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Grands MontetsWhat can be said about the Grands Montets that hasn't been said before? Its a big area, its isn't called "Grands" Montets for nothing.
The top station, at 3300m is saddled on a rocky outcrop on the Aiguille Du Grands Montets, covered by a glacier. This lift is high. A total descent of 2200m at high speed in 15 minutes will get your legs going! The Main exposure of the Grands Montets is North Facing, guaranteed to have the best snow! We are lucky to be able to say that the Grands Montets is usually the first area in the Alps to Open for the winter, and the Last to close in the summer. The Closing weekend party in May is considered to the the closing party for the whole of the European Alps.
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Although the top station is the highest point you can reach without hiking, it only serves two marked pistes, but the scale of the off-piste is immense, three directions to drop off will take you either on to the Argentiere Glacier, the Mer Du Glace via the pas du chevre or the North Face of the Grands Montets, a smooth Powder sure face that guarantees great riding. From the Argentiere Glacier you can spend 2 hours hiking up the Col du Argentiere and reach the Spectacular Glacier Du Tour, once at the end of the Tour Glacier you will be at the bottom station of La Tour. Exert a bit of energy for the ultimate reward - Fresh untracked powder! But remember to take a guide. This is just one of the many off piste day trips that are possible from the summit station The Bochard Gondola on the Grands Montets is the entry point to the Pendant Glacier and the Lavancher Bowl, a huge area that starts on the Glacier and finishes in thick forest, keep heading right and take the Pendant Chairlift back to the Lognon side, or ride through the trees into the village of Lavancher, there are regular buses to get you back to the lifts or a shower and a warm meal at the lodge!
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Whenever Chamonix hosts any winter sports competitions they are usually held at the Grands Montets, ChamJam and the French Championships for example. There is usually a fun park around the mid station at Lognon.
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