Day Trips in Chamonix Valley Expert Guide to Courmayeur and the Vallée Blanche
When you stay in the Chamonix Valley, you're not just booking a week of skiing - you're opening the door to some of the most spectacular day trips in the Alps. From Italian adventures to legendary glacier descents, there's a world to explore beyond your home slopes.
A Q&A with Andy Turner from The Ski Gathering
Hi, I'm Andy Turner, and I've been operating The Ski Gathering holidays in Chamonix - Les Houches for years, helping our guests make the most of this incredible area. One of the questions I get asked most is "What else can we do during our week?" The answer is: quite a lot! Let me share what I tell solo skiers staying at Hotel du Bois about the two standout day trips that consistently prove to be highlights of their stay.
In this article:
- What day trips can you do from Chamonix - Les Houches?
- What is Courmayeur and why visit?
- How do you get to Courmayeur from Les Houches?
- Do you need a special lift pass for Courmayeur?
- What's the skiing like in Courmayeur?
- How is Courmayeur different from Chamonix?
- Can you visit Courmayeur more than once?
- What is the Vallée Blanche?
- What skill level do you need to ski the Vallée Blanche?
- Do you need a guide for the Vallée Blanche?
- How do you access the Vallée Blanche?
- How long does the Vallée Blanche take?
- How much does the Vallée Blanche cost?
- Is the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass worth it?
What day trips can you do from Chamonix - Les Houches?
The two standout day trips are Courmayeur in Italy, and the Vallée Blanche glacier descent. Both are included with the Mont Blanc Unlimited ski pass, which is what I always recommend for our guests. Courmayeur is perfect for all levels and offers a completely different cultural experience, while the Vallée Blanche is for advanced skiers looking for that once-in-a-lifetime descent. You can also visit Megève and Les Contamines on the same pass, though most guests prioritise Courmayeur and the Vallée Blanche during their week with us.
What is Courmayeur and why visit?
Courmayeur is an Italian ski resort on the south side of Mont Blanc, and it's one of the most popular excursions our guests do. In fact, we've had people visit Courmayeur on every holiday last year and again this year - it's that good. What makes it special is that it feels like a completely different country, because it is! You get traffic-free cobbled streets, traditional Italian charm, fantastic food, and a lively après-ski scene. The skiing is excellent too, with a diverse range of pistes and some great off-piste terrain.
How do you get to Courmayeur from Les Houches?
It's surprisingly easy. The hotel's shuttle service will take you to Chamonix Sud Station - that's just over 5 minutes. From there, you catch the bus that goes through the Mont Blanc Tunnel to Courmayeur. The tunnel journey takes about 40 minutes (you can book in advance to secure your space), and if you have the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass, the return bus ticket costs 15 euros (half-price). Our guests are typically skiing in Courmayeur within an hour of leaving Hotel du Bois.
Do you need a special lift pass for Courmayeur?
This is where the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass really shines. Courmayeur is fully included - you just need to stop by the ticket office with the pass and proof of purchase to get the free Courmayeur extension added. Without the unlimited pass, you'd be looking at 56 euros for a 3-hour pass or 67 euros for a full day. When you consider that the unlimited pass also covers the Aiguille du Midi cable car (which alone costs 90 euros return for pedestrians) and access to other resorts, it's incredible value for keen skiers who want to explore.
What's the skiing like in Courmayeur?
The skiing in Courmayeur is very different from Chamonix. The ski area ranges from 1,205 to 2,755 meters, with a great mix of terrain. You'll find excellent tree runs on north-facing slopes that hold snow well, open pistes for cruising, and some fantastic freeride areas if that's your thing. It accommodates every level of skier except perhaps complete beginners, best served by the local slopes of Les Houches (where ski lessons take place in a dedicated beginner area on a plateau at the top of the Prarion gondola at 1900m).
How is Courmayeur different from Chamonix?
It really does feel like you're in a different country - because you are! The pistes have a different character, the mountain restaurants are noticeably cheaper and serve classic Italian food, and there's this wonderful Italian hospitality that makes lunch a real highlight. The weather can be different too, which is brilliant if Chamonix is having a cloudy day. Some guests love it so much they arrange to go back for a second day during their week. We've had several groups do that, and it's always popular.
"The group loved it - it's a totally different type of skiing on the Italian side, and it's included on the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass."
Can you visit Courmayeur more than once?
Absolutely! Because it's included on your pass and the bus is only 15 euros return, there's nothing stopping you from going multiple times. Last year we had several people who went twice in the same week. Once they've been on their first day and experienced the Italian side, they often want to go back and explore more of the terrain or revisit that amazing lunch spot they found.
What is the Vallée Blanche?
The Vallée Blanche is one of the most famous off-piste descents in the world. It's a 23-kilometer glacier run with 2,700 meters of descent, starting from the Aiguille du Midi at 3,842 meters. You're skiing through a glacial environment with no marked or patrolled pistes - it's a unique and grandiose descent into the heart of the glaciers. The Aiguille du Midi itself is a major tourist attraction in its own right, and just being up there is an experience. So if you are not a strong enough skier for the Vallee Blanche, it is well worth going up there even without skis! You get panoramic views over the French, Italian, and Swiss Alps that are absolutely spectacular.
What skill level do you need for Vallée Blanche?
This is important: the Vallée Blanche is for advanced skiers only. Guides are now recommending that you should be comfortable on black runs as a minimum. It's become more difficult in recent years - we think this is related to snow coverage and the glaciers shrinking. In fresh snow conditions, the descent becomes considerably more technical, with multiple routes depending on the level and conditions. It's not something to take lightly, but for competent skiers, it's absolutely worth doing.
Do you need a guide for Vallée Blanche?
A guide is not technically compulsory, but I always strongly advised hiring one (and I recommend 'The Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix'). The Vallée Blanche is mostly off-piste terrain in a glacial environment - there are crevasse risks and route-finding challenges. A good guide will give you a safety briefing, provide the necessary equipment like crampons for the exit hike, show you the best routes for your ability level, and frankly, make the whole experience much more enjoyable and safe. I've seen guides who really make the day special - one even brought a fondue set and white wine for lunch halfway down!
How do you access the Vallée Blanche?
You take the Aiguille du Midi cable car from Chamonix Centre. It's incredibly quick to get there from Les Houches - our hotel mini-bus gets you to the cable car station in just 5 to 7 minutes. The cable car itself involves two rides to get to the top at 3,842 meters. Once you're up there, you can visit the "Step into the Void" experience and enjoy the terrace views before you start your descent. The access to the ski route involves a narrow ledge, so it's not suitable if you have vertigo. Your guide will typically meet you at the bottom of the cable car.
How long does the Vallée Blanche take?
Plan for a full day to ski the Vallée Blanche, or you can just have a great half day excursion up the Aiguille du Midi as a pedestrian to take in the incredible views. The descent itself takes 3 to 4 hours, but many people take their time enjoying the experience at the top. Most groups then stop for lunch about halfway down - it's a proper day out, not a quick run. At the end, you'll need to do a 10 to 25 minute hike up a steep snow slope carrying your skis, which is why you need crampons. If there's enough snow and your legs are up for it, you can then ski all the way back to Chamonix. Otherwise, you can take the train down from the Montenvers railway.
How much does Vallée Blanche cost?
The costs break down like this: if you have the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass, the Aiguille du Midi cable car is included - that's a huge saving because it costs 90 euros return for pedestrians. For hiring a guide, you're looking at around 600 euros, but here's the thing - you can share that cost. If you have three or four people splitting the guide fee, it becomes very affordable. The guides provide essential equipment like crampons and give you a full safety briefing - They are always very experienced and really make the day special.
Is the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass worth it?
For keen skiers who want to explore, absolutely yes. When you add it all up - Courmayeur access, the Aiguille du Midi for Vallée Blanche, plus areas like Megève and Les Contamines all included - the pass offers incredible value. It might seem expensive at first glance, but when you consider that the Aiguille du Midi alone is 90 euros and a day in Courmayeur is 67 euros, you can see how quickly it pays for itself. Our guests consistently tell us that the pass opened up experiences they wouldn't have tried otherwise, and that's what makes a ski holiday truly memorable.
"One of the nicest weeks we've had was when we arranged a guide for the Vallée Blanche. It was a real highlight - the guide even set up a fondue lunch halfway down!"
Final Thoughts
Whether you're after the cultural experience and excellent skiing of Courmayeur, or the legendary Vallée Blanche glacier descent, Chamonix - Les Houches offers day trips that transform a good ski holiday into an unforgettable one. Both experiences consistently rate as highlights when I talk to our guests at the end of their week. The beauty of staying at Hotel du Bois with the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass is that you have the flexibility to try both, go back for seconds, or simply enjoy having world-class options right on your doorstep.
