Dominated by soaring peaks including Western Europe’s highest mountain Mont Blanc, Chamonix is truly one of the world’s great alpine winter ski and snowboard resorts. Although Chamonix now has a large populated area spreading out along the valley floor the town centre retains considerable charm and character, proud of its mountaineering history. Chamonix has become a mecca for off piste skiing and snowboarding and enthusiasts travel from around the world to sample the wild and truly awe inspiring terrain that can be found here. Best suited to strong and confident skiers and snowboarders Chamonix still retains the title of the freeride and extreme capital of Europe, if not the world.
Chamonix resort ski lift system
The lift system in Chamonix is varied across the resort.
Chamonix acts as a hub to all the surrounding skiing, snowboarding and telemarking areas in the region including the famous Vallee Blanche. The areas of Le Brevant and La Flegere directly above Chamonix serve intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders both on and off piste.
Les Grands Montets above the small town of Argentiere is a huge skiing and snowboarding area with extensive off piste terrain and nearby Domain de Balme has more wide open and gentle ski and snowboard runs for all abilities.
Les Houches is another skiing and snowboarding area at the other end of the valley that holds a World Cup downhill skiing event and is best suited for intermediate skiers, snowboarders and telemarkers. A qualified ski instructor, snowboard teacher or mountain guide will let you make the most of this extensive region.
Chamonix acts as a hub to all the surrounding skiing, snowboarding and telemarking areas in the region including the famous Vallee Blanche. The areas of Le Brevant and La Flegere directly above Chamonix serve intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders both on and off piste.
Les Grands Montets above the small town of Argentiere is a huge skiing and snowboarding area with extensive off piste terrain and nearby Domain de Balme has more wide open and gentle ski and snowboard runs for all abilities.
Les Houches is another skiing and snowboarding area at the other end of the valley that holds a World Cup downhill skiing event and is best suited for intermediate skiers, snowboarders and telemarkers. A qualified ski instructor, snowboard teacher or mountain guide will let you make the most of this extensive region.
Chamonix, France
Situated at 1035 meters of altitude Chamonix is first and foremost a place to live and work and secondly a mountaineering capital. This gives Chamonix a special atmosphere rarely found in other winter sports resorts. A sense of mountaineering history is abundant and certainly tourists have flocked here for over 200 years to experience what the area has to offer.
Excellent shopping can be found in Chamonix including everything from Sports equipment to jewellery and top quality clothing stores. Accommodation varies from top class hotels to catered chalets. Apartments are also easily found in Chamonix, especially in the suburb of Chamonix Sud. Because of the nature of Chamonix it is unusual to find accommodation directly situated on the ski and snowboard slopes and therefore a very efficient bus service runs to and from all parts of the Chamonix Valley.
Excellent shopping can be found in Chamonix including everything from Sports equipment to jewellery and top quality clothing stores. Accommodation varies from top class hotels to catered chalets. Apartments are also easily found in Chamonix, especially in the suburb of Chamonix Sud. Because of the nature of Chamonix it is unusual to find accommodation directly situated on the ski and snowboard slopes and therefore a very efficient bus service runs to and from all parts of the Chamonix Valley.
Chamonix resort details
Beginners |
Average |
|---|---|
Intermediates |
Very good |
Advanced |
Excellent |
On piste |
Very good |
Off piste |
Excellent |
Snowboarding |
Very good |
Extensive area |
Very good |
Restaurants |
Excellent |
Night life |
Excellent |
Snow record |
Excellent |
Resort charm |
Excellent |
Travelling times to Chamonix (are approximate)
Geneva |
1.5 hours |
|---|---|
Railway station |
Chamonix |
Resort altitude |
1035 m |
Vertical drop |
1035 m - 3842 m |
Up lift capacity |
46 lifts |
Piste KM |
155 |
Mountain Restaurants and Apres Ski in Chamonix
Situated at Lognan in the Argentiere skiing and snowboarding sector, La Crèmerie du Glacier in the forest just above the base station of the cable car is famous for its croûte fromage. Plan Joran serves excellent food and has a sunny terrace. On Le Brévent, the ski and snowboarding area that overlooks Mont Blanc, La Bergerie de Planpraz is highly recommended. La Chavanne at La Flégère, which is now connected to Le Brevant by cable car, has an excellent reputation.
There is an abundance of excellent quality restaurants to be found in Chamonix. For fantastic Savoyarde cuisine try La Maison Carrier. L'Auberge du Bois Prin is also highly recommended, as is the Hotel Eden in Les Praz. La Calèche specialises in traditional Savoyard dishes whilst for something totally different go to Le Satsuki which serves Japanese sushi. The nightlife in Chamonix is varied and extensive. Well known established bars include Chambre Neuf and Le Choucas in Chamonix Centre, whilst the Jekyll is a popular establishment in Chamonix Sud. In Argentiere the place to meet is The Office where food, drink and music combine for a great atmosphere.
There is an abundance of excellent quality restaurants to be found in Chamonix. For fantastic Savoyarde cuisine try La Maison Carrier. L'Auberge du Bois Prin is also highly recommended, as is the Hotel Eden in Les Praz. La Calèche specialises in traditional Savoyard dishes whilst for something totally different go to Le Satsuki which serves Japanese sushi. The nightlife in Chamonix is varied and extensive. Well known established bars include Chambre Neuf and Le Choucas in Chamonix Centre, whilst the Jekyll is a popular establishment in Chamonix Sud. In Argentiere the place to meet is The Office where food, drink and music combine for a great atmosphere.
