Les Houches, France

Essential Advice for the Perfect Trip

A collection of small hotels and shops stretched out along the road to Chamonix, Les Houches might not strike you as a resort in its own right. But it just about makes the grade, and when it comes to both personality and prices, it’s a world away from its near-neighbour, four miles down the road.

Whether you’re on the town or the hill, it’s a relatively calm and quiet spot, and its tree skiing – which is the best in the Chamonix Valley – is for the most part a well-kept secret. There are plenty of other surprises too, and the overwhelming feeling we get is that this is a place full of diamonds in the rough – a handful of hotels, restaurants and mountain descents that you’d expect to find in a bigger, ‘better’ resort. Except they’re here, in Les Houches.

The village is most famous for its World Cup downhill course, which dates back to the days of Sir Arnold Lunn – and is still considered by racers to be second in technical difficulty only to the Streif on the Hahnenkamm in Kitzbuhel.

We Love	We Hate
The proximity to Chamonix – but without the prices or the crowds. The world famous Kandahar run – steep, hard and fast. The relaxed family atmosphere, which is a welcome break from the frenetic pace of Chamonix. Public buses between Les Houches and Chamonix, which are free and frequent. The new DC Shoes snowpark, which is a force to be reckoned with.	The fact that it’s a bit remote and there’s not a lot to do in the evenings. That if you want to ski the Mont Blanc Unlimited area, the lift pass is still extortionate (although passes for Les Houches only are not). That Les Houches’ 18 lift ski area will quickly bore more advanced skiers.

1. 

   
   Guide to the Mountain
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   Where to Stay
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   Where to Eat
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   Where to Learn
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   Where to Party