Chamonix

Known the world over for its unrivalled off-piste action, steep terrain and dramatic mountain scenery, Cham (as we like to call it in the Fall-line office) is something of a mecca for snow-addicts. Unfortunately combined with the slightly-outdated lift system, this means bottlenecks galore.

Nonetheless, it's still one for the pow-lovers out there; Grand Montets offers some of steepest and deepest conditions around. Getting a guide and doing the 24km Vallée Blanche off-piste run from Aiguille du Midi is not to be missed, even if the snow isn’t the freshest, the view makes it worth the while.

Other areas to check out are Les Houches, where the tree-lined skiing offers much appreciated protection from the (many) blizzards Chamonix is exposed to. It's not a bad place to warm up before finding some serious backcountry either. For snowboarders, Flégère is the place to head after snowfall. Its drop-offs make for one hell of a terrain park.

Chamonix resort stats

Lifts: 44

Height: 11035-3840m

Pistes: 155km

Greens: 16%

Blues: 36%

Reds: 32%

Blacks: 16%

Toursit office: www.chamonix.com

Chamonix map

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