, through the trees, especially during stormy days, when the higher trails are impossible to ski due to the whiteout conditions.
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