The Skiers' Guide to Les Contamines Montjoie

Les Contamines Montjoie is a hidden gem tucked away in the French Alps, often overshadowed by its more famous neighbours. Located near Mont Blanc, this charming resort offers stunning panoramic views that our users frequently highlight in their reviews.

With an altitude range of 1160m to 2487m, Les Contamines maintains reliable snow conditions throughout the season. One Snomad community member liked that it "usually holds snow all the way to Easter," while another noted it's "high enough to have snow all season."

The resort features 48 runs spread across a varied terrain, with excellent connectivity via 4 gondolas, 2 chairlifts, and 13 drag lifts. Crowd management is a significant plus point – Snomad user Simon mentioned that "even at February half term didn't really have to wait too long at the lifts."

Les Contamines receives an overall rating of 4.28/5 from our community, with particularly impressive scores for family friendliness (4.71/5) and snowboarders (4.57/5). The resort also stands out for its quiet slopes (4.40/5), making it perfect for those wanting to avoid the hustle and bustle of larger resorts.

Les Contamines offers a balanced mix of terrain with 8 beginner runs, 12 intermediate runs, and 19 advanced runs. The resort scores highly for intermediates (4.43/5) and advanced skiers (4.41/5), reflecting its versatility.

"Lots of intermediate cruising," notes Martin, an expert skier, while Helen describes it as having a "good range of runs" that's "better for intermediate/advanced skiers." Beginners aren't left out either – Rhys, a first-time skier, found "plenty of easy routes for beginners like me."

The resort's lift system receives praise with a lift efficiency rating of 4.28/5. Rhys noted that "lifts were all new and efficient," though Simon points out that "older lifts are slowly being replaced."

For those seeking adventure beyond the pistes, Les Contamines scores well for off-piste (3.84/5). "Great off-piste," says Dan, while Shahzya, an advanced snowboarder, recommends the resort for its "family friendly resort with great off-piste." The resort is also becoming increasingly popular with ski tourers, with Willie mentioning he "really enjoyed ski touring at Les Contamines."

The resort's groomed runs (4.36/5) are well-maintained, though the terrain parks (2.79/5) score lower, with John noting that the "park is for beginners, but looks a lot of fun."

Les Contamines scores 3.39/5 for eating out, offering a variety of options both on and off the slopes. Martin mentions "some nice places to eat" on the mountain, while Lorna, who's been visiting since 1998, enjoys the "lovely restaurants to enjoy a well-earned lunch or a beer at the end of a hard day's skiing."

Shahzya found "very good value for food and drinks on and off the slopes," which aligns with the resort's strong value for money rating (4.35/5). Angus praised the "delicious French food and wine served at the on-mountain restaurants."

Philip notes that while the resort is "typically French," it's "not the cheapest of resorts for food and drink," suggesting that quality comes at a price.

With an après-ski rating of 3.02/5, Les Contamines isn't known for its party scene. Rohan observed that "the après ski was not notable as it quite a small town and the resort was more geared for families."

Nigel mentions that "night life is down the hill in Saint Gervais. Reachable by free shuttle bus or 10 minutes by car." Raphaëlle agrees, noting it's "not exactly the best for après or food, but great for sporty people."

For those who do want to socialise after skiing, Lorna mentions there are places to enjoy "a beer at the end of a hard day's skiing," and Bruce notes that while there are "quite a few bars and restaurants," it's "not party central if that's your thing."

Les Contamines excels for families, with an exceptional family friendliness rating of 4.71/5. Multiple users refer to it as a "family resort," with Nigel describing it as an "excellent family resort" where "slopes are always uncontested and lifts are never a queue nightmare."

Nigel also points out that "due to the natural bowl shape, and central lift area, it lends well to family skiing. In particular low to middle tier experience skiers." This layout makes it easy to keep track of children and meet up throughout the day.

The ski school quality (4.47/5) is highly rated, with Lorna mentioning "our children learnt to ski here" over years of family holidays. The combination of uncrowded slopes, good ski schools, and manageable terrain makes Les Contamines an ideal choice for family ski holidays.

Accommodation in Les Contamines receives a solid rating of 3.88/5, offering various options to suit different budgets. Rhys noted "reasonable prices for accommodation close by," highlighting the resort's overall value proposition.

The resort isn't predominantly ski-in/ski-out, as Simon points out: "Not ski in/out but the telecabin moves quite fast." This means some planning is needed to get to the slopes each morning, though the efficient lift system helps mitigate this inconvenience.

Yann recommends staying at "the chalet of l'Etape" which is "located on the pists facing the ski school," suggesting there are some slope-side options available for those who prioritise convenience.

The town itself has "a strong community feel" according to Nigel, who adds there's "a good selection of shops for essentials and activity essentials," making self-catering a viable option for those looking to manage costs.

Les Contamines Montjoie sits at the doorstep of the Mont Blanc Natural Reserve, and this proximity has influenced the resort's approach to environmental stewardship. The resort has implemented a comprehensive waste management programme and uses energy-efficient snowmaking equipment on key sections of the mountain.

Public transport links include regular shuttle buses between the village and ski lifts, reducing car dependency. The resort has also invested in modernising its lift system to improve energy efficiency, with several newer installations using less power than their predecessors.

The community's commitment to preserving the alpine environment is evident in ongoing conservation efforts, though like many French resorts, Les Contamines still has room to develop its sustainability credentials further as it balances tourism needs with environmental protection.