Les Houches - Saint-Gervais ski area

Les Houches – Saint-Gervais ski area sits at the foot of the Mont Blanc massif, spanning the villages of Les Houches and Saint-Gervais-les-Bains in the Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps. The pistes climb from around 950 m up to the twin summits of Bellevue (1,800 m) and Prarion (1,900 m).

What will you see on the slopes?

Both summits open onto a full 360° panorama of the Mont Blanc massif, a view that draws sightseers as well as skiers. The resort counts 55 km of marked runs split into 24 pistes — 4 green, 7 blue, 12 red and 2 black — served by around 15 lifts. Most of the terrain sits below the tree line, which keeps the area skiable even on flat-light or stormy days.

The area's centerpiece is the legendary black run known as "La Verte des Houches," or the Kandahar — a fixture of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup calendar for downhill and super-G. Running 3,343 m from top to bottom with an 870 m vertical drop, it's one of the most demanding and historically significant descents in French alpine skiing.

How do you get there?

Access is straightforward from either Les Houches or Saint-Gervais-les-Bains. For something different, the vintage Tramway du Mont-Blanc cog railway links Saint-Gervais-les-Bains to the Col de Voza (1,650 m); a day or season pass for the Les Houches – Saint-Gervais area includes the ride between Le Fayet-Saint-Gervais and Bellevue.

Who is this ski area for?

Despite the Kandahar's competitive pedigree, the resort is built with families in mind. A dedicated beginner zone sits at the top of the Prarion gondola, and the SKICAMP area adds snow-tubing lanes, a toboggan run, zip-lines, swings and an activity village for younger visitors. That mix means a family can spend the day on gentle green runs while stronger skiers tackle the black pistes above.

When should you visit?

The season typically runs from December to April, with the most reliable snow cover in January and February. Because the lower slopes start around 950 m, it's worth checking snow reports closely at the start and end of the season.

Most common questions

How long and steep is the Kandahar run? "La Verte des Houches" (the Kandahar) runs 3,343 m from the summit of Prarion down toward Les Houches, dropping 870 m in altitude.

Is the area suitable for beginners and families? Yes. A beginner zone sits at the top of the Prarion gondola, and the SKICAMP offers snow-tubing, a toboggan run and zip-lines for children.

Can you reach the slopes without a car? The Tramway du Mont-Blanc cog railway connects Saint-Gervais-les-Bains to the Col de Voza (1,650 m) and is included in ski passes covering the Le Fayet – Saint-Gervais – Bellevue section.

How many pistes and lifts does the area have? There are 55 km of runs across 24 pistes (4 green, 7 blue, 12 red, 2 black) served by roughly 15 lifts.