'''Chamonix''' is a famous resort in the French Alps at the foot of Mont Blanc. Also it is credited with hosting the "I"First Winter Olympic games in 1924.
Chamonix is connected to the valley by a highway and a small railway line. It is also connected to Courmayeur in Italy by road via the tunnel under the Mont-Blanc [http://www.tunnelmb.net], and Martigny in Switzerland by road and rail.
In the winter there are TGV lines that go directly to St. Gervais-les-Bains, where you can switch to a small local train to ride up into Chamonix. There is also a TGV that leaves directly from Charles-de-Gaulle airport to Lyon, and you can transfer to St. Gervais-les-bains from there. Via St. Gervais, sleeper trains to Paris are also easily accessible.
The Chamonix valley can be considered everything between Servoz and the Swiss border, or the towns of: Servoz, Les Houches, Chamonix, Les Praz, Argentiere, and Vallorcine.
If you plan to fly to Geneva and hire a car, the route to Chamonix is relatively straight-forward, covering a distance of 88 km. Chamonix is located 80 km southeast of Geneva, Switzerland, and driving time is about one hour via the Autoroute Blanche (A40) motorway. Chamonix is 226 km from Lyon and 612 km from Paris.
Geneva is the most convenient and accessible airport for tourists travelling to Chamonix. Chamexpress.com [http://www.chamexpress.com] run a timetabled daily service to Chamonix from Geneva Airport throughout the summer and winter seasons at 25? per person. Or Try a search for Chamonix Airport Transfer to find a wealth of other transfer copanies operating in the area.
See
'''Mer de Glace''' (''Ice Sea''), one of the biggest glaciers in continental Europe, accessible by the '''Montenvers rack railway'''. From the Montenvers Station one has great views on the glacier but also on the north Face of the Grand Jorasses, one of the three most famous North faces in the European Alps.
'''Aiguille du Midi cable car''', one of the highest cable cars in the world, apart from a few in South America. In fact the Aiguille Du Midi starts at 1035 m and finishes at a staggering 3810 m! From the bottom to the top, it has the greatest vertical range in the world. Bring warm clothes. as the temperature is alway cold even in mid-summer.
'''Brevent cable car''', on the other side of the valley, provides the best views of the Mont-Blanc massif. A round trip adult pedestrian (not skier) ticket is about 18 Euros.
In Les Houches you can take the '''Bellevue cable car''' (Telepherique de Bellevue) for another view of the Chamonix valley, with Mont Blanc to one side and the Brevent to the other. A short walk will allow you to see the other side of the mountain towards St. Gervais, Sallanches and the glacier de Bionnassay. In August 2005, a round-trip pedestrian adult ticket was 12.10 Euros.
'''Musee des cristaux''', [http://www.chamonix.fr/animationculture/site_museecristaux/accueil.html] (crystals museum), a very nice museum, exhibiting an impressive collection of crystals, mostly from Chamonix, but also from the rest of the Alps and worldwide. Created and maintained through a paternership between the city council and the local Mineralogical club [http://www.mineralogie-chamonix.org/], it is both very aesthetic and scientific, displaying pedagogical posters. You will find it just behind the ''Maison de la Montagne'' and the church.
Do
'''Compagnie des Guides''' (mountain guides), 190 place de l'Eglise, 74400 Chamonix Mont Blanc, tel. 04 50 53 00 88, [http://www.chamonix-guides.com/].
'''YokmoK Adventures''', adventure travel company specialized in the Alps, [http://www.yokmok.com/index_e.html].
'''Mountain Sanctuary''', provide Mountain Retreats and Yoga holidays in Chamonix [http://www.mountain-sanctuary.co.uk/]
Skiing
'''Vallee blanche''' (''White Valley''), glacier skiing. Needs a full day from the '''Aiguille du Midi cable car'''. The easiest route can be skiied by someone who is confident on red runs, although a guide is highly recommended due to the Glacier on which you would be skiing.
'''The Brevent''' and '''la Flegere''' are the easiest ski areas to get to from the center of town. You can walk to the ski lift at le Brevent, or take a shuttle from a number of different drop of points. Skiing for all levels, but mostly mid- to extreme ski.
'''Les Houches''' is the best family resort, and often has the best low-altitude conditions. It is the only ski area with slopes below the treeline, so it is a good place to go when there is a lot of fog.
'''Le Tour''' is at the far end of the valley, towards Martigny. It has many easier slopes for beginners, but also some out-of-bounds skiing if you are willing to hike up with your skis. It is also a good place to go if you don't like being cold, because most slopes are in the sun (although it can still be very windy).
'''The Grand Montets''' has the most extreme and highest altitude slopes, and can be accessed from the town of Argentiere.
Mountaineering
Mont-Blanc
Hiking
Take the telepherique to the top of a nearby peak. Hike down, it's easy!
Or try hikes between two telepheriques, for example:
between the Brevent and la Flegere
between the Mer de Glace and the Plan de l'Aiguille
Get a fantastic view on both the Mont-Blanc/Aiguilles de Chamonix range, and the ribbon of the Fiz limestone range:
Take the Brevent telepherique, then walk down the crest to the Bel-Lachat mountain hut, then walk down to the Rocher des Gaillands or (if slightly more courageous) to the Aiguillette des Houches and down, or
Walk up the steep lane from the Gaillands to Plan-Lachat, then Bel-Lachat, then on, up along the crest to the Brevent (about six hours and rather hot in summer: start early, but it is really worth the effort).
Several great glacier hikes exist. Even if you can't get right up to the glaciers and touch them, you can still get close enough to get some amazing views.
Glacier des Bossons - depart either from Les Bossons (at the base of the ski jump) by foot or by chair lift, or drive up to the entrance of the Mont Blanc Tunnel for a shorter, flatter hike. Warning, do not attempt to "touch" th glacier here, it is possibly the most dangerous place in the valley.
Glacier d'Tour - depart from the town of Montroc, near the ski resort "Le Tour".
Glacier de Trient - depart from the top of the Col de la Forclaz, in Switzerland (before descending to Martigny). One hour, flat.
Glacier de Bionnassay- depart from the top of the Bellevue cable car.
The first three could feasibly be done in one day if you are up early and have a car, but Bionnassay will require a half-day.
Buy
The town its self has a lovely collect on sporting, alpine and local shops. (including some fleece shirts for as little as 8 Euros, that's 2 for 16!)
Eat
It's France. The food is all good, though it can be quite expensive in the touristy places. Open a can of Ravioli from the supermarket and eat it with your freshly purchased Swiss Army Knife. If you've been hiking all day, it'll be the best meal you've ever had.
Other regional specialties (''Quand meme!'')
Fondue
''Pierrade or Pierre chaude'' - a hot piece of slate on which you cook your own slices of meat at the table.
''Raclette'' - like fondue, this is a multi-person event that involves more melted cheese, potatos and cold cuts.
''Croute savoyarde'' - a toasted piece of bread soaked in white wine and then baked with melted cheese and possibly mushrooms or tomatos.
''Tartiflette'' - potatos and bacon smothered with melted roblochon cheese.
Toasted goat's cheese salad with nuts.
'''Midnight Express''', Rue du Docteur Paccard. Serves absolutely enormous and very tasty burgers (amongst other things) for around 7 Euros. Open every day from 11AM-2AM.
If you find you've had a bit more cheese that you would really like, there's a very nice Japanese restaurant, '''Satsuki'''.
For trendy, 'nouveau French', try these restaurants:
'''Munchie''', Rue des Moulins.
'''Le Delice''', Les Houches.
'''le Basilic''', in Les Houches. For authentic French food (but not typical Savoyard).
Drink
Drinking in Chamonix is relatively expensive. Expect to pay around 6 euros in most places for a beer, though most places will sell pitchers for less. There are many happy hours during the late afternoon.
The Microbrasserie de Chamonix (MBC) has different kinds of microbrews, in an American/Canadian ambiance (serves onion rings and hot wings, for example). Otherwise, most places serve standard pilsners, such as Heineken or 1664. Just ask for 'un demi pression' for tap beer, or a 'demi panache' for a mix of half beer, half Sprite, a refreshing alternative with less alcohol. A pint is called a "serieux" or for better value, order a "pitcher".
Sleep
Chamonix and its surroundings are stuffed with hotels, lodges and campings, ranging from basic and cheap to very luxe and expensive.
''' High Mountain Holidays''' [http://www.highmountain.co.uk] Self catered apartment & chalet specialist. From comfort to luxury, small to large. Over 10 years in the valley. Great service
''' Mont Blanc Lodge''' [http://www.montblanclodge.com] Charming catered chalet. Sleeps 12, centre of Chamonix town but hidden in a quiet spot next to the park. sauna, Free WIFI
''' The Skier's Lodge''' [http://www.skiers-lodge.com] Comfortable catered chalet. Sleeps 20, hot-tub, sauna, swimming pool.
'''Maison Jaune''' [http://www.maison-jaune.com] - High-end chalet with ski in/ski out, hot tub, sleeps 10.
''' Chalet La Foret''' [http://www.chaletlaforet.com] - Traditional chalet in Les Praz, which sleeps 10 on a self-catering basis, with hot tub and barrel sauna. It's just a short walk from the Flegere Lift.
''' Chalet in the Mountains''' [http://www.chaletinthemountains.com] - fully equipped, self catered chalets, each sleeping up to 8 people or rent two together and its ideal for larger groups.
''' Chamonixselfcatered.com''' [http://www.chamonixselfcatered.com] - a good selection of quality self catered apartments and chalets for rent in the Chamonix Valley
''' Chalet Schuss''' [http://chalet1802.co.uk/accommodation/schuss.aspx] - Luxury ski in/ski out chalet with hot tub & sauna, sleeps 10.
''' The Farmhouse''' [http://chalet1802.co.uk/accommodation/farmhouse.aspx] - Luxury catered ski chalet with sauna and hot tub, sleeps 16.
''' Chamonix Apartment''' [http://www.chamonix-rental.com] - Annexe De l'Universe is a beautiful one bedroom apartment in the heart of Chamonix Mont Blanc
''' JKchamonix''' [http://www.jkchamonix.com] self-catering apartments in Chamonix center.
''' Chamonix Apartment Rental''' [http://www.chamonix-rental.com] - A spacious one bedroom apartment that sleeps up to 4 people right in the heart of Chamonix Mont-Blanc
''' Chamonix Hostel''' [http://www.gitevagabond.com] - The Vagabond is a cheap hostel in Chamonix with a bar attached.
''' Ventoria Travel''' [http://ventoria.com] - Ventoria offers a number of self-catering apartments in Chamonix centre
''' Chamonix Catered Chalets''' [http://www.arcticbeaver.com] - Arctic Beaver provide catered and self catered chalets in Chamonix
Residences MGM La Ginabelle. 870 026 7144 . ttp://www.pv-holidays.com/scripts/fiche_produit.php?id_ofr=2&id_sai_passe=1&date=2009-02-28&duree=7&code=CGL24. Self-catering apartments designed for groups of 4 to 8 persons, the apartments are spacious, warm and fully equipped with everything. The residence offers ski in/ski out facilities, Wi-Fi access throughout and located at the heart of the Chamonix ski resort.
Residence Pierre & Vacances Chamois Blanc. ttp://www.pv-holidays.com/scripts/fiche_produit.php?id_ofr=233&id_sai_passe=1&date=2009-02-28&duree=7&code=BNL25. The Pierre & Vacances Chamois Blanc residence in Chamonix is a small self catering residence with 42 apartments for up to 5 persons. Fully equipped with ed linen, towels and end of stay cleaning (except kitchen area and washing-up) included in the prices. The residence is located near the centre of Chamonix and offers direct access to the ski lifts.
Residence Pierre & Vacances Les Aiglons - Chamonix. ttp://www.pv-holidays.com/scripts/fiche_produit.php?id_ofr=221&id_sai_passe=1&date=2009-02-28&duree=7&code=AIL24. The Pierre & Vacances Les Aiglons residence in Chamonix is in the Chamonix-Sud quarter, close to a large number of shops under arcades, and the pedestrian walkway. is only 300 m from the _gAiguille du Midi_h cable car, which provides direct access to the exceptional 'White Valley' trail.
Residence Maeva La Riviere. ttp://www.pv-holidays.com/scripts/fiche_produit.php?id_ofr=47&id_sai_passe=1&date=2009-03-07&duree=7&code=16L14. The residence with its wooden facades is located in the district of Chamonix Sud, 300 m from the Aiguille du Midi cable car and 5 minutes from the resort centre.
Stay safe
Climbing the Mont Blanc is popular among alpinists. The climb should however not be attempted by people lacking mountaing climbing experience and equipment, even using the easiest route (''voie royale'').
More generally, all high mountain hiking, climbing, and skiing, is potentially dangerous. Bad weather may turn an otherwise easy hike into a strenuous and possibly fatal journey ; weather in the mountains can change at short notice and you should always inquire about the latest forecast. Always carry a cell phone, should you need to call for rescue, though there is no guarantee it will work everywhere. Keep it turned off unless needed, so as not to drain its batteries needlessly.
After snowfalls, in some areas, avalanches can be expected ? either natural or triggered in order to prevent further avalanching. Always inquire about avalanche hazards before embarking in hikes in the snow or off-track skiing. Even if you do not fear for yourself, please show consideration for the people who may be underneath you.