Off the Slopes in Les Houches

The guide to what Les Houches has to offer when you’re off the slopes.

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Sun 01 Dec 2024 - Sun 08 Dec 2024

Activities Available

Animal Park (depending on snow conditions)(Chemin de Merlet, Coupeau)
+33 (0) 4 50 53 47 89
parcdemerlet.com

Archery

Boule (Indoor)( Espace Olca)
+33 (0)4 50 54 52 64
Bowling

Cinema (A visiting cinebus or in the multi-purpose hall)

Climbing Wall (major indoor facility)(Les Trabets)
+33(0) 4 50 54 76 48
montblancescalade.com

Dog Sledding
+33(0) 6 84 99 34 67
huskydalen.com

Donkey Rides (depending on snow conditions)( 55 chemin du vieux four Vaudagne)
+33(0) 4 50 47 26 18

Farm Visits

Goat Farm Visit
(427 route du Pont)
+33 (0)6 87 41 71 57
lafermeapayot.com

Helicopter Scenic Flights (Chemin de la Glacière, Argentière)
+33(0) 4 50 54 13 82
chamonix-helico.fr

Ice Skating
Library
Multi-purpose Hall


Paragliding (390 route des Gaillands, Chamonix)
+33(0) 6 08 23 92 65
absolute-chamonix.com

Mountain Museum

St Bernard Dog Kennels (223 Chemin des Vorziers)
+33(0) 4 50 47 23 60

Ski Joering (Chemin des eaux rousses)
+33 (0)6 13 08 33 58
skijoeringmontblanc.e-monsite.com

Snowshoeing (low cost rental from the tourist office)

Speed Riding (390 route des Gaillands, Chamonix)
+33(0) 6 08 23 92 65
absolute-chamonix.com

Taxi Ski (tours of the slopes for non-skiers)(Place du Prarion)
+33 (0)4 50 54 48 79
esf-leshouches.com

Toboggan run
Torchlit Descents


Treetop Ropes Course
(2185 route de Coupeau)
+33(0) 6 62 67 28 51
indianaventures.com

Resort Attractions

Most good intermediate or advanced level skiers will want to tackle the world famous Vallée Blanche off-piste run. This is the world’s longest lift-served ski run at 22km (14 miles) and descends more than 2,500 vertical metres through spectacular glacial scenery. The run is accessed via the Aiguille du Midi cable cars from Chamonix, which take you up to the dizzying altitude of 3842m. For many skiers, the most challenging part of the whole run is walking down the narrow arête from the top station to the start of the ski run. There are sheer drops on each side of the sloping icy path and groups may be roped together and/or wear crampons for added security.
There are several different ways down the Vallée Blanche but most of the most commonly used run is only about a blue level in terms of steepness, with a few steep sections. The challenge will depend on the snow conditions. It is essential to make the descent with a guide as there are hidden crevasses to be avoided and the route is not marked; sadly several people die most winters on the Vallée Blanche, usually because they didn’t go with a guide (+33(0) 4 50 53 00 88; chamonix-guides.com).

The end of the run can be a challenge for some participants too, as several hundred metal stairs must be climbed up out of the glacial valley to catch a lift and then a train back to Chamonix. This is a definite advantage for snowboarders compared to skiers with heavy boots lugging their skis!

Shopping

Shopping in Les Houches is fairly limited with about 20 shops, most of them either sports shops or food outlets – although in the latter category in particular there are a couple of excellent local food retailers well worth a visit (see grocery shops section). Beyond this there is a newsagents (Les armes de Savoie tabac, 66 place de la Fruitière; +33(0) 4 50 54 41 09) and the Polyshop general store (Place du Prarion; +33(0) 4 50 54 45 60). You will also find a bank, cash till, post office and chemist in the village although they are rather spread out in several sectors ten minutes' walk apart.