Chamonix
With Italy to one side, Switzerland at its head and overlooked by some of the most spectacular mountains in the world, the Chamonix valley has an enviable geography offering a multitude of activities.
Since the 1920’s people have recognised the individuality of this special place and the town has never looked back. Just 1 hour from Geneva airport with good motorway access, it is one of the most accessible mountain resorts in Europe.
Chamonix Winter
Chamonix has several ski areas, each with its own individual style and character :
Les Grands montets
Renowned throughout the extreme ski and snowboard industry, Les Grand Montets is a Mecca to those seeking the thrill of a steep and very long mountain. Expansive bowls of powder stretch out over the glacier, providing acres of skiing to the competent on and off piste skier.
With one of our guides the mountain begs to be explored and will only leave you wanting more and more. The kids Panda Club is located here and there are several learner and blue slopes.
La flégère
Approached from the pretty village of Les Praz between Chamonix and Argentiere, Flégère has south facing slopes of all standards. With a cable car connection to Le Brevent there is more than enough piste skiing for all standards.
A very popular area with snowboarders, the offpiste offers many easily accessible descents.
Brévent
The closest ski field to the town centre, the bubble lift is only five minutes from the main square. One large bowl sporting slopes of all standards is surrounded by steep face and cliff descents that have become the annual home to the Red Bull Extreme Skiing competition.
Les Houches
Fifteen minutes down the valley is another great beginner and intermediate ski field stemming from the picturesque village of Les Houches. Most skiing is amongst the trees making Les Houches a good option on bad weather days.
L'aiguille du midi
Often seen as the ultimate thing to do on skis, the Vallée Blanche itinerary is a stunning off piste route. Winding your way through 21km of descent and glacial scenery back to Chamonix is often the highlight of people’s stay in the valley. Boasting one of Europe’s highest cable car stations at 3842 and requiring high mountain guides and specialist equipment, the off piste possibilities here are simply endless.
Le Tour
Not far from the Grand Montets is the perfect area for beginner and intermediate skiers. Set at the head of the valley, five minutes from Switzerland and affording stunning views of the Mont Blanc range towering over the town of Chamonix, Le Tours' slopes are often the most quite.
Tree lined runs contrast with wide sweeping pistes here; it is the most peaceful of the areas and is always a favourite for watching the view with a hot chocolate from one of the restaurant terraces.
Chamonix Summer
In summer the various sites around the valley combine to offer a wide variety of options.
Argentière
At the head of the Chamonix valley the quiet village of Argentiere has much of its original charm. With access to the lifts of Grands Montets and the start of many walking trails there are also several sunny terrasse bars to watch the world go by.
Chamonix
At just over 1000m, Chamonix is often more busy in the summer than the winter, and for good reason. In a full 360 arc; forested slopes, clear blue glaciers and radiant skies typify the views around the town. For years people have taken advantage of the lifts throughout the valley to gain access to the most spectacular of the mountain paths that stem from the winter ski fields.
From the cobbled squares and designer boutiques to the rarified heights of the Mont Blanc above them; Chamonix has it all.
Les Houches
When you want to get away from the buzz of Chamonix, Les Houches offers the traditional warmth and peace of a typical Savoie village. Fringed with pastures and with the sound of cowbells reaching its narrow streets, Les Houches is another side to this valley of many personalities.
With great access to a more moderate alpine environment, visitors here enjoy a gentler pace and lower altitudes.
Mid-altitudes
The valley sides are laced with numerous paths running through the towering forests and beautiful alpine pastures, which are all attainable directly from the valley floor. With names such as Petit Balcon and Grand Balcon Sud, the mid-altitude areas are a favourite for picnics, leisurely mountain biking and moderate hiking.
The high mountains
The high mountain environment around Chamonix is what the valley is best known for during the summer months. Sheer rock faces offer days of pleasure to climbers and there are many high altitude footpaths. Views, wildlife and fantastic weather only serve to make this destination even more attractive.
Further afield
There are numerous other destinations that are highly recommended once you leave the Chamonix valley. The city of Annecy, via motorway, is only one hour away and sits on the banks of a huge, crystal clear lake that seems to swallow the mountains that plunge to its shores.
Also an hour away and offering excellent shopping, theatres and style is Geneva. With all the sophistication and class one would expect of a capital city, Geneva has helped to define many other locations in the region. Megeve, Cormayeur, Verbier and many other smaller towns offer a great variety of activities that, with accurate planning, can be integrated into your visit to Chamonix.