Skiing & Winter Sports

In bright sun and fresh snow, for example, head for Argentiere, and the Grands Montets: from the top you can choose red or black runs that drop over 2,000m. With a guide, the choice is tougher. Grands Montets has spectacular chutes. The Vallee Blanche is better for bar talk, even if the toughest things about that legendary route are the crowds, and the walk down the initial narrow ridge. Still, it’s worth the trip for the glimpses of Mont Blanc, the glowing blue seracs and the occasional stretch of gentle, pristine powder. Chamonix is not all macho, off-piste runs: Le Brevent can satisfy everyone from gully- munchers to timid intermediates, and Les Houches is a haven in bad weather, with inviting, unchallenging tree runs.