Skiing

Chamonix offers unparallelled backcountry descents including the classic Vallee Blanche (always take a guide for off-piste), ski touring routes from one day explorations to the famous Haute Houte from Chamonix to Zermatt, huge ungroomed but patrolled areas and 140 km of superb pistes. There's also two terrain parks and a halfpipe, though the natural terrain provides enough hits and kickers to keep you happy.
The areas are quite separated from each other, as Chamonix was not planned as a resort, but regular free shuttle buses and trains run between them.

Chamonix mountain statistics

Total pistes in all Chamonix areas: 74
Green: 25%
Blue: 29%
Red: 32%
Black: 14%
Top lift: 3840m
Bottom lift: 1032m
Vertical drop: 2808
Ski area: 140km (87 miles)
Longest run: 21km (13 miles)
Average annual snowfall: 9.6 m

Chamonix ski areas

Each area has its own character:
Flegere: The south facing slopes have amazing Mont Blanc views and are great for mixed ability groups. Cat tracks make natural lips and there's great powder runs in the bowls.
Les Grands Montets: Wild high mountain slopes with huge unpisted areas.
Le Tour and Vallorcine: Wide slopes near the Swiss border and wonderful tree runs.
Les Houches: Tree runs and great slopeside restaurants. A good place when there's bad weather elswhere in the valley, and the gentle slopes are great for families.