ski chalets chamonix

chalet ski holidays in chamonix

An historic ski and climbing town on the picturesque side of Mont Blanc, by the entrance to the Mont Blanc tunnel. Chamonix offers the world's greatest lift-served vertical drop. Away from the slopes it is very lively all year round with numerous bars and restaurants.

Established in 1907 the French ski resort Chamonix lies at 3842 metres altitude in the Haute Savoie region of the French Alps / Alpes. With the highest lifts and ski slopes above 2500m Chamonix ski area is snow sure. Over 96 snow cannons ensure artificial Chamonix snow making covers 23km of ski trails, which equates to around 15 of the ski slopes. The nearest airport transfer to Chamonix (France) is Geneva / Geneve at a distance of 88km or approximately 80 minutes driving time. Chamonix ski season runs from December to May.

chamonix resort and apres ski

There are other things to do in Chamonix besides ski, breath and eat, although you don't hear much about them! There is a municipal library and an alpine museum, the latter full of interesting insights in to the town's remarkable history. Heritage visits to sites of interest in the town are also arranged through the tourist office. All mountain sports besides skiing (in all its forms) and 'boarding are well catered for of course, particularly snow shoe walks, with day and night time guided walks offered (there is a night skiing slope also). A further 17 km (10 miles) of pedestrian walks are available on three marked looping routes. There are indoor and outdoor tennis courts, 3 squash cour, an indoor climbing wall, and a swimming pool and ice rink which were fully refurbished in 1997. Paragliding, horse drawn carriage rides and scenic helicopter flights are also available.

skiing chamonix

Chamonix skiing is in three separate domains across the valley, Balme (Le Tour) domain, Grand Montets ( Argentiere) domain, Flegere ( Le Praz) and Brevent domains . There is also the L'Aiguille du Midi, which includes the world's longest lift-served ski run, the Vallee Blanche, at 23km, a run down the Mer de Glace, Europe's second largest glacier, (take a guide!).

Brevent is accessed from Chamonix itself and is great starting point. With a sunny south-facing exposition, this is suitable for skiers of all levels of ability. Flegere, which is accessed from Le Praz, and lift linked to Brevent, is of a similar character & mixed ability but is also brilliant for off-piste and a must powder-days. Flégère is located directly opposite the Mont Blanc and Aiguille du Midi so the views are fantastic.

Les Grand Montets domain can be accessed from Argentiere. It has the best slopes in the valley, it is also the largest, highest and most difficult area. Not for beginners, but intermediates and experts will find a challenge and have a lot of fun. It is worth queuing to get to The Top, which requires a separate ticket, when open. This is where famous off-piste runs, like Pas de Chevre, start from. With its north-facing slope and high altitude, it is possible to ski and snowboard at Les Grands Montets well into the month of May.

Le Tour, at the far end of the Valley, has a great variety of trails for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, first blue runs to get you started and the famous back side for unlimited powder.

You will need to travel by bus, free with your lift pass, or by car to ski Chamonix extensively . The basic 6 day ‘Chamski' lift pass gives access to all the Chamonix ski domains and includes a day over in Courmayeur and two trips on the high Grands Montets lifts, both of which usually require a supplement.

The sister resort of les Houches lies at the opposite end of the valley and is accessible with the Mont-Blanc Unlimited ski pass.

Skiing Chamonix you'll enjoy 80 pistes and trails and that means approximately 155km of ski runs. Chamonix lifts number 47 with the capacity to uplift 54660 skiers up the mountain per hour. The longest ski run in the French ski resort of Chamonix is over 22km long. Ski Chamonix summer or winter as there is also glacier skiing in Chamonix.

Chamonix Ski Area

Chamonix ski area has 15% beginner ski runs or nursery slopes, 36% intermediate, 31% advanced ski slopes and 17% for expert skiers - the most difficult Chamonix piste is the 8km Grans Montets run, with a steepness/slope angle of ?%. You can't ski Chamonix after dark.

Chamonix for skiing gets 4 stars out of 5 overall

snowboarding chamonix

Chamonix snowboarding is abundant and often the hardest decision of the day it to decide where to go and ride. If there is thin snow and snowboarding Chamonix isn’t an option, the Aiguille du Midi or Grands Montets have enough altitude to always get snow. This is serious off piste snowboarding. Take to the natural kickers at Le Brevent and La Flégère to try out your tricks. There is also a natural halfpipe at Le Tour. The Grands Montets has a built half pipe and a snow park sponsored by Salomon. A number of events and competitions are staged here as snowboarding Chamonix rates high on the freeride circuit.

If you snowboard Chamonix you'll want to know that, of the 47 ski lifts in total, 16 are surface lifts or "drag lifts" - this gives a good indication of how modern the lift system is and well set up Chamonix snowboarding is - especially for beginners learning to snowboard. Chamonix snowboard facilities include 1 terrain parks and 2 half pipe (longest half pipe length is ? metres), 1 quarter pipe and 0 boardercross courses.

Chamonix for snowboarding gets 5 stars out of 5 overall