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Mention Chamonix to anyone, even to those with just a passing interest in sport, and the immediate response will be “skiing”. It is one of the world’s quintessentially iconic skiing resort, lying at the crossroads (perhaps even ‘cross pistes’!) between France, Switzerland and Italy at the base of one of Europe’s most famous and third tallest mountain peaks, Mont Blanc.

That it is world-famous for alpine skiing goes without saying. However, what many people don’t realise is that despite its fame, it remains the perfect destination for a weekend, long weekend, week, season or even longer stay. It not only offers fine skiing, but wonderful après ski, great food, nightlife, other sporting and leisure activities (even more during the summer) including a superb indoor sports centre in the town itself, ice rink, bowling, sleigh rides, a cinema, museums and also hotel spas open to non-residents.

Please don’t forget to bear in mind that should you want to take a break (time-wise and not of the body bone type!) there is possibly some of the most spectacular all year-round scenery that could fill even the most expansive of camera memory cards. Not many people are aware that the famous cable cars travelling up adjacent mountain peaks, Le Brévent, Pointe Helbronner and (on the Italian border) Aiguille du Midi operate throughout the entire year providing some of the most spectacular alpine views there are.

The resort doesn’t just rely on its fame preceding a visit thereby assuming all visitors are experts with their own equipment. There are ski schools for the inexperienced with equipment is available for rent, even by the hour for you to try out such as the latest in adventure skis, boards and even splitboards.

While the main town is indeed Chamonix, the name often extends to include the entire valley that stretched some 29km from Le Fayet in France through Chamonix town and on to Le Fayet to Switzerland, taking in some lovely traditional villages and hamlets along the way. During the ‘traditional’ skiing (or winter) season the visitor will find plenty 'apres-ski' activity in the town, and regardless of how active the town may become, there is always a superb range and choice of bars, restaurants, cafés and shops to choose from. Although very much an all-year resort, some restaurants do close during high-summer. Saturday is market day for local produce of both the edible and craft kind.

The main ski areas found within the Chamonix Valley are:

Argentière/Les Grands Montets - nine lifts, 29km of pistes and a snowpark
Les Houches - 17 lifts, 55km of pistes and a snowpark
Le Tour/Vallorcine - 11 lifts, 29km of pistes and a slalom (timed) run
Brévent-Flégère - 15 lifts, 57km of pistes, slalom and speed pistes

There are a number of major international skiing events that take place in the area during the year, the most notable being the ‘Le Kandahar World Cup’ race. It is also the starting point for Mont Blanc ascents.

Total ski area:442km
Pistes:​306
Number of Lifts: 142

1 day area pass:€60
6 day area pass:€293

Official website
http://www.chamonix.com

Areas within Chamonix Valley:
Agentiere, Les Grands Montets, Chamonix, Les Houches, Le Tour/Vallorcine, Brevent-Flegere

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  By air
  Geneva is the closest airport to Chamonix Valley. Only an hour's drive and you'll be in the heart of the stunning Chamonix ski area. Chambery airport is only two hours drive away.

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  By road
  Follow the Autoroute Blanche (A40) motorway​. Pick up signs to Chamonix - Mont Blanc

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  By train
  Chamonix is a train stop on the line connecting the main Swiss and French rail networks. Catch the TGV on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday direct to Chamonix - Mont Blanc. Outside of these days you have to change at Annecy. Sallanches train station is also nearby.



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