Photo of Backcountry Skiing Routes in Chamonix

The Best Backcountry Skiing Routes in Chamonix

Explore Backcountry Skiing Routes

Chamonix is a unique resort, towered over by the jagged and imposing Mont Blanc, and only a short transfer away from Geneva airport.

The mountain sports capital of the world, Chamonix gets plenty of hype and deserves it all. Whether you're a skier, climber, biker or hiker, Chamonix is probably on your bucket list, and it doesn't disappoint when you finally get there. As the spiritual home of extreme skiing, Chamonix has a different aura than any other resort. The mountains are bigger, steeper and more spectacular. And the town itself is bustling, cosmopolitan, and steeped in Alpine history.

Top 128 backcountry skiing routes in Chamonix

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Coming back to Val Veny

This run is easy and there are no major shocks on the way, just a simple and easy-to-follow path that winds gently down the mountain to Val Veny. However this path is there because there was a massive land slide over a decade ago that cleared this area....

Plan Joran Ridge 1

You can access this direct from the top of the Plan Joran lift or skiing diagonally down and R from the top of the slow Tabe chair. Assuming the latter ski diagonally down and R across a wide clearing in the trees, which itself makes a nice run, passing over the top of a thicker area of trees, to enter the slopes that pass roughly underneath the Plan Joran lift line itself....

James Bond Track

From below the end of the Mer de Glace, look out for the ski tracks leading to the 10-20 min bootpack that leads up to the buvette des Mottets, where you can enjoy a drink after carrying your skis for a while....

Vallee Blanche

Perhaps a contender for the most famous ski route in the world, the Vallée Blanche offers excellent off-piste skiing in an absolutely breathtaking setting. Whilst requiring only moderate technical skiing ability, the environment is very serious and should not be underestimated; it is not maintained, secured or controlled, and the route follows extremely crevassed terrain....

Vallee Noire via Combe de la Vierge

A serious run but one with fun, flowing skiing. From the Helbronner, take in the outstanding views before heading down the mellow slopes to the north, passing between the Aiguilles Marbées and Petit Flambeau....

Tabé Bowl

From the top of the Tabé chairlift, ski down a broad ridge just to skier's left of the chairlift cables. When the ridge ends, drop right into the broad gully below and ski down to the Plan Joran restaurant....

Chamonix Return

From the exit point of the Bossons Glacier walk across the road and put your skis on at the little green bridge. Ski this first slope and link trails and walking paths until you arrive back at the roundabout just before the town of Chamonix....

Vallee Noir via Glacier du Géant

Col du Tacul

Starting from the Aiguille du Midi cable car, exit the lift station and walk down the arête. Ski down the Vallée Blanche, crossing over to the Italian side. Continue skiing down the skier's right side of the Gèant Icefall until just above the Salle à Manger....

Col des Dards

This is a relatively straightforward day tour, by Chamonix standards! You use lifts to access the start point, which begins with a long traverse that maintains your height on the mountain....

Col du Passon

One of the most popular tours in the Chamonix valley, the Col du Passon is a real crowd pleaser. A 700 meter skin gives access to a long descent of impeccable quality over a variety of terrain....

3 Cols

A relatively long tour at high altitude, the 3 Cols takes in some breath taking scenery amongst golden granite spires and wide glacial expanses. While the skiing is straightforward and low angle there may be some mountaineering involved to get up and over the cols themselves....

Aiguillette des Posettes

A relatively gentle tour starting from the bottom of the Le Tour / Balme ski resort. The route mostly follows on a track through the forest and then on to the summit....

Le Tour Piste Tour

When the first major snowfall arrives in Chamonix, many ski tourers flock to Le Tour to do this route or a variation on it. Le Tour village is at 1400 metres so even if it has rained in Chamonix (1000 metres), it may well have snowed in Le Tour....

Les Houches Piste Tour

With a pleasant (albeit steep) ascent and then a legendary piste to descend, this is an understandably popular tour. The ascent route has been designated as an official ski touring route and is open to tourers between the closing of the lifts and 9pm every evening....

Lognan

Starting in a forest and ending amongst the high, jagged peaks of the Glacier d'Argentière, this route is an excellent - and scenic - way of getting some exercise. The route begins at the huge Grands Montets parking area and winds up just to lookers left of the pierre à ric piste....

Crochues-Berard Traverse

From the top of the Floria Drag Lift, ski north for 20 metres and put skins on and skin northwards towards the Col Crochues. After around 250 metres of height gain it is usually necessary to take skins off and bootpack the remaining 50 vertical metres up to the Col....

The Magic Forest

From the top of the Retour Pendant chairlift, ski down the Arolles piste then turn right onto the Chamois piste. After c.50 metres, drop off this left and ski through nicely spaced trees to a jeep track....

Moraine des Rognons

This is more direct, slightly steeper and more enclosed line that the main Rognons Glacier descent. You spend a shorter time on the Rognons Glacier so it may be a better choice if this is poor condition, though you do rejoin the Argentiere Glacier at the bottom of the run....

Pas de Chèvre Variation

** Disclaimer - Unfortunately, the exit of the classic Pas de Chèvre has become increasingly dangerous in recent years. As climate change has caused an accelerating loss of ice in the Mer de Glace, the moraine walls surrounding the Pas de Chèvre exit couloir have become steeper and more lethal....

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A view of the area