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Tour du Mont Blanc – Shortcuts, Detours, & Public Transit

As you plan your Tour du Mont Blanc trip you’re likely to hit some common roadblocks: how can I find additional accommodation if my first choice is full? What if that stage is too long for me? What if bad weather comes in but I still need to make it to my destination?

The answer to all of these questions is to take advantage of the excellent network of public transportation available on the route. You’ll find buses, trains, and cable cars on most stages of the TMB. You can use them to shorten a stage, connect to a nearby town, or simply enjoy the amazing scenery from a new perspective.

In this post, we’ve covered all the public transit options for each stage of the TMB, so you can be confident in planning your route!

Everything you need to plan your TMB – all in one place.

Whether you prefer mountain huts or hotels, fastpacking or meandering, or something in between, we’ve got you covered.  Our Guide to the Tour du Mont Blanc  is the ultimate tool to help you plan your perfect trip.

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• GPS Maps:  Every guide comes with custom GPS maps for three different itineraries. Download the maps for offline use so you’ll always be able to find your next campsite.
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In this Post

Why use public transit on the tmb, public transit in chamonix.

• Public Transportation on each Stage
• Private Transfers & Taxis

There are several reasons you’ll want to take advantage of the ample public transportation on the TMB. You can use it to shorten a long stage, combine multiple stages, save time, save your knees, and access accommodation options off the main trail.

Here are the most common reasons you’ll find yourself on a bus, train, or cable car on the Tour du Mont Blanc:

• Shorten Stages : Grab a cable car to cut out a steep ascent or descent, grab the train to skip a specific section or hop on a bus to reduce mileage. If you’re worried about the physical demands of a specific stage, there is a good chance you’ll have the ability to shorten the length, reduce the climbing, or avoid part of the descent by utilizing public transit on the route.
• Combine Stages : Want to see the entire trail but don’t have enough time to hike the entire thing? No problem! Using public transportation you can combine multiple stages into a single day, allowing you to shorten your time on the TMB.
• Save Time: The sun is starting to set, your feet are screaming, and you are ready to take your pack off and enjoy a meal. It’s guaranteed to happen at least once on the TMB, and often times you’ll have an option to utilize a bus or cable car to save some time and get to your destination sooner.
• Access Accommodation off the Route : There is no doubt that it is becoming increasingly competitive to secure the most in-demand accommodation on the TMB. If you can’t find a bed in your first choice accommodation, don’t worry, as you’ll likely have an option to use public transit to access other options.

Most TMB hikers will arrive in Chamonix and spend a night or two there before beginning their trek in nearby Les Houches. Chamonix has excellent public transit and best of all, it will most likely be completely FREE as long as you are staying in registered accommodation.

Check out the details on the Chamonix’s bus, trains, and the fantastic Carte d’hôte below:

• Carte d hôte : The Carte d’hôte or guest card is included as part of the lodging tax levied by your hotel or Airbnb and provides free public transit access in the Chamonix valley. This includes both the bus and the train. Your card includes transit in and between the communes of Servoz and Vallorcine. Be sure to ask your accommodation provider for this when you arrive!
• Bus : Chamonix has an excellent public bus system that stretches from Le Tour to Les Houches, with many stops in between. This is often the most convenient way to get around the valley, and typically the easiest way to get to the start of the TMB in Les Houches. Rides are € 3 each, unless you have the aforementioned Carte d’hôte.
• Train : Finally, there is frequent train service up and down the Chamonix Valley as well as to the surrounding region. The ‘Mont Blanc Express’ is a fun and convenient way to get around, and is free with the Carte d’hôte.

Public Transportation on Each Stage of the TMB

Nearly every stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc has some sort of transportation that can aid in your trip. Read on for all the details!

Stage One – Les Houches to Les Contamines

The beginning of the Tour du Mont Blanc starts with a popular shortcut that eliminates a few hours of steep, uphill climbing to reach the Col de Voza by utilizing the Bellevue Cable Car. Additionally, you can save a bit of walking at the end of the stage by utilizing the Les Contamines bus – especially useful if you are heading to one of the refuges past the village.

Check out your options below:

Bellevue Cable Car

The Bellevue Cable Car whisks hikers from the start of the trek in Les Houches to near the top of the climb to the Col de Voza. From here, it’s all downhill to Les Contamines. This is a popular option to save time on your first stage, especially if you are continuing past Les Contamines to Refuge Nant Borrant or Refuge de la Balme.

• Cost: €17.50 per adult
• Operating Season (2024): June 8th – September 15th, 8am – 5:30pm
• Distance saved: 5 km / 675 meters of elevation

Les Contamines Bus + Notre Dame de la Gorge Shuttle

Once you descend from Col de Voza into the Montjoie Valley you’ll have access to their excellent free public bus system. The bus route is helpful for two primary uses:

• If you’re staying at one of the refuges past Les Contamines (Refuge Nant Borrant or Refuge de la Balme)
• If you want to cut out a bit of Stage 2 and take the shuttle to Notre Dame de la Gorge before continuing on to Les Chapieux.

Outside of that, you can of course use it to simply shorten the end of Stage 1, but it really won’t save you much walking in that case.

Do be aware that the TMB route crosses the main road adjacent to the Tresse bus stop. While it may be tempting to simply wait there for the bus, be warned that this stop does not see frequent service. It is a much better idea to continue on the road to the La Chapelle bus stop , which has a higher frequency of service.

The Google Maps view below shows the La Chapelle bus stop:

Here is the schedule for the Les Contamines bus for Summer 2023:

Note that this is the same bus that will take you from Les Contamines to Notre Dame de la Gorge. For TMB hikers using that at the start of Stage 2, it is popular to pick up the bus at the tourist office (Chef Lieu bus stop) and ride it to the parking area for Notre Dame de la Gorge, saving approximately 4 km of walking.

• Typically early-July through early-September
• From La Chapelle to the centre of Les Contamines: ~2.7 km
• From the centre of Les Contamines to Notre Dame de la Gorge: ~4 km

Stage Two – Les Contamines to Les Chapieux

The Les Contamines to Notre Dame de la Gorge shuttle described above is a popular way to cut out 4 km of this stage. You can pick up the shuttle at the tourist office (or any of the other bus stops in town) and ride it from free to the parking area at the church.

For more details see the description in the previous section.

Stage Three – Les Chapieux to Rifugio Elisabetta

Stage three has a couple of transit options that are good to know about. The first is the navette (shuttle bus) that runs from Les Chapieux to Les Mottets, and also stops at Ville des Glaciers. This is a popular way to avoid about 5 km of road walking out of Les Chapieux.

In addition, there is a twice-a-day bus that connects Les Chapieux to the nearby town of Bourg-Saint-Maurice. This is helpful for TMB hikers who weren’t able to secure overnight accommodation in Les Chapieux.

Simply hop on the bus in the evening, stay in Bourg-Saint-Maurice, and then take the bus back to pick up the trail in the morning.

Full details for both of these routes are below.

Les Chapieux to Les Mottets Navette

This is likely the most popular public transit/shortcut on the TMB and is utilized by many, if not most, TMB hikers. From Les Chapieux, Stage Three begins with a long walk along the road to La Ville des Glaciers, a small hamlet near the base of the Col de la Seigne.

From here, the trail crosses a river and then continues on a rough track to the start of the climb to the col, near the Refuge des Mottets.

The Les Chapieux navette can elimite one or both of these sections, and saves an hour or so of walking. See the map of the Les Chapieux navette below for more details:

The navette leaves from the tourist office in Les Chapieux, with the first bus leaving around 7:30am. There are several busses throughout the morning and they run well into the evening.

• June 15th – September 15th, 2024
• From Les Chapieux to La Ville des Glaciers: ~4.5 km
• From Les Chapieux to Refuge des Mottets: ~6 km

This route is also convenient if you are staying at Refuge des Mottets rather than in Les Chapieux, as you can cut out the last segment of your walk by taking the navette – just be sure you’ve arrived in time to catch the last shuttle at 5:35pm!

The 2023 schedule is shown below:

Here are a few tips if you plan on utilizing the Les Chapieux – Les Mottets Navette:

• Purchase your tickets the evening before : The first few trips of the day tend to sell out the night prior. As soon as you arrive in Les Chapieux, head to the tourist office building to purchase your tickets.
• Either the Les Mottets or Ville des Glaciers stop will work : Unless you’re staying at Refuge des Mottets, it is probably easier to get off at Ville des Glaciers. From there you will cross the river and pickup a rocky track that will bring you to the base of the climb to the Col de la Seigne. It is also fine to ride to the Refuge des Mottets as you’ll simply walk a few minutes downhill to the refuge where you can pick up the main TMB.

Les Chapieux – Bourg Saint Maurice Bus

In addition to the popular navette described above, there is also a twice-daily bus connecting Les Chapieux with the town of Bourg-Saint-Maurice. This is helpful for those who were not able to secure accommodation in Les Chapieux, which is becoming increasingly common as the TMB gains popularity.

If that’s the case, you can catch the evening bus at 6:15pm from Les Chapieux to Bourg-Saint-Maurice where you will find ample accommodation available. Then, in the morning you’ll pick up the same bus back to Les Chapieux (it picks up in front of the tourist office in Bourg-Saint-Maurice) and start back on the trail. The Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Les Chapieux bus departs at 6:55am, giving you plenty of time to also take the Les Chapieux navette if you’d like.

Keep in mind that those are the only two times this bus runs (6:55am and 6:15pm), so if you miss it or don’t feel like waiting around you’ll need to book a taxi. The tourist office in Les Chapieux and Bourg-Saint-Maurice can help you arrange this.

• June 26th – September 8th, 2023.
• Distance saved: N/A

Stage Four – Rifugio Elisabetta to Courmayeur

Stage four benefits from a few good public transit and shortcut options. First, there is the option to descend into the Val Veny just past Lac Combal and utilize the La Visaille bus stop to reach Courmayeur or one of the campgrounds in the Valley. There is also the option to eliminate the steep and arduous final descent into Courmayeur by taking advantage of the cable cars in the final section.

Details on both of these options can be found below.

La Visaille – Courmayeur Bus (Orange Route)

The Val Veny bus runs from central Courmayeur to the small hamlet of La Visaille, which is an approximately 40 minute walk down a rough track from the end of Lac Combal, near Cabane du Combal. The main TMB splits here and begins an uphill climb, while the track to La Visaille runs downhill into the valley. It takes approximately an hour to reach the La Visaille bus stop, which you can see below in Google street view:

Using this bus makes sense in a couple of scenarios, which we describe below. However, the section of the Tour du Mont Blanc that this bus allows you to cut out is one of the most spectacular of the entire trek! So we only recommend utilizing this public transit option if you must.

Here are a few reasons you might considers using the Val Veny bus:

• Bad weather : Should you find yourself facing a big storm, it is best to avoid high elevations and exposed routes. If that is the case on this stage, taking the bus from La Visaille to Courmayeur is a good option.
• Accommodation options : Accommodation can be a challenge on this stage since there are basically just two options for TMB hikers: Rifugio Elisabetta and Cabane du Combal. If both of those are full, you can continue to La Visaille and take the bus to Courmayeur to spend the night. In the morning , you can simply take it back to the La Visaille stop to pick back up the trail.
• Camping : There is no legal place to camp near Rifugio Elisabetta. If you’re camping on your TMB , the best option is to take the bus to one of the campgrounds in Val Veny. The next day you can take it back to the trail, hike to Courmayeur, and then return to your campground via the same bus. This is described in detail in our camping guide .
• Combining stages : If you’re short on time and need to connect directly from Les Chapieux to Courmayeur, the Val Veny bus is a great way to shorten the stage. However, you’ll miss some fabulous scenery!

The route is operated by the transit company Arriva . We recommend downloading the Arriva My Pay App and purchasing your ticket ahead of time, if possible. If you need to pay cash to the driver, there is a €4 surcharge on top of the fare!

• Mid-June through August
• Distance saved: ~ 13km / 500 meters of elevation gain & 1300 meters of elevation loss

The 2023 schedule is below:

La Maison Vieille Chair life & Dolonne Cable Car

The final section of Stage Four on the Tour du Mont Blanc consists of a knee-busting descent from Rifugio Maison Vieille to Courmayeur. The trail is steep, loose, and tiring to say the least. When we hiked the TMB we combined stages three & four, and the final descent nearly killed us!

Luckily, there is an easy way to cut out this descent if you’d like to save your legs for future stages or simply want to get to town a bit faster.

A combination of the Maison Vieille chair lift and Dolonne cable car will deliver you quickly and easily into the small village of Dolonne, which sits adjacent to Courmayeur.

You’ll first come to the Maison Vieille chair lift, which sits opposite the refuge of the same name. A short ride will bring you down to the mid-station of Plan Chécrouit, where you can catch the Dolonne cable car the rest of the way to the bottom.

• Cost: €15 for one-way on both Maison Vieille & Dolonne cable cars ( view rates here )
• July 1st – September 3rd
• Distance saved: ~ 5.5 km / 800 meters of descent

Courmayeur Local Bus & Courmayeur-Chamonix connections

Once you’ve arrived in Courmayeur you’ll find excellent local transportation in town via the Courmayeur circular bus route (blue route) operated by Arriva . This route, combined with the Orange Line described above and Green Line described on the next stage make moving around the area simple and enjoyable.

It is also possible to connect back to Chamonix from here, with frequent bus service through the Mont Blanc tunnel available . Several companies provide this service, so be sure to shop around or inquire at the tourist office in Courmayeur.

Of special note for 2023, the Mont Blanc Tunnel will be closed for repairs from September 4th through December.

Stage Five – Courmayeur to Rifugio Bonatti

Stage Five of the Tour du Mont Blanc takes hikers from the town of Courmayeur to the stunning Rifugio Bonatti. The views of the Grandes Jorasses are incredible, and this is a stage you certainly won’t want to miss!

However, securing accommodation here can often be difficult, with only a few options available on the main route.

To alleviate the accommodation issue, there is a helpful bus service that runs the length of the Val Ferret and lets TMB hikers connect to additional accommodation options on this stage. Check out the details below.

Courmayeur – Arp Nouvaz Bus (Green Route)

The Val Ferret bus connects central Courmayeur with several stops in the Italian Val Ferret, which sits directly below the main TMB route. The final stop along the route, Arp Nouvaz, is also just a short walk from the main TMB near Chalet Val Ferret. Here are the main situations you might find yourself needing to utilize this route:

• Accommodation options : If Rifugio Bonatti is full, you may want to utilize the bus to reach additional accommodation. The most popular way to do so would be to hike from Courmayeur to Rifugio Bonatti, and then take one of the many link trails down to the valley. From here you can catch the bus back to Courmayeur to spend the night. In the morning, simply take the bus back to the link trail or pick up the route again near the Arp Nouvaz stop.
• Camping : Camping is not permitted near Rifugio Bonatti or at any other point on this stage. If you want to camp, you’ll need to descend to the valley where there are a few campgrounds available. You can use the bus to get between the link trails and the campgrounds, if needed.

As with the other routes in and around Courmayeur, the Val Ferret/Green Route is operated by Arriva. The same €4 surcharge applies if you don’t use their app to purchase your ticket in advance.

• Typically early-July through August
• Distance saved: ~ 17km if riding from Courmayeur to the Arp Nouvaz stop.

Stage Six – Rifugio Bonatti to La Fouly

Public transit won’t be super relevant on this stage, although if your timing lines up it is possible to cut out ~45 minutes of hiking at the end of the stage by catching the bus from Ferret to La Fouly. This same bus also allows you to connect to Champex, skipping all of Stage Seven should you desire. However, we’ll touch on that option in the next section.

Here are the details on the Ferret – La Fouly bus:

• Distance saved: ~ 3km

Stage Seven – La Fouly to Champex

Stage Seven is widely considered to be the easiest stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc. With no major passes to climb or ridges to traverse, it is indeed a straightforward day. As such, those with a tight timeframe often opt to skip this stage entirely, utilizing the bus connection between La Fouly and Champex to cut this stage from their itinerary.

Doing so is relatively easy, as there is a single bus stop in La Fouly, making it hard to miss. This bus will take you to the town of Orsières, just a 30 minute ride from La Fouly. Here, you’ll need to change to the bus that connects to Champex. The bus arrives and departs in front of the train station in Orsières.

To help plan your trip and view timetables, you can use the SBB (Swiss Public Transit Agency) trip planner.

Stage Eight – Champex to Col de la Forclaz

Although it is possible to use public transit to skip this stage entirely, the most common use on Stage Eight to find additional accommodations should both Hotel Col de la Forclaz as well as all accommodation in Trient and Le Peuty be fully booked.

In that case, it is possible to take the bus from Col de la Forclaz into Martigny, where you will find additional accommodations, and then back again in the morning to pick up the trail.

The bus also heads the other direction and often takes hikers down the last segment of trail between Col de la Forclaz and Trient/Le Peuty. From there, it continues on to Le Châtelard where you can catch the train to Vallorcine and then onwards to Chamonix.

Stage Nine – Col de la Forclaz to Tré-le-Champ

From Col de la Forclaz to Tré-le-Champ there are a few public transit options that can help you shorten Stage Nine as well as options at the end of the stage to expand your accommodation options.

Read on for full details on public transit availability on Stage Nine of the Tour du Mont Blanc.

Col de la Forclaz – Trient Bus

The first option to reduce the length of this stage is to utilize the bus mentioned in the stage above to bring you from Col de la Forclaz down to Trient where you can pick up the trail as it begins its ascent to Col de Balme. This will save you maybe an hour of downhill walking and won’t be worth it for most hikers.

Balme(Autannes) – Charamillon – Le Tour Chairlift to Le Tour

Upon reaching the Col de Balme and crossing back into France from Switzerland you’ll have the option to use convenient chairlifts to reduce or eliminate your descent into the valley. The main TMB route stays high and then descends down to Tré-le-Champ on a trail adjacent to the ski area.

However, you can also reach Tré-le-Champ or other accommodations in the valley by taking two chairlifts (the Autannes and Charamillon lifts) down to the ski village of Le Tour. From here, you can connect to Tré-le-Champ as well as use public transit to get to Argentiere where you’ll find additional accommodations available.

• Cost: €17.50 one way per adult
• June 10th – September 10th
• Distance saved: ~ 3.5 km

Additional Public Transit on Stage Nine

At this point in your trek, you will have returned to the Chamonix Valley and its abundant public transportation. This includes both the bus and train that connect many stops in the area. On Stage 9, this will allow you to find alternative accommodation, services, or simply shorten your hike by finishing and transferring to Chamonix.

For more details, read our Public Transit in Chamonix section .

Stage 10 – Tré-le-Champ to Refuge de la Flégère

There are no public transit shortcuts on Stage 10 of the TMB, however you can utilize the Flégère Cable Car to connect directly to the refuge of the same name, or to descend to the valley upon completing the hike if you were not able to secure accommodation at any of the refuges on this stage.

Flégère Cable Car

This gondola departs directly next to Refuge la Flégère and ends in the village of Les Praz. From there, it’s possible to take a bus or taxi back to Chamonix. This is a good option if you need to cut out the final day of the TMB, or if you want to hike in reverse and avoid the long, long climb out of Les Houches. You could also take the cable car down into Les Praz for more accommodation and services at this stage, and then take it back up the next morning to continue your trek.

• June 10th – September 17th

Stage 11 – Refuge de la Flégère to Les Houches

The final stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc is a spectacular one, with stunning views across the valley towards Mont Blanc. However, the final descent in Les Houches can be daunting, with kilometer after kilometer of knee busting downhill. It should be manageable for most hikers, but if your legs have had enough at the end of your trip, you can always take the cable car down to Chamonix.

Find details on exactly how to do that below.

Le Brévent-Planpraz-Chamonix Cable Car

Approximately 7.5 km into the final stage you will reach the high point for the day, near the summer hamlet of Le Brévent. From here, it’s another 9.5 km of downhill hiking to reach Les Houches.

Luckily, you’re also just steps from the Le Brévent cable car, which can whisk you down into Chamonix.

You’ll first ride the Brévent cable car to the mid-station at Planpraz, where you’ll then take the Planpraz cable car the rest of the way down into Chamonix. From here, simply walk into town and toast to your accomplishment!

• Distance saved: 9.5km & 1500 meters of descent

Private Transfers & Taxis on the TMB

Should the various public transit options listed above not work for your specific itinerary or needs, there are private transfers or taxis available that should be able to help. We’ve listed some of the popular companies below:

• Taxi Besson is a highly recommended transfer company that services much of the TMB region.
• Chamonix Valley Transfers : Offers private transfer services along with luggage transfer on the TMB.
• Local Tourist Offices : The local tourist offices are incredible resources and can help explain the public transportation network, call taxis, and offer other valuable resources. They can be found in most towns and villages along the route. Be sure to use them!

Let Us Make Your TMB Trip A Success

We have used our experience, research, and passion to create effective and trail-tested resources for all TMB hikers. If you plan to trek without the support of a tour company, our resources can help you with the logistics of preparing for the trip of a lifetime.

• Camping Guide (Our Best Seller): If camping is more your style, our dedicated camping guide is just for you. It includes detailed campground descriptions and camping-specific itineraries.
• GPS Digital Downloads (2nd Best Seller): Navigate the TMB with ease using our GPS files, updated yearly and compatible with most devices. The files cover the entire trek, including common alternate routes.
• Guide to the TMB:  Our comprehensive guide includes everything you need to know about the TMB. It’s available on our online planning portal and as a downloadable eGuide. The guide includes accommodation recommendations, offline GPS & maps, and video fly-throughs of the trail.
• Custom Itineraries:  We’ll help you design a TMB itinerary that fits your specific needs, including your trip length, accommodation type, hiking ability, budget, and more.
• Custom GPS Files:  For a truly personalized experience, we can create a GPS file customized to your specific itinerary, including your accommodations and route preferences.

As passionate hikers, we’ve made it our goal to empower you with all the information you need for your best TMB experience. We’ve helped over 2,500 hikers prepare for their trips, navigate on the trail, and simplify the planning process.

We hope you found this information informative and helpful as you plan your own Tour du Mont Blanc adventure. We try to keep this information as up to date as possible, but if you notice anything that needs correcting, don’t hesitate to let us know by leaving a comment below!

4 thoughts on “Tour du Mont Blanc – Shortcuts, Detours, & Public Transit”

The Val Veny busses in Courmayeur are now from from June 16 2023

Thanks! We’ve updated the information in the post.

Hi thanks for the great post, very helpful. What happened to the comment about the 18:10 shuttle from Les Chapieux to Bourg-Saint-Maurice? Just wanted to confirm that the shuttle is still running.

Hi Korey, To the best of our knowledge, it should be running through September 8th. Thanks!

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We’re Emily and Ian, outdoor lovers and planning nerds who live in Boulder, Colorado. The only thing we love more than researching and mapping out our next adventure, is actually being out there on the trail. Between the two of us, we’ve been to over 30 countries, and much of our travel in these countries has been on two feet or two wheels. When we’re not in a far-flung destination, we spend a lot of time exploring the amazing camping, hiking, and biking destinations in our home state of Colorado. Learn More About Us

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Chamonix Bus Timetables 2023 PDF & Chamonix Bus System

Chamonix has a bus system which runs up and down the Valley and serves the various ski resorts and hiking areas. All lines pass by the Chamonix Sud Bus Stop, make a circuit in Chamonix and then connect the town with other 4 communes: Les Houches, Servoz, Argentiere, Vallorcine.

The base fleet, which operates all year round, is made up of two electric shuttle buses, six Euro 6 standard vehicles and six hybrid buses. A third electric shuttle bus was acquired in 2018. A 100% electric 12m standard vehicle was tested in real operating conditions at the end of this winter, with a view to the official delivery of a vehicle of this type in 2020.

There is a year-round service and a winter season service. In high season, there is rarely a waiting time longer than 20 minutes. Normally heavy snowfall is not a problem for the buses, as they are well equipped. On the other hand, when it snows a lot in Chamonix the roads can get pretty messy for cars, some of which may be lacking the proper equipment, and the high volume of cars raises the pollution levels, so leave your car at home and take advantage of this free bus service.

Annual bus lines:

Below you will find the timetables valid f rom 17 April  to 3 December 2023 for the Spring & Autumn

Summer timetable 2023 (one file with all lines & services)

Line 1 - the bus runs every 30 minutes all year round, every day from 6:12 am to 8:44 pm, except for Sundays and holidays during the off-season, when there will be 1 bus each hour. 

Check here Timetables PDF line 1:  Les Houches - Les Praz Flegere

Line 2 - the bus Le Tour-Chamonix runs every 30 minutes, every day from 6:15 am to 8:49 pm, except for Sundays and holidays during the off-season, when there will be 1 bus each hour.

Check here Timetables PDF line 2:  Le Tour - Les Bossons

Line 3 serves the route Chamonix-Servoz, every day, four times per day, adapted to school hours.

Check here Timetables PDF line 3:  Chamonix - Servoz

Line 6 - Servoz shuttle  runs every day from 6:55 am to 7:04 pm.

Check here Timetables PDF line 6:  Servoz shuttle

Le Mulet  (Free city center shuttle) runs every day, from 8:00 am to 7:23 pm, every 30 minutes.

Check here Timetables PDF: Le Mulet

The "Chamo’Nuit"  Chamo’nuit offers 4 passages per evening! Operates everyday from 8:48 pm to midnight, from  Le Prarion (Houches) to Argentière via Chamonix.

Check here Timetables PDF:  Chamo Nuit

Summer bus lines:

Below you will find the timetables valid from from 24 June to 2 September 2023

The V1 bike line takes you to the Houches.

Check here Timetables PDF:  V1 bike line

The V2 bike line takes you to Le Tour.

Check here Timetables PDF:  V2 bike line

Winter bus lines:

Line 2B with line 2 offers from Chamonix to Le Tour a bus every 10 minutes in rush hour, or every 15 minutes the rest of the time.

Line 14 runs between Le Brévent and Les Planards, every day from 8 am to 6 pm, a bus every 20 minutes.

Line 15  takes you from Chamonix to Les Bossons & Les Houches. Line 15 offers additional buses to Line 1.

Line 16  Les Houches shuttle. The bus runs daily between 8 am and 5:53 pm, with a frequency of around 35-40 minutes.

Line 17  takes you from Le Brévent to Le Grépon. Line 14 & 17 allows having a bus to Brevent or Chamonix every 10 minutes during rush hours.

Line 18  the Vallorcine's shuttle: runs daily 

Line 19  goes   from Le Brévent to La Flégère.

The " navette des bois " or Bois Shuttle travels between the Bois and the Praz to take you to the new lift at the Flégère ! Bus runs every 20 minutes from 8 a.m. to 5.10 p.m.

The Savoy-Brevent Shuttle goes from Le Brévent to La Mollard.

New for winter 2022-2023 : The Montroc Shuttle . New line serving Chosalets, Argentière, Montroc and Le Tour, you can access Le Tour and Vormaine ski areas directly by train (train/bus connection at Montroc station).

Here you can see the entire Chamonix Bus Network

Wearing a mask is mandatory on the entire bus network!

The Minibus "The Mulet"

A free shuttle service called Le Mulet runs around Chamonix town centre every 12 minutes in winter/summer season and every 20 minutes in interseason.

The Mulet service runs circuits around Chamonix centre where the large buses can no longer pass due to pedestrian schemes and provides connection points to the main bus service that continues up and down the valley to the main lift areas and villages. Access to the car parks at Le Grépon, Mont-Blanc, Entrèves, Allobroges, and the Multimedia Library.

Read more about these free mini-buses available only in the centre of Chamonix.

The Night Bus: Chamo'Nuit

There is also a Night Bus running four times per night, between 8:50 pm and midnight, from Les Houches to Argentière via Chamonix, in both winter and summer season.

Chamo’nuit is a paid service. Trip cost: €2 each journey.

For more info, visit chamonix-bus.com.

Carte d'Hôte / FREE Guest Card

This FREE Guest Card has many advantages, including free travel on the Chamonix Valley buses and on SNCF trains in the valley, between Servoz and Vallorcine, as well as discounted rates for admission to public sports and arts facilities and events.

Private accommodation (family, friends): the card is available only from the town hall or tourist office at a cost of €10 per person/weekly stay.

The Carte d'Hôte Guest Card is given to you free of charge by your accommodation provider on your arrival. Don't hesitate to ask for it.


Another way to get it is to go to Chamonix town hall or the Chamonix Tourist Office.

If you do not have a free circulation pass, you must buy a ticket from the bus driver or at the information point of Chamonix Sud.

Day ticket: €3;

Chamo’nuit one-way ticket: €2.

More Useful Information and Related Content

Chamonix Bus

The Chamonix Bus network allows you to move quickly in the centre of Chamonix or the Mont Blanc Valley.

Carte d’hôte: free buses and trains in the Chamonix valley

Accommodation in a hotel or rental in Chamonix : When you arrive at your hotel or accommodation, ask for your “Carte d’Hôte”. This card will allow you to travel for free in the Mont Blanc valley on the Transdev Chamonix Bus network and on SNCF trains (communes between Servoz and Vallorcine). The guest card is given to you by the hotelier or your accommodation provider. If you are staying free of charge, you must go to the Chamonix town hall or tourist office to collect your guest card. The card will then be charged (price: 10€ per person per week). Day visitors : if you are not staying in the valley, you will have to pay for the bus. It is possible to buy tickets inside the bus.

Map of the bus network

The network varies according to the season. The buses serve the whole Mont Blanc valley and run between Servoz and the village of Le Tour.

Le Mulet Shuttle

Le Mulet is an electric shuttle that serves the whole of Chamonix town centre. These small shuttles are accessible to people with reduced mobility.

Year-round bus routes

Find below the itineraries of the lines operating all year round

Line 1 : Les Houches > Chamonix > Les Praz / Flégère Line 2 : Les Bossons > Les Pélerins > Chamonix > Argentière > Le Tour Line 3 : Chamonix > Servoz Line 6 : Servoz shuttle

Chamo’nuit : the night bus Les Houches – Chamonix – Argentière

The Chamo’nuit line links Les Houches on one side and the village of Argentière on the other to the centre of Chamonix. The line operates every day in summer and winter.

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• Where to stay – Chamonix
• Geneva Airport to Chamonix
• Itineraries
• Tour du Mont Blanc Refuges
• Refuges ebook

TURBO TMB CHAMONIX TO CHAMONIX FOR FAST PACKERS - 4 DAYS

This Turbo Tour du Mont Blanc 4 day itinerary follows the TMB trail from each end of the Chamonix Valley starting in Les Houches and finishing in Le Tour. Designed for trail runners or fast packers moving very quickly running down descents. This itinerary IS NOT suitable for walkers or trekkers .

add an extra day to complete the entire trail

This itinerary skips stage 7 as well as stages 10 and 11 along the Chamonix Valley. Stages 10 & 11 could be added as an extra 5th day

Turbo TMB – 4 days

Start point: Les Houches, Chamonix         End point: Le Tour, Chamonix           Length: 4 days

Day 1 – Les Houches – Refuge Croix du Bonhomme

Day 2 – refuge croix du bonhomme – courmayeur, day 3 – courmayeur – relais d’arpette.

• Day 4 – Relais d’Arpett e – Le Tour village
• Return to Chamonix via Le Tour chair lift/cable car/bus

timings, distances, elevation

Timings for this itinerary is non-stop, meaning you should add extra time for stopping to take photos, rest stops and your lunch break. Expect this to always be more than you imagine. Consider adding 2 hours onto your timings per day (for a full day). Remember it’s best to set off early and arrive early – thunderstorms commonly occur around 4pm each afternoon in the peak summer months on the TMB trail.

Distance & elevation for day 4 is down to Le Tour village as this itinerary does not take in stages 10 and 11 which are along the flank of the Chamonix Valley. From Le Tour village there is a frequent bus service to Chamonix.

If you would like to add a 5th day onto the Turbo itinerary, you would complete stages 10 and 11 to finish the tour in its entirety at Les Houches. There would be several accommodation options at the end of this day so this might be slightly shorter or longer depending on which accommodation option you choose. For example the first available accommodation would be Refuge Col du Balme however Henri always opens late for bookings so it’s difficult to confirm in advance. This distance would be 17.3km (ascent 1,875m / descent 1,324m) via variant stage 8 (Fênetre d’Arpette) and stage 9 (via Les Grands). The next refuge would be Gîte d’Alpage Les Ecuries de Charamillon which is up and over the Col du Balme so a little further (18.6km ascent 1,856m / descent 1,413m) via variant stages 8 and 9.

Note: if you hope to take this trek early season (June & possibly first week of July) the Fênetre d’Arpette may not be passable due to snow. In this case, or in the case of storms, you would note be able to take these variant high routes. In this case you would need to take the traditional stage 8 and 9 which is easier technically however longer in distance (21.3km ascent 1,659 / descent 1,251m from Relais – Refuge Col du Balme or ascent 24.8km ascent 1900m / descent 1375m) or 24.2m ascent 1838m / descent 1359m . If you are booking a self guided trek then the exact timings/distances/elevation will be given to you on finalisation of your exact itinerary once your accommodation has been booked.

2005m up / 1364m down / 24.4km / 8-9hrs

Cut 5km and shave an hour from the above times in july & august by taking the free bus from les contamines tourist board to notre dame de la gorge, route overview:.

This itinerary takes the Bellevue cable car from Les Houches to the Bellevue Plateau & picks up the path for the Col du Tricot. After the Himalayan suspension bridge the route begins to gently climb until the spectacular Bionnassay glacier comes into full view. From here you can see the top of the Col du Tricot and it’s a steady climb up to the grassy saddle. Spend some time here to admire the views over the Miage Valley and far off the Col du Bonhomme. Spot Refuge Miage in the distant cluster of farm buildings way down in the valley below (a great stop refreshment stop if you have time). If you look carefully to your left, you’ll see a stone archway on the ‘smugglers route’ to Refuge Plan Glacier (see our adventure itinerary). The descent down is STEEP! Take it easy and use your poles. Reaching the valley floor follow the signs to reach Refuge Miage in just 5 minutes. This cluster of farm buildings in set in an idyllic rural setting and is charmingly French. The view of the Dômes de Miage (3600m) from the refuge is outstanding.

After an initial short climb from the Miage Valley up and over to Auberge du Truc. From here it’s a long steady descent through the forest into Les Contamines. Have a leisurely lunch in this small French town before either choosing to walk along the river to Notre Dame de la Gorge or pick up the free shuttle bus ( navette ) outside the Tourist Office to Notre Dame de la Gorge where the trail heads out into the wild once more. Taking the free shuttle bus means the difference between the stated length & hike time above. Take a moment to visit the beautiful Notre Dame de la Gorge chapel next to the gushing water before setting out on the well marked path. Warning – the trail is VERY steep here along an ancient slabbed Roman road to Refuge Nant Borrant but pleasantly flanks the bubbling racing gorge for much of the ascent. Be sure to look out for the  pont naturel  sign leading to a natural arch on the river, just a minute from the trail. Cross the roman bridge to take in the rushing gorge below. After reaching Refuge Nant Borrant press for almost a further 3kms before reaching Refuge Le Balme. From here you’ll start climbing the Col du Bonhomme and then the Col du Croix du Bonhomme, an ancient route across these mountains. It’s not unusual for Col du Bonhomme to still have to cross a stubborn patch of snow left from the Winter even in late July. From the top of the Col du Bonhomme the route skirts around for a further hour before reaching your bed for the night at the cavernous Refuge du Croix du Bonhomme.

how can you make today easier?

There are two possibilities to make today’s TMB stage easier. The first is to take the Bellevue cable car from Les Houches to the Bellevue plateau – perfect for starting the variant stage 1 via the Col du Tricot. The cable car generally opens from early June to almost mid September (the 2023 dates were from June 3rd – September 10th).

Trail slashed by:-

5km from official Les Houches archway to Col du Voza (traditional route)

6km from official Les Houches archway to variant stage 1 start

The second way to take transport today is to take the free bus from outside the Les Contamines Tourist Office to Notre Dame de la Gorge. Note: this service ONLY operates in July and August.

Trail slashed by 3.5km

You can find out more about both of these transport options here .

Iunch stops

You’ll be travelling quickly so it’s probably more beneficial to take food with you instead of stopping for lunch. A suitable stop could be in the town of Les Contamines where there are plenty of restaurants and three small supermarkets. Spar & Carrefour do not close for lunch.

1546m up / 2790m down / 33.8km / 9-10hrs

Variant col des fours must not be taken in june or generally up to around 7th july as this route is dangerous early season. some of those who disregarded this information have tragically perished on this section due to melting snow bridges.

Today you’ll trek from France over the Col de la Seigne into Italy. Ciao!

If the weather is fine take the alternative route via the Col des Fours (not in June or first week of July). The trail can be picked up just before Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme so you’ll need to double back on yourself for a couple of minutes to head via this route. The Col des Fours is a spectacular variant leading over a lunar landscape before dropping into the Vallée des Glaciers picking up the traditional route at Ville des Glacier.

Take the 10 minute detour at the top of Col des Fours to the view point Tête des Fours – it is nothing short of spectacular and is the only point on the trek where you can see where you’ve come from and where you’re going to from a birds eye view – oh and the view of the Mont Blanc Massif is nothing short of spectacular as well! I advise stashing your rucksack behind one of the many boulders to simply float up to the view point! Note this route cuts out the hamlet of Les Chapieux. Never attempt this variant route if the weather is nothing short of perfect and be cautious if doing this early season – whilst you will not be descending down into the Col des Fours and the snow bridges, the route could still be covered with snow

If you’re continuing along the normal TMB route the well marked trail will descend all the way to the valley of to Les Chapieux, where you can stop for a welcome refreshment at the friendly Auberge de la Nova and carry on a further hour up the trail via Ville des Glaciers. Note: there is a navette  (shuttle bus) from Les Chapieux to Ville des Glaciers which can shave a good hour off your timings. We have included this navette in our timings for this schedule.

From Ville des Glaciers it’s a steady ascent past the converted dairy farm, Refuge les Mottets (a good place for lunch) up the Col de la Seigne – the frontière between France and Italy. In good weather this is your chance to see Mont Blanc again. The views here are spectacular as the Italian Val Veni (Veni Valley) lays before you. The descent is easy enough before hitting the U shape valley floor. You’ll pass the infamous Refuge Elisabetta reaching the arrow straight roman road to Lac Combal. The trail ascends from the emerald lac climbing steadily up to the highest point on stage 4, a spur from Mont Favre. Looking back you can see the monstrous moraine of Glacier Miage dwarfing Cabane Combal and on a clear day all the way back to Col de la Seigne. From here you’ll trace the contours of the south flank of the Val Veni, following the rise and fall of the mountain side with jaw dropping views of sawtooth peaks and Monte Bianco opposite.

From Refugio Maison Vielle (during peak season Aug & Sept) take the chair lift and connecting cable car down to Dolonne which is a 10 minute saunter into Courmayeur. The descent from Maison Vielle is brutal and so we have included the chairlift / cable car down in this itinerary timings (29.9km 7hr 30)

Note: taking the Les Chapieux shuttle AND the From Refugio Maison Vielle chairlift/Dolonne cable car reduces this day to 25.3km / 6.5 – 7 hours.

The delightful Italian town of Courmayeur is your home for the night. Our self guided itineraries include either a basic hotel or a comfort or deluxe hotel with spa.

If you plan to take the traditional route (rather than the variant Col des Fours) you can take the navette (shuttle bus) from Les Chapieux to Ville des Glaciers or to Refuge Mottets parking

As you’ll be travelling fast a packed lunch may be better for you on this itinerary. If you’d prefer to stop at a refuge for lunch, Refuge Mottets or Refuge Elisabetta would be the best stops.

side trip – La Ville des Glaciers cheese farm

A brilliant side trip just minutes from the trail today is a visit to a tiny cheese farm that produces the delicious local cheese – Beaufort. Read my post  Don’t Miss: La Ville des Glaciers cheese farm .

2913m up / 2486m down / 47.3km / 12-13hrs

Today this itinerary takes the bus from ferret to champex lac cutting out the easy & least spectacular stage 7.

You’ll cover a lot of ground today leaving Italy behind after crossing the Grand Col Ferret into Switzerland before catching a bus between Ferret or La Fouly onto Champex-Lac with a last push onto the next refuge the Relais D’Arpette.

The day starts with a steep ascent up to Refuge Bertone and traverses along the gentle southern ridge of the Val Ferret valley today passing Refuge Bonatti before descending to Chalet Val Ferret. From here the trail climbs up past Refuge Elena and up and over the Grand Col Ferret (2537m), the border between Italy and Switzerland. Drink in the rugged peaks and icy glaciers before descending for Switzerland’s landscape changes here to gentle pastures and farm land.

Passing the working dairy farm, the Gite Alpage de la Peule nestled into the mountain side on the other side of the Col, it’s an easy descent to the hamlet of Ferret where you can pick up the bus to Champex-Lac. Alternatively continue onwards to La Fouly where the bus also stops.

From the lovely lakeside town of Champex-Lac it’s a short ascent up to Relais d’Arpette where you can settle in for the night before the more technical ascent tomorrow up the Col du Fenêtre.

How can I make today easier?

There is real short cut on this day as you are already taking the bus from Ferret to Champex Lac. In the case of injury or bad weather you can catch the no 5 bus from Courmayeur to the end of Val Ferret

As you’ll be travelling fast a packed lunch may be better for you on this itinerary. If you’d prefer to stop at a refuge for lunch, Hotel Chalet Val Ferret or Refuge Elena would be the best stops.

Description for this block. Use this space for describing your block.

Day 4 – Relais d’Arpette – Le Tour village

1753m up /1891m down / 27.9km / 8-9hrs.

Today is the most technical day of the TMB and can only be done in good weather. Never attempt the Col du Fenêtre in anything less than perfect weather. You will need to return to Champex-Lac and continue on the traditional Bovine route if bad weather is predicted.

The terrain on the ascent to the Col du Fenêtre is unlike the trail on the entire rest of the TMB circuit. The trail is not marked well and can easily be lost in bad weather. The boulder field just before the Col requires a lot of attention and trekkers need to be mindful of loose screw and rocks that dislodge easily and can be fatal to trekkers below. Set off super early though and you’ll be in for a treat. When you finally summit the Col you will feel a real sense of achievement – it’s the only place on the trek I’ve experienced other trekkers congratulating each other a real sense of camaraderie.

The descent from the Col du Fenêtre is nothing short of astounding. Hairpin bends wind down the rocky descent with the incredible Trient Glacier trailing down beside the trail. This huge hunk of ice will mesmorise you during your descent and will surely be one of your unforgettable memories of this incredible trek.

Reaching the Buvette at the bottom of the descent you’ll turn left crossing the bridge and tackle the steep ascent to Refuge Les Grands (a cosy manned un-catered refuge). Watch out for the Tibetan style path cut steeply into the rock!

Stop at the refuge for a cold drink and press on high hugging the mountain flank until eventually you’ll spot Trient far below and the Trient glacier disappears behind you. You’ll soon see Refuge Col du Balme with it’s iconic red shutters – a tiny dot on the Col du Balme saddle – another frontiere marking the boundary between Switzerland and France. The gentle balcony walk contours around until you pass the refuge. Re-bonjour! You’ve come in a complete circle and once again the Chamonix Valley is in sight. Look to the far end of the valley to spot Les Houches where you set off.

Our itinerary descends now to the valley floor just past the refuge via the chairlift and gondola to Le Tour. Taking this shortcut is included in today’s timings (21.5km / 7.5hrs). However please note that this chairlift and cable car is currently closed for the duration of summer 2022 so you will need to descend to the village of Le Tour on foot adding a further 1 hour to your itinerary. Catch the bus from Le Tour into Chamonix. Well done!

Our self guided itinerary for this tour includes basic or more deluxe accommodation in Chamonix if you want to indulge your exhausted body!

Our self guided tours take the stress out of booking your TMB trek – all your accommodation either in valley hotels or high mountain refuges are booked for you, you’ll have a luggage storage facility where you can store your bags during your trek, there’s a 24 hour emergency helpline as well as a WhatsApp group during office hours for general questions whilst on the trail. Extras such as airport transfers or baggage transfers can also be arranged.

Tour du Mont Blanc Hike

Privacy overview.

© Lorne Cameron

Le Tour & Vallorcine ski area in Chamonix

Discover the best of the Chamonix Le Tour/Vallorcine ski area

If you are just starting out in your snowsports career and have heard that Chamonix is only for the hardcore don’t believe it: you will find the Domaine de Balme area (also known by village names Le Tour and Vallorcine) is perfect for you.

The Domaine de Balme ski area is the gentlest of Chamonix’s snowy areas in the winter. It’s a mixed terrain that’s relatively rock free and where pistes tend to be wide cruisy blues or fairly easy intermediate reds (see the piste map ). There are two access points to the ski area, from the villages of Le Tour and Vallorcine. Being right at the top of the valley means that it’s the furthest ski area from Chamonix town but it’s worth making the 20-minute journey up there either by car or the local free bus. You can also take a pleasant train ride to and from Vallorcine and the station is directly by the gondola. The train doesn’t go directly to Le Tour and instead has a stop at Montroc, about 1km from Le Tour itself which therefore requires a further bus ride to reach the main lift station area. From the top of the Domaine de Balme ski area there are some spectacular views across to the Emosson Dam and down to Switzerland.

For as much as it’s a great area for beginners, it also offers an expanse of off-piste skiing and can be a great place to learn how to ski or board in powder as you can stay relatively close to the piste, diving off when you feel confident enough to do so.

Beginner areas in Le Tour and Vallorcine

Le Tour/Balme ski area can be found at the far end of the Chamonix valley and is accessible by ski bus or by car. You can also take the train to Vallorcine from where you can get on the Vallorcine gondola, which links up to the ski area. The area offers plenty of variety for beginner skiers, from the nursery slopes of La Vormaine (1,500m) to the green and blue runs higher up the mountain, the natural rolling terrain is the perfect place to learn and perfect your skills.

La Vormaine La Vormaine (1,462m) is the largest nursery ski area in Chamonix, served by four drag lifts of varying length and a magic carpet lift. There are two green pistes and one blue piste here, as well a small snowpark and freestyle area. The nursery area is very wide and flat, allowing plenty of space to make progress and build confidence. You’ll find this area located just to the right of the main gondola and bus stop, to the side of the main home run back into the village.

Le Tour/Balme Higher up the mountain this ski area has 11 more blue pistes (the highest concentration of blue pistes in the Chamonix valley) and the terrain is mostly gentle and not too steep, making it very popular with beginner skiers and snowboarders looking to progress. The majority of the blue pistes are accessed by four drag lifts (good for skiers but not so easy for beginner snowboarders) and two chairlifts. At the end of the day it’s easy to take the Charamillon gondola down the mountain, to avoid having to do the red home run piste back to the bus stop and car park.

Advanced areas in Le Tour and Vallorcine

For advanced skiers, Le Tour and Vallorcine don't really recommend themselves as the slopes here tend to be cruisey blues and reds. For steeper gradients we'd recommend looking elsewhere.

Snowparks in Le Tour and Vallorcine

The Summit Park at Le Tour is billed as one of the biggest snowparks in Europe and is much bigger than the one at Grands Montets. Situated at 2,000m, it benefits from great snow conditions and has routes graded from blue through to black with the most advanced routes meeting FIS competition standard. A regular competition takes places here once a year called Ride the Snake, making the most of the large kickers and jumps.

If you go through it you can appreciate it really is a beast. It includes modules such as jumps, boxes, whoops and step-ups, plus two pipe lines on the black route. There is also a CoolZone here where you can chill out, watch the riders coming through the park or just admire the view of Mont-Blanc.

Use the Téléski Le Col to lap it.

Best pistes in Le Tour and Vallorcine

Take the Autannes chairlift at the front of Le Tour for some good intermediate runs, Les Ecuries being the most obvious as it runs below the lift. If you carry on down Charamillon you'll end up in the car park and can take the gondola back up. The area is littered with gullies which fill with snow and make natural halfpipes.

The Tête de Balme chair at the backside of the Domaine de Balme offers fast access to some steeper runs. If the snow is good there’s always the possibility of skiing right down to the village of Vallorcine and riding back up on the gondola. With some great access to powder even a few days after a dump the backside of Le Tour is one of our favourite areas in Chamonix.

The Aiguilette des Possettes drag lift accesses some great open powder fields down towards the Esserts piste. Don't go skiers' right though, it looks tempting but it's avalanche prone.

Off-piste skiing in Le Tour and Vallorcine

The geology of Le Tour is very different from that of the rest of the valley. It is far less rocky, and in the summer there are meadows filled with grazing cows here. At the start of the winter season it doesn’t need masses of snow to make the off-piste good.

The front side (in between the pistes that fan out from the Autannes chair) is gentle and great for getting a feel for making your first turns off-piste. You are never too far from the piste and the many gullies here are fun to play in, and it’s hard to get lost too as you always end up back at the Charamillon lift station. Here are a few of our favourite off-piste routes.

Route 1: Combes de la Vormaine Another easily accessible area with no hiking needed is the much steeper part of Le Tour called the Combes de La Vormaine. Staying on the front side by traversing skier’s left around the bowl from the Autannes chair you arrive at the top of the Combes de la Vormaine (it’s just out of sight of the lifts and pistes so chances are it’ll be fairly untracked too). From the chairlift we follow the Chatelet track on the skiers left to the top of the chutes from which we can take our pick to drop into. These steep chutes have several different aspects with gradients that vary between 35 and 45 degrees. They funnel into a valley that leads to the beginner’s area of La Vormaine so don’t attempt them unless you're confident in your ability to ride slopes of this gradient. These chutes are often loaded with snow in the form of cornices and wind lips all the way down, which are great for riding up and pulling powdery turns but its important to remain vigilant.

Route 2a: Aiguille des Posettes Take the Aiguillette draglift up and then head out skier’s right, away from the pistes staying high below the ridge. This leads to the slopes above the car park at Le Tour. When you reach the avalanche barriers (yes, these slopes are avalanche prone) start to descend towards Le Tour. The slopes are a good pitch here without being too steep, and scattered trees and bushes keep things interesting. You can either head into the trees below to pick up the trail that zigzags down, or head skier’s left into the more open section. When you are just above the river follow the riverbank down to the car park and bus stop. It’s a good run to do at the end of the day, unless it’s hot, which can cause these sunny slopes to become very unstable.

Route 2b: Aiguillette des Posettes From the Aiguillette des Posettes you can take a three-minute climb over the top of the Aiguillette and descend down to Vallorcine. There are plenty of routes down but plenty of cliffs too, so have a look at the mountain from below first. The most-frequented route is the Posettes couloir, which is wide, open and reasonably steep. The snow here is often good but since the Vallorcine gondola was built it’s a little harder to find completely fresh tracks. Be wary of heading too far skier’s right, as this is where the worst of the cliffs are. By heading almost straight down you should get some good lines through the trees and shrubs and the slopes are shaded and the snow often excellent. At the bottom head right to either the train station if you want to head back to Chamonix, or take the gondola to get back into the lift system.

Route 2c: Aiguillette des Posettes From the top of the Aiguillette draglift take a ride down the ridge skier’s left. Just dropping over the back of the ridge toward Vallorcine, being a little careful not to drop down too far as it means a walk back up. This opens up some superb terrain with rolling drops, scattered trees and little cornices (the zone below is an animal wintering zone). The area’s not particularly steep but is great fun nonetheless. There are also some good spots here. Traverse towards the top of the Vallorcine gondola and try not to drop below the Esserts Variant piste as the hike back isn’t much fun.

Route 3: Le Tour/Vallorcine A short hike to the top of the Tête de Balme from the chairlift of the same name opens up a lot of off-piste terrain at the back of Le Tour above Vallorcine. However, this can be a dangerous area for avalanches so take care. The back bowls here are often wind-loaded, with large cornices looming above the slopes: they may look great but can be deadly as there are several terrain traps here where you could potentially be buried under metres of snow. If you want to explore these areas, then take a local mountain guide and be prepared for all risks.

If you don’t want to do the hike to the top of the Tête de Balme, you can access some of the same terrain by heading down the Esserts black run and then traversing skier’s right. You miss out on some good stuff at the top but still get some superb riding through the trees. The woods here are worth exploring, as there are plenty of unexpected clearings and fun drops. The terrain undulates here and there’s always something fun around the corner. As we mentioned above, don’t forget to traverse back to the bottom of the chairlift.

The routes mentioned here are just the tip of the Le Tour iceberg, there are many, many more possibilities to explore in this area.

Bad Weather areas in Le Tour and Vallorcine

Another favourite spot is the tree area at the back of Le Tour above Vallorcine (Le Domaine de la Balme), which offers some great terrain. When it’s snowing, the front of Le Tour is normally in a whiteout so instead, you can take the long traverse round to the back through to the trees on the Esserts piste and then to the Tete de Balme chairlift and take that up to the top. It can be bitterly cold and windy on this chair in a snowstorm so make sure you are prepared with warm clothing.

From the top, follow the Tete de Balme chairlift down and then head skier’s right into the open trees but don’t go too far right as there are some very open and avalanche prone bowls beyond the trees. In the trees, the visibility is normally better and the woods shelter the snow from the wind, thus keeping it in good condition.

The terrain is less steep than the Magic Forest at Grands Montets. There are a few rocks to drop and lots of gentle rollers that often develop small cornices to jump off. It’s easy to get carried away with the powder and go down too far, so you'll have to remember to traverse back skier’s left to the bottom of the Tete de Balme chair - to avoid having to walk back up.

Again, this area is all off-piste and unpatrolled so if you head this way you need to take care and go equipped for avalanches .

Backcountry routes in Le Tour and Vallorcine

In one moment you can be skiing in France, the next in Switzerland, there are very few other ski resorts that can offer the same in backcountry riding. With some steep ascents, glacier travel and long powder field descents this area has a lot to offer those who want to explore. Just remember to take your passport!

There are several excellent guidebooks with descriptions of the many possible routes both within and beyond the lift areas. There are two published by Vamos called Mont-Blanc Ski tours (ISBN 2910672085) and Chamonix Hors pistes-Off piste (ISBN 2910672107); these books are bilingual, in English and French. A more extensive guidebook with more difficult routes is Mont-Blanc et Aiguilles Rouges à ski (ISBN 2960025520), written by Anselme Baud and published by Nevicata; it’s only available in French but is worth struggling through even if your French isn’t so good as it gives very accurate descriptions and has good explanatory photos. But remember, in the backcountry there are many dangers not least from cliffs and avalanches so you should always hire a Chamonix guide .

Grands Autannes A favourite ski-tour, it’s best to set off as early as possible because the slopes of the Grands Autannes are steep and catch the sun in the afternoon. Take the gondola up from Le Tour then the Autannes chairlift. Next comes the hard part; either on snowshoes or skins start the ascent up the slopes in front of you. Sometimes it’s best to go up onto the ridge and follow it along to the couloirs, at other times if it looks safe it’s easiest just to head straight up the couloirs. It’s a deceptive climb as it doesn’t look very steep from below, but the upper section by the GAZEX tubes can be intimidating and you need crampons for the last section. At the first saddle, head to the right up the last short rock scramble to the small peak. Once at the top you’ll realise it’s worth the climb, as you have a great view over the back to the Trient glacier.

For the descent to Trient, stay high and traverse skier’s right, avoiding the rock bands below until you reach the open bowl. From there it’s open powder all the way. If you look left you can see the Col de Balme and the restaurant there. Below that is the long gully that leads to Trient. There are several small and steep chutes that lead into the main gully or you can pick your way through the bushes. The chutes are better, but beware of wind-loading, as you can set off small slab slides. Don’t hang around in the main gully, because it is a serious avalanche channel. After a big snowfall this place is extremely high risk. Follow the big gully down, and head left at the bottom into the meadows. Follow the ski de fond trail to Trient and have a beer at the café while you wait for the bus. Job done, powder run completed.

PS. Don’t forget to take your passport on this trip as you may be asked for it when you head back over the border into France.

More inspiration...

Take a look at this year's Ski Pass Prices or, if you're not sure which pass to buy, read Ski Pass Options for more information. Find your way around with Piste Maps for Chamonix .

Beginner Areas in Le Tour

Beginner Areas in Vallorcine

Best Pistes in Le Tour & Vallorcine

Le Tour Ski Pass Office

Off-Piste Skiing in Le Tour

Ski Touring Routes in Domaine de Balme

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