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Chamonix

Everything is big about Chamonix. In the shadow of the highest mountain in the European Alps, Mont Blanc, the deep valley has more skiable slopes than seems reasonable. With several ski areas distributed across the huge mountain ranges to north and south, a historic, thriving town in the centre and smaller, charming mountain villages in the valley, there’s something for everyone, though adventurous skiers have most to gain from a visit.
 

Our Rating:

Advanced *****
Intermediate **
Beginner *
Welcome to the European capital of extreme skiing. If Chamonix is the sacred heart of skiing then Mont Blanc is its altar and mountain guides are the high priests. There is nowhere like the Chamonix valley to remind you of man's insignificance compared to the vast, steep-sided mountain peaks that overlook the valley on both sides. First impressionss are breathtaking; the Chamonix Aiguilles dwarf the town, making you crane your neck to see the sky. And the view just gets better the higher you go from the valley floor.

At 4,810 m (15,781 ft), Mont Blanc and its massif is a magnet to skiers, mountaineers and all extreme sports devotees. For skiers, a long season is guaranteed with lifts open into May; there are glaciers and permanent snow fields, slopes in with every aspect of the compass, ski runs with a vertical interval of more than 2,000 m (6,562 ft) and the “Vallée Blanche”, the most famous (and crowded) off-piste run in the world. All this and only an hour away from Geneva airport. In many ways, it is a resort like no other.

Chamonix at a glance
 

On the mountain

Ski area

Of the six ski areas in the Chamonix valley, only Le Brevent and La Flégère are lift-linked; the remaining four, including the famous Vallée Blanche, are linked by road. more...

 

Lift system

The valley's lift system leaves a lot to be desired, though improvements are underway.
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Ski schools & guiding

In addition to the ESF and the Compagnie des Guides, there are many smaller, specialist ski and snowboarding schools. more...

 

Advanced & expert

Most advanced skiers head for Argentiere’s legendary Les Grands Montets, but Chamonix's other areas also provide testing skiing.
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Intermediate

Chamonix offers intermediates some really exhilarating skiing and most of them are able to ski the Vallée Blanche.
 more...

 

Beginner

There are several short nursery slopes in Chamonix town, and a few nice blues in Le Tour, but this is not a great resort for beginners. more...

 

Boarding & freestyle

Freestylers will like the natural jumps, quarters, and gullies of Le Tour and La Flegere, including the infamous Big Tit jump. more...

 

Off-piste

Off-piste is a way of life in Chamonix, for everyone from powder puppy to powder hound.  more...

 

Mountain restaurants

Chamonix focuses on skiing, not eating on the mountain, and the choice on any given day is limited due to the distance between the various areas.
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Ski Map

open Ski map

Off the mountain

Village

Chamonix has an attractive, bustling old town centre, but parking is a problem. Argentière is an alternative base.

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Accommodation

Chamonix has a number of very classy and expensive hotels, but there is also dorm-style accommodation for budget skiers.
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Apres-ski

The après-ski scene in the Chamonix valley is international, but most of it takes places in Chamonix town or Argentière rather than on the mountains.

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Restaurants & bars

Italian, Japanese, French, Tex-mex, Indian… nearly every food type is covered in Chamonix. more...

 

Other information

Chamonix offers many non-ski activities, from indoor climbing to ice rinks, from cinemas to day trips to Geneva.
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Getting there

Chamonix is only an hour from Geneva and has a direct TGV link from Paris. more...

 

 

Navigation

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Resort shortcuts

Chamonix facts

Ski Area

Base3,396 ft
1,035 m
Summit12,605 ft
3,842 m
Elevation9,209 ft
2,807 m

 

Trails/runs

Number of trails74
Advanced14 %
Intermediate32 %
Beginner54 %

 

Lifts

Gondolas/Cable cars13
Chairs17
Surface lifts16

 

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