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Domaine de Balme (le Tour and Vallorcine)
Chamonix
Domaine de Balme is the ski area right at the top of the valley, close to Switzerland. There is good skiing here for all levels - a good beginners area (La Vormaine) on the Le Tour side, and then plenty of blue and red runs once you are in the main ski area. The pistes are generally wider and smoother than you will find at the other ski areas.
It is an excellent choice for groups of mixed ability, and a great area for your first day. It can be very cold up here, so make sure you're equipped! There is also plenty of excellent off-piste. However it can be very dangerous after heavy snow fall - don't even think about going off piste alone, and without the correct equipment and know-how!
Access is either from Le Tour (take the ski bus from Chamonix), or from Vallorcine, which is over the other side of the Col des Montets pass. The bus does not go to Vallorcine - however the train does, and the station is right next to the gondola (there is also a great restaurant for lunch at the train station).
