Les Houches and the surrounding area has much to offer and there are many, many activities that are available all year round ensuring that there is truly something for everyone. For example, you could take Europe's highest cable car up to the Aiguille du Midi. Once at the top you can eat in the restaurant or just take in the panoramic views on the viewing platforms.
Take the Montenevers rack rail train will to the foot of the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice), Europe's largest living glacier. Once at the glacier you can visit the Ice Grotto carved out of the glacier.
The Mont Blanc Escalade is an indoor climbing centre
in Les Houches which is open all year.
Tel: 00 33 (0)4 50 54 76 48
www.montblancescalade.com
You
could take a day trip to the beautiful city of Annecy, Geneva, Megève or Courmayer in Italy.
Visit
a husky farm in Chamonix. The Husky farm is open
for visits and trips. Tel: 0033 (0)4 50 47 77 24 www.huskydalen.com
Le Forêt du Mont Blanc adventure park in Les
Houches is open all year. Here you can move from tree
to tree by rope slides, bridges, gangways, ladders and beams.
Other activities that are available
are helicopter rides, paragliding,
swimming, karting and much more.
Summer
Walking
In summer there are 350km of mountain paths for walking in
the Chamonix valley. They
range from easy family walks to more challenging hikes. The famous
Tour du Mont Blanc passes through Les Houches. Click here to see some of our favourite walking itineries. Walking maps are also available from the Tourist Office.
Mountain biking
Mountain
bikes can be hired in Les Houches and there are mountain
biking trails from the Bellevue cable car and to Chamonix.
Golf
Les Praz in Chamonix has an 18-hole golf course. The course has excellent
facilities and is in a spectacular mountain setting. The club is
open to non-members in the summer (May-November depending on snow conditions).
Tel: 00 33 (0)4 50 53 06 28 www.golfdechamonix.com
Animal park
The Merlet Animal Park in Les Houches is open from 1 May to 30 September. You
can walk around the park and see the park's resident animals - marmottes,
chamois goats, Lamas and a number of other animals.
www.parcdemerlet.com
Other activities that are available are canyoning, river
rafting, canoeing.
Winter
Skiing/Snowboarding
Les Houches has some very good tree-lined pistes for all abilities. It
is the home of the "Piste Verte" which hosts the men's World Cup downhill
and slalom events.
Les Houches piste map
There are always the other ski areas of Chamonix to experience if you
wish to. Nice pistes for beginners are Le Tour and La Flegere. Whilst
the more experienced can try the legendary Grand Montets, Le Brevant and
Vallée Blanche - some of the best trails in the world.
If you fancy something
different you can take the Mont Blanc tramway from St Gervais which will take you to Bellevue and will give you access
to the Les Houches ski area. During
the trip you will get a panoramic view of the Bionnassay Glacier and the
Chamonix and Contamine valleys. The journey takes approximately one
hour.
Cross country skiing
Les Houches offers 35km of cross country skiing. The
cross country ski map is available at the Les Houches tourist office. There
are ten other resorts in the Chamonix valley that offer cross-country skiing
- Vallorcine, Chamonix-Argentiere, Les Contamines, Megève,
Cordon, Combloux, St Gervais, Praz sur Arly, Plassy-Plaine Joux and Servoz.
Snow shoeing
ESF and the Compagnie des Guides run snow shoeing outings
in Les Houches and through the Chamonix valley.
ESF Les Houches 00 33 (0)4 50 54 42 96
www.esf-leshouches.com
Compagnie des Guides 00 33 (0)4 50 53 00 88 www.chamonix-guides.com
Ice
Climbing
Available in winter and summer. You will
need to be in good physical condition and have a guide. Compagnie
de Guides runs an ice climbing school. The Companie des Guids also
offers daily hikes, Tour du Mont Blanc, glacier
treks.
Tel: 00 33 (0)4 50 53 00 88 www.chamonix-guides.com
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