Skiing in Chamonix
The skiing is divided into five main areas, although two have recently been connected by a new lift. In addition, there are many nursery slopes in the valley, including one at Les Bossons, which has floodlit night-skiing 3 nights per week on blue and red pistes.
Le Tour
At one end of the valley lies Le Tour, which caters more for the beginner, having a large nursery slope and long gentle blues for those wishing to find their ski legs once more. From the Col de Balme, it's possible to see the dam where James Bond made his infamous "bungee-jump" at the start of the film Goldeneye (they also filmed the skiing for "The World is not Enough" here! For more advanced skiers, there is some great off-piste skiing to be had through the trees, though don't get lost or you'll end up in Switzerland!
Le Brévent and La Flégère
Lying on the North side of the Chamonix valley, this joint areas provides a vast playground that can be enjoyed by everyone. There are numerous blues and reds for the intermediate skier as well as a few blacks for those wishing to try something a little harder.
Les Grandes Montets
Chamonix's real reputation is for skiing: providing the most exciting and challenging off-piste adventure in the world. In addition to the on-piste skiing which can enjoyed by all standards, there is skiing for all levels of expertise and preferences, from mogul fields to wide-open bowls to glacier skiing to STEEPs. From the top of the top cable car, there is an almost limitless choice of decent, the only restriction being your ability and nerve!
The Vallée Blanche
The Vallée Blanche is one of the world's most famous off-piste runs. Starting from the top of the Aiguille du Midi cable car at 3800m, a variety of routes can be taken down, each one winding through the amazing glaciated scenery and past a glorious lunch stop at the ice waterfall. The most common route is a gentle 13 mile cruise which can be achieved by anyone comfortable on a red piste. However, as with all off-piste skiing, this should only ever be attempted with a qualified guide.
Other Skiing
At the top of the valley lies Les Houches, where skiers of all standards can enjoy skiing in the trees which provide shelter from all but the worst conditions.
There are several resorts which can be skied after a short drive: Cormayeur in Italy, the exclusive Mégève and St Gervais, to which Les Houches may shortly be connected, and the relatively unknown area of Les Contamines.