Similar enquiry - Les Houches 1st week of April

I have a week in avoriaz 20th March then want to tag a week on in les houches and chamonix.

Any thoughts on how it will be there?

Many Thanks

Out of all the ski areas in Chamonix, Les Houches is the lowest with the highest lifts going up to about 1900m. So its the most susceptible in case the weather gets warm. However end March/beginning has generally been ok, and the prospects of decent snow coverage have been increased as the resort has invested quite heavily in snow cannons in the last couple of years.

In the worst case scenario and we have an early heat wave, Les Houches is close to (and covered by the same lift ticket as) the other ski areas in the Chamonix valley, which generally start around the 1900m mark and go upto above 3000m. So you are pretty much sure of good skiing late into the season.

Incidentally, Les Houches has undergone somewhat of a renaissance in the last couple of years, with substantial investments not only in the snow cannons but the lift system too. Last season a new 8 person cabin lift up the Prarion (photo below) was put into operation which has practically eliminated queues to get up the mountain, even in peak weeks like new year and school holidays. This season two new 4 person seat lifts were put into operation on the top sections of the mountain and there is a now snow park with jumps, rails, time gates and so on.



You can find the latest piste map here
http://www.chaletinthemountains.com/piste%20map%20-%20les%20houches.htm

And more info on the new lifts etc can be found here
http://www.ski-leshouches.com/
This info is only in french, but if you click on Actualités then you'll see some recent photos of the resort.

And, of course, if you need accommodation in Les Houches, please give us a shout!! http://www.chaletinthemountains.com