La Tour for beginners/improvers

I am going to the Chamonix area on 27th January and want to increase my confidence. Can't seem to go fast enough to parallel ski (stuck in snowplough turns) but am determined to beat this. Has anyone skied at La Tour in the Chamonix valley. I have been told it is good for confidence as it hasn't any surprise steep slopes. Also Les Houches - I skied there last year for one day but didn't get to explore the area much. Any tips would be gratefully received.

From scared but determined beginner/improver

Hi Sharon. Le Tour and Les Houches are great places for the valleys best nursery slopes-especially Le Tour. Skiing is fairly easy all round and this area of Chamonix will quickly give you a 'confidence boost' Have fun!

This Christmas will be out third year to Le Tour it is great for beginners. Also, if you are still a beginner they have a free drag lift on the nursery slope and the best part - you can purchase a lift pass just for Le Tour for the green and great blue which is so much cheaper than buying a pass that covers most of the valley. March this year it was less than 15 euro for the day or 10 euro for 2.5 hrs for an adult. It has breath taking views and is a south facing slope.

Thanks so much for that - am really looking forward to going and making the effort to get to La Tour. This area is exactly what I need to sort out my confidence and have the views as well. I will be staying in Passy which is way past the other end of the Chamonix Valley but I am more than wiling to travel to La Tour. I would ideally like to have a couple of morning's tuition either in a group or privately. Do you happen to know how I would arrange this to guarantee I would have the lessons in La Tour?

You can check the Chamonix website for ski schools. When booking a lesson you can specify the area and meeting points. Le Tour is great for beginners/improvers.

That's great advice thanks! I wasn't sure whether you could specify the area ...... Thank goodness for this site - so much valid advice. Many thanks!

We used Evolution 2 a couple of times. You can book online and specify that you only want Le Tour. ESF also give lessons there but we prefer Evolution 2. If there are a few of you for a private lesson it works out quite reasonable.

http://www.evolution2-chamonix.com/ski-school/ski

You can get a free pass for the ski bus from the tourist information office in Chamonix and I believe the bus service up there is really good and takes around 20 minutes from the town centre. We always drive but it is a bit of a dodgy mountain road in parts and I'd recommend winter tyres or a 4 x 4 if you're driving yourself.

Although I'm going on the 20th December with hubby and kids I'm going to have to be a spectator as I've torn cartilage and ligaments practicing on the indoor ski slope a few weeks ago - waiting for surgery now :-( Oh well Apres Ski it is for me.