Chamonix is a very attractive town in eastern France. It has a transfer time from Geneva airport of ninety minutes. Lying beneath Mont Blanc, at an altitude of a little over one thousand metres, Chamonix is surrounded by stunning scenery. It is blessed with five ski areas which are spread along the valley accommodating all levels of skiers and snow boarders, from novices on their first skiing holiday, to advanced skiers looking for excitement on steep slopes. The town itself has many fine restaurants and bars and provides a lively night life. It also has an excellent shopping centre. A Chamonix skiing holiday has something for everyone.
The Chamonix valley is one of the prettiest in France with its mountain scenery and its small villages and hamlets. A cable car, one of the highest in Europe, enables visitors of all fitness levels to enjoy some of the most beautiful panoramic views. A Chamonix holiday offers a wealth of skiing and snow boarding experiences by day followed by lively evening entertainment.
Chamonix's slopes accommodate all levels of ability. It is therefore popular with a wide variety of holidaymakers from families to groups of young people, as well as couples of all ages.
Chamonix ski season lasts from mid December until mid April. Being high in the mountains it usually has good snow conditions. Chamonix is also popular in the summer with hill walkers and mountain climbers.
The historic town of Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc, is renowned for its excellent skiing and snow boarding facilities. The town, which hosted the 1924 Winter Olympics, lies in an area of outstanding natural beauty beneath Mont Blanc. The variety of terrain in the Chamonix valley is what draws so many holidaymakers to its slopes. The gentle tree lined lower inclines are ideal for families and those with little or no experience. A quarter of the pistes are suitable for beginners, over half are devoted to intermediate level and the remainder are for advanced groups. There are also excellent off-piste runs. With cable cars, chair lifts and drag lifts, and with free buses running along the valley, the pistes have easy accessibility. One of the most famous and difficult off-piste runs is the Pas de Chevre which offers glacier skiing. The more adventurous skier can enjoy ski touring with a professional guide who can take you through the mountains to Switzerland.
There are ski and snow boarding schools for every level of ability including children from three to eleven years.
If you tire of the slopes, Chamonix has many other ways to entertain holidaymakers. There are marked trails for winter hiking and snow-shoeing. There is also an excellent sports complex with tennis and squash courts, fitness rooms, climbing walls and swimming pools with spa facilities. There is also an ice rink. Those who enjoy an adrenalin rush can try their hand at paragliding.
Chamonix is a charming town with an interesting mix of architecture with Baroque churches and building from the art deco era. The Alpine Museum is worth a visit if you have an interest in the history of the town. Chamonix has a wide range of accommodation from upmarket hotels and chalets to apartments and studios. Evenings are lively with vibrant bars, clubs and restaurants. It has an excellent shopping centre with many designer boutiques.
Chamonix is not only a skiing resort. It is very popular in the summer with hill walkers, mountain climbers and mountain bikers.
A Chamonix skiing holiday has something for everyone as it accommodates all levels of skiers and snowboarders and also has plenty to occupy the non-skier.
Chamonix's nightlife, with its variety of bars, cafes and restaurants, is fairly lively. There is also a small casino for those who enjoy a holiday flutter.
The pedestrianised centre of Chamonix has a good selection of shops and boutiques for those who need a little retail therapy after a day on the slopes.
Chamonix has bars, cafes and restaurants to suit all tastes and pockets. Here you can find hostelries serving rustic country food sitting alongside those serving international cuisine. Whatever your taste, you will find a menu to satisfy your palate.
