Les Houches

Chamonix will become a winter wonderland with an authentic Christmas craft market.

The snow is here and the Christmas lights in Chamonix are on, and there's plenty to do in the week before Christmas day.

Depending on when you see them will depend on what festive entertainment you will enjoy. 

The local Chamonix ice hockey team, the Pionniers, play in France's Ligue Magnus, the first division. See them battle against other national teams at Chamonix's ice rink.

Take a look at the 2025 to 2026 schedule of 'spectacles', from the classical theatre of Shakespeare to hip hop dance shows.

Situated in a house dating back to the 1750's, this museum showcases mountain lifestyles from the reconstruction of three pieces of traditional housing and objects from everyday life.

Parc de Merlet is a great place to spot some local animals in their natural environment. A nature reserve, rather than a zoo, the park is perched on a large plateau high above Les Houches.

Les Houches sits at the bottom end of the Chamonix Valley and is a popular place for hikers, mountaineers and mountain bikers in the summer months.

Quirkily decorated, as the name suggests, this restaurant has different rooms for different moods. Grab a quick coffee and a snack at the breakfast bar, enjoy a casual meal in the retro formica kitchen area, or sit and take your time over dinner at one of the large tables in the dining room. They also have a large sunny terrace where they serve up a nice BBQ in the summer and a kids play area.

The Rocky Pop Restaurant in Les Houches, part of the vibrant Rocky Pop Hotel opened in December 2016, reflects the brand’s playful ethos of “joy and togetherness.” The food offering matches the lively atmosphere, with a fun, diverse menu designed to please all ages and tastes. Expect crowd-pleasing dishes, colourful presentations, and relaxed dining that encourages sharing and socialising. It’s a welcoming spot where families, groups, and friends can enjoy tasty, unfussy meals in a cheerful setting.

Brilliantly located in the heart of the Les Houches Prarion ski area.

This restaurant serves tasty, good value Indian cuisine for lunch, dinner and to takeaway.

An authentic Alpine farmhouse with a charming ambience and great food. Located right in the middle of Les Houches ski resort, this chalet serves delicious home-cooked local produce.

Just across the road from the Bellevue lift in Les Houches, this is a perfect spot to recharge your batteries after a day on the mountain, or pop in for lunch.

Rocky Pop in Les Houches is a vibrant, family-friendly destination that brings fun, flavour, and energy to the heart of the Alps. Combining relaxed casual dining with a lively, upbeat atmosphere, it’s the ideal place to unwind after a day on the slopes or simply enjoy a laid-back meal with friends and family. The menu features crowd-pleasing dishes, playful touches, and generous portions, creating a welcoming experience for guests of all ages throughout the year.

Quirkily decorated, as the name suggests, this restaurant has different rooms for different moods. Grab a quick coffee and a snack at the breakfast bar, enjoy a casual meal in the retro formica kitchen area, or sit and take your time over dinner at one of the large tables in the dining room. They also have a large sunny terrace where they serve up a nice BBQ in the summer and a kids play area.

An opportunity to get in the picture with Teresa Kaufman as your personal photographer, guide and story teller. This is the perfect activity accessible to everyone; children, adults, grandparents - easy walking, incredible scenery, a moment to share. Non-skiers will love it in the winter. An activity to experience with loved ones or to give as a gift.

Situated in a house dating back to the 1750's, this museum showcases mountain lifestyles from the reconstruction of three pieces of traditional housing and objects from everyday life.

The Chamonix valley is home to one of the largest indoor climbing walls in France. The Mont Blanc Escalade is located in Les Houches and is open all year.

This open air ice rink is open throughout the winter months from late December to the end of March. It is situated on the main road just opposite the exit toward the train station and the motorway.

This is the original form of back-country sking and is horse drawn, plus great fun!

Parc de Merlet is a great place to spot some local animals in their natural environment. A nature reserve, rather than a zoo, the park is perched on a large plateau high above Les Houches.

Depending how keen you are there are many classic cols within a few hour’s drive. At the other side of Megeve, Flumet is a good start point for the Col de Aravis or the Col des Saises. Further on is Beaufort for Cormet de Roseland (but this would make for a long day).

This short but challenging ride can be done in half a day, including getting from Chamonix to the start point and back. It is a 15km climb with 855m of ascent that passes by farmhouses and old chalets, through a couple of quiet little villages and amongst dense pine forest to emerge on a sunny plateau with stunning views of the valley below.

If you have a big supermarket shop to do in Sallanches then this is a good way to slip in a nice training ride but it does need a co-operative partner to drive the car back... unless you cycle down there to start with!

This is a fairly short, easy run that can be done in about an hour. It’s about 25km there and back, the climb averaging just 3% or so. 

This ride is 62km there and back with a demanding climb from Finhaut up to the top of the Emosson dam (averaging 8.5% with a couple of sections over 10%).

This ride is about 60km there and back with a less demanding climb than Emosson from Le Chatelard up to Col de Forclaz (average gradient 5.8% and never steeper than 8%).

But once you've made the climb, you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the Chamonix Valley. 

For those keen to discover the majestic beauty of the Mont Blanc, but perhaps a little too scared of heights to contemplate a full ascension of Western Europe’s highest peak, then the Tour du Mont Blanc is for you.

Starting and finishing at the animal park in Merlet this full day walk takes in the summit of the Aiguillette des Houches, Refuge Bellachat and offers a magnificent panorama of the Mont Blanc Massif.

This hike is a pleasant stroll through the bucolic high alpine meadows of Les Houches, making life easy by using the lift system at either end.

This hike is more of a gentle stroll to a picturesque alpine meadow full of flowers and rustic wooden chalets.

Experience the most aquatic all out activities with Evolution 2. Are you looking for the ride of your life? Because these beautiful alpine rivers will turn into exhilarating playgrounds for fun!

Enjoy rafting, hrdrospeeding and more in the summer time with Yellow rafting.

Experience the perfect way to see areas of the valley that are otherwise inaccessible with Evolution 2. Are you looking for the ride of your life? Because these beautiful alpine rivers will turn into exhilarating playgrounds for fun!

This recently renovated chalet offers a cosy, homely feel and lets you fully appreciate the surrounding nature. Enjoy the private suite, a fully equipped kitchen, and multiple living areas that provide privacy and comfort within a group.

Huge private chalet in Argentiere - part of their Extravagant Collection.

Sublime five bedroom chalet fully equipped with games room. Situated in one of the most exclusive areas in the valley with 360 views, this is a really lovely example of a prestige, fully equipped luxury chalet.

You will feel like you’re holidaying in your second home when you book this chalet located right next door to the hotel.

Chalet situated in a quiet area of the Chamonix Valley, offering plenty of open space for a truly comfortable stay close to nature. Ample parking is available, including a covered garage.

A perfect Chamonix chalet for up to six people with two bedrooms and a sofa bed just a short walk to Chamonix centre. Chalet Minouche has a huge covered wooden terrace with views onto the mountains and a six-man jacuzzi in the garden.

Studio in Chamonix Sud, perfect for couples or friends looking for a convenient base to explore Chamonix.

The chalet in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc has 5 bedrooms and has capacity for 12 people. The chalet is 300 m².

Brigitte's Mazot in Chamonix is a cosy, peaceful chalet with stunning views of Mont Blanc.

Located at the heart of Chamonix, the “La Ginabelle” residence proposes spacious apartments with an excellent standard of facilities and services. Ideally located for easy access to the finest tourist sites: the little Montenvers train will take you to the “Mer de Glace” while the “Aiguille du Midi” cable car will carry you up to magnificent summits.

You will feel like you’re holidaying in your second home when you book this chalet located right next door to the hotel.

The Residence La Riviere with its wooden facades is located in the district of Chamonix Sud, 300 m from the Aiguille du Midi cable car and 5 minutes from the resort centre.

This hotel offers stunning alpine views, a vibrant atmosphere, and thoughtful amenities for families. Enjoy spacious rooms, an outdoor heated pool, yoga, spa treatments, and activities for all ages right at the foot of the ski slopes.

La Ginabelle offers cosy, alpine-style apartments, just steps from shops, restaurants and mountain adventures. 

Completely renovated in Scandinavian style, Le Faucigny is a charming small hotel in the town centre. Whether you're with family or friends or enjoying a romantic getaway, the hotel provides the ideal setting for a pleasant stay in the legendary Mont-Blanc valley.

In the heart of Chamonix, close to all amenities and within walking distance to the Brevent cable car with views of Mont-Blanc.

This mountain lodge enjoys a prime location just metres from the ski bus stop and local train station, with the town centre only a short walk away. Recently refurbished, it now features a smart, modern interior.

Hotel Lyret blends Alpine charm with modern creativity, offering a unique stay where art and hospitality come together.

A stunning, spacious and charismatic property with tons of potential for multiple use of living or working space, close to amenities

Spacious family chalet with large garden and breathtaking views, and option to divide into two properties

2-bedroom apartment with 3 balconies and a beautiful view of the Mont Blanc massif.

Property of exception in a commanding yet private position overlooking the surrounding summits of the Mont Blanc and Fiz mountain range

Superb 88.40m² apartment, 3 bedrooms, a 66.30m2 garden, located on the ground floor of the prestigious Le SOLELYÂ residence, just 30 meters from the ski slopes of Les Houches, Le Prarion.

A well-built, spacious chalet completed in 2017 with 8 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms situated in an elevated ski-in ski-out position in Les Houches. The chalet has beautiful views up the Chamonix Valley and of the Mont-Blanc massif from the living area, terrace and garden.