Les Contamines-Montjoie

Les Contamines-Montjoie is a traditional Savoyard village in France's Mont Blanc massif. It sits in the Haute-Savoie, connected to the wider Evasion Mont-Blanc ski area. Despite being a proper ski designation, the village keeps its local character, with stone chalets, a Baroque church, and a pace that suits anyone seeking something more relaxed than the mega-resorts nearby.

Skiing and snowboarding stretches from 1,160m at the village base up to 2,450m at the summit, with 120km of pistes spread across 48 runs. The terrain leans towards intermediate and advanced skiers, with nearly two-thirds of the runs graded red or black, though gentler slopes in the lower areas get beginners started with confidence. A solid lift system including gondolas and high-speed six-packs keeps things moving efficiently. The season typically runs from early December through mid-April, and the higher slopes hold snow well thanks to their north-facing aspect and glacier proximity.

Beyond the pistes, a Les Contamines-Montjoie ski holiday combines genuine mountain character with serious skiing. This resort delivers without the crowds - the absence of heavy through-traffic gives the whole place a peaceful feel, and the village centre has a great selection of restaurants serving traditional Savoyard cuisine. Cross-country enthusiasts will find kilometres of Nordic trails threading through the valley, and proximity to Chamonix and Saint-Gervais-les-Bains opens up day-trip possibilities for those wanting to explore further.