Гран Монте является крупнейшим и самым популярным лыжным курортом в долине Шамони. Северо-запад гарантирует хороший снег (даже в позднем сезоне) на высоте 3300м (10825ф). Некоторые из лучших лыжных заездов можно совершить в мае!
Обширная область на северных склонах над деревней Аржантьер. Подъемная система может привести к путанице. Есть два лифта из Аржантьер (1260м): один до План Йоран и телифер до Лоньян. Из Лоньяна (1960м) есть легкий доступ к подвесной канатной дороге Бошар (2800м) и к кресельному подьемнику Херс (2600м).
По прибытии на станцию, вы можете выбрать между большой кабинкой канатной дороги и стулом кресельного подьемника. В час, пик лучше будет быстрее добраться на кресельном подъемнике и пересесть, чтобы добраться до промежуточной станции, т.к. строятся немалые очереди для поездки на гондоле!
На промежуточной станции Ле Гран Монте произошли значительные улучшения в последние годы. Система подвесной канатной дороги Бошар заменила старые яйцообразные кабины и новый 6-местный кресельный подъемник Херс заменил старый двухместный.
Есть два ресторана, снек-бары и места под навесом для пикников (Ор Сак) плюс два испытательных центра.
Веб-камеры и состояние подьемников.
Бошар и Херсе
На вершинах Бошар и Херсе лыжная местность крутая и с ледниками. Желательно, оставаться на контролируемых обозначенных трассах.
Обширная территория обслуживается двумя подьемниками, предлагая фантастические прокаты на лыжах, даже если верхние секторы расположены на леднике. Угроза лавин, от умеренной до высокой, существует при падении свежего снега. Вся территория "прокатывается" после снегопадов, но, благодогя своим размерам, есть место для всех.
Подъемник Бошар дает доступ к зоне Лаваншер, на левой стороне лыжной зоны; избежите толп и прокатитесь с 1000 метрогого спуска. Через подъемник Пендан вернитесь в Лоньян (или продолжите спуск через лес к деревне Лаваншер).
Вершина Гран Монте
Катание на лыжах с вершины Гран Монте (3300м) является мечтой лыжников. С 2000м перепадом в Аржантьер, в хороший снежный день, попробуйте хели-ски.
Две черные трассы, Ле Пилон и Пуант дк Вю, спускаются с вершины 3300м станции. Внетрассовые возможности огромны. Есть небольшой снек-бар и терраса. Короткая металлические лестница превезет вас на смотровую площадку.
Размеры гор могут быть обманчивы. К юго-западу является Эгюий-дю-Миди, который на самом деле на более полкилометра выше! По ту сторону, Монблан - еще на километр выше, чем Эгюий-дю-Миди.
Канатная дорога Ле Гран Монте (3300м) находится во владении частной компании. Билеты можно приобрести в Лоньяне или на станции в Аржантьер.
Snow
Due to its north-facing aspect and to its high altitude, Les Grands Montets is also famous for its exceptional snow quality. Most of the ski area is above the treeline, over 1 900 m. Moreover, remarkable snow conditions continue until early May, making it a paradise for skiers and board riders.
Les Grands Montets can be chilly in the mornings (because of the north-facing), and earlier in the season the pistes will barely see the sun before lunchtime, so make sure you wrap up warm.
Considering the weather all-year round, this is the best ski area to head to, as its shaded slopes will be the best preserved, comparing to the other ones in the valley.
Lognan snow park
It is located at Lognan station and it offers several obstacles for freestylers and boardercross is available. If you want to learn, there are courses organised, too.
The boardercross is situated at the top of the Marmottons and Tabé chairlifts. There are two different routes – one with a stopwatch and video system (for competing with your friends), and the second, which meets international standards for higher levels, enthusiasts and ski/snowboard clubs.
Information for Snowboarders:
- Kicker (Jump/Ramp)
- Rails/Slides
- Boxes
- Wave rides
- Chill area
- No halfpipe
- few cat tracks
- no runs with an ascent
- very many freeride/deep snow areas
Restaurants
There are several places to eat, drink, snack on Grands Montets. Details about all
The Summit of the Grands Montets
Skiing from the top of the Grands Montets (3300m) is a skiers dream. With a 2000m vertical drop to Argentière, on a good powder day, who needs heli-skiing?!
Two black pistes, Les Pylônes and Point de Vue, run out of the 3300m top station. The off-piste possibilities are huge. There are a small snack bar and terrace. Take a short climb up metal steps to the observation platform.
The sheer size of the mountains can be deceptive. Over to the south-west is the Aiguille du Midi which is in fact over half a kilometre higher! Beyond that is Mont Blanc, another kilometre higher than the Midi.
Les Grands Montets téléphérique (3300m) is run by a separate company. Tickets can be purchased at Lognan or a ticket which includes the top station can be bought at the base station in Argentière.
Les Grands Montets in Summer
Les Grands Montets can be a great place to spend time even in summer. Stunning landscapes, ice-falls, many paths to explore (on foot or mountain biking), a snow garden.
Firstly, a beautiful experience that Les Grands Montets can offer in the summer is the ice-realm of Glacier d’Argentière and the pastures of Lognan, at 1970 m. From the top of the first cable car (from Lognan), you can see the most spectacular ice-falls in the Chamonix Valley.
Once arrived at Lognan, follow the signs to get to Point du Vue, a closer point on Glacier d’Argentière, from where the seracs can be clearly seen. In order to reach it, you can either continue along the ski slope or take the path along the top of the moraine, which is more difficult, but has better views.
The Glacier d’Argentière is dominated by three peaks over 4000m high: Les Droites, La Grand Rocheuse and L’Aiguille Verte. It is around 9 km long. However, in recent years is rapidly receding.
More information at High Mountain Office or at Chamonix Tourist Office.
Beside the glacier, there is a vertical long wall with a few waterfalls in summer, but in winter this wall becomes completely covered in ice and is popular with brave ice climbers. The view is magnificent, a “stormy sea frozen in time”.
Secondly, you may take the second cable car, to the summit (3275m). There, admire the most notorious peaks of Chamonix: L’Aiguille Verte, Les Droites and Les Drus. You can go on downward tracks, back to Chamonix, walking or mountain biking on some peaceful, lofty paths.
A tandem paragliding flight is available from 3220m altitude.
Snow garden
The snow garden offers a refreshing scenery in the summer. You can walk in this 2 500 square meters of snowland, even in the middle of August, and think that you have just started a new season!
As it is situated at the top of Grands Montets, the best would be to visit the snow garden in a hot day, say some tourists, when there are not many clouds, to have a better view of the irregular and beautiful landscapes.
The snow garden is constructed and maintained by the piste team.
Weather
The below information on Chamonix weather is intended as a guide only, to give you an idea of what to expect. It is based on previous weather conditions.
June – is getting warmer, snow melts on the higher walking trails, but it can stick around well into July so it’s always best to check the latest conditions with the High Mountain Office before heading out. From June, you can start enjoying the summer activities on offer – from climbing to water rafting – as the conditions improve.
July – the Chamonix weather will be warm or hot in July, often resulting in sultry afternoons and evening thunderstorms. All of the summer activities are possible at this time of year!
August – August is similar to July, perhaps even a little hotter in the middle of the day. The town is also busy, so getting some altitude for fresher air and escaping the clouds is recommended.
It is very important not to forget (in winter and summer) that the sun’s strength can be misleading at high altitudes. Although it may not feel hot, the UV radiation is much increased (UV radiation increases 4-5% with every 300m above sea level).
Therefore, you must wear sun cream and good sunglasses to protect from snow blindness. The sun can be dangerous even on a cloudy day. The exposure is higher, as the rays are reflected back off the snow, so sun protection is essential. More information here
Grands Montets Live Ski Lift Status Phone: +33 4 50 54 00 71
