Snowboarding in Chamonix

The snowboarding

With 170 km of pistes and vast backcountry terrain to explore, Chamonix offers pretty much limitless opportunities for snowboarders. The terrain is steep compared to other big-name resorts and the equivalent of a blue run in Chamonix could well be labelled a black elsewhere. That said, if you are just starting out, there’s plenty of scope for you to nail your first turns. If on the other hand you’re already shredding, then you have the opportunity to push your boarding to the next level and beyond. You’ve only got to watch Xavier de le Rue‘s Insane Steep Line in Chamonix to see that once you strike out from the safety of the pistes, Chamonix can get pretty gnarly and pretty intense.

Beginners

If you’re in Chamonix to learn to snowboard, or even if you’re just finding your snowboarding legs after some time off the board, then you need to head to Le Tour. Fast and efficient (by Chamonix standards) chairlifts whisk you up the mountain and wide open pistes give you the space to came down at your own pace. Back down the valley, Les Houches is also great nonthreatening terrain for learners.

Intermediates

If you’re confidently linking your turns and you can hold your edge on steeper terrain, it’s time to hit the Brévent-Flégère area. Access is from Les Praz village and there’s mainly red pistes mixed in with 3 black runs and 2 blues.

There’s an un-pisted black which runs from La Flégère down to Les Praz, which is great as an introduction to off-piste. It’s quite long, but not too difficult.

If you’re a confident intermediate snowboarder, then don’t miss an opportunity to do the Vallée Blanche. It’s a full day epic from the Aiguille du Midi all the way back down to Chamonix town. You’ll need to hire a guide though, this is glacial terrain and you don’t want to veer off course.

Advanced shredders

If you wake up to a powder day, make a beeline for La Flégère where you’ll find some awesome easy access off-piste snowboarding. Take the Index chairlift and access Combe Lachenal, a wide powder bowl which opens out into a number of good routes down 750 m of vertical descent. From the same lift, you can also access Combe des Crochues at the far left of La Flégère with its wide open powder fields.

The traverse of the Col de la Glière is an awesome intro to the world of splitboarding. You can also bootpack the entire route so you dont’ necessarily need a splitboard to do it. Starting From the top of the Cornu Telesiege at Brevent turn left and shuffle 50m to the start of the boot-pack/skin track. From the Col de la Glière you’ll ride down into the Lachenal Bowl.

If the snow’s good, Grands Montets will draw the crowd, and for good reason. The descent off the back is nuts. Most runs will be tracked out before noon so get up there as early as you can if you want to carve some fresh lines.

The Vallée Blanche is Chamonix’s most famous run, but there’s not just the normal route. If you’re a good snowboarder, your guide can show you some lines less travelled and you’re guaranteed to finish the day exhausted but with a huge smile on your face.

Where to stay

There’s accommodation to suit every taste and budget in Chamonix – you just want to try if possible to stay near a bus stop.

If you’re looking for serious après and quick access to the slopes go for Chamonix centre, but if you’re looking for something a bit more chilled out, Argentière may be more your thing.

Where to eat

For a relaxed atmosphere and good filling fare, Micro Brasserie de Chamonix (MBC) does great burgers served with their own home brewed beers.

Après shred

MBC is also a great place to start your evening’s après, after which you might head to Chambre Neuf for some more live music and then, if you’ve still got the energy you might mosey on over to the late opening l’Amnesia to finish off the debauchery. Otherwise, check out Elevation 1904 for slightly more sensible après.