Chamonix is the oldest resort located in the French Alps. It lies at the very foot of Mont Blanc. Chamonix is a long valley and the most popular holiday destination in Western Europe.
Skiing first appeared here in 1893. The first Winter Olympics were held here in 1924.
Currently, this holiday destination has an ideal reputation. The dream of many skiers is skiing on the slopes of Chamonix.
The geographical position of the valley is such that you can ride while in France, Italy (Courmayeur resort) or Switzerland (Vallorcine). Chamonix stretches from Les Houches to the miniature town of Argentières.
What attracts the resort of Chamonix
The famous resort is a paradise for fans of mountaineering and skiing.
In the Chamonix Valley you can see magnificent landscapes that amaze with their natural beauty. Here is the highest point in Western Europe - the Mont Blanc mountain range, which looks impressive and severe.
Chamonix has an ideal reputation among skiers.
The slopes of the mountains guarantee optimal conditions for skiing:
- Throughout the winter season, perfect snow cover is preserved here.
- The resort has over 3,000 hectares of prepared slopes and more than 150 km of good slopes that are suitable for beginners and experienced skiers.
- There are steep and bumpy slopes, trails for skiing at a calm pace and all conditions for skiing off-piste.
How to get there
It is quite easy to get to the resort, having left the capital of any European country. Chamonix is at the point of intersection with Switzerland and Italy.
- Avia. Planes arrive in this city from Geneva, Paris, Lyon.
- Railway. There is a railway station in Chamonix where trains arrive from Paris.
- Auto. European motorways pass through the central part of the valley, so a trip to the resort can be made by car.
Location of Chamonix on a map of France
See the location of the ski resort on the map:
Local Attractions
Chamonix is divided into five ski areas, which are interconnected with each other and the resort center by bus service:
- logs,
- Grand Mont,
- Valle Blanche,
- Le Flefer
- Le Tour.
The most popular area is the Gran Monte, the slopes and fields of which are suitable for off-piste skiing. The life of the resort is not limited to skiing. Evening entertainment here is rich and varied. In the center of the valley there is an entertainment complex, a casino, restaurants, shops, bars and cafes.
Chamonix is the perfect destination for those with a passion for mountains.
Chamonix is the ideal destination for those with a passion for the mountains: skiing, hiking, tennis, mountain climbing, rock climbing, golf courses are popular activities in the resort.
- If you are interested in historical sights, then you should visit Alpine Museum. He talks about the past of the famous valley. There you can get acquainted with the history of skiing and mountaineering, cartography and mineralogy. Among the exhibits there is a wonderful collection of old lithographs, engravings and posters.
- Located in Chamonix Museum House Barberin which is also of interest to tourists.
- The exposition of the traditional way of life of local residents can be seen in Mining Museum in Les Houches.
- In addition, vacationers are invited Alpine house in Servoz, where exhibits illustrating the daily life of the population are presented.
PHOTO - Chamonix, France
View of Mont Blanc - Chamonix, France 
Ski slopes in Chamonix 
Chamonix: Chalet for Lovers Petit Pierre 
Chamonix, France: Aiguille du Midi 
Peak Aiguille du Midi - Observation deck on Mont Blanc
Apartments in Chamonix
The resort has a huge selection of accommodation - from five-star hotels to cozy chalets.
- Feel the Alpine atmosphere in the Tradition Chalet.
- The best chalet for couples in love is Petit Pierre.
- Among the hotels, the five-star Hôtel Le Hameau Albert stands out.
- For those who want to contemplate the beauty of Mont Blanc, Auberge du Bois Prin is suitable.
There are many other hotels in the valley, which differ in star rating, range of services and location.
Weather in Chamonix
The resort has a big advantage over others - a long ski season. The resort is surrounded by mountain slopes, which form a kind of ring around it. Therefore, a temperate climate with high humidity prevails here.
Winter. In winter, the temperature usually does not rise above zero. At the height and in the valley, the air temperature is different. In the mountains there are frosts of about -12 degrees. In rare cases, the temperature drops to -20.
Summer. Sunny weather prevails in Chamonix. In summer it is warm here: from +18 to +20 degrees. High in the mountains, the temperature is 5 degrees higher.
The favorable season for skiers lasts from the beginning of winter until the last days of March. In the highlands, the season lasts until mid-May.
Summer rest
In the warm season, the resort offers tourists a lot of interesting activities:
- Vacationers enjoy rock climbing.
- During the summer, the valley hosts exciting international festivals. For example, adventure, gastronomic, festival of organ music, jazz, etc.
- Mountain bike competitions are of interest.
In the summer months, the resort offers a rich outdoor activity: golf, trekking, climbing, rafting, etc. During the day you can swim in the lakes, and in the evening enjoy your rest on the terrace of the restaurant.
A popular area for skiers is Balm, which is almost entirely occupied by cyclists.
Chamonix has a skate park, which is part of the municipal sports infrastructure development program.
Thrill-seekers can go riverboarding.
If you want a relaxing holiday, then this is also possible. Romantic evenings, hiking and educational excursions - such leisure activities are suitable for many couples.
Chamonix is the largest French resort, which is over 200 years old. It is located in the valley of the Mont Blanc mountain range of the French Alps at an altitude of 1010 - 1200 meters. The ski resort of Chamonix in France is the site of the first ever Winter Olympics (1924). Moreover, this place is the ancestor of skiing in general. Skiing began here in 1893.
We can confidently say that if the visiting card of France is Paris, then in relation to the Alps it is Chamonix. If we talk about the possibility of relaxing in this resort - in Chamonix the prices are such that both very wealthy people and lovers of mountain landscapes of an average income level can afford it.
If you are looking for something more affordable, then we recommend paying attention to domestic resorts. In and, for example, more and more tourists come every year, including foreigners.
basic information
Location
Chamonix is located at the intersection between the mountain tunnel under the Mont Blanc Massif (Italy) and the Monte Pass (Switzerland).
Not far away is one of the largest ski resorts in Italy - the Dolomites. You can only read positive reviews about it: the tracks satisfy the needs of a skier of any level of training and it is also just a paradise for snowboarders. The hospitality and excellent service of local residents delights ... Read more.
How to get to Chamonix?
You can get to Chamonix from any European country by plane. The closest airports are:
- in Geneva at a distance of 80 kilometers;
- in Lyon at a distance of 226 kilometers;
- and in Paris at a distance of 612 kilometers.
Car enthusiasts will also find it easy to reach their destination, as the European road network runs through the center of Chamonix. This resort town even has its own railway station, where a high-speed train leaves from Paris every day (travel time is 5 hours).
In the Chamonix Mont Blanc valley, you can travel on the Mont-Blanc Express train on the route "Saint Gervais - Vallorcine - Martigny"
weather, season
The climate in Chamonix is very mild, so the resort operates throughout the year. In winter, the average temperature reaches plus 7 degrees. The ski season here starts in December and lasts until early April. The temperature in Chamonix in summer reaches plus 24 degrees. During this period, the resort is no less attractive for tourists (climbing, mountain biking).
Trails, slopes, lifts
The total length of the ski slopes in the resort in Chamonix is 170 kilometers. They are mainly located at an altitude of more than 2000 meters, so there is no shortage of snow cover. More than 3,000 hectares of perfectly prepared slopes, with slopes of all types of difficulty, are at the service of lovers of ski holidays.
One of the longest slopes in the Alps, White Valley, is located here. The resort opens up a wide range of opportunities for lovers of off-piste skiing.
There are a total of 49 lifts in Chamonix. However, there is no common system connecting different ski areas. A bus runs between them (travel time 7-15 minutes).
The resort has two large ski schools.
Ski pass prices (prices are in EUR)
Accommodation, other activities, après-ski, attractions
To accommodate tourists in Chamonix, there are about 70 hotels of various classes, as well as more than 4,000 apartments and chalets for every taste and income level. For vacationers in the resort there are cinemas and discos, casinos, bars, more than 200 restaurants and about the same number of shops.
If you are going to visit a restaurant or cafe, we recommend you to take the Restaupoche guidebook from the tourist center. It contains all the information about the cuisine, wines and desserts of each establishment. We recommend visiting "La Caleche" and tasting traditional Savoyard cuisine with excellently matched wines.
The city has a library, a photo gallery, an exhibition complex and a museum. Also numerous in the resort and sports activities in the centers of O'lympide and Richard Bozon.
The O'lympide Sports Center offers a solarium, water slides, Turkish bath, sauna and swimming pool.
Service prices:
Sports Center Richard Bozon offers jacuzzi, sauna, Turkish bath, water slides, swimming pool, gym and climbing hall.
Service prices:
Do you want to get acquainted with the surroundings? Visit excursions that are held in the following directions:
- Church of Our Lady of All Graces;
- Geneva;
- Martini (Switzerland);
- Courmayeur (Italy);
- Megeve;
- Lyon;
- Aosta (Italy);
- Annecy;
- Evian;
- Lausanne (Switzerland).
Go snowshoeing along the winter walking trails (it's about 17 km!) or go dog sledding.
Tennis courts, bowling, billiards, squash courts, gyms, ice rinks are open for tourists. Helicopter rides, hang gliding, sleigh rides, rock climbing on frozen waterfalls and much more are at your service.
Photos of Chamonix attractions:
The Chamonix ski resort is one of the most popular ski resorts in Europe and is part of the prestigious The Best of the Alps organization. The Chamonix Valley is located at the foot of the Mont Blanc glaciers (4807 m) and stretches for 16 km from the village of Les Houches to the town of Argentiere. In its very center is the city of Chamonix - the center of tourist activity.
Chamonix Valley, stretching for 16 km, surrounded by magnificent slopes that guarantee perfect snow at any time of the winter season, is located at the crossroads of the borders of France, Italy and Switzerland. Although the winter resort of Chamonix is located at an altitude of 1000 m above sea level, 90% of all ski slopes are above 2000 m, so there is always snow. For tourists who go on a ski holiday in Chamonix, the valley has more than 3,000 hectares of specially prepared ski slopes, more than 140 km of slopes for every taste - for beginners and advanced skiers. Here is one of the longest slopes in the Alps - the legendary White Valley, more than 20 km long.
Ski tours in Chamonix are unique in their ability to ride the slopes of not only France, but also Italy. If you take the Aiguille du Midi lift and overcome the mountain range, then you will see a panorama of the resort of Courmayeur and the vast Italian Alps.
For the pros, Chamonix is home to perhaps the most difficult and dangerous black pistes - the slopes under the Grands Montets funicular, the Pointe de Vue and the Pylones. The famous 24-kilometer Vallee Blanche downhill is not recommended to be overcome without a guide - it passes through dangerous sections of the glacier and is marked as off-piste skiing. Some of the red pistes in the Le Brevin area are low, narrow, with tight turns and bumpy in places.
For the intermediate level: wonderful easy wooded slopes in the Le Tour and Les Houches areas - red and blue slopes. If this seems not enough for you, then you can use the shared Chamonix-Courmayeur ski pass and cross the Aiguille du Midi to Italy.
For beginners: at first, beginners will be upset by the disunity of the ski areas and the difficulties associated with it, but this feeling will go away as soon as you get on the skis, since the ski areas for beginners are practically isolated from other slopes and you will not be disturbed by flying at crazy speeds professionals. For the first time, use the slopes of La Vormaine, Les Chosalets, Les Planards and Le Savoy.
Specifications
Resort Height: 1035 m
Ski area: 1035-3842 m
Track length: total - 152 km - 42 km for cross-country skiing.
Number of tracks:
– Green – 8
– Blue – 28
– Reds – 20
– Black – 10
Number of lifts:
– Funiculars – 2
– Large cabins – 8
– Small cabins – 5
– Chairlifts – 17
– Rope ropes – 18
Ski pass
|
Qty. days |
Adults: Unlimited |
Adults |
Children Unlimited |
Le Pass children |
Apress-ski
Chamonix is a meeting place for those who are passionate about mountains, however, in addition to skiing, mountaineering, rock climbing, this resort can offer you tennis courts, golf courses and many other entertainments: casinos, cinemas, discos, restaurants and bars.
Transfer
Webcams
Official sites of the resort
Specialist assessment
Location
Travel time from Geneva airport - 1 hour 40 minutes, from Grenoble - 2 hours. from Milan - 3 hours, from Turin - 2 hours.
+ There are almost no traffic jams on the highway.
+ Daily flights of UIA, Aeroflot and SWISS allow you to plan a tour on any day.
Height above sea level - 1035 meters
There is no need for acclimatization and "getting used" to the height, even for small children.
+ A combination of rocky peaks, peaks and coniferous forests, unique in its beauty.
- The "lower" slopes are rarely available for descents (due to the lack of snow) and, as a result, there are periodically emerging queues for lifts at the end of the day.
Trails and slopes
A wide variety of trails, especially for fans of off-piste skiing.
+ 5 autonomous stations give the feeling of a fundamentally new skiing place every day.
+ Autonomous stations allow skiers of different skill levels to ski compactly (families with children, groups, etc.), because at each station there are trails of all difficulty levels.
+ The presence of 2 stations with a southern orientation of the slopes provides sunny comfortable skiing even in the "cold" months of winter.
+ A fairly large number of trails for beginners within the city, in close proximity to hotels, allows you to successfully combine attempts to get up on skis with shopping, visiting numerous shops and bars, or just relaxing with a view of the highest peak in Western Europe - Mont Blanc (4807 m) .
- There is no unified network of cable cars, so lovers of "ski safaris" are unlikely to be satisfied.
- The number of tracks is limited, not in the hundreds.
– A small number of trails for beginners.
– Insufficient processing of tracks by snowcats.
Lifts
Numerous cable cars make the most of the terrain of the slopes, allowing you to significantly expand the ski area.
+ Optimal positioning of ski lifts and slopes allows to reduce to a minimum the number and time of "empty" slopes (along the blue slopes for strong skiers, for example).
- Many of the "main" cable car lines are outdated.
- A small number of cable cars and, as a result, periodically arising queues.
– In case of strong wind, many stations are closed.
Resort
One of the oldest resorts in Europe is certainly a classic of the Alps.
+ The only mountain resort in France is a member of THE BEST OF THE ALPS.
+ Extensive center with numerous shops, restaurants, bars, discos.
+ An exceptionally international resort where everyone feels at home.
+ Prices are generally 10-20% lower than in other French resorts of the same class.
– Dense road traffic of automobile and bus transport.
Our Comment - Group Tour, "Two Sides of Mont Blanc" January 2-9, 2011
Group With Ukraine, accommodation V Residence Ours Bleu 4*, Vallorcine, Ski Mont-Blanc – Chamonix. FIRST SEASON
Group skating:
Chamonix offers several ski areas.
Skiing in Vallorcine - Balmay - Le Tour is recognized as the most comfortable.
Lift - very close
There is a very beautiful descent almost to the railway. station – it remains to walk about 100 meters to the ski lift and the residence
You have to drive 2 stops to the Le Tour ski area, it is comfortable for beginners, very sunny, quiet and very cool for children
most of the time the group spent on Le Tour
Transport
1. A cool train runs throughout the Chamonix valley - it solves all communication issues between the villages of the valley and the ski areas. The traffic schedule is maintained, but the last train leaves Chamonix early (at 19.43), tourists do not have time to work up in the evening in the city.
2. Taxi - from 50 to 100 euros per car one way
From the Vallrsin station it would be possible to go with a change in Verbier, but literally 2 minutes are not enough to connect with the train from Martigny to Switzerland.
Nutrition
1. The residence is beautifully equipped and equipped with new equipment and utensils for cooking and dining
2. There is a small shop in the village, it has fruits, vegetables, a small selection of products. Therefore, it is recommended to skimp in Chamonix 1-2 times during the tour. For the price it will not be too expensive and the range of products is very large.
3. In the residence, they drank water from the tap.
Rooms
1. The rooms are warm. Very spacious. Each room has a TV (plasma). Channels - French, Eurosport, no Russian channels.
2. The rooms can be freely and comfortably placed:
in a two-room apartment - 4 people,
in a three-room apartment - 6 people,
in a four-room apartment - 8 people.
3. Upon check-in, high-quality linen sets are issued, but at the same time, detergents, toilet paper and shampoo are not issued during check-in
Parking
Under the residence there is a huge parking lot, reservation is not required.
Ski storage
It is carried out in individual boxes for each number
The boxing key is issued at the reception.
The storage is located under block A, next to the lift, very convenient and close.
After skiing, it is better to leave your boots to dry in the corridor near the entrance to the room, it is very warm in the corridor at night.
Rental.
1. The rental office is located next to the station. If you walk along the bridge across the river, it is not far, you can use the second, larger rental point, it is more comfortable and a little more expensive.
2. The average rental price - for 6 days they paid 80 euros (this is for the average level of equipment, including skis, boots, poles).
Ski pass
1. For a group Ski-pass is better to book in advance, they give a group discount of 5%. But it is very difficult to arrange the whole group at once!! They sold us Ski-pass twice for groups of 20 people and no less!! Organizing everyone at the same time is very inconvenient and difficult.
2. At the same time, 6-day Ski-passes for the group were purchased:
Unlimited - 241.5 euros, according to the following calculation 250 euros - 12.5 euros (5%) + 3 euros (card)
Le Pass - 198 euros, according to the following calculation 205 euros - 5% + 3 euros (card)
Children's Ski-pass cost 163 euros for a child under 12 years old.
3. When registering a group price, even the one who took the Ski-pass for only 1 day or even half a day was considered a member of the group.
4. You can individually take a Ski-pass for any number of days, for one or for 4 hours. Six days in a row, rarely anyone rides, so if you skip even one day of skiing, the savings effect eventually disappears.
5. Each tourist needs to think in advance and decide how he imagines the organization of skiing, both personal and his family. It is not necessary to fit everyone into everyday skating, this may not be feasible. Still, it is better to buy a Ski-pass for a day or two at the beginning, according to the initial desire and well-being. For example, in our group, tourists P. and M. almost did not use their 6-day Ski-pass, because they went to Geneva almost every day. Chamonix, Annecy. They could buy a Ski-pass at first for 1-2 days, and then it would be visible.
6. When planning skiing, you need to understand exactly which of the Ski-passes is more rational to have - Unlimited or Le Pass. The choice of the type of Ski-pass purchased depends on the desire of the tourist to visit various ski areas. January 2011
2011
website
Our Commentary - Group Tour "Two Sides of Mont Blanc", December 30, 2011 - January 8, 2012
Group With Ukraine, accommodation V Residence Ours Bleu 4*, Vallorcine, Ski Mont-Blanc –WITHhamonix. SECOND SEASON.
I will immediately note THE MOST IMPORTANT– the tour in the second season was ABSOLUTELY DIFFERENT from the group's first (last year) visit to Chamonix (Vallorcine).
Three main differences:
weather, snow and skiing for the group.
during the tour there was a meeting of the New Year
visit to Turin added to the tour program
With the most important, I will start my commentary on the tour.
Weather, snow and group skiing.
The cardinal difference of weather conditions from the previous round. During this period, a snow cyclone and a snowstorm passed through Europe. Many stations and ski areas were closed across Europe, including in the Alps. The full number of days this year was not possible to ride anywhere ..
In Chamonix, also during this period, entire ski areas were closed, stations and lifts stopped working, and slopes were closed due to a large amount of snow.
The Chamonix region experienced record snowfall for this time of winter. For example, in Argentiere, I saw 1–1.5 meters of snow on the roofs of houses!
White Valley was closed for skiing due to difficult weather conditions
After a heavy snowfall, the Balme-les-Tours ski area was torn in the middle. Some skiers (Vanya) crossed the distance from one working part to another on foot, on virgin soil. They say that the sensations from this are just space !!
During bad weather, our tourists mostly stayed to ride in their zone
On January 3, there was a departure to the ski resort of Courmayeur (Italy), we rode in clear sunny weather on fresh snow
The departure to the ski resort of Verbier (Switzerland) was scheduled for January 5, but it was on this day that a snowstorm raged in the Alps and the departure was canceled.
Meeting of the New Year.
Meeting the New Year is a difficult event, because there is no constant food in the residence. Therefore, it is necessary to place an order in advance, coordinate the menu and make a full prepayment. In addition, questions arise in the process and mental differences between the French and Slavs appear, for example:
1 our tourists are not aware of the peculiarities of the local cuisine
2. our tourists, as usual, are not ready for restrictions when ordering, paying and drinking alcohol. For example: there is a strong desire to bring alcohol with you to the New Year's dinner, but the owners require full payment to the cashier for each such bottle in accordance with their rules and tariffs.
3. Our Slavic form of festive communication implies an unlimited invitation and connection to the event of friends, comrades and relatives. For the French, the composition and number of participants in the dinner is strictly defined and paid.
Turin and Milan.
Turin is a beautiful, very beautiful city, which appeared before us in a dazzling New Year's dress. In recent years, the city has changed a lot and prettier. In 2008, the Winter Olympic Games were held here, which attracted 2.5 million guests. Then there was a massive arrival of pilgrims to visit the Shroud of Turin and this gave another 2.5 million tourists. So the city attracted serious money to its budget.
Tour of Turin is very informative and interesting. It’s just a pity that many of our tourists didn’t get to it, who along the way were “lost” in shops, cafes and restaurants.
Transport
Arrival and departure to/from Chamonix (Vallorcine) was this time through the Great St Bernard Pass Tunnel
This added about 50 km of track. Our pass between Chamonix and Vallorcine was closed to large buses.
During the snowstorm, train traffic was interrupted throughout the Chamonix Valley, as well as railway communication with Switzerland (surprisingly, sometimes trains ran late).
After a heavy snowstorm, the pass between Chamonix and Valorsin was closed, and communication between them was carried out through a railway tunnel. For the locals, this is a common practice. The traffic police, together with the mountain services, quickly organize the movement of cars inside the railway tunnel along a specially provided platform.
I note good transport links throughout the Chamonix valley through ski-bus. Buses take skiers to all ski areas. The main transport interchange of these buses is located near the Tourist Office in the center of Chamonix.
After arriving in Milan, the transfer to Turin did not seem tiring.
Nutrition
During the transfer from Turin to Chamonix in the city of Aosta (Italy) we stopped for 2 hours at the Carrefour supermarket Very seriously and inexpensively (pre-New Year sales and discounts had already begun at this time) were stingy for the New Year's table.
Rooms.
Check-out from the residence rooms was very organized. Delivery of rooms began at 7.30. ended at 9:00.
Tourists after their stay left the rooms in perfect sanitary condition, fully equipped and carefully cleaned. Accordingly, the owners of the residence returned all the security deposits in full without any problems.
Only tourists from one room paid for the final cleaning - 90 euros .
Parking
From the group, several families traveled to the residence in their cars from Germany and Poland.
Ski storage.
The residence does not provide special boxes for Studio rooms, so tourists who settled in this type of room left their skis on their balconies.
rental
Skis were rented by about half of the group, mostly right next to the station. The rental price is the same as last year.
Ski pass
Our station returned the cost of a ski pass to tourists for one day of its downtime, on January 5 there was a snowstorm and the station did not work. Such a move by the French ski stations happened for the first time in many years. Stations usually do not offer refunds due to weather conditions. For a refund, it was necessary to present a receipt for the purchase of this ski pass.
year 2012.
Group leader Vasily Maslov, director of the ski portalwebsite
You can and should relax not only in summer, but also in the cold season. You just need to properly organize your vacation. Of course, many people prefer to go to warm countries on the seashore, but there is a much more interesting option - a ski resort.
The main center of winter recreation are the Alpine mountains. One of the resorts located on the slopes of the Alps is the French resort of Charmony.
The Charmoni Valley is characterized by snowy winters, during which it can get very cold. However, there are no really cold months, the average winter temperature is -15 degrees Celsius. In summer, in places of mountain slopes, the high temperature does not please, which is not surprising for the highlands.
The average temperature is +14 degrees. If we talk about the city, then the air temperature by months is typical for a temperate climate.
Interesting fact: Chamonix is the first capital of the Winter Olympic Games.
Characteristics and scheme of routes
There is no single ski area, there are several areas separated from each other and differing in difficulty level. In total, there are a hundred tracks in the valley, the total length of which is 170 kilometers. At the same time, the tracks are divided according to the level of difficulty, so both professional skiers and beginners will like this place. One of the longest routes is the White Valley, which is a descent with a length of twenty kilometers.
The trails are far away from housing, so you need to get to them by bus.
All zones are divided into two categories: high and low.
High ski areas include:
- Le Tour - Vallorcine - Col de Balmes - which, in turn, include slopes of the most varied complexity, from which it is not only convenient to move out, but also to admire the beautiful views of the Charmonix valley.
- Grand Monte , representing an area characterized by large differences in altitude, this figure varies from 1200 to 3300 meters above sea level.
- White Valley , which is the most famous area for skiing. Its length is twenty kilometers. At the same time, this place is a valley and is distinguished by a large difference in height. All this makes this area one of the most difficult. So it is hardly suitable for beginners or amateurs. This place is more suitable for experienced skiers.
- Lez Ouch unlike the previous version, it is less complicated, so it is suitable for beginners.
The list of low areas includes:
- Glacier du Mont Blanc - Le Bosson
- Le Planard
- Le Savoy
- Le Pellerin
- Le Chozalet
- La Vormain
The main difference between these areas is the low difficulty of overcoming them, which makes them ideal for beginner skiers and snowboarders, as well as for children. In addition to tracks suitable for skiing and snowboarding, Olympic tracks are equipped here.
Chamonix ski resort map (click to enlarge):
Prices for skiing and ski passes
Holidays in the French valley of Charmoni can not be called cheap, but it's worth it. Most of the money will be spent on the purchase of a ski pass.
- Elite card "Mont Blanc Unlimited", which will allow you to ride on all tracks. Depending on the validity period, costs for an adult within from 56 to 716 euros. The minimum validity period is 1 day and the maximum is 20.
- The more budget option is Chamonix Le Pass. This card is worth from 46 to 664 euros. There is a one-day, ten-day and twenty-day card. However, it is worth noting that, unlike the elite card, it does not work everywhere.
There is a system of discounts for children and pensioners.
Housing and living in Chamonix
Accommodation in hotels, based on the conditions provided and the location, varies within from 100 to 270 euros per day.
Since the Charmoni Valley is a resort place, there are all conditions not only to ensure the leisure of visitors, but also for their comfortable accommodation. There are many hotels and hostels in this area.
Most of the hotels are not certified by the number of stars, so you need to choose according to the description and reviews. Most of the hotels and inns offer rooms for one or two people. Hotels in most cases are free-standing buildings with a small number of floors.
As services, such hotels offer services such as:
- free Wi-Fi;
- bar and restaurant on site;
- TV in the room.
In hotels that can be classified as elite, the rooms are more luxurious. There is a mini-bar, air conditioning and other amenities, and on the territory of such a hotel, in addition to a restaurant, there is a sauna or even a spa center and a swimming pool.
The cost of living depends not only on the conditions, but also on the location of the hotel relative to the ski areas. The closer, the correspondingly more expensive.
The average cost of renting rooms varies within from 7 to 8 thousand rubles per day. So the resort is not budget, but the resulting comfort and pleasure from staying in the valley are worth it.
Food is also an important expense item. If you want to save money, what is better to eat in the city, since the higher the establishment is, the more expensive the food sold there is.
All photos of Chamonix ski resort:
Chamonix is one of the largest and oldest ski resorts in France, located in the valley of the Arve River, at the foot of the highest mountain peak of the Alps - Mont Blanc. First of all, the resort is known as the region that gave rise to tourist mountaineering. After the summit of Mont Blanc was conquered by Michel-Gabrielle Paccard and Jacques Balmat in 1786, a tourist boom began in the Chamonix valley. To this day, climbers from all over the world come here to climb the highest mountain peak in Europe - 4,807 meters. However, it is not easy to do this, and climbing Mont Blanc requires very good climbing training.
general information
The next significant event in the development of the resort was the construction of a railway track that connected Chamonix with the capital of France and the cities of neighboring states. In addition, this made it possible to come to the valley at any time of the year, and already in the winter of 1893, the first skiers appeared on the alpine slopes of this area. It was here that the world's first Winter Olympics took place in 1924. Since then, both the resort and the city itself have changed - a lot of safe high-altitude slopes, many lifts, as well as a well-developed tourist infrastructure with many modern hotels, shops, restaurants and entire entertainment complexes have appeared. However, the ancient cobbled streets, stone and log houses are reminiscent of more than 200 years of history of these places.
The resort town has expanded significantly over the past decades and at the moment, the number of its permanent residents is a little over 10,000 people. Today, Chamonix is considered the unspoken capital of winter extreme sports, attracting thousands of tourists, including both professionals and beginner skiers and snowboarders. The 16 km valley has become one of the most popular ski resorts in the world. Its geographical position on the border of France, Italy and Switzerland allows tourists to ski not only on the slopes of the French Alps, but also to cross the border of Italy, getting on the slopes of the Courmayeur resort, and also visit the Swiss Vallorcine and Verbier without any problems. 
Transport connection
Thanks to its good location, you can get to the resort from any European capital. The most convenient option is by plane. The nearest airport is in Geneva, at a distance of 88 kilometers. A little further is the air port - it is separated by about 200 kilometers. There is a bus service between these cities and Chamonix, you can also take a taxi to the resort.
Chamonix is the only ski resort in France that has a train station. High-speed trains from here run daily. The journey will take about 5 hours.
Climatic features
The resort has its own climatic feature - due to the ring of mountain peaks surrounding it, a temperate climate and high humidity prevail here, contributing to a longer season compared to other ski resorts: from December to early April, and snow lies almost on the high slopes. until mid-May. The winter in this area is quite mild, and in the valley the air temperature fluctuates around 0⁰C…-1⁰C, but on the high slopes the air is colder and sometimes frosts can reach -20⁰C. Summer in Chamonix is almost always sunny and the thermometers rise to +20⁰C, and in the mountains - up to +25⁰C. It should be borne in mind that, as in any mountainous area, the weather here is very changeable and snowfalls occur very often in winter, and in other seasons the sun is abruptly replaced by heavy rains. The favorable season for skiers lasts from the beginning of winter until the last days of March. 
Chamonix slopes
For the convenience of vacationers, Chamonix is divided into 5 skiing areas, most of the slopes are at an altitude of 2000 meters, so the snow cover is very stable. The slopes equipped for descents are located in different areas and are connected with each other and the city by a regular transfer:
Grand Monte - captures part of the glacier, and is one of the most popular, thanks to its long trails with elevation changes of up to 2,000 meters. A snowpark and half-pipe are organized in this area, European snowboard competitions are held here.
Breva - located near the center of Chamonix, the slopes of this area are suitable even for beginner skiers.
Le Flegère is an area adapted for skiers with an average level of training. 
Le Tour - located in the depths of the valley. The sunny slopes of this area are wide and flat - ideal for beginners.
Les Houches is the most picturesque area, there are trails for athletes of different levels of training.
However, the most desirable for professionals is the legendary "White Valley" track - one of the longest and most dangerous slopes in the Alps, with a length of more than 22 kilometers. The route starts from the top station of the Aiguille du Midi, the highest lift in the world today, and then goes along one of the largest glaciers in Europe, Mer de Glace, whose thickness in some sections reaches 400 meters.
Entertainment and attractions
The main attractions in Chamonix are picturesque panoramas of steep mountain slopes and interesting ski slopes. Those who wish can dilute active rest with a cultural and excursion program.
One of the most impressive places in the valley is the huge Mer de Glace glacier, which stretches for 12 kilometers. To him, in the Montanver Valley, tourists are delivered by a funicular. In the summer, an artificial ice cave is built annually in the Mer de Glace, which houses the Museum of Ice Sculptures and Wax Figures depicting the townspeople of Chamany of the 19th century in traditional interiors, with household items and in costumes of that era. The magical realm of ice fascinates, and multi-level illumination adds mystery to these huge grottoes. 
Next to the Ice Museum is the Space Tyrazz Exhibition Center, where art exhibitions and various cultural events of the city are held. The photo gallery of Philippe Franol attracts attention, capturing in his photos the incredible beauty of the Alpine peaks and breathtaking tricks performed by snowboarders and skiers on local slopes.
Here, at the base of the Mer de Glace, there is the Gallery of Crystals, which exhibits the rocks of Mont Blanc, as well as valuable minerals most often found in the depths of the Alps, telling about the centuries-old history of nature and climate of these places.
For tourists who, in addition to skiing, are also engaged in other sports, Chamonix provides swimming pools, climbing walls, gyms, tennis courts, canyoning, rafting, mountain biking and even a paragliding club. 
A few kilometers from the city, near the village of Le Praz, there is another entertainment unusual for a ski resort - a large golf course equipped in a modern style. It was created back in the 30s of the last century under the guidance of architect Robert Trent Johnson, and today there is everything necessary for fans of this aristocratic sport - about 18 holes, equipment rental, locker rooms and showers. The field opens for guests in early May, and closes with the onset of cold weather - at the end of October.
In the summer, a lot of tourists come to the resort and in addition to the huge number of entertainment offered, international festivals are held here, including gastronomic, adventure, jazz and organ music festivals. 
Leisure for children
Chamonix offers ample opportunities for a full-fledged active holiday for the whole family. There are many private instructors in the valley, as well as several ski schools and special "green" slopes, equipped in such a way that it is convenient for beginners to learn to ski.
For very young travelers, nurseries and kindergartens are organized on some slopes, allowing parents to calmly conquer the peaks and not worry about their child. 
The true delight of the young guests of Chamonix is dog sledding, with harnessed blue-eyed huskies. Riding on snowdrifts will bring great pleasure not only to children, but also to adults. On some slopes it is possible to ride on equipped toboggan runs, the necessary equipment can be rented or purchased at the store.
In the vicinity of the ski resort there are several zoos and protected natural parks with a large variety of flora and fauna of the region. Some animals living here are endemic and it is impossible to see them outside the protected area. Marmots, deer, llamas and chamois live in the Merlet Animal Park near Les Houches. 
Cuisine of Chamonix
There are more than 100 different cafes and restaurants in the Chamonix Valley, among which there are both budget and luxurious Michelin establishments. Fatty and high-calorie Savoyard cuisine is common in this region. One of the main products for local residents is cheese, which is added to almost every dish here. Not everyone knows that the French Alps are the birthplace of the classic cheese fondue.
Hot mulled wine is considered the most popular drink in the snowy mountains, but local white wines from nearby wine regions are also in demand.
Even tourists who have never skied should visit magnificent Chamonix at least once in their life. At least in order to admire the picturesque views of the French Alps, which open from the observation decks or from the windows of restaurants.
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