chamonix lifts

does anyone know if there's any free beginner lifts in the chamnix valley? also whats the beer prices like! (11 lads on a stag doo!)

Dunno, and bloody expensive £5/pint :shock:

There are quite a few beginner slopes in and around Chamonix. Each of the main ski areas has a beginner slope near it. None of them are free, but they are relatively inexpensive and you can either buy a day pass/half day pass, and some offer a book of 5 rides. I cant remember exactly how much they are, but I think its something like Euros 10-15 per day.

In case it helps, below is a description of the beginner slopes. Info taken from http://www.chaletinthemountains.com/ski%20areas.htm

La Vormaine
Located just next to the gondola lift at Domaine de Balm, there are three drag lifts that take you up three pistes of differing length and level. At a altitude of 1462m, it normally has good snow late into the season. There are also a couple of bars and restaurants close by.

Chosalets
Three pistes, each accessible by drag lift. Situated behind the Grandes Montets cable car and overlooked by a bar/restaurant with a terrace. There is also a panda club for very young kids.

Les Bossons
The largest of the lower ski areas. Just 3mins drive from the chalets and has beginners slopes and green, blue as well as intermediate slopes: 1 red and 1 black. Skiing is accessible by drag and chair lifts. Les Bossons also has a system of flood lights for night skiing.

Les Tourchets
In the centre of Les Houches, just next to the ice rinc. There are three pistes, one for sledging and two for skiing. There are also 2 drag lifts which operate on two speeds, so it absolutely ideal for small kids and complete beginners.

Le Savoy
Several pistes, fairly close to the the centre of Chamonix, not far from the Brévent ski lift, with snow cannons and drag lifts, as well as a Jardin d'enfant (Kids' garden)

Les Planards
Close to Chamonix town centre (5 mins drive from the chalet), Les Pananrds has several ski runs adapted to every level : 2 green runs, 1 blue run et 1 red run. It includes a chair lift as well as drag lifs. It also has snow cannons, to ensure that there is snow later into the season. Theres also a good bar/restaurant which over looks the skiing area.

thanks for the information

chamonix or brides les bains 20 feb for 1 week with 2 children 9 and 12 heard chamonix does not get the sun much in feb and not so good for children thanks

No sun in Chamonix in Feb??? Who told you that!!!! Here's a link to a post I made in the mid-Feb of last season ... includes a couple of photos to prove the point :-)

http://www.j2ski.com/ski-chat-forum/posts/list/3284.page

I believe the lifts at Planards for absolute beginners are free.