Spacious Apartment 2 Minutes from Ski Lift, Equipped for Babies

About Keith Oborn

I've been a keen skier for many years, and was looking for a place that had year-round appeal and good access to other ski areas and holiday attractions. The Chamonix valley hits the spot, it is one of the easiest resorts to get to in the Alps, has year-round appeal, and some of the best scenery in the Alps. Geneva airport is 80km / 1 hour by road. There is a huge range of public and private transfer options from the airport - scheduled buses (Ouibus, Easybus), rail (Leman Express) deliver you to Chamonix where there is a local bus service to Les Houches. Search for transfer companies for a door-to-door service in shared vehicles - typically 30-35 Euros each way. There are also private (non-shared) services. TGV rail services run to Geneva and Bellegarde. The A40 autoroute passes Geneva and runs (as the N205, still dual carriageway) within 1/2km of our apartment - but because is it sunk into the valley, there is no traffic disturbance.

Keith Oborn purchased this apartment in 2002

Why Keith Oborn chose Les Houches

Our apartment is in Les Houches which is about 5km from Chamonix. There is a good bus service and excellent parking. Chamonix town is always buzzing, whereas Les Houches is a quieter place. The village specifically caters for families and children, Our apartment has the unusual benefit of a large terrace, and also unusually for a place of this size is all on one level. There are good bars and restaurants within a couple of minutes walk. The Kitsch Inn in particular is a great local pub, with good simple food, local live bands and even a small kids play area inside. The Ferme des Agapes does good traditional Savoyarde food. Le Creposaure is a great name for a nice simple creperie! There is a tiny but excellent pizzeria underneath, and also Le Basilic which is nice for a slightly higher level of cuisine. There is a good small supermarket an easy ten minute walk away, and also in the same direction a selection of more bars and restaurants, and the super-helpful Tourist Office. I'll describe the winter activities and facilities separately, here are some ideas for summer: There is an indoor climbing centre in Les Houches, and an outdoor practice wall in Chamonix (Les Gaillands). Experienced climbers should go to the Compagnie des Guides. Dog sledding, snow shoeing, sledging are all available in winter. In summer the main lifts are open and there is a near-infinity of high and low level hiking on well-signed paths. There is a kids amusement area in Chamonix - try the summer Luge - and also a swimming pool, gym and ice rink. Whitewater rafting is available (the best is actually over on the Italian side). In the valley at Passy the Lacs du Passy is a huge (1 mile long) swimming lake with shade trees, a beach, barbecue pits, ice cream stands a a view of Mont Blanc. Also in this direction there is a big thermal bath complex at Le Fayet. There are two mountain railways, and the valley railway line goes to Martigny in Switzerland which has a world-class art gallery.

What makes this apartment unique

Chamonix and Les Houches are the antithesis of the purpose built ski resort. They are real communities, with a hugely mixed population (English stand-up comedy in one pub!). Businesses are individually owned and know they are competing for your custom, so it's friendly and dynamic. Skiing is not even the biggest sport - that's climbing. But the skiing is world-class. However, don't be put off by the Chamonix reputation for tough stuff: there's something for everyone! Les Houches and Le Tour are good for beginners and intermediates, Brevent/Flegere for great views, and Argentiere for the more serious stuff. The Compagnie des Guides (offices in Les Houches and Chamonix) can arrange guiding for serious offpiste and touring. All these areas can be reached by free bus, leaving from the Bellevue cable car 2 minutes walk from our apartment. They all also have good car parks, some of them free. Further afield St Gervais/Megeve (20-30 minutes drive, free parking) is included on the Chamonix "Unlimited" pass, and has a huge range of well groomed intermediate-level skiing, mostly in the trees. There are some very up-market restaurants, but also some nice little shacks hidden away. Courmayeur is at the other end of the Mont Blanc Tunnel (you can get a discounted ticket with your Unlimited lift pass), so about 20-30 minutes drive. This is also beautifully groomed and has great little restaurants. The town itself is very unspoilt (and no surprise: great Gelato and Pizza!). You can also get to Flaine, Verbier and other resorts for a day trip.