Hotels in Les Houches

Les Houches is the first village you reach entering the Chamonix valley, a spread-out mountain community at the foot of Mont Blanc that feels noticeably calmer and more family-oriented than its famous neighbour a few kilometres up the road. Its ski area, linked with Saint-Gervais, is mostly forested, which makes it a good bet on stormy, flat-light days when the high Chamonix sectors shut down, and it hosts the Kandahar World Cup downhill on the steep Verte des Houches.

In summer it is a classic starting point for the Tour du Mont Blanc, and the Bellevue cable car gives quick access to Col de Voza and the Mont Blanc tramway. Be honest: the skiing tops out lower than Chamonix's big hitters, so snow can be patchy late in the season, nightlife is minimal, and the village straggles along the busy valley road rather than offering a postcard centre. With only a handful of hotels, choice is limited, so book early. Stay near the village centre and the Bellevue and Prarion lift bases, where you can walk to the slopes and trails and reach the Chamonix bus and train links easily.