A true, rare ski-in/ski-out apartment positioned just above the bottom of the home-run piste of Prarion, on the TMB/GR5 route of Les Houches, Chamonix Mont-Blanc. Officially classed as a comfortable 3*** apartment for 4 people (but it can sleep up to 6) that is made even better by its superb views of the Mont Blanc Massif and having use of a large, heated, indoor pool. There are 2 bedrooms: one double with panoramic views of the valley, and a bunkroom; as well as a double sofa bed in the lounge.
The location of this apartment means it is not only great for winter sports: on the slopes and a short walk to the little kids ski area and ski de fond forest; but also great in the summer for hiking (with nearby treks well signposted and for all abilities) and mountain biking, as well as tennis and fishing in the nearby lake and road biking.
The apartment has easy access on the ground floor of this MGM apartment building, set within a gated complex.
It comprises of an entrance hallway, an open plan compact, but fully equipped, kitchen (with oven, hob, microwave, dishwasher and fridge with ice box), and a good sized dining table for 6 and a cosy lounge with L-shaped sofa.
Off the lounge are patio doors onto a private balcony overlooking the ski slope and offering the panoramic view of the mountains. A great spot to watch the skiers go by, the cows grazing in the summer, and the setting sun turning the mountain peaks pink on a clear evening.
The bathroom has a full-size bath with shower overhead and a wash basin. A hairdryer is provided. The toilet is in a separate room. There is a washing machine and tumble dryer in the apartment, as well as an iron and ironing board, if needed.
There is a travel cot and extra mattress available for little ones as well as a highchair (please ask in advance) and plastic plates and cups. There are some board games for your family/group to enjoy together.
There is a ski store cupboard just at the entrance to the building and a internal garage to keep your car out of the snow.
The swimming pool is a shared pool used by all residents in the complex, but this apartment couldn't be better positioned for the pool as access to the pool garden is just outside the main entrance of the building. There are sun loungers both outside in the garden and inside the pool house, as well as showers and toilets.
If you have more than one car, or simply prefer to park your car outside, there is a large car park just inside the gates to the complex.
GUEST ACCESS
Guests have sole, private use of the whole individual apartment within a larger building. Just outside the entrance to the apartment guests have use of an internal, lockable ski storage cupboard, as well as an internal garage space to park their car or store bikes etc.
Guests have use of a shared external car park as well as an indoor swimming pool.
The person who welcomes guests lives in the neighbourhood. She prepares the apartment for them with a welcome pack and the essentials. She meets them on their arrival, shows them the apartment and parking options, provides their Carte d'Hote (tourist) cards and is available to answer any questions. If guests encounter problems during their stay, she is always on hand to help. This availability is very reassuring for our guests who are very satisfied with this set up.
THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
The complex is positioned just above the Prarion Telecabine, which is open in both the winter and summer seasons for easy and quick access up the mountain. It is a busy and bustling resort in high winter season (school holidays) but the complex is tucked away above the lift, so it remains a secret, quiet haven during this time. And with its easy access to the lift and to the valley’s bus service there is no real need to take the car out if this area is busy.
At the bottom of the ski slope (a few minutes’ walk away, either down the slope or via a quiet road) you will find a bakery/bar (which serves delicious hot food during the holiday season), ski hire shops, ESF ski school, the ESF 'Piou Piou' club for the little ones and the lift pass office, plus the ‘Parc de Loisirs’ including tennis courts, kids play area and pétanque lanes, fishing on Lac de Chavants, and a snack bar/restaurant.
You can take the bus or walk 10 minutes to the Bellevue Gondola, where you will find more restaurants and bars, a tabac, and small grocery shop selling local goods. A little further (20 minutes’ walk) is the centre of Les Houches with a large supermarket, post office, bank, medical centre and chemist as well as shops, bars and restaurants.
The complex is positioned just above the Prarion Telecabine, which is open in both the winter and summer seasons for easy and quick access up the mountain. It is a busy and bustling resort in high winter season (school holidays) but the complex is tucked away above the lift, so it remains a secret, quiet haven during this time. And with its easy access to the lift and to the valley’s bus service there is no real need to take the car out if this area is busy.
At the bottom of the ski slope (a few minutes’ walk away, either down the slope or via a quiet road) you will find a bakery/bar (which serves delicious hot food during the holiday season), ski hire shops, ESF ski school, the ESF 'Piou Piou' club for the little ones and the lift pass office, plus the ‘Parc de Loisirs’ including tennis courts, kids play area and pétanque lanes, fishing on Lac de Chavants, and a snack bar/restaurant.
You can take the bus or walk 10 minutes to the Bellevue Gondola, where you will find more restaurants and bars, a tabac, and small grocery shop selling local goods. A little further (20 minutes’ walk) is the centre of Les Houches with a large supermarket, post office, bank, medical centre and chemist as well as shops, bars and restaurants.
GETTING AROUND
The bus stop is located at the bottom of the ski slope, where buses give access to the entire Chamonix valley including the ski areas of Argentiere, Le Tour, Le Brevent and the Aiguille de Midi. These buses run every 30 minutes during the day (more in the peak season) and are free with either your tourist card or ski pass. There are also ‘CHAMO NUIT’ night buses running until about 11.30pm and at the small cost of 2€ a journey they make eating and drinking in the centre of Chamonix easy and accessible.
A 10 minutes’ walk through the forest will bring you to a train station. The local train stops at this small station 'Viaduct Ste Marie' which gives you access between St Gervais – Le Fayet and Vallorcine and can take you further afield in to Martigny in Switzerland.
SKIING
Les Houches sits at the foot of Mont Blanc, and from the summit of the ski area you will be thrilled by a 360° view of the surrounding area The ski area of Les Houches extends from an altitude of 950m to 1900m. From the summit one has a spectacular 360° view of the Mont-Blanc massive, and with 55 km of slopes meandering through the forests, you will discover the real pleasures of skiing. The international reputation of Les Houches is built on the World Cup downhill piste "la Verte", but the resort is also an ideal terrain for learners, particularly with the new beginners' area, at the top of Prarion. The forest trails are a delight for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. ESF hold the ‘Piou Piou’ lessons for little ones near the lake, and there is also a beginner’s area opposite the apartment. When needed, artificial snow coverage is assured by more than 120 snow maker machines, positioned throughout the pistes of Les Houches. As well as down hill skiing and snowboarding, in Les Houches and of course the rest of the Chamonix Valley, there are Nordic Ski paths where you can discover winter nature in all it's beauty, on cross-country pistes 'Ski de Fond' and snowshoe paths 'raquettes'. Les Houches offers 2 Nordic Ski trails: Les Chavants offers free access to cross country skiers combining snow fields and forests, and the trails of the Prarion require a lift pass as they are at high altitude.
For more winter fun you can find:
* Snow Shoeing (with or without guided walks)
* Ski de Fond (cross country ski-ing)
* Evolution 2 and Cham Aventures for lots of guided activities on the mountains and glaciers
* Watch Ice Hockey Matches in Chamonix
* Ice Skating here in Les Houches or in Chamonix
* Dog Sledging
AND IN THE SUMMER
* Take the Aiguille du Midi cable cars to view Mont Blanc, “Step into the Void” and walk to Lac Blue. You can take nice easy path across the mountain over to the Mer de Glace visitors centre
* Travel on the Mer du Glace train to the glacier and visit the new Glaciorium, crystal museum and Ice Cave
* Take the Grands Montets Cable car for an amazingly close view of the Argentiere Glacier
* Take the Flegere lift and hike up to the beautiful Lac Blanc
* Walks across the Brevent side on the Petit or Grand Balcon Sud paths
* Walk up to Refuge du Belleachat and then further to Lac du Brevent where you can take the cable car and telecabine down into Chamonix
* Visit Parc du Merlet (Lovely terrace restaurant with views of the Bossons Glacier)
* Walk to Chamonix along the Promenade de l’Arve (from Les Houches Gare to Les Gaillands)
* Walk up to Statue of Christ (on the way to Parc Merlet) and Lac Noir
* Visit the newly refurbished Les Houches Museum de Montagne
* Try out the Tree Climbing Adventure (on the way to Parc Merlet)
* Take the Tramway du Mont Blanc from top of Bellevue Cable car or from down in Saint Gervais up to the Bionnassey Glacier
* Take the Bellevue lift for another walk around the Bionnassey Glacier over the fantastic suspension bridge
* Childrens’ play area, Tennis courts, Forest walk and Fishing at Lac Chavantes, just past the Prarion Telecabine
* Visit the museums and exhibitions in Chamonix, as well as the many shops and restaurants
* Chamonix Swimming Pool - indoor and Outdoor
* Ice rink in Chamonix (all year round with Ice Hockey matches)
and plenty more!
