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Nestled at the foot of Mont Blanc, Les Contamines is an authentic mountain village in the vast Évasion Mont-Blanc ski area, where 445km of pistes link the resorts of Saint-Gervais-Mont-Blanc, Megève, Combloux, Les Houches, and Saint-Nicolas de Véroce.
Les Contamines itself has 120km of pistes, with beginner zones, plenty of blues and reds for intermediates as well as thrilling reds, blacks and off piste for the more experienced on Bettex. Altitude reaches over 2,350m, ensuring good snow cover throughout the season.
Whatever time of year you visit, you’ll be surrounded by breathtaking views of the Mont Blanc and the Alps.
Les Contamines, a “Famille Plus” resort, is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, with beginner-friendly slopes, ski schools and childcare options, making it a great choice for families looking to introduce their children to snow sports.
Outside the ski season, visitors flock to the area to enjoy the hiking and biking trails as well as the flora and fauna of the nature reserve. Les Contamines is a key stop on the Tour du Mont Blanc long-distance hiking trail. But there are also plenty of more gentle walks suitable for families.
And at the end of a busy day in the mountains, you can unwind in local wellness centres or enjoy a delicious meal in one of the area’s many restaurants.
Pontet Leisure Park Mini golf, a bouncy castle, trampolines and kayaking are just some of the activities that await you at Nash Mountain games, at the Pontet Leisure Park in Les Contamines. Open throughout the summer, this superb park will keep the kids busy all day.
Take to the skies Get a totally different perspective on the mountains from a ! Various packages are available, with special rates for groups, and even children as young as seven can enjoy a tandem flight. It’s a good idea to book early in your holiday so that there is time to reschedule in the event of bad weather.
Spa day After a strenuous day in the mountains, relax and pamper yourself at the Eaux Ma Biche wellness centre – make the most of the sauna, steam room and massaging jets, or enjoy an invigorating treatment or massage before a herbal tea overlooking the Bonnant stream.
Mont-Blanc tramway You’ll enjoy stunning views from this wonderful rack-and-pinion railway, which takes you from Saint-Gervais (8.7km) up to the Bellevue Plateau. In summer, it’s a great starting point for hikes and in winter, you can ski back down (and your ski pass will cover the cost). There’s a mountain restaurant at Bellevue where you can take in the views over a coffee.
Casino night If you fancy a bit of a flutter, head to the casino in Le Fayet to try your luck on the 75 slot machines, blackjack table or roulette. Complete your evening with a cocktail and a snack from the bar and enjoy some live music.
Meet the goats Young children will love being able to stroke the baby goats and watch the milking at this farm near Les Contamines. When they’re done, you can pick up some of the farm’s produce in the shop, including cheese, yoghurt and soap.
Via ferrata This Alpine adventure is a great day out for families with older children – it combines hiking and climbing on a trail cut into the rock face. You’ll wear a helmet and be clipped to the trail at all times to ensure your safety, but you’ll still need a head for heights! The course at the thermal park in Saint-Gervais has three levels of difficulty, but they are all a bit of a challenge – this is definitely one for the physically fit.
Mountain biking In the summer, the mountains around Les Contamines become a magnet for cyclists. Experienced mountain bikers will find plenty of challenge, as many of the trails are steep and technical, but there are trails for all levels. Bikes can be taken on many of the lifts, and on the Mont-Blanc Express train. The tourist office is a great place to start when looking for routes and advice.
Walk the gorge Visit Les Gorges de la Diosaz for a stunning walk along suspended footpaths, past impressive waterfalls. It’s a great choice on a sunny day, as much of the path is in shade. It’s a bit of a climb, but with so much to stop and look at along the way, you’ll hardly notice it.
Le Carnotzet (387 Route de Notre Dame de la Gorge, 74170 Les Contamines-Montjoie, tel: +33 6 13 41 44 25) Book ahead to be sure of a table at this popular restaurant, which serves hearty Savoyard and French food in a friendly atmosphere. Try the Potée Savoyarde – a delicious stew of vegetables with local “diot” sausages, smoked bacon and ham. Vegan and veggie options are available.
Ô à la Bouche (Route de Notre Dame de la Gorge, 74170 Les Contamines-Montjoie, tel: +33 4 50 47 81 67) This restaurant has a reputation for fine dining at a reasonable price, so you’ll need to reserve your table in advance. It prides itself on offering creative dishes from across the world and it’s open for lunch and dinner from Tuesdays to Saturdays. Choose from the fixed menu or à la carte – a children’s menu is also available, as are takeaways.
La Bérangère (41 Route de Notre Dame de la Gorge, 74170 Les Contamines-Montjoie, tel: +33 4 50 47 07 62) Burgers, salads, Savoyard dishes and daily specials are on the menu at this cosy restaurant. Service is quick and the staff are friendly - perfect for a quick meal after a day in the mountains.
Biche (94 Chemin du Praz, 74170 Les Contamines, tel: +33 6 68 39 96 51) Part of the Eaux Ma Biche spa centre, this stylish restaurant next to the cross-country ski slope offers simple, well-cooked food in a relaxed atmosphere. A great stop after a walk, try the spa and brunch deal or just pop in for an apéritif and a snack.
La Table d’Armante (4088 route de Saint-Nicolas, Saint-Nicolas de Véroce, tel: +33 4 50 78 66 00) You’ll find this Michelin-recommended restaurant in the Hôtel Armancette, in the heart of the Saint-Nicolas de Véroce. Chef Fabien Laprée uses local produce in a contemporary and imaginative way to create wonderful seasonal menus. In the summer, a table on the terrace will give you wonderful views of the Dômes de Miage mountains. At lunchtimes you can enjoy a three-course menu showcasing local producers for €59, while children can enjoy a similar menu for €35.
Le Gouet (615 chemin du Goy, Saint-Nicolas de Véroce, tel: +33 4 50 93 20 97) This popular mountain restaurant draws skiers from all over the Évasion Mont-Blanc area, who love its great traditional cooking, good portion sizes, charming service and reasonable prices. As a result, you may have to wait a while for a table. Whether you are skiing or hiking, it’s worth building it into your itinerary! Open in the high season, winter and summer.
Rond de Carotte (50 rue de la Vignette, 74170, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, tel +33 4 50 47 76 39) Good food, well cooked with an inventive twist is the aim of this Michelin-recommended restaurant. The menu changes weekly, according to the produce available – you can get a three-course lunch for €30 and tasting menus are €60 for five courses or €75 for seven courses.
You’ll find everything you need for your stay in Les Contamines’ shops, which include several small supermarkets, delicatessens, and a bakery. As in most mountain resorts, there are also sports shops selling and hiring ski and cycling gear.
For a wider range of shops and larger supermarkets, you might want to head for Saint-Gervais (9km), Sallanches (20km), which has a good market on Saturdays, or Megève (19km) and Chamonix (32km) for luxury fashion brands.
By plane: Geneva is about 90km from Les Contamines. There are regular transfers by Geneva Airport Transfers and Altibus. If you rent a car, the drive will take you about 90 minutes.
By train: The nearest train station is Saint-Gervais-les-Bains – Le Fayet. If you’re travelling by rail, you’ll need to make a couple of changes. From London St Pancras, you’ll need to change in Paris (Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon), and again in Annecy for the train to Saint-Gervais. There are taxis or local buses to Les Contamines. Alternatively, take the TGV from Paris to Cluses, and take a taxi for the last 36km.
By car: If you are travelling by car, please make sure you have winter tyres or a set of snow chains. From Paris, the journey via the A6 and A40 motorways takes about 6 hours. From Calais, the journey will take about 8 hours 30 mins.