Chamonix Village

Chamonix. An industrialised town on the valley floor and a centre of mountaineering long before it became a ski station. Nowhere could be further removed from the purpose-built ski resorts liberally developed across France in the Seventies. The town is the centre of winter activity in the Chamonix valley, while the smaller village of Argentière beneath the Grands Montets ski area is a popular second choice. Skiers and snowboarders also base themselves in any of the many outlying villages.

The hub of the valley is the old town of Chamonix, with narrow, cobbled and pedestrianised streets along the banks of the River Arve. This is the preferred place to stay in the valley, despite the fact that there are only 2 main lifts coming from within the town centre area. To appreciate Chamonix for what it is you have to adjust your perception of what a ski resort means to you. For Chamonix is not your typical ski resort, but more of a base camp from where you can explore the different ski areas, not only directly within the confines of the Chamonix valley but also many of the other areas which are accessible on the Mont Blanc Unlimited ski pass. Regardless of where you stay, your skiing day will inevitably involve taking a bus or car between the different ski areas and a car is highly recommended for complete flexibility.

The old town centre of Chamonix is attractive, but the fringes continue to grow with some unsightly apartments, and which with every passing year make the centre seem smaller. The atmosphere is of a bustling market town: there’s a busy railway station, restaurants aplenty and a sense that day-to-day life goes on as usual while pleasure seekers hit the slopes above.

Getting your bearings is easy enough in the pedestrian centre, but arriving by car can be a challenge. If you’re staying centrally, make sure parking is provided. For day visitors there are pay car parks to the south of the approach road and dotted around more centrally; there’s also pay and display on-street parking, if you can find a space. The Aiguille du Midi cable car station is the main bearing south of town centre; heading into town from here there is a good range of ski/mountaineering shops, many with ski and board rental, followed by increasing numbers of cafés, restaurants and bars as you near the middle of town.

Other ski villages in the Chamonix valley:
Argentière, Les Houches & Vallorcine