Les Houches

[LongTermLurker]

Pretty much a novice skier. Can anyone tell me what Les Houches is like? Would be going in February.

It claims to be family friendly with some beginner runs but there are probably better ski areas for a novice.

We're actually a mixed group. DH excellent skier. Four teenagers moderate to very good.

I should have been more specific about my wonderings :-D. Is it a safe bet snow-wise? We're also all veggie/vegan. Reckon there's any chance of us eating out?

It would probably suit them more but Chamonix is larger for eating put etc. Long time since we last visited and that was off season.

Having been on a ski trip to France with a veggie I'd be wary. She ended up eating chips and bread a lot. The French are way behind the UK. What about Italy? At least there's always pasta and pizza!

Large French resorts in France are dreadful for veggies but particularly vegans. I’d imagine a smaller one would be even worse! A veggie may get a soup or an alpine salad “sans jambon” but for vegans it’s chips and a side salad pretty much every time on the mountain. Mind you as a novice you might not actually be eating on the mountain all the time I suppose. Switzerland is better particularly more international/upscale places will often have one vegan choice.

I've not skied at Les Houches, but have skied a fair bit in the rest of the valley. I wouldn't generally recommend the Chamonix valley for a novice tbh - the pistes tend to be a bit steeper than at other resorts. (E.g. a blue/red run in the Chamonix valley usually feels harder than the same colour run at a different French resort).

Thanks for the info. Hmmm it looks like we'll be mostly eating in! We actually went to Italy last year and there wasn't much to eat on the slopes for vegans (okay for vegetarians though!).

The bit about the Chamonix valley bring more challenging is worrying though. I'm a VERY timid skier, and definitely want easy blues.

I went to les Houches a few years ago and some great blue runs! I prefer them to anything steeper and really enjoyed it. The town itself is nice but not an idyllic quaint ski resort...but its got everything you need!

The beginner areas at Les Houches are at the top of the lifts.. it is quite beautiful!! Some nice shallow runs around the top and down the backside of the mountain. The runs down into town will be great for your teens and husband but entirely unnecessary for you to join them!! You can take the lift down.

The Tramway du Mont Blanc is beautiful so if you fancy a day off.. take a trip down into Saint Gervais.. the most beautiful village in this area of the Alps in my opinion!!

You can also do some lovely snow shoe walks at the top of Les Houches.

As for food.. yup.. chips, salad, omlettes for vegetarians. But.. if you want to head to St Gervais les Bains.. if you have a car... 3 michelin star restaurants.. if you book and state your preferences.. they will meet your requirements. Compared to Swiss food.. totally incredible!!

Chamonix is actually pretty good for vegetarians - make sure you pre-book, but I'd recommend the MBC microbrewery (veggie burgers, great atmosphere and beer) and Hotel l'Aiguille du Midi (amazing fondue) - we found plenty of options in the town and the quality of the food was excellent.

Les Houches is great for beginners and there are a couple of challenging runs there, but after a day or two the better skiers will probably want to move on to Le Tour at the other end of the valley (or even Argentiere, though I found that less fun).

Thanks for the ideas and info! We've gone "off piste" with the plan and are now going to Norway instead. More interesting for the reluctant skiers (me)!