The Grands Montets
August 4th, 2008
Grand Montets ski and snowboard resort, on the south side of the beautiful Chamonix Valley, is the largest and most popular in the region. Grand Montets offers world-class options for skiers and boarders including bowls, glaciers, tight tree-lined slopes, breath-taking vistas and a total vertical drop to Argentière of around 2100 meters.
On powder days at the Grand Montets, it is absolutely essential to arrive early if you want to get first tracks and or get in some good early runs. You have a choice of detachable quad or a gondola. However, a busy day, queues for the gondolas can be horrendous so your best bet would be to use the Bochard lift, especially if the summit is closed.
From the top of the Bochard lift you have two options: the Chamois bowl and the Bochard bowl. They both give acces to beautiful powder runs but be aware that the Chamois bowl may be closed if there has been a recent heavy snowfall as this will increase the avalanche risk.
Whether you ski or snowboard, you should be aware that the terrain is glacial for the entire first section of the Bochard trail. Stay alert to the dangers that this may present. On the right hand side of the trail you might come across hidden rocks. Another word to the wise, whether skiing or snowboarding in the Chamois bowl or trails area, would be make sure you return to the lift in plenty of time or you may find yourself left behind to navigate down trails in some more risky avalanche-prone areas.
So, what will you experience when making the descent from the peak of the Grand Montets? Long exhilarating runs with perfect snow conditions and a nice vertical drop all the way down. In fact you will experience everything that is right with skiing and boarding. Stunning views of glistening white powder and dark moutains against a clear blue sky await you at the Grand Montets.
The runs leaving the summit are varied and have all something different to offer. One run curves around to the back of the mountain before splitting in two. You can then follow one of these as it continues along the hillside or take the other for an exhilarating run straight down. Both options are great, but remember that the area is glaciated, so stay alert to the dangers and take care not to veer too far from either trail.
A good tip for mogul fans would be the check out the the trails leading from the area below the Herse lift. The runs there may be shorter than average but are still definitely worth it.
If you are looking for a good place to take a break, the mid station presents a good opportunity but more importantly it offers up some great skiiing and boarding opportunities that take you through the dense, dark pine forest. You will also find a half pipe to keep you entertained near the mid station. Remember this area if the weather conditions become too stormy to venture onto the upper trails.
Grand Montets and Argentière offer some of the finest skiing and boarding in the world. The area boasts stunning powder fields, as well as piste and off-piste skiing and boarding. Not to mention the breathtaking high mountain routes, freeriding, secret combes, moguls and couloirs available to all. Some of the world’s best skiiers and boarders are attacted to the area but it also welcomes newbies on the beginners slopes at Les Chosalets. Intermediate blue trails are found at Arolles and Marmottons, red trails at Borchard and then black trails at the peak of the Grand Montets.
Grand Montets ski and snowboard resort, on the south side of the beautiful Chamonix Valley, is the largest and most popular in the region. Grand Montets offers world-class options for skiers and boarders including bowls, glaciers, tight tree-lined slopes, breath-taking vistas and a total vertical drop to Argentière of around 2100 meters.
On powder days at the Grand Montets, it is absolutely essential to arrive early if you want to get first tracks and or get in some good early runs. You have a choice of detachable quad or a gondola. However, a busy day, queues for the gondolas can be horrendous so your best bet would be to use the Bochard lift, especially if the summit is closed.
From the top of the Bochard lift you have two options: the Chamois bowl and the Bochard bowl. They both give acces to beautiful powder runs but be aware that the Chamois bowl may be closed if there has been a recent heavy snowfall as this will increase the avalanche risk.
Whether you ski or snowboard, you should be aware that the terrain is glacial for the entire first section of the Bochard trail. Stay alert to the dangers that this may present. On the right hand side of the trail you might come across hidden rocks. Another word to the wise, whether skiing or snowboarding in the Chamois bowl or trails area, would be make sure you return to the lift in plenty of time or you may find yourself left behind to navigate down trails in some more risky avalanche-prone areas.
So, what will you experience when making the descent from the peak of the Grand Montets? Long exhilarating runs with perfect snow conditions and a nice vertical drop all the way down. In fact you will experience everything that is right with skiing and boarding. Stunning views of glistening white powder and dark moutains against a clear blue sky await you at the Grand Montets.
The runs leaving the summit are varied and have all something different to offer. One run curves around to the back of the mountain before splitting in two. You can then follow one of these as it continues along the hillside or take the other for an exhilarating run straight down. Both options are great, but remember that the area is glaciated, so stay alert to the dangers and take care not to veer too far from either trail.
A good tip for mogul fans would be the check out the the trails leading from the area below the Herse lift. The runs there may be shorter than average but are still definitely worth it.
If you are looking for a good place to take a break, the mid station presents a good opportunity but more importantly it offers up some great skiiing and boarding opportunities that take you through the dense, dark pine forest. You will also find a half pipe to keep you entertained near the mid station. Remember this area if the weather conditions become too stormy to venture onto the upper trails.
Grand Montets and Argentière offer some of the finest skiing and boarding in the world. The area boasts stunning powder fields, as well as piste and off-piste skiing and boarding. Not to mention the breathtaking high mountain routes, freeriding, secret combes, moguls and couloirs available to all. Some of the world’s best skiiers and boarders are attacted to the area but it also welcomes newbies on the beginners slopes at Les Chosalets. Intermediate blue trails are found at Arolles and Marmottons, red trails at Borchard and then black trails at the peak of the Grand Montets.
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