Inversion from the top of Brévent. Image: Brett Ploss.

Report from January 12, 2024

Chamonix

The Chamonix region in France includes five main ski areas. La Balme, Les Grands Montets, Brévent, Flégère, and Les Houches. Unlike most places in Europe, Chamonix does not have a mega resort where all resorts in the area are connected by lifts.

Although from town Brévent/Flégère are connected and the closest areas to the center of Chamonix. Both of the gondola/tram stations up to the resorts are up steep hills which require a nice steep walk to start the day or a short bus ride.

The resorts combined boast 56km (35mi) of slopes which is noticeably small compared to other areas. Both are south facing leading to great views but quick degradation of snow quality of piste.

Access to beginner terrain is limited. Chamonix is in a steep valley which makes these resorts more difficult and fun compared to others in the area.

Lift tickets are easier than ever since IKON is now direct to lift. For anyone else, a full Chamonix unlimited pass is about $88 and a Brévent/Flégère area pass is about $60.

Brévent/Flégère piste map. Image: Brett Ploss.

Skiing

I started at the Plan Praz gondola, then took the Brévent tram which takes you to the highest lift accessed point. The tram is epic with rock everywhere and insane views. The top provides a nice view of Chamonix and far out into the distance on a clear day. I was lucky enough to catch another inversion.

From the top, there is a narrow black-rated piste mainly because of the danger of falling than the steepness.

Lapping Cornu was great on the Brévent side. Access to some nice chutes under the chair and groomed pistes.

I then headed over the Liason tram to Flégère where the index chair was incredible. Great access to terrain, and saw some of the Faction team filming off the chair.

They had set up side hits below the chair that were massive. Even caught a glimpse of the new Candide collection filming.

Chavanne chair was a slow fixed grip without much more access than Index and skiers left all funneled to Trappe chair. Much like the name, it’s easy to get stuck in a line with all of the beginners while you’re trying to get back to the base of Index.

For lunch, there are a few huts with lounge chairs for the Chamonix sun.

After, it was easy to head back to Brévent by the Liason. It’s not possible to ski between the two due to a large valley.

Then took the Plan Praz down and headed to Chambre Neuf, the famous local après bar.

Relaxing at Flégère for lunch. Image: Brett Ploss.

Conditions

On piste was incredible. Because of the elevation, the snow stays nice and cold. But the sun does bake anything off-piste.

Most of the chutes were icy. By the afternoon anything directly in the sun had heated up and turned slushy enough to enjoy skiing. Although it was cold which kept most areas icy.

Snow coverage is great up top, but both runs down to the town of Chamonix are closed. Coverage down low is very minimal but Chamonix is expecting some new snow this week.