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Forecast today: Generally clear
- Max temp: 1 °c
- Min temp: -5.5 °c
- Last snowed: Fri 20 Dec
Despite a relatively low resort altitude, most of Les Contamines slopes lie between 1500-2500m and benefit from the Mont Blanc microclimate,
making them more snowsure than many others in the French Alps. 120km of linked pistes fan out from the Col de Joly, including a long winding descent down to Belleville and a series of steep and challenging runs off the Aiguille Croche. There’s good scope for ski touring and off piste in the ski area too, with the potential for long powder runs if conditions allow. The lift system has seen improvements in recent years, but more fast chairs would help.
The village is fairly spread out, but has retained a good traditional charm.
Most of the accommodation is provided by small chalets or family-run hotels, but note that most are a decent walk, car drive or bus journey away from the two access gondolas. Off the slopes, there’s some good cross country skiing options in the valley, as well as winter walking trails. Getting here from Geneva is easy, with the drive taking a little over an hour.
Resort website: www.lescontamines.com
Ski Club Recognised: Environmentally Sustainable Resort
The Ski Club uses third party independent assessments and accreditation of ski resorts to determine a resort “environmentally sustainable” – more information can be found here.
As part of the French Flocon Vert (tr. Green Snowflake) scheme, Les Contamines has been awarded one snowflake out of a possible three, representing investment in resources to reduce its environmental impact. Flocon Vert is an independent scheme operated by Mountain Riders, which accredits resorts in France who have met twenty criteria based on environmental, social and economic sustainability.
- Les Contamines is one of the most recent awardees, having been accredited in 2023
- The resort has been praised for its far-reaching redevelopment strategy
- This strategy address revitalisation of the local economy and improving access via pulic transport
Les Contamines Piste Map
Access the map in PDF format
Les Contamines PDFTop (2621m)
| Sat 21 Dec | Sun 22 Dec | Mon 23 Dec | Tue 24 Dec | Wed 25 Dec | Thu 26 Dec | Fri 27 Dec | Sat 28 Dec | Sun 29 Dec | Mon 30 Dec | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Mainly fair |
Mainly fair |
 Light snow |  Snow |
Snow |
Snow | Light snow |
Light snow |
Light snow | Snow grains |
Generally clear |
Generally clear |  Clear skies |
Clear skies |
Clear skies | Clear skies |
Clear skies |
Clear skies | Clear skies |
Clear skies |
Clear skies | Generally clear |
Clear skies |
Clear skies | Clear skies |
Clear skies |
Clear skies | Clear skies |
Clear skies |
Clear skies |
| Wind |  |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 3.7 cm | 22.9 cm | 24 cm | 16.1 cm | 10.1 cm | 9.1 cm | 7.5 cm | 0.5 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | -7.9°c | -7.6°c | -4.7°c | -3°c | -5.7°c | -9.5°c | -11.6°c | -10.8°c | -10.3°c | -10.9°c | -10.2°c | -8.9°c | -3.3°c | -3.3°c | -5.5°c | -2°c | -2°c | -6.3°c | -2.9°c | -2.9°c | -6.4°c | -3.1°c | -3.1°c | -6.8°c | -2.9°c | -2.9°c | -7.3°c | -3.7°c | -3.7°c | -8°c |
| Min temp | -11.3°c | -8.8°c | -7.6°c | -5.7°c | -9.5°c | -12°c | -12.2°c | -11.6°c | -11°c | -12.2°c | -10.9°c | -10.6°c | -7.7°c | -5.6°c | -6°c | -6°c | -6.3°c | -7.6°c | -7.3°c | -6.5°c | -7.2°c | -7.3°c | -7°c | -7.6°c | -7.8°c | -7.5°c | -8.1°c | -8.5°c | -8.2°c | -8.5°c |
| Feels like temp | -11.2°c | -7.9°c | -12°c | -7.2°c | -12.2°c | -16.6°c | -19.1°c | -19.1°c | -17.9°c | -19°c | -18°c | -16.1°c | -11.6°c | -3.3°c | -5.6°c | -6°c | -2°c | -6.3°c | -7.3°c | -2.9°c | -6.5°c | -7.3°c | -3.1°c | -7°c | -7.8°c | -2.9°c | -7.5°c | -8.5°c | -3.7°c | -8.2°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Mainly fair |
Mainly fair |
Light snow |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 3.7 cm |
| Max temp | -7.9°c | -7.6°c | -4.7°c |
| Min temp | -11.3°c | -8.8°c | -7.6°c |
| Feels like temp | -11.2°c | -7.9°c | -12°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Snow |
Snow |
Snow |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 22.9 cm | 24 cm | 16.1 cm |
| Max temp | -3°c | -5.7°c | -9.5°c |
| Min temp | -5.7°c | -9.5°c | -12°c |
| Feels like temp | -7.2°c | -12.2°c | -16.6°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Light snow |
Light snow |
Light snow |
| Wind | |
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|
| Snow expected | 10.1 cm | 9.1 cm | 7.5 cm |
| Max temp | -11.6°c | -10.8°c | -10.3°c |
| Min temp | -12.2°c | -11.6°c | -11°c |
| Feels like temp | -19.1°c | -19.1°c | -17.9°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Snow grains |
Generally clear |
Generally clear |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0.5 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | -10.9°c | -10.2°c | -8.9°c |
| Min temp | -12.2°c | -10.9°c | -10.6°c |
| Feels like temp | -19°c | -18°c | -16.1°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Clear skies |
Clear skies |
Clear skies |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | -3.3°c | -3.3°c | -5.5°c |
| Min temp | -7.7°c | -5.6°c | -6°c |
| Feels like temp | -11.6°c | -3.3°c | -5.6°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Clear skies |
Clear skies |
Clear skies |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | -2°c | -2°c | -6.3°c |
| Min temp | -6°c | -6.3°c | -7.6°c |
| Feels like temp | -6°c | -2°c | -6.3°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Clear skies |
Clear skies |
Clear skies |
| Wind | |
|
|
| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | -2.9°c | -2.9°c | -6.4°c |
| Min temp | -7.3°c | -6.5°c | -7.2°c |
| Feels like temp | -7.3°c | -2.9°c | -6.5°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Generally clear |
Clear skies |
Clear skies |
| Wind | |
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|
| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | -3.1°c | -3.1°c | -6.8°c |
| Min temp | -7.3°c | -7°c | -7.6°c |
| Feels like temp | -7.3°c | -3.1°c | -7°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Clear skies |
Clear skies |
Clear skies |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | -2.9°c | -2.9°c | -7.3°c |
| Min temp | -7.8°c | -7.5°c | -8.1°c |
| Feels like temp | -7.8°c | -2.9°c | -7.5°c |
Resort (1144m)
| Sat 21 Dec | Sun 22 Dec | Mon 23 Dec | Tue 24 Dec | Wed 25 Dec | Thu 26 Dec | Fri 27 Dec | Sat 28 Dec | Sun 29 Dec | Mon 30 Dec | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Generally clear |
Partly cloudy |
Snow |  Heavy rain |
Snow |
Snow | Snow |
Snow |
Snow | Snow grains |
Mainly fair |
Generally clear | Clear skies |
Clear skies |
Clear skies | Clear skies |
Clear skies |
Clear skies | Clear skies |
Clear skies |
Clear skies | Generally clear |
Clear skies |
Clear skies | Clear skies |
Clear skies |
Clear skies | Clear skies |
Clear skies |
Clear skies |
| Wind |  |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 3.7 cm | 0 cm | 16.3 cm | 16.6 cm | 12.9 cm | 11.1 cm | 11 cm | 0.3 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 0.4°c | 0.6°c | 1°c | 2.9°c | 1.8°c | -1.9°c | -3.6°c | -3.1°c | -3.3°c | -3.3°c | -2.6°c | -5.2°c | 2.9°c | 3.1°c | -0.6°c | 5.5°c | 5.5°c | 0.6°c | 5.2°c | 5.2°c | 0.4°c | 5°c | 5°c | 0°c | 4.4°c | 4.4°c | -0.6°c | 3.4°c | 3.4°c | -1.8°c |
| Min temp | -5.5°c | -1.8°c | -1.5°c | 1.8°c | -1.9°c | -4.4°c | -5.4°c | -3.7°c | -3.7°c | -6°c | -5.8°c | -6°c | -4.4°c | -0.7°c | -0.8°c | -0.7°c | 0.6°c | -0.9°c | -1.2°c | 0.4°c | -0.6°c | -1.1°c | 0°c | -1.1°c | -1.8°c | -0.6°c | -2.1°c | -3.1°c | -1.8°c | -2.6°c |
| Feels like temp | -5.5°c | 0.4°c | -1.5°c | 2.8°c | -1.1°c | -4.8°c | -4.4°c | -3.7°c | -3.4°c | -4.9°c | -3.3°c | -5.8°c | -4.4°c | 2.6°c | -0.7°c | -0.7°c | 5°c | 0.5°c | -1.2°c | 4.7°c | 0.4°c | -1.1°c | 4.5°c | 0°c | -1.8°c | 4°c | -0.6°c | -3.1°c | 3°c | -1.8°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 3.7 cm |
| Max temp | 0.4°c | 0.6°c | 1°c |
| Min temp | -5.5°c | -1.8°c | -1.5°c |
| Feels like temp | -5.5°c | 0.4°c | -1.5°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 16.3 cm | 16.6 cm |
| Max temp | 2.9°c | 1.8°c | -1.9°c |
| Min temp | 1.8°c | -1.9°c | -4.4°c |
| Feels like temp | 2.8°c | -1.1°c | -4.8°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 12.9 cm | 11.1 cm | 11 cm |
| Max temp | -3.6°c | -3.1°c | -3.3°c |
| Min temp | -5.4°c | -3.7°c | -3.7°c |
| Feels like temp | -4.4°c | -3.7°c | -3.4°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0.3 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | -3.3°c | -2.6°c | -5.2°c |
| Min temp | -6°c | -5.8°c | -6°c |
| Feels like temp | -4.9°c | -3.3°c | -5.8°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 2.9°c | 3.1°c | -0.6°c |
| Min temp | -4.4°c | -0.7°c | -0.8°c |
| Feels like temp | -4.4°c | 2.6°c | -0.7°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 5.5°c | 5.5°c | 0.6°c |
| Min temp | -0.7°c | 0.6°c | -0.9°c |
| Feels like temp | -0.7°c | 5°c | 0.5°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 5.2°c | 5.2°c | 0.4°c |
| Min temp | -1.2°c | 0.4°c | -0.6°c |
| Feels like temp | -1.2°c | 4.7°c | 0.4°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 5°c | 5°c | 0°c |
| Min temp | -1.1°c | 0°c | -1.1°c |
| Feels like temp | -1.1°c | 4.5°c | 0°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 4.4°c | 4.4°c | -0.6°c |
| Min temp | -1.8°c | -0.6°c | -2.1°c |
| Feels like temp | -1.8°c | 4°c | -0.6°c |
Resort Conditions
| Snowfall | Last Snowfall | 20/12/2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Next 3 days | 118.3 cm | |
| Depths | Upper piste depth | 90 cm |
| Lower piste depth | 5 cm | |
| Snow conditions | Snow quality | New snow |
| Lifts | Lifts open | 5 out of 24 |
| Resort opening date | Sat 14 Dec 2024 | |
| Resort closing date | Sun 13 Apr 2025 |
France
Updated 20/12
The timeline for Christmas week snow is accelerated massively as a huge, dense area of low pressure gets swept in on the Jetstream to cover much of central and northern Europe as the weekend continues. Temperatures will remain cold through this weekend, with a freezing line dropping to 500m on Sunday and, as a result temperatures of -10°C being the norm.
Snow will first arrive in flurries on Saturday, but it is Sunday where things really shift through the gears. At least half-a-metre of snow is expected down, across all elevations as the freezing line falls away, continuing on into Monday when an additional 15cm can be expected. The avalanche risk is already expected to tick up in many areas across France, with a Level 4 – High danger expected from Sunday onwards, with notes for persistent weak layer and wind loading problems. Care should be taken when skiing in the backcountry and careful route planning should be undertaken.
Things are expected to settle down as the Christmas week continues, with Christmas Day itself expected to be fine, dry and bright, albeit remaining fairly cold and fresh. Some beautiful riding conditions are perhaps in store over the Christmas and New Year’s period.
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