FRANCE
CHAMONIX
Chamonix- Mont-Blanc, often simply called Chamonix, is one of the most legendary ski destinations in the world. Nestled in the French Alps, at the foot of Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s highest peak. Chamonix, the town sits way down in the valley, positioned in the shadows of the cliffs and mountains around it. Chamonix has a rich history as a hub for alpine adventures and offers a unique mix of world-class skiing, breathtaking mountains and a vibrant apres-ski culture. Chamonix attracts everyone from seasoned skiers and free riders to families and beginners looking to enjoy a memorable winter holiday. This guide provides a detailed overview of Chamonix, including ski area, ski passes, accommodation, top restaurants, best après-ski bars and how to get here.
Plan your Ski Adventure
Booking a ski trip involves a range of reliable resources to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. I have listed below our favourite companies we use when we plan our ski holiday.
Ski World– They have been taking customers to the best ski resorts in Europe, the US and Canada for more than 36 years.
Skyscanner– it’s our go to for finding the best flights, we usually start here and usually finish here.
Booking.com– for accommodation, we rely on booking.com for its extensive options and user reviews.
Train Travel– to European ski resorts is convenient and scenic, popular trips include Glacier express to Zermat, the Eurostar from London to the French Alps. We find “Omio or Trainline” are the best sites for booking trains in Europe.
Car Hire – we usually hire a car it offers us flexibility and convenience, allowing easy access to most resorts. Companies like “Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com’ provide reliable options with winter equipment.
Travel insurance– Don’t ski without it. If you get hurt on the mountain it could cost, you a small fortune if you’re not insured. We used “Safety Wing” when my wife broke her ankle a few years ago in Wengen they were terrific.
Ski Equipment. – Bring your own ski gear, its usually cheaper and much better than renting, it ensures you have a perfect fit. Owning also saves time and money in the long run. Equipment like “Skis’, ‘Pants and Jackets,’ Gloves, ski -helmets and Thermal underwear” can all be bought online. You can purchase everything you need from Berg’s Ski and snowboard (USA) or Snow and Rock (UK)
For specific resort information- we turn to the resort website, which often provides details on lift passes, equipment rentals, ski school bookings. These resources together make planning our ski trips a lot easier.
Chamonix, the town is vibrant and happening, a roaring river runs through its centre and adds to its European charm, particularly the cobble stone car-free main street and square with its old buildings and churches. We have mixed feelings about the centre, unfortunately there are a lot of ugly buildings and apartment blocks, and around the centre it is like any busy major town, which takes away Chamonix’s overall ambience. As you would expect in such a big town, there is an abundance of shops, restaurants and bars. Many of which are excellent and some of which feel like a tourist trap.
The major drawback of Chamonix is the inconvenience of getting to and from the slopes, especially if you have young children. All but two of the ski areas are separate, with most requiring shuttle buses to reach them. Even centrally located Brevent-Flegere has its lift starting at the top of a steep hill, not ideal with kids. The cable car up to Aiguille du Midi is the easiest to get to, but anyone skiing from here is doing a 20km off Piste ski run called the Vallee Blanche, since there are no other lifts or Pistes at the top.
If you’re here for a week, you will want to explore some of the other ski areas, so you will undoubtedly end up on a bus, free buses link the ski resorts but can be crammed. The easiest solution for a family is to hire a guide for your stay, who will pick you up and drop you back at your accommodation. This will give you the best skiing experience, since they know where to go depending on the conditions.
CHAMONIX SKIING
Until you become familiar with the ski area, understanding where to ski can be confusing. The Chamonix ski area is extensive and varied, offering something for every level of skiing. Unlike many other European resorts, Chamonix ski areas are not connected by lifts, but rather a collection of distinct areas spread throughout the valley, offering a unique skiing experience.
Handy Tip: Make sure you’re wearing a SKI-Helmet especially in the snow park.
Located at the northern end of the valley this area offers wide gentle slopes that are perfect for beginners and families. It also has great off-piste opportunities, with scenic tree runs and beautiful descents into the neighbouring Vallorcine valley.
Known for its open bowls and reliable snow, this ski area is popular among beginners and intermediates. There are some lovely tree runs and cruisy runs away from the crowds.
This was our favourite place to ski with the kids, a family-friendly area, located at the start of the valley. With its gentle tree lined runs it is a place to ski more relaxed. In keeping with the relaxed theme, there are some good restaurants on the slopes and a place to ski in bad weather.
This is not another ski area. Aiguille du Midi has no lifts or pistes, just two sensational cable cars that take you from 1035m to 3840 m in 20 minutes and one incredible 20km off-piste run back to the village. Attracting freeride skiers from all over the world, the Vallee Blanche is a must for advanced skiers, with stunning views of the Mont Blanc Massif and surrounding glaciers. A guide is highly recommended due to the glacier’s crevasses and varied conditions. Even if you’re not skiing, a ride up in the cable car to the cafeteria (claimed to be Europe’s highest) is well worth it for the stunning views.
Don’t forget your GOPRO or your INSTA360 for all those action shots of family and friends.
COURMAYEUR, ITALY
If you have a 2-21 day unlimited pass you can ski in Courmayeur, approximately 40 km away, access is via daily shuttles from Chamonix (for a fee) or via the cable cars that link to Aiguille du Midi.
Chamonix for Families.
Chamonix is not the most ideal resort for families, the biggest reason is the lack of convenient access to ski areas which will make it challenging at the start of the day and end of day. Secondly, unless your kids are gun skiers there is limited beginner and lower intermediate terrain for them to enjoy. Most of the ski schools do have childcare facilities, Les Houches or Balme would be your best bet for kids’ ski school.
Wear a SKI HELMET, especially if you’re a beginner or in the snow park and remember to pack your SKI GOGGLES for Chamonix.
SKI PASSES
Chamonix offers a range of ski pass options, allowing you to tailor your access to different areas of Chamonix and beyond.
Family and group discounts are available, as are special rates for children, students, and seniors. It’s advisable to purchase ski passes online in advance for potential savings and to avoid queues at ticket offices.
Accommodation in Chamonix.
Chamonix offers 5 star-luxury to budget hotels, or stylish to simply catering apartments, and budget-friendly hostels. Everything is fairly spread out, and some areas are better than others, if you want to easily walk around town. Look at the location carefully since you want to be near the bus stops to easily get to the ski areas.
* HOTEL MONT-BLANC CHAMONIX: a five-star hotel in the heart of Chamonix offering elegant rooms, a full-service spa and gourmet restaurant. The outdoor heated pool and hot tub provide stunning views of Mont Blanc making it a favourite for luxury travellers.
* Le Hameau Albert 1er: A historic hotel that blends traditional alpine charm with modern comforts. It features beautiful rooms and suites, a Michelin- starred restaurant, and a wellness centre with indoor/outdoor pool.
2. Chalets and Apartments
Chamonix is known for its beautiful wooden chalets, which offer a more private and home-like atmosphere. Perfect for families or groups looking to self-cater and more space.
3.Budget-Friendly options.
For those looking to save on accommodation, Chamonix also offers hostels and budget hotels that provide simple yet comfortable lodging.
4.Family -friendly Stays: Many hotels and chalets in Chamonix cater to families, offering amenities like family suites, play areas, and easy access to the ski schools.
* HOTEL LE REFUGE des AIGLONS: A four-star family-friendly hotel featuring a heated outdoor pool, spa facilities, and close to the town centre and ski bus station.
I always carry a DAY BACKPACK when skiing as well as a WATER BOTTLE. It keeps me hydrated all day long on the slopes.
Where to Eat in Chamonix
Chamonix boasts a diverse dining scene, ranging from traditional Savoyard cuisine to international flavours. Here are some great places to eat.
Fine Dining.
* Albert 1er: A Michelin-starred restaurant offering refined cuisine.
*La Panier des 4 Saisons: Known for its elegant atmosphere and gourmet dishes, offering a selection of French and Savoyard cuisine.
Savoyard Specialities:
Chamonix is the perfect place to indulge in hearty Alpine dishes like fondue, raclette, and tartiflette.
* La Caleche: A classic Savoyard restaurant with a rustic, cosy ambience. Here, you can enjoy local specialities like raclette, fondue, and charcuterie platters.
* Le Monchu: A welcoming restaurant with an extensive menu of Savoyard dishes, perfect for a warming meal after a day on the slopes.
Casual Eateries:
If you’re looking for something quick and delicious, Chamonix has plenty of casual options.
* Bighorn Bistro & Bakery: An American-style bistro offering everything from burgers and BBQ chickens to fresh-baked goods.
*Moody Coffee Roasters: For a great coffee and quick bite, this cosy café is a popular spot with locals and tourists.
Family-Friendly Restaurants:
Many restaurants in Chamonix cater to families, offering kids menus and relaxed atmospheres.
*La Poele: Known for its generous portions and family friendly vibe, this restaurant serves hearty meals that kids will love, including pizzas and pastas.
Apre-ski Bars in Chamonix.
Chamonix is known for its lively apres-ski scene, with a wide range of bars and clubs where you can unwind after a day on the slopes.
How to get to Chamonix
Chamonix is easily accessible from major European cities, making it a convenient destination for winter ski enthusiasts from all over the world.
By Air: The nearest airport to Chamonix is Geneva International Airport, located about 90km away. It’s a major hub for international flights and is well-connected to Chamonix via various transfer services. From Geneva, you can reach Chamonix by SHUTTLE BUS, Private TRANSFER or RENTAL CAR. The drive takes just over an hour. Compare FLIGHTS HERE to Geneva
By train: Chamonix is served by the MONT BLANC EXPRESS, a scenic train line that connects the town with Swiss boarder and near by town of ST. Gervais-les-Bains. From here, you can connect to the French national railway, making it possible to reach Chamonix by “TRAIN” from cities like Paris and Lyon.
By Car: Driving to Chamonix is very easy, the resort is well connected by highways. The drive from Geneva takes just over an hour, and around 2 hours from Lyon. You can book a CAR RENTAL from Geneva Airport.
BY BUS: Direct shuttle services are available from Geneva and other major cities to Chamonix, particularly during the ski season. Companies like ALPY BUS offer frequent services that can take you directly to Chamonix.
Ski Lift
Getting to France’s best ski resorts couldn’t be easier than with Ski-Lifts, offering both airport and train station transfers. Private transfers are a popular choice, as you will not be sharing with others or waiting at the airport as your driver will be waiting for you on arrival.
Once in Chamonix, getting around is easy thanks to free ski buses that connect to different ski areas.
Resort activities
2. Montenvers Mer de Glace
Visit the famous glacier via the Montenvers train and explore the ice cave and glacial museum.
Handy Tip:
Make sure you have TRAVEL INSURANCE before hitting the slopes.
With its unparalleled skiing breath taking scenery, and vibrant atmosphere, Chamonix remains one of the iconic ski destinations in the world. Whether you’re seeking thrilling off-piste adventures, family-friendly slopes, or a lively après -ski scene, Chamonix has something for every visitor.
Other resorts we love in France.
Please email us with any questions to Gary and Sally at [email protected]
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