On the piste - Chamonix - France

Home of the first Winter Olympics in 1924, Chamonix is made up of 153km of groomed pistes and 47 lifts over five main ski areas, so there's plenty to keep you busy.

For the best snow either end of the season due to its height and northernly aspect, Grand Montets is the favourite with locals and those in the know. With 20 miles of groomed pistes, half of which are black runs and high access lifts, means that this hill is not for the faint-hearted or for learners, but perfect for action junkies. The snow park features beginners and amateur level areas, with nine kickers, a hip jump and four rails.

If that's not enough to tire you out then just out of town is the 40km cross-country track for some seriously strenuous action. Not covered by your ski pass the tariff is approx €6 per day and tickets can be obtained at the Foyer. There are cross-country runs at Les Houches, Chamonix, Les Praz, Argentiere and Vallorcine. There are also 17km of winter walking trails across three different trails from the Flegere cable car to the Trappe and at the Grand Montets between Plan Jordan and the Pendant.

Our favourite runs

Beginners:
Liaison Balme (T13) at Le Tour. The whole of Le Tour is a beginner's paradise and this run takes you right from the top of Les Autannes all the way to the Tete de Balme.

Intermediates:
Head to Flegere and the Crochus (F13). At the top of the shiny new super fast Index lift you take a short draglift and then follow the signs for the red. It's a 4.5km run with a vertical drop of nearly one km.

Advanced:
Start at Pylones then left off La Herse chair for some mogul action running down parallel to the lift and ending on the Pierre a Ric home run - an exhilarating 2,000 metre descent.

Off-piste:
At Grands Montets try the Pas de Chevre - the most famous of Chamonix's descents. Dropping down from the top of Grands Montets (you'll need your extended pass) head toward the Vallee Blanche and the four long, steep couloirs of Le Pas de Chevre, Couloir Centrale, Couloir Rectiligne and, for the very experienced, Couloir des Dru.

Day Trips

Ever wished you could have someone to guide you round the mountains showing you the all the best spots without having to pay a fortune? Well now you can for free! Download our PDF step-by-step day trips to guide you round on some of the best skiing in the area:

See our list of guidebooks

Chamonix

Report date:	30 Apr 2008
Last snowed:	29 Apr 2008
Fresh snow:	25cm
Lifts open:	7 out of 43
Snow depth
Lower slopes:	0cm
Upper slopes:	640cm
Piste information
On-piste:	Powder
Off-piste:	Powder
Resort runs:	Closed

Snow conditions

Fresh snow providing some great skiing

Weather

Snow expected later today