Resort information: Stunning Chamonix is an historic and yet vibrantly modern resort
Overview
Famous worldwide as the birthplace of skiing and mountaineering Chamonix and the mountains of the Mt Blanc range are as historic as they are spectacular. As you might expect of the European capital of extreme skiing off piste freeriding is at its best here.
For a long time this fearsome reputation and lack of a linked ski area that many, particularly the British, are used to meant that Chamonix was not as fashionable as many of the purpose built French resorts. How things change! Off the mountain huge strides have been made in the infrastructure and development of Chamonix as a modern resort. While the individual ski stations in the valley remain separate and for the most part unlinked and the Chamonix has never been more popular.
On the mountain: Chamonix’s setting below the towering peaks of the Mt Blanc range never fails to take the breath away. While rightly renowned for the steep pistes and endless backcountry of Les Grand Montets other stations in the valley, such as Le Tour and La Flegere, offer plenty greens and blues, meaning all levels are catered for.
Pistes and Lifts: Chamonix has 112 runs totalling approximately 180kms of groomed pistes including 39 blue, 25 red and 10 black. Additionally there is a huge wealth of off piste trails including the world famous high mountain routes such as the Vallee Blanche departing from the resort’s top lift accessed point at 3842m: the Aiguille du Midi.
Apres ski: Whatever you are looking for Chamonix has a great reputation for après and nightlife. If you are based in Chamonix town itself then you have a choice ranging from high end cocktails bars and Michelin starred restaurants to edgy hip hop nights, live bands and thumping cheesy discos. If you are up in the more rustic and intimate ski town of Argentiere then make sure you go and see Dave in the Office Bar, and tell him we sent you!
Travel information: Just an hour from Geneva it is obvious why Chamonix is so popular with Brits both as somewhere to live or visit.
By Air: Just 50 miles (80 kms) from Geneva (about an hour’s transfer), Chamonix is easily accessible by air. Geneva is served by all the low cost airlines as well BA many charter airlines. The Geneva-Chamonix route is served by a number of transfer companies and public buses are reasonably frequent from the airport or Geneva itself. If you are hiring a car on leaving the airport it is a very straight forward 10 minutes drive to the border and then the A40 all the way to Sallanches and the entrance to the Chamonix valley.
By Road: The resort is 555 miles (896kms) or 8 hours from Calais by car and driving to the resort is very simple with motorway from Calais all the way to Chamonix. Allow approximately £35/54euros each way for road tolls.
By Train: You can catch the Eurostar from Waterloo Train Station to Paris where you change for trains to Thonon or Cluses which are nearby and then the Mt Blanc Express for the final scenic leg of your route.
