The Resort

The summit of the Grands Montets is open again, and it is worth every minute of the wait. From 3,275 m you look straight across at Mont Blanc, and the runs off the top face north, sit high and hold their snow into May. This is the serious end of the valley. Below it, Brévent-Flégère turns south into the sun with wide intermediate cruising and the best views of the massif. Balme is the quiet one. Les Houches keeps its trees for the grey days. And above the town, the Aiguille du Midi climbs to 3,842 m and drops you straight into the Vallée Blanche.

Lodging & Après-Ski

Your view at breakfast is Mont Blanc and the Bossons glacier. The Hôtel Aiguille du Midi is a family-run three-star in Les Bossons just outside Chamonix, in the hands of the same family for five generations, with half board included. Expect a proper Savoyard kitchen carrying a Maître Restaurateur certification, a sauna and whirlpool for the end of the day, and a games room with billiards and table tennis for settling the day's arguments. Les Bossons station is 150 m from the door, and Chamonix centre is three kilometres down the road when the evening calls.

Good to Know

Chambre Neuve has live bands and people dancing on the tables by six. Consider yourself warned, or invited.