Chamonix's ski domain is unlike the purpose-built resorts of the French Alps. There is no single integrated piste map: instead, five separate ski areas serve the valley, connected by a free shuttle bus rather than by lifts. Les Grands Montets in Argentière is the most challenging, with long north-facing runs that hold powder long after snowfall elsewhere. Brévent and Flégère face each other across the valley and are linked by cable car, offering the best beginner and intermediate terrain. Les Houches at the valley's western end has a quieter, more forested feel.
The lift pass covers all areas. The skiing is serious mountain terrain — not manicured and groomed in the way of purpose-built resorts — and the valley is a particular draw for freeriders and off-piste enthusiasts who treat the lifts as access to the wider mountain. The season typically runs from December to April. Snowfall is less reliable than at higher resorts, but cold temperatures preserve the snow well in most winters.